Auction Name: 2026 February 26 Historical Manuscripts & Texana Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 47118

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/6328*47118

[Henry Brevard Davidson]. Copy of His Brigadier General Appointment and Special Orders No. 191 (1863). Two Confederate States documents addressed to Henry Brevard Davidson, each issued from Richmond in August 1863, concerning his transfer from Virginia to Tennessee and his promotion to Brigadier General in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States.

The first document is Davidson's personal copy of "Special Orders No. 191," one page, 8 x 10 inches, dated August 12, 1863. The order officially relieves Davidson from his post at Staunton, Virginia, and directs him to report for reassignment under Buckner: "Colonel J. Q. A. Nadenbousch 2d Regiment Virginia Volunteers, will relieve Col. H. B. Davidson in Command of the Port at Staunton Virginia. Col. Davidson in being relieved will report to Major Genl S. B. Bucker, Commanding & at Knoxville Tennessee for assignment to duty." Signed, "Jno. Withers," as Assistant Adjutant General, and addressed to Davidson at lower left.

The second document is a copy of Davidson's appointment to Brigadier General, one page of a bifolium, 8 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches, dated August 18, 1863. It notifies him of his presidential appointment and directs him to assume command under Buckner:

"You are hereby informed that the President has appointed you Brigadier General In the Provisional Army in the service of the Confederate States: to rank as such from the Eighteenth day of August one thousand eight hundred and sixty three. Should the Senate, at their next session, advise and consent thereto, you will be commissioned accordingly...Should you accept, you will report for duty to Genl Buckner for assignment to the Command of Cavalry." Secretarially signed "James A Seddon," and marked "Official Copy" at the bottom left.

Condition: Each lightly toned with smoothed folds; separations at the folds, some touching text. Appointment with minor soiling near the edges; some adhesive remnants on the verso. Special orders with a few short tears at the top edge; separations repaired with cello tape on the verso.

Include Thumbnail(s)