Description:

JAMES J. ARCHER
(1817 - 1864) Confederate brigadier general who served with distinction at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville but was captured at Gettysburg becoming the first general officer P.O.W. from Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Was eventually exchanged and resumed command but died due to poor health following the Battle of Peebles Farm. Rare war-date A.E.S. penned on the verso of an A.L.S. by Capt. A. D. Norris of Co. K, 7th Regiment, Tenn. Vols., Orange Court House, Aug. 19, 1862. Norris seeks the discharge of a 17 year old soldier who had served the entirety of his term. At bottom first appears an A.E.S. of Major SAMUEL G. SHEPARD (1830-1917). On the verso, Shepard signs again as commander of the regiment approving this 'Certificate of Minority for Discharge'. Below, Archer writes: 'Discharge of closed[?] J. J. Archer Brig Genl'. Fine condition. commanded the regiment at 2nd Manassas on 28 August 1862. Shepard commanded the regiment in Maryland, but was left behind or fell out on the march from Harpers Ferry to Sharpsburg early on 17 September 1862, as did more than half of the regiment. The regiment was commanded there by the Adjutant, Lieutenant Howard. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on 8 April 1863 and commanded at Gettysburg after Colonel Fite was captured there. He surrendered with his regiment at Appomattox Court House on 9 April 1865. Matted with an albumen portrait of Archer, images size 2.25 x 3.25 in., mounted on a John C. Taylor 'The War for the Union' card. Both are set between two pieces of glass in an antique wood frame.

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November 14, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
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$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000