Autograph, Admiral Thomas T. Craven, U.S. Navy

(1808-87) Appointed a midshipman in 1822, he rose to the rank of lieutenant in 1830, and in 1838, Craven commanded the U.S.S. Vincennes, the flagship of Captain Charles Wilkes during the Antarctic exploring expedition. He served as commandant of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, 1850-52, and was subsequently promoted to rank of commander. At the beginning of the Civil War, he commanded the Potomac River flotilla, and in 1862, as captain of the U.S.S. Brooklyn, he served under Rear Admiral David G. Farragut, participating in the capture of New...  

Autograph, Admiral John Rodgers, U.S. Navy

(1812-82) Entered the navy as a midshipman in 1828. He was commissioned lieutenant in 1840, and saw service in the Seminole War, 1840-43. Commissioned commander in 1855. He was ordered to superintend the building of the "Benton" class ironclads on the Mississippi River in May 1861. In November of that same year, he joined the Port Royal expedition and hoisted the American flag on Fort Walker after its capture. In 1862, he commanded an expedition on the James River leading the attack on Fort Darling. His vessel was hit 129 times during the...  

Autograph, Admiral Stephen C. Rowan, U.S. Navy

(1808-90) Born near Dublin, Ireland. Appointed a midshipman in the U.S. Navy in 1826. His initial cruise was made on the Vincennes, which, between 1827 and 1830, under Commander Bolton, was the first U.S. Man-O-War to circumnavigate the globe. In 1837, he was commissioned lieutenant. He participated actively in the naval operations of the Mexican War; aided in the capture of Monterey and San Diego; served under Stockton at the battle of the Mesa, where he was wounded; led a night attack on the outposts of Mazalan; was present at the bombardment of...  

Autograph, Admiral Silas H. Stringham, U.S. Navy

(1798-1876) Born in Middletown, New York, he entered the navy as a midshipman in 1809. He fought in the War of 1812, the Second Barbary War, the Mexican War, and the Civil War. In 1819, Stringham was serving aboard the Cyane, conveying black settlers to Liberia. While the Cyane was off the African coast, Stringham was given command of a boat and captured four slaver ships. He was then appointed prize-master and sent home with the captured prizes. In 1821, Stringham was appointed First Lieutenant of the brig Hornet, and was promoted to captain in 1841. He...  

Autograph, Admiral Charles Steedman, U.S. Navy

(1811-90) Born in Charleston, S.C., he was appointed midshipman in April, 1828, and performed his first services in the West Indies and the Mediterranean Sea. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1841, and during the Mexican War was at Vera Cruz and Tampico, commanding the siege guns in the bombardment of Vera Cruz. He was promoted to commander in September 1855, and in 1859-60, he commanded the Dolphin in the Paraguay expedition and for a time had charge of the Brazilian squadron. When the Civil War broke out, Steedman although of Southern birth, remained...  

Autograph, William R.W. Cobb

United States Congressman from Alabama

Elected to the Confederate Congress in 1863

Tragically killed in 1864!

(1807-64) He was born in Rhea County, Tenn., moved with his father to Bellefontaine, Alabama, settled on a plantation, and was engaged in growing cotton. He served as a Representative in the Alabama State House, 1845-46, and was a U.S. Congressman 1847-61. He served as chairman on the Committee on Revisal and Unfinished Business, and also served on the Committee on Public Lands. He withdrew from the U.S. Congress in...  

Autograph, George S. Houston

United States Congressman & Senator from Alabama

Governor of Alabama

(1811-79) Born near Franklin, Tennessee, he moved with his parents to Lauderdale County, Alabama, attended an academy there, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1831, and commenced a practice in Florence, Ala. Served as a member of the Alabama State House of Representatives in 1832, and was a U.S. Congressman from 1841-49, and 1851-61. He was chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, and also served on the Judiciary Committee. He served as the Governor of...  

Gettysburg National Bank Check

Signed by two very prominent Gettysburg citizens!

6 x 2 1/2, imprinted check on blue paper, filled out in ink. Diamond shaped orange & brown tax stamp imprinted at the center of the check, with a bust view of President George Washington, and United States Internal Revenue, Two Cents printed around the edges. Gettysburg, PA., Dec. 17, 1877. [Check] No. 25. Gettysburg National Bank, Pay to the Order of J.C. Neely. Twenty five Dollars. Signed at lower right by D. Kendlehart. Endorsed on the reverse by J.C. Neely. Typical cut cancellation. Very...  

Autograph, Commodore John M.B. Clitz, U.S. Navy

Signature with rank

(1821-97) Born in Sackets Harbor, N.Y., he entered the U.S. Navy as a midshipman in 1837, and was promoted to passed midshipman in 1843. During his long naval career he served in the West Indies Squadron, the Mediterranean Squadron, the Home Squadron, the U.S. Coast Survey, the East India Squadron, and the Pacific Squadron. During the Mexican War, he participated in the siege of Isla de Sacrificios off Vera Cruz, the surrender of the Castle San Juan de Ulua, he was on patrol in the Gulf of Mexico, and took part in the...  

Autograph, General Philip H. Sheridan

War Period Signature with rank of Major General

(1831-88) A very prominent Civil War commander, he graduated in the West Point class of 1853. Appointed brigadier general of volunteers, on September 13, 1862, and major general of volunteers, on March 16, 1863, Sheridan fought in the battles of Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, in the Chattanooga campaign, at Missionary Ridge, and Yellow Tavern, (where his men killed the legendary Confederate cavalry General J.E.B. Stuart), Hawes' Shop, Trevilian Station, and in the 1864 Shenandoah Valley...  

Autograph, General William E. Jones

Killed at the battle of Piedmont, Virginia in 1864!

Military Document Signed With Rank

(1824-64) Born in Washington County, Virginia, his sobriquet was "Grumble" Jones. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1848, and served on the frontier with the "Mounted Rifles" until 1857, when he resigned his commission in the U.S. Army. When his home state seceded from the Union, he organized a company known as the "Washington Mounted Rifles," and was elected their captain. He served under Colonel...  

Autograph, Admiral Charles S. Boggs, U.S. Navy

U.S. Navy pay voucher signed by this Union Civil War naval hero!

(1811-88) Born in New Brunswick, N.J., he was a career navy man. He was appointed midshipman, November 1, 1826; lieutenant, September 6, 1837; commander, September 14, 1855; captain, July 16, 1862; commodore, July 25, 1866; rear admiral, July 1, 1870; retired, January 28, 1872. He served on the "Princeton" during the Mexican War. From April 18-24, 1862, Boggs commanded the Union gunboat "Varuna" during the attack on Forts Jackson & St. Philip,...