- A military commission signed by Abraham Lincoln as President during the U.S Civil War in March 1863
- Signed just two months after he issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
Sixteenth President of the United States (1809-1865), Abraham Lincoln successfully led the country through its greatest constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War (1861-1865).
Lincoln is credited with piloting the Union to victory and ending slavery in North America.
He was assassinated at the close of the Civil War in April 1865.
A U.S military commission, partially printed on vellum and dated March 6, 1863.
The document measures 13.5 x 17.25 inches and is beautifully illustrated with the engraved eagle, military cannons and U.S flag vignette.
The original embossed, blue paper War Department seal remains intact.
In good condition, with intersecting storage folds, a hint of mild scattered soiling and wrinkling (one very light wrinkle touching first name of signature) and a slightly irregular top edge.
Portions of the handwritten text are faded but remain legible.
President Lincoln signs 'Abraham Lincoln' just below the partly printed text.
Lincoln's signature is clear, fully legible, and otherwise unaffected.
The document is also signed by Edwin M. Stanton, Lincoln's Secretary of War.
The commission is for Thomas H. McDill as Assistant Quartermaster of Volunteers with the rank of captain.
McDill (1815-1889) was one of nine children born to Irish American immigrants in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. His father James McDill served in the Pennsylvania Militia during the War of 1812.
In 1840 Thomas moved to the newly established Wisconsin Territory and became a pioneer lumberman and sawmill owner. In 1847 he was appointed Sheriff of Portage County by Governor Henry Dodge.
Alongside his brother Alexander S. McDill, a physician who later served in the Wisconsin State Senate, the pair built a local business empire including a hotel and general store.
After serving in the Civil War, McDill returned home and served four terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly. In 1870 he retired to the local village of McDill, which had been named in his honour.
Today, 135 years after his death, the McDill name is still remembered in Portage County through a pond and an Elementary school.
This document is superb piece of American history, signed by the nation's greatest President. Read more about it in our newsletter.
Free global shipping. 28-day returns. Certificate of Authenticity and our Lifetime Moneyback Guarantee of Authenticity included.