Description:

ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1809-1865) Sixteenth President of the United States who led the Union through the Civil War and emancipated the slaves, assassinated. LINCOLN PARDONS THREE MISSOURI BOYS CAPTURED IN THE OPENING DAYS OF THE WAR Fine and rare content A.N.S. as President on a 3 ½" x 7 ½" sheet, [Washington], Jan. 30, 1864, in full: "Let these three young men take the oath of Dec. 8 1864 and be discharged. Also let J. J. Neal go to Point Lookout & return with the young men. A. Lincoln Jan. 30, 1864" Some spotting, and one word brushed, else very good. This note was likely penned by Lincoln on the blank integral leaf of a petition sent to him seeking the parole and release of three prisoners. The letter, 2pp. 4to., was sent from "Calloway Co., Mo." On Jan. 18, 1864 to "His Excellency A. Lincoln". Thirteen citizens sign the letter, which reads in part: "...[We] respectfully ask leave to say that the following young men now Prisoners of War at Point Lookout...viz. John W. McKinney, John W. D. Neal & Thomas J. Neal were captured at the Battle of Black Water (near Vicksburg), that they entered the Rebel Army in the county in the fall of 1861 and that all are informed that all of said prisoners are very desirous to return to their homes...willing to take the necessary Oath of Allegiance to the Government...we ask your indulgence by releasing such prisoners...no prejudice...will result to the Union cause in consequence of their release...." The letter bears three clean fold splits, easily mended, but is otherwise fine. Lincoln's note, the citizen's petition, and a period Point Lookout military envelope reading: "Signature of Abe Lincoln Enclosed" and an engraving, and all are all double matted together and sandwiched between two pieces of glass so that both sides of the letter may be viewed. The entirety is set into an antiqued wood frame. The captured men most likely served with Capt. Franklin Robinson's 9th Missouri Infantry. On December 19, 1861 at Blackwater Creek, 750 Missouri recruits encountered over 2,000 experienced men under the leadership of Union Gen. John Pope. The engagement resulted in the capture of a full, newly recruited Missouri State Guard regiment, of which these men were members, severely hampering future Confederate recruiting in the region. "J. J. Neal", was likely the father of the "Neals" mentioned in the petition, and most likely hand delivered the plea to Lincoln in Washington. An unusual Lincoln document, pardoning three men at once from a hotly-contested border state.

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November 14, 2018 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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