This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2024
This 1.5" x 3.25" Civil War Dated endorsement has been inscribed "Respectfully submitted to the War Department, Feb. 27, 1862." and personally signed by Abraham Lincoln. This item has been professionally framed to overall dimensions of approximately 26" x 40". Set to include a full Letter of Authenticity from Beckett Authentication Services. This item will also include the original letter from James C. Slaght, to Lincoln. Transcript reads:
Quartermaster Office Annapolis Md. Feby 19th 1862 To Abraham Lincoln Prest of the United States Sir I hereby petition that I may be transferred from the Quartermasters Department in the Voltr service in which I now hold the rank of Captain to the Quartermasters Department in the Regular service also with the rank of Captain. I am now forty three years old and I believe there is no blot upon my family escutcheon. For qualifications and character I beg leave most respectfully to refer you to Mr F. W. Seward Asst Secy of state, Mr D. R. Martin Prest. of the Ocean Bank N.York and Mr Wm A Hall Mercht of N.York City & well known. I have the honor to be Very Resply / Your Obt. Servt Jas. C. Slaght Cpt & A.Q.M. / U.S.V.
In January 1864, Slaght was relieved of duty as Post Quartermaster at Baton Rouge, and arrested. Slaght was court-martialed, found guilty of "permitting government teams to be used in conveying goods outside the military lines of Baton Rouge for private persons," However, both the judge advocate general and the president of the court martial wrote to Major General Nathaniel P. Banks, requesting that the sentence be remitted because Slaght acted "rather from lack of vigilance than from criminal or improper motives" and because of his prior service. On 6/4/1864, President Lincoln remitted Slaght's sentence.