John Tyler Presidential Appointment Signed...

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Apr 8, 2011 for:

Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

John Tyler Presidential Appointment Signed appointing William H. Churchill first lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Artillery. One partially printed vellum page, 13.75" x 16.5" sight size, mounted and matted (16.5" x 19.5" overall), Washington, January 18, 1844. Engraved with patriotic and military vignettes and affixed with a white U.S. War Department embossed paper seal. The appointment reads in part: "William H. Churchill I have nominated and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate do appoint First Lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Artillery in the service of the United States". Countersigned by James M. Porter as secretary of war. The appointment has been laid down on a board, and is affixed to the mat. Mat is fragile, with heavy chipping along the bottom. Light soiling.

William Hunter Churchill, born at Fort Wood, Bedloe Island, New York, was the son of Sylvester Churchill (later) Inspector General of the Army. Graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1840, William Churchill was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the third artillery. He served in the Mexican War and was promoted to brevet-captain in May 1846 for gallantry and distinguished service in the Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, Texas. Churchill was wounded at Palo Alto. He was appointed assistant quartermaster with the rank of captain effective March 3, 1847 while serving at Fort Polk, Port Isabel, Texas. Captain Churchill died October 19, 1847 at Fort Polk. His son, Richard Cuyler Churchill was a graduate of the USMA, Class of 1866.