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98

Andrew Johnson and U. S. Grant

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Andrew Johnson and U. S. Grant

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Auction Date:2010 Aug 11 @ 22:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Handwritten endorsement, as president, “Referred to the Hon. Secretary of War ad interim—who will confer the brevet within applied for, Andrew Johnson, Oct. 21,1867,” and endorsement in another hand, dated October 23, 1867, reads “The brevet ordered should be for faithful and meritorious service during the war,” and signed by Grant, “U.S. Grant,” on the blank integral second page of an ALS written to Johnson by Captain Joseph A Hearn asking for a promotion. The letter on a 7.75 x 10 lightly-lined sheet reads, in part: “I have the honor…to ask for the appointment of Brvt. Major in the army if your excellency thinks I am worthy of it. I enclose my military history…up to the present time showing the various duties I performed during the late rebellion and recommendations from officers of the army whom I served under as an enlisted man showing my conduct and capacity as such.”

The reverse of the second page is divided into three panels. The first panel bears docketing information and an endorsement by J. C. Kelton forwarding the letter to Grant whom he addresses as “the General of the Army.” The entire second panel and part of the third panel is taken up by a handwritten endorsement by Medal of Honor recipient Brevet Brig. General Galusha Pennypacker, the youngest general in the Civil War, dated October 11, 1867, who writes, in part: “There is no more reliable or hard-working officer than Capt. Hearn in the service. He is eminently deserving of the small favor he asks, by reason of the long continued meritorious and faithful service.” Johnson’s endorsement is located under Pennypacker’s. Grant’s endorsement appears at the top of the reverse of the page, with a second endorsement of Kelton’s under Grant’s. In fine condition, with a partial separation along hinge, and some scattered mild toning and soiling.

Political intrigue, party in-fighting, and two US presidents! Two months before the creation of this endorsement, Johnson—in a political move—replaced Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton with Grant as ‘acting secretary.’ Reluctantly drawn into the fray, Grant accepted the position of “Secretary of War ad interim,” despite Stanton’s contention that Johnson had acted outside of his presidential authority. It was under this scenario, further complicated by calls for Johnson’s impeachment, that the offered request for promotion of Captain Hearn to major. The request was enthusiastically endorsed by Pennypacker, who would later serve as governor of Pennsylvania. Interestingly, just as Kelton addressed Grant by his military title and not as a Cabinet member, Grant has signed the order as “General” and not as secretary of war. A political ‘tap dance’ as a simple request for promotion leads to a squabble.
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