Lot 266

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Description:

President Abraham Lincoln Signs Commission for Captain Wounded at Fredericksburg

Severely wounded in an advanced position at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Brevet Captain Abner R. Benedict returned to his regiment during the Battle of Chancellorsville fewer than five months later. Within weeks, he played an important role in commanding his regiment at Gettysburg, and a year later, President Abraham Lincoln issued this commission for Benedict’s promotion to full captain in the 4th U.S. Infantry, effective from June 8, 1863.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Partially Printed Document Signed, Commission of Abner R. Benedict as Captain, July 1, 1864. 1 p., 15.5ʺ x 19.5ʺ Also signed by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Embossed blue paper seal. A label from the Historical Documents Society of Sedalia, MO is found verso. Very lightly faded; pinholes at folds and in “a” in Stanton’s signature. Not examined out of the frame. Framed with photographic portrait of Lincoln to an overall size of 30.75" x 25.75."

Abner R. Benedict (1839-1867) was born in New York City, educated at the University of Vermont, and worked as a clerk in the Mason Brothers publishing house in New York City. Benedict volunteered as a corporal in the 12th New York militia, which was one of the first three regiments that left New York City for the field. In August 1861, he received a commission as second lieutenant in the 4th U.S. Infantry, and he remained with the regiment throughout the war. In 1862, Benedict displayed conspicuous gallantry in the Peninsula campaign. In June 1862, he received a brevet promotion to captain for his actions at the Battle of Gaines' Mill. At Fredericksburg, he commanded a picket-line of forty men, who during the night of December 13, 1862, advanced to the enemy’s position, while the defeated Union army retreated across the Rappahannock River. At daylight, the Confederates opened fire on the pickets at short range, and Benedict was shot through the lungs. Though physicians thought the wound was mortal, Benedict recovered at the home of his uncle, attorney and New York Assemblyman Erastus C. Benedict, in New York City. Abner Benedict received a brevet promotion to major for his actions at Fredericksburg, and he rejoined his regiment at Chancellorsville, while the battle there was in progress in May 1863. Weeks later, at Gettysburg, all of his superiors were killed or wounded, leaving Benedict in command of the regiment. On July 1, 1864, he received a promotion to full captain, effective from June 8, 1863. His wound from Fredericksburg adversely affected his health, but he remained in the army and for some time commanded the 4th U.S. Infantry as General Ulysses S. Grant’s headquarters guard during the Petersburg campaign. Benedict remained on active duty after the war, but died from the effects of his wound in May 1867.

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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