Description:

ARCHIVE OF JOHN S. CROCKER
(1820-1890) American politician and Union brevet brigadier general. Born in Albany, he raised the 93rd New York Vols ('Morgan Rifles') with Benjamin C. Butler and Ambrose Cassidy, was captured at Yorktown and held at the notorious Libby and Salisbury Prisons, later seeing action at Gettysburg, Battle of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Petersburg. Also present at Appomattox for Lee's surrender. After the war, Crocker moved to Washington, DC, and there was appointed warden of the District of Columbia Prison. In this role, he supervised the execution of Garfield's assassin Charles Guiteau in 1882. Crocker remained in this position until his death in 1890. A good group of material related to Crocker, his family, military service during the Civil War, wardenship, and death. Spanning the years 1840-1890, the archive includes the following pre-war items: four military commissions from the 1840s, two signed by WILLIAM E. SEWARD (1801-1872) American politician and Lincoln's Secretary of State, responsible for preventing official European recognition of the Confederacy, with the other two signed by New York governors SILAS WRIGHT (1795-1847) and JOHN YOUNG (1802-1852); a manuscript D.S. Nov. 1853, electing Crocker to the Assembly of the Second District; two manuscript D.S. from 1855, appointing Crocker as 'Deputy for the First Assembly District'. Civil War-date documents include: the official document packet of documents raising the 93rd New York Vols. in 1862, with commissions for officers in the regiment and a manuscript L.S. signed in text by General David B. Birney, 1p. 4to., May 9, 1864, an official transcript of a commendation given to Crocker by Birney shortly before the Battle of the Wilderness. Together with a signature of ARTHUR MCARTHUR (1845-1912), brevetted Union colonel and father of Douglas McArthur; two typed carbon copies of an address given by Crocker at the dedication of a 93rd New York monument; Crocker's 1869 commission as jail warden with two beautiful of letters of thanks written to him as Warden Crocker by grateful prisoners. It is interesting to note that in both letters Crocker is celebrated for his kindness, no doubt a response to the terrible treatment he received while a POW himself. Along with: a heartfelt ode written by Crocker to his wife; several genealogical documents of his wife's family; and documents regarding his will and burial. Overall very good condition.

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January 26, 2023 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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