Lot 1378
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
(1809-1865) Sixteenth President of the United States who led the Union through the Civil War and emancipated the slaves, assassinated. LINCOLN MAKES A CAPTAIN OF THE FUTURE FOUNDER OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION Historically important partly-printed D.S. "Abraham Lincoln" as President, 1p. folio parchment, Washington, Oct. 4, 1862, the appointment of the future founder of the National Rifle Association to serve as a captain in the Union Army. The document, partially-printed on parchment, is dated Washington, March 10, 1863 and was signed by President Lincoln in full at lower-right. The text reads, in part: "…Know Ye, That reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and abilities of William C. Church I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint him Commissary of Subsistence, with the rank of Captain…to continue in force during the pleasure of the President of the United States…". The document is additionally endorsed at bottom by the Secretary of War, EDWIN M. STANTON. This engraved document is adorned with an illustration of an eagle in flight and clutching lightning bolts at top, with the vignette at bottom displaying an array of flags, muskets, cannons, drums, pikes, armor, and other military and patriotic images. A green paper seal is affixed at top, which also bears a third, administrative endorsement. The document is unmounted, and simply and loosely framed. Lincoln''s signature is just slightly faded, perhaps 8/10, Stanton''s a bit lighter.
William Conant Church (1836–1917) of Rochester, New York was known for his newspaper work before, during, and after the Civil War. He contributed to newspapers such as The New York Chronicle, The Sun (New York), the New York Evening Post, The New York Times, the Army and Navy Journal, and The Galaxy Magazine. Early in the war, in 1861, Church traveled south with Union General William Tecumseh Sherman and Admiral Samuel Francis Dupont and saw the capture of Port Royal Sound, South Carolina, from Confederate forces on November 7, 1861. He returned to New York and wrote about the Union victory in the New York Evening Post. Soon afterward Church volunteered to serve with Colonel (later Major General) Silas Casey, under Major General George B. McClellan in the Army of the Potomac and was present during the battles of Williamsburg and Fair Oaks. After being wounded at Williamsburg, Church was given the rank of captain and quickly earned the brevet ranks of major and lieutenant colonel of volunteers. It was while he was on Casey's staff that the project of establishing a military paper was commenced and the assignment fell to Colonel Church, who resigned to accept it. With his brother, Francis P. Church, he began the publication of the Army and Navy Journal in New York. Church was clearly devoted to the military and military preparedness yet was dismayed by what he felt was the lack of training and preparedness on the part of army recruits. In an August issue of his Army and Navy Journal, Church pointed to the success of Britain''s National Rifle Association and the Wimbledon riflery tournament range. He advocated: "An association should be organized…to promote and encourage rifle-shooting on a scientific basis…Private enterprise must take up the matter and push it into life...The subject has already been presented to several enterprising officers and ex-officers of the National Guard, and they have been found enthusiastic in the matter. It only requires hearty co-operation and an actual start to make the enterprise successful…" With General George Wingate, Church founded the National Rifle Association in 1871 and Union Major General Ambrose Burnside was chosen to serve as its first president. Burnside's departure a year later saw Church himself take over the presidency. A document of great import, especially in today''s political climate.
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