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Abraham Lincoln: Autograph Letter Signed as President Calling for the Promotion of Colonel Byron R. Pierce. ...
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Description
Abraham Lincoln: Autograph Letter Signed as President Calling for the Promotion of Colonel Byron R. Pierce. Lincoln, Abraham. Autograph Letter Signed as President ("A. Lincoln"), 1 page, 5" x 8", "Executive Mansion", Washington, 23 May 1864, to "Hon. Sec. of War" Edwin Stanton on Executive Mansion stationery. Mounting remnants and pencil notations on verso. Two smoothed vertical creases, one of which crosses the signature. Exhibits very minor scattered soiling with a few lightly smudged letters.President Abraham Lincoln orders the appointment of Colonel Byron R. Pierce of the 3rd Michigan Infantry Regiment to brigadier general.
Lincoln writes, in full:
"Hon. Sec. of War
Sir,
I understand that Col. Byron R. Pierce, of 3rd Michigan [crossed out: Cavalry] is, by assignment, commanding a Brigade. If this is so, send me a nomination for him as a Brigadier General.
Yours truly
A. Lincoln"
Byron Root Pierce was born in Ontario County, New York, in 1829. He moved to Grand Rapids in 1856, where he worked as a dentist at the practice of Dr. K. Carpenter. He enlisted 13 May 1861 as a Captain and was commissioned into Company "K" of the 3rd Michigan Infantry on 10 June 1861. He was promoted to major in October of that year, followed by lieutenant colonel in July 1862 and colonel in January 1863. Pierce was present at nearly every significant engagement in the Eastern Theater. He saw action at First Manassas, the Peninsular campaign, including the Battle of Seven Pines and the Seven Days' battles, Second Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. He commanded the regiment at Fredericksburg under General Hiram Berry's brigade and was mentioned by Berry in his report following the Battle of Chancellorsville as "distinguished for gallantry." Pierce was wounded during the "Peach Orchard" fight at Gettysburg on 2 July 1863, which resulted in the amputation of his leg. He was wounded in action on four other occasions, including at Spotsylvania Court House when his horse was killed under him while leading a charge on the Salient.
According to his entry in The Union Army: States and Regiments on the day that Lincoln penned this letter, Pierce led a successful charge at the North Anna River while commanding the 2nd Brigade under General Birney's III Corps. He mustered into the U.S. Volunteers on 7 June 1864 following this appointment from Lincoln, where he continued to distinguish himself throughout the Bristoe, Mine Run, Overland, and Appomattox campaigns. In the war's final days, he was brevetted major general for gallant conduct at the Battle of Sailor's Creek. Pierce mustered out of service on 24 August 1865. He returned to Grand Rapids, where he served as commander of the Department of Michigan's Grand Army of the Republic for two years and was instrumental in founding the Michigan's Soldier's Home (now the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans). Upon his death in 1924, he was remarked as one of the last surviving Union generals.
A truly fantastic letter from President Lincoln recognizing and rewarding the heroic actions of one of the Union's finest.
Auction Info
2022 February 12 - 13 Lincoln and His Times Americana & Political Signature® Auction #6251 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
February, 2022
12th-13th
Saturday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 16
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