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Commissioning Certificate of Brigadier General John W. Davidson (59330)

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 750.00 USD
Commissioning Certificate of Brigadier General John W. Davidson  (59330)
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John Wynn Davidson (August 14, 1825 – June 26, 1881) was a brigadier general in the United States Army during the American Civil War and an American Indian fighter. In 1866, he received Brevet grade appointments as a major general of volunteers and in the regular U.S. Army for his Civil War service. He graduated from West Point in 1845. Shortly after graduation he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Dragoons and participated in the Mexican-American War, seeing considerable action at the San Pasqual and the Rio San Gabriel battles. From August 10 to November 3, 1863 Davidson commanded the 1st Division of Frederick Steele's Army of Arkansas in his most distinguished role in the west. He led Union advance into central Arkansas and won the battle of Bayou Fourche, which led directly to the fall of Confederate-held Little Rock. After the Little Rock expedition, Davidson commanded the cavalry in the Dept. of the Gulf before returning to command the cavalry in the Dist. of Southeast Missouri. By Wikipedia. The Certificate reads in part "...and with the advice and consent of the Senate the rank of Brigadier General By Brevet, in said army..." Further reads "... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty five; for gallant and meritorious service at the capture of Little Rock, Arkansas."This certificate has 2 beautiful vignettes of flags with armor, drums, bugles, canons, canon balls, knives, & more. The other vignette has a beautiful eagle with talons holding 3 arrows. All writing legible, signed by the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton. The signature of President Andrew Johnson is not signed by Johnson's hand, and is from a "steel stamp". Of note to beginning autograph collectors- this appears at first glance to be an original signature, but it is not. Look at, and compare, the real ink used to fill out the form- the color variations within the text of handwritten letters, as well as the lightness and darkness of the beginnings and endings of the pen strokes, as well as ink consistency throughout the hand written words. this original ink pattern created by a human hand is very different from the consistent even black coloring of the ink and constant intermittent gaps of ink in the stamped signature.
This was recorded in Volume 4, page 161, Edward Davis Townsend, Adjutant General's Office, July 17, 1866. Edward Davis Townsend was principal executive officer of the War Department during the Civil War & was in close contact with President Lincoln and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. He was chosen to represent the Army at the various funerals for Lincoln. As Adjutant General of the Army, he also was responsible for developing the plan for a United States military prison, resulting in the establishment of the prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. E.D. Townsend had interaction with military and Native American campaigns, i.e., Second Seminole War & the relocation of the Cherokee.) A diary exists/published in 1970. E.D. Townsend is not mentioned in Soule, Annals of San Francisco, nor is he mentioned in Bancroft. This Certificate is in Extraordinary condition. On Mat Board (not adhered) with plastic covers. If mats are shipped then additional shipping may apply. 16" x 19.5".

Date: 1865
City/County:
State: United States