Lot 60

Lincoln War-Dated Appointment of Salem Zouave Captain, WIA at Antietam and Author of Famed Diary

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Lincoln War-Dated Appointment of Salem Zouave Captain, WIA at Antietam and Author of Famed Diary

Estimate: $6,500 - $9,000

Current Bid: $5,000

(7 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Abraham Lincoln
Washington, DC, August 1, 1864
Lincoln War-Dated Appointment of Salem Zouave Captain, WIA at Antietam and Author of Famed Diary
DS

Fine partially-printed document signed, one page, 14.75" x 18.25" (sight), Washington, August 1, 1864. A military appointment of John P. Reynolds as Captain in the Veteran Reserve Corps (of the 21st Massachusetts), signed by Lincoln at bottom right and countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Handsomely double-matted in tan linen and set into a classic gilt frame with overall dimensions of 23.5" x 28". Frame bears chips to edges. Engrossment is a tad light, but signatures are very good. Ideal for display!

John Perkins Reynolds (1840-1919) mustered-in to Company "C" Massachusetts 8th Light Infantry (also known as the Salem Zouaves), then transferred to the 29th Mass Infantry before being discharged for wounds received in the Battle of Antietam on November 5, 1863 [although some accounts state the date of his injuries as November 17]. By our document, he was commissioned into the Veteran Reserve Corps of the 21st Massachusetts. He mustered-out on June 30, 1866. In addition to Antietam, Reynolds saw action in many of the significant battles fought by the Army of the Potomac in 1862-1863.

Reyolds wounded his ankle and elbow at Antietam, resulting in one hand being permanently bent, and also suffered from health problems which plagued him for the rest of his life. His wounding is described by antietamontheweb.org as follows: "At an early part of the fight Lieut. Reynolds was wounded in the ankle and was ordered to the rear by Lieut. Col. [Arthur F.] Devereux. He hobbled back to his company, however, and stayed long enough to receive another wound, this time in the elbow of his sword arm. Col. Devereux said later, jokingly, that 'it served him just right for disobeying his commander,' but complimented him at the time in his official report [?]."

Reynolds authored a detailed and eloquent chronicling of his experience during the war which has subsequently been published in 2013 as "In her Hour of Stress and Peril: The Civil War Diaries of John P. Reynolds, 8th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 23.5" x 28"
  • Medium: DS

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000