LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Signature Texana Auction #661  / 

56261

George Washington Poe DS; 1835

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,150.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
George Washington Poe DS; 1835
<B>George Washington Poe Partly Printed Document Signed "</B></I><B><I>Geo. W. Poe</B></I></B></I><B>" as Acting Adjutant General and filled out in his hand.</B></I> 1 page, 7.5" x 9.75", Washington, Dec. 15, 1835. An appointment by Sam Houston (whose name appears in print above Poe's signature) of Samuel Williams as a Captain in the "<I>1st Regiment of Artillery in the regular Army of Texas, by the General Council</B></I>." In the event that Williams accepted the appointment, he was to report <I>"in person to the Officer in Command at the recruiting rendezvous of Matagorde for orders and instructions." Below, Poe has added a short postscript adding that "The writer begs leave most sincerely to congratulate Capt. Williams on his appointment...</B></I>" Under the Provisional Government of Texas, Sam Houston is communicating the appointment of Samuel Williams to the rank of Captain in the 1st Regiment of Artillery. This is one of the first official acts by Houston in the newly created Texas Army. The Consultation at San Felipe, on November 1, 1835, had just drafted the "Articles On The Military" setting out that the "Major General, who shall be commander-in-chief, shall be appointed by this consultation". On November 12, The Texas Provisional Government names Sam Houston as Major General of the Texas Army.<BR><BR>On December 6 Houston delivered a letter to Henry Smith, Governor of Texas during the administration of the provisional government, urging "that [army] officers be appointed and a regiment of artillery be raised". The next day, December 7, 1835, the General Council "proceeded to ballot for Captains of Artillery", and Samuel Williams along with four others were duly elected Captains of Artillery.<BR><BR>Samuel Williams was a 1st Lieutenant of the Artillery attachment at the Siege of Bexar under Captain Thomas F. L. Parrot. Williams had proven himself very resourceful in the prior three months securing artillery supplies as far away as Mobile, Alabama. Col. James W. Fannin, in a letter dated 31 November 1835 to Governor Smith, recommended Williams along with Parrott as "Gentlemen with whom I have served, and who I believe to be entitled to your especial notice..." and adding that "Messrs. Parrot [and] Williams have as much, and probably more experience as Artillerists than any I can name to you,..." Williams continued to serve under Parrott until they both resigned in August 1836. At that time Williams submitted a list of amounts due him including "My pay as Captain of Artillery from 29th December 1835 to the sixth of August 1836". This claim was approved by Barnard Bee, War Dept, September 12, 1837.<BR><BR>George Washington Poe (1800-1844) was a career soldier. Born in Ohio, he moved to Texas in 1834 and in October 1835 was serving as a volunteer captain in the artillery branch, assigned to mounting the army's cannons. By November 6 he was with the artillery company engaged in the siege of Bexar. On December 15, 1835, he was acting Adjutant General of General Sam Houston's army with the rank of captain and was stationed at army headquarters. The Adjutant General is the channel through which are issued all orders emanating from the head-quarters of the army, and all regulations necessary to be communicated to the troops. By March 1836 Poe had been appointed assistant inspector general of the army and was commanding the 120-man garrison at Velasco. Many sources place him at the Battle of San Jacinto, but without certainty. He left the army in 1837 and died in Houston in 1844. With integral address panel on verso addressed to Williams. Light creases and very faint dampstains with light, even toning, else fine condition. <I>From the collection of Darrel Brown.</B></I><BR><B><BR>Reference:</B></I> Streeter 86<B> </B></I>for more information on these imprints. [Printed at San Pelipe de Austin by Baker & Bordens, 1835.]<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)<BR><BR><B>Important notice:</
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