Millard Fillmore & Andrew Johnson Promote James Thompson, Father of "Tommy Gun" Inventor

Two military documents relating to James Thompson (1828-1880), the father of John T. Thompson (1860-1940), inventor of the Thompson submachine gun. The first document was signed by 13th U.S. President Millard Fillmore, and the second document bears the STAMPED signature of 17th U.S. President Andrew Johnson.

The lot is comprised of:

1. A 1p document signed by 13th U.S. President Millard Fillmore (1800-1874), as "Millard Fillmore" near the lower right, and counter-signed by U.S. Secretary of War Charles Magill Conrad (1804-1878), as "C, M, Conrad" near lower left. Issued from Washington, D.C. on September 2, 1852. The partly printed and partly handwritten document on vellum bears an embossed red wax and paper seal near the upper right. Docketed at upper right, and pencil inscribed verso. Expected wear including heavier folds as well as moderate foxing and discoloration mostly confined towards the center of the document both recto and verso. Minor stains found along the top and bottom edge, and isolated loss to the seal. Else good to very good. 14.25" x 18.75."

The military appointment co-signed by President Millard Fillmore and U.S. Secretary of War Charles Magill Conrad promoted James Thompson to the rank of "Second Lieutenant in the Second Regiment of Artillery" effective July 1, 1852.

2. A 1p document bearing the STAMPED signature of 17th U.S. President Andrew Johnson (1808-1875) near lower right, and also bearing the STAMPED signature of U.S. Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton (1814-1869) near lower left. Issued from Washington, D.C. on August 20, 1866. The partly printed and partly handwritten document on vellum bears an embossed blue "War Office" seal near the upper right. Docketed at upper right, and pencil inscribed verso. Expected wear including heavier folds as well as minor foxing mostly confined towards the center of the document both recto and verso. Else good to very good. 15.625" x 19.375."

The promotion conferred the rank of Brevet Major to James Thompson retroactively from June 30, 1862, "for gallant and meritorious services at the battle of Glendale, Virginia."

The Battle of Glendale was part of the Seven Days Battles, a major offensive of the Peninsular Campaign. The Battle of Glendale was fought in Henrico County, Virginia on June 30, 1862 between Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac.

As an interesting aside, President Andrew Johnson would officially suspend Edwin M. Stanton as War Secretary less than one year later, on August 12, 1867. Stanton disapproved of President Johnson's leniency towards former Confederate states following the end of the Civil War, leading to his dismissal by presidential mandate on February 21, 1868. Stanton's refusal to leave office--and the subsequent support of the U.S. Senate--led to President Johnson's impeachment in the spring of 1868. Stanton resigned in May 1868 after President Johnson was acquitted.

James Thompson, "Tommy Gun" inventor John T. Thompson's father, had graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1851. From 1855-1857, James Thompson taught at West Point as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics. In the Civil War, James Thompson commanded artillery units and participated in twelve major Civil War battles, most notably in the Peninsular Campaign.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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