L. Philippe d'Orléans Civil War-Dated ALS from Peninsula Campaign -- French Royalty Serving in the Union Army!

A 1p autograph letter signed by Louis Philippe d'Orléans (1838-1894), the grandson of French monarch Louis Philippe I and then French heir apparent. D'Orléans signed the letter as "Louis Philippe D'Orléans / Cap. + A.D.C. [aide-de-camp]." Written at the "Head Quarters Army of the Potomac" somewhere between Yorktown and Williamsburg, Virginia on April 26, 1862. The letter is tipped into a larger paper mount. Expected wear including gentle folds, minor edge wear, and isolated foxing and water spots, else near fine and extremely legible. The sight size of the letter is approximately 5.25" square while the overall size of the mount is 5.875" x 8.625."

Louis Philippe d'Orléans, Count of Paris was a direct descendant of the French royal House of Bourbon. His paternal grandfather, Louis Philippe I (1773-1850), had served as French king between 1830 and his abdication in 1848. Louis Philippe d'Orléans was heir apparent since his own father Ferdinand-Philippe had died in a carriage accident in 1842. Yet "Louis Philippe II"--as he was briefly and unofficially fashioned--never became king since the French monarchy was abolished in 1848.

The exiled Louis Philippe d'Orléans eventually ended up in the United States. He enlisted in the Union Army during the American Civil War, along with three other French royals: his younger brother Robert, Duke of Chartres (1840-1910); his paternal uncle, François d'Orléans, Prince de Joinville (1818-1900); and his cousin Pierre, Duke de Penthièvre (1845-1919). All four served either in the Union Army or Union Navy in various capacities. In September 1861, Louis Philippe d'Orléans was promoted to the rank of Captain and named an Assistant Adjutant General of George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac.

During the spring of 1862, the Army of the Potomac was engaged in the Peninsula Campaign, the Union drive to overtake the Confederate capital of Richmond. Louis Philippe's letter is dated April 26, 1862, only ten days before the Battle of Williamsburg (also known as the Battle of Fort Magruder), which took place on May 5th. Louis Philippe's directive mentions his uncle, "the Prince de Joinville."

In full:

"Head Quarters Army of the Potomac
April 26th 1862

I do certify that the bearer of this Tom Lee, groom to the Prince de Joinville, adresses [sic] himself to the Commissary of the Head Quarters to buy supplies for his own men and for no other use.

Louis Philippe D'Orléans
Cap. of A.D.C."

Louis Philippe d'Orléans, his younger brother, and his uncle resigned from the Union Army just a few months later, in July 1862; the royal trio had become disaffected by U.S. policies towards Mexico. Louis Philippe's cousin resigned from the Union Navy in May 1864 for similar reasons.

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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