A. Lincoln Signed Naval Appt. For Marine, Former Army Man who Saw Action With Meade at Antieitm, then With Farragut at Mobile Bay, Possibly Unique

1p of vellum, measuring 14.75" x 17.5" (sight), Washington, D.C., dated March 18, 1864. A Naval appointment signed by "Abraham Lincoln" as President and "Gideon Welles" as Secretary of the Navy. Appointing "John W. Haverstick…Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps." With naval and patriotic motifs at the top and bottom margins. An orange paper seal is adhered to the center of the lower margin. The document has been matted and framed to the overall size of 23" x 26". With flattened folds and slight warping and creasing. Light toning and soiling throughout. There is some skipping to Lincoln's bold signature. Overall, very good.

John W. Haverstick was a resident of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and enlisted as a Private in the Union Army in April 1861. He was mustered into Company A of the 36th Pennsylvania Infantry on April 21, 1861 for three years of service. The 36th PA was assigned to the 2nd brigade of the reserves under Brigadier General George Meade and was stationed at Tenleytown. It was later active at Gaines' Mill, Glendale; Antietam, and Fredericksburg. At some stage, Haverstick transferred to the Marine Corp and was 21 when he received his appointment to 2nd Lieutenant. Five months after his appointment, he was thrust into service at the Battle of Mobile Bay, when Rear Admiral David G. Farragut led an attack on a smaller Confederate fleet and three forts that guarded the entrance to Mobile Bay. The Union victory there was the final step in completing the blockade in that region and was a significant boost for Abraham Lincoln's bid for re-election three months after the battle. Haverstick survived the war and ultimately resigned from service in September 1869.

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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