Live Auction Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at 10AM:
31. President Abraham Lincoln, Autographed “Manly Man”
Endorsement, ANS, 8VO
Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was the
sixteenth President of the United States, March 4, 1861 to April 15, 1865. As an
outspoken opponent of the expansion of slavery and a political leader in the
western states, he won the Republican Party nomination in 1860 and was elected
president later that year. During his term, he helped preserve the United States
by leading the defeat of the secessionist Confederate States of America in the
American Civil War. He introduced measures that resulted in the abolition of
slavery, issuing his Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and promoting the passage
of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution in 1865.
I have seen this man, who seems to be an intelligent & manly man, and whose
story I believe to be true. If it does not involve much inconvenience, let the
transfer he asks, be made.
- Abraham Lincoln, Sept. 30, 1864
ALS, two-page octavo overleaf, blue lined paper. Written by Pvt. David G.
Lindsay, Co. “G” 90th Pennsylvania Infantry, to Lorenzo Thomas (1804-1875).
Lindsay enlisted with the 17th Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry in order to serve
with his brother, but was sent to serve with the 90th Pennsylvania Infantry.
Thomas was organizing colored regiments with the Military Division of
Mississippi, and after exhausting all his resources, Lindsay wrote to him asking
to be transferred back to his brother’s regiment.
Camp Distribution near Alex, Va. September 29th 1864 – To Hon. L. Thomas Genera
U.S.A. Sir
I address you in hope that you will see justice done me. I inlisted in the 17th
Regt. Pa. Cavalry – and through some miss understanding I was sent to the 90th
Pa Infantry. My reason for inlisting in the 17th Pa Cavalry was that I had a
Brother in that Regiment, and wished to be along with Him.
I can prove by Captn Kupp of the city of Reading Pa that I inlisted into the
17th Pa. Cav. I most respectfully & earnestly request you Sir to transfer me to
my proper Regiment the one in which I inlisted. The Brother I have in the 17th
Pa Cav. Is the only Brother I have & to be with him was one principle cause of
my inlisting as a Soldier in that Regt.
I have made all the exertions in my power to get exchanged into my proper
Regiment but hitherto without success, and I now Apply to you Sir with every
confidence of your seeing justice done to me in this matter. I am Sir Most
respectfully Your obt Servt David G. Lindsay Co. “G” 90 Pa Infantry.
President Lincoln was moved by Lindsay’s situation and issued his endorsement,
after which Lindsay was transferred to the 17th Pa. Cavalry.
Condition Report: Excellent
Size: Lincoln ANS: 4.9 x 3.1 in. (12.4 x 7.9 cm.), Lindsay ALS: 8.1 x 5.3 in.
(20.6 x 13.5 cm.)
Provenance: Profiles in History
Estimate: $5,000 – 10,000
Back to Short Lot Listing with Lot Detail Links