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Abraham Lincoln Autograph Endorsement Signed as president on November 25, 1861. Lincoln agrees to appoint William Keim briga... (Total: 2 Items)
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Description
Abraham Lincoln Autograph Endorsement Signed as president on November 25, 1861. Lincoln agrees to appoint William Keim brigadier general commanding four new Pennsylvania regiments. The president writes, "I know I have expected Gen. Keim, upon certain conditions, to be appointed a Brigadier General, but I do not remember particulars. If his case is now presented mature according to the understanding, let him be appointed./ A. Lincoln/ Nov. 25, 1861."Lincoln's endorsement is one of three on the final page of four integral pages. The main letter is one page one-quarter pages in length (8" x 10", November 21, 1861) and is written on letterhead reading "Surveyor General's Office, State of Pennsylvania/ William H. Keim, Surveyor General/ Beverley R. Keim Chief Clerk" by William Keim to "Col. Thomas A. Scott/ Asst. Secretary of War." In this letter, Keim, Pennsylvania's Surveyor General from 1860-1862, asks Assistant Secretary of War Scott for a commission as a brigadier general. In part: "His Excellency Governor Andrew G. Curtin has desired me to communicate with the War Department and state that Four Regiments have been organized from 'unattached companies in the State and from new recruits'. . . . It is desirable that a commission should issue to me and the Brigade be organized, so that I can Exercise legal authority and prepare the Troops for active service. This would be in conformity with the wishes of the President and Secretary of War. . . . [signed] Wm Keim."
The first endorsement on the fourth page is signed "Thomas A. Scott/ Asst. Sec War" and dated November 23, 1861; it reads, "Genl. Keim has complied unto the Conditions imposed - will the President Authorize his apptmt as Brigadier Genl of Volunteers." Lincoln endorsement is next, followed by Scott's final endorsement, "Resfy[?] referred to Adjutant Genl for attention," dated November 26.
Before the Civil War, William H. Keim (1813-1862) had served Pennsylvania as a Republican congressman. Beginning in 1860, he was the state's surveyor general, but when the war broke out, he was commissioned a major-general and served for three months. When the Pennsylvania regiments mentioned in this letter were raised, Keim was, with President Lincoln's approval, promoted to their commander as a brigadier general. While taking part in the Peninsula Campaign, Keim died of typhus only seven months after this promotion. Toned with smoothed folds. Light foxing. Pages two and three bear mounting residue. Letter has been silked. Fine.
Included is a typed letter from Alice Morgan, "Secretary to Dr. Armand Hammer," one page, December 22, 1943, on "Dr. Armand Hammer" letterhead to Captain Joseph Paterson. The letter reads, "Dr. Hammer is now in Mexico, but he thought you might like to have the enclosed Lincoln item and asked me to send it to you with his compliments."
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