Lot 1534

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Description:

A collection of four war-date A.L.S.s all written on the recto and verso of two large 4to. sheets endeavoring to procure a promotion from the Governor of Michigan and the Secretary of War for Colonel John M. Oliver, all within the span of three weeks. The A.L.S., ‘Head Quarters McArthur Division', Nov. 14, 1862, from JOHN MCARTHUR (1826-1906) Union brigadier general, and one of the ablest commanders in the western theater. Wounded at Shiloh, he led his brigade at Fort Donelson, Corinth, and Fort Blakely, reads in part: ‘...Col. J.M. Oliver 15th Mich. Inftry. has been in command of the 2nd Brigade of this Division since the battle of Shiloh until now, much of the time under my command...He handled his Brigade with skill at the battle of Corinth...I therefore respectfully ask that you...have him appointed a Brigadier General believing he will do honor to the service and a credit to the Wolverine state...' Signed at the conclusion as brigadier general. The A.L.S., Lagrange [?], Nov. 15, 1862, penned by THOMAS JEFFERSON MCKEAN (1810-1870) Union brigadier general who held a variety of positions during the war including a paymaster, a commander of cavalry, and a commandant of prisoner of war camps, reads in part: ‘...he has been under my command and in command of a Brigade, he has served faithfully and with credit and permit me to say that his state should ask for his promotion...I hope to see the Colonel receive the promotion due to his merits...' Signed at the conclusion as brigadier general. The final A.L.S., [n.p.], Dec. 5, 1862, to Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton is from ALEXANDER MCDOWELL MCCOOK (1831-1903) Union major general whose career was damaged because of his participation in the route at Chickamauga, in part: ‘...I have the honor to recommend Col. Oliver 15th Mich. for promotion...I met him on the battlefield of Shiloh where he behaved with great gallantry, and did good execution under my own supervision...' Signed at the conclusion as major general. Although Oliver remained in command of several brigades throughout the war he was not officially appointed a brigadier general until Jan. 12, 1865. Both sheets bear tears along the mailing folds, some of which have been repaired with archival tape. Some spotting throughout, but the signatures remain unaffected. Overall good to very good.

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January 26, 2023 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

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