1862 Manuscript Cover Letter for Appointment to Judge Advocate – Successful

Description

1862 Manuscript Cover Letter for Appointment to Judge Advocate – Successful
Offered for your consideration is a manuscript cover letter regarding the appointment of an Ohio officer to be a Judge Advocate in the Union Army. This letter was apparently sent with another, sadly no longer present, supposedly from Major General Franz Sigel. This letter, written from “
Washington City D. C.
” and dated “
Sept
1862
”, was addressed to the “
Hon. S. P. Chase
” (Salmon P. Chase), a powerful Ohio politician and at the time, the Secretary of the Treasury. The letter begins, “
My Dear Sir
/
Enclosed with this please find a letter from Major Gen’l Sigel, asking the President to appoint me Judge Advocate in accordance with the 6
th
Section of the Act of Congress approved July 17
th
1862
”. He continues by stating that “
I hope you will say a word in my behalf and thus enable me to obtain my object -
”, and closes “
I am your friend
/
Most Respectfully
/
Theophilus Gaines
”. Several notations can be found on the back, the most prominent being for filing and reading “
Theophilus Gaines
/
Capt. O. V.
/
Washington, Sept. 1862
”. The additional notations, penned in different hands, read “
Theophilus Gaines
/
5
th
O. V. I.
/
Judge Advocate
/
Recom’d by Genl Sigel & Anson Stager
” and “
A. B. Nov. 3
rd
1862
/
File W. D.
”, and are presented upside-down at the bottom of the letter. This letter was probably directed to Chase since he was a very powerful member of President Lincoln’s cabinet and would undoubtedly have wielded a significant amount of influence with those who could advance the career of an ambitious officer. Records indicate that this was the case, as Gaines was promoted to major and appointed a judge advocate on November 1, 1862 (less than two months after this letter), serving until mustered out on May 5, 1866 (during the war, he apparently served in the 22
nd
Army Corps). At the time this letter was written, Gaines was serving as a captain in Company F, 5
th
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, though why this information is not presented at the closing is unknown to the seller (what he was doing in Washington is also unknown). This piece would make a great addition to any Civil War letter collection, or a wonderful research project for a military historian (it would be interesting to examine some of the cases which were presented to him). It’s a shame that General Sigel’s letter of recommendation is not with this piece, though a there may be a copy in some government or historical facility. Unusual.
The presently offered specimen exhibits signs of expected period use, followed by reasonably good long-term storage. Toning is noted across the entire surface, significantly more pronounced at the front left and on the back page. Some of this toning is mixed with minor soiling, as well as oils from light handling. The contrast is sharp and bold, with several ink smears scattered throughout. This letter is penned in period ink on blue lined white paper, though one of the notations on the back is accomplished in red ink. Ink corrosion is noted throughout, though no paper has been lost at this time. Several folds are present, slightly weakening the paper (small paper separations can be found at the edges). This interesting piece measures approximately 4⅞ x 7¾ inches when folded, and 7¾ x 9⅝ inches when laid flat. Interesting subject matter, worthy of further research.
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Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2
nd
Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows.
American Coins and Collectibles
Shreveport, LA