Lot 163

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Description:

Abraham Lincoln War-Dated Military Appointment of Irish-Born Career Soldier Who Would Honorably Serve at Second Bull Run & Antietam, But Would Die at Fort Boise in an Ambulance Accident 14 Years Later

An elegant 1p appointment signed by 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) as "Abraham Lincoln" at lower right. Countersigned by Simon Cameron (1789-1889), U.S. Secretary of War, as "Simon Cameron" at lower center, and by U.S. Army Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas (1804-1875) as "L Thomas" in the docket section at upper left. Recorded at Washington, D.C. on August 17, 1861. Partly handwritten and partly printed on vellum. A green embossed "War Department" seal is found at upper left. With two handsome martial vignettes at top and bottom. The engrossments are a little light, and there is expected wear including light folds. Both signatures are quite nice, with only one toned spot affecting the "b" of "Abraham" and a similar toned spot affecting the "m" of "Cameron," mentioned just for accuracy. Else near fine. Displayed to the right of a print of Lincoln with engraved name plate. Not examined out of the frame. The sight size of the appointment is 16.5" x 13" while the overall framed size is 27.25" x 25.375" x .875." Provenance information is included and further discussed below.

President Lincoln authorized the promotion of Patrick Collins (1833-1879) to the rank of Second Lieutenant of the 14th Infantry of the U.S. Army.

In part:

"To all who shall see these presents greeting: Know Ye, That reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and abilities of Patrick Collins I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint him Second Lieutenant in the Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry…"

Patrick Collins immigrated from County Tipperary, Ireland to the United States, where he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1855 and was stationed in Missouri and Texas. As we know from this document, he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant after May 14, 1861. He held this position for just five months before being promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant after October 24, 1861.

During the Civil War, Collins participated at the Battles of Second Bull Run (August 29-20, 1862) and Antietam (September 17, 1862), and received a brevet promotion for brave conduct after each engagement. The 14th Infantry, the regiment to which Collins belonged, was a part of the Army of the Potomac; this fighting unit saw action at Chancellorsville (1863), Gettysburg (1863), the Wilderness (1864), and Petersburg (1864-1865). Collins was promoted to the rank of Captain after July 22, 1865. The attached photo shows Collins (circled in red in the center back) in a photograph from the Library of Congress Collection.

After the war, Collins was assigned to military installations in the western United States including Oregon and California as well as Washington, Idaho, and Arizona Territories. He died at age 46 after being struck in the head at Fort Boise during an accident involving runaway horses and a garrison ambulance.

Simon Cameron signed military appointments are more unusual, as he served for only a 10-month-long period as U.S. Secretary of War, between March 1861 - January 1862; Cameron's successor Edwin M. Stanton's signatures are more prevalent.

Provenance

The lot comes with supporting documentation including:

1. Email correspondence between the buyer and seller dated November 12, 2004.

2. A photocopy of the check showing that the eventual purchase price for this item (along with a second minor item) was $5,000.

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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November 11, 2020 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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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