Lot 2926
Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, signature as Secretary of War on appointment form datelined "War Department, Washington Aug 9, 1853", promoting Ulysses S. Grant to the rank of Captain in the Fourth Regiment of the Infantry and to take affect on 5th of August, document addressed to "Captain U.S. Grant, 4th Infantry, Fort Vancouver, Washington Terr'y", with directive "You will proceed without delay to join your company (F) at Fort Humboldt, Cal.", reverse docketed "Rec'd Oct. 18/53", Very Fine.Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.
A HISTORICAL APPOINTMENT OF ULYSSES S. GRANT TO THE RANK OF CAPTAIN ISSUED BY JEFFERSON DAVIS AS SECRETARY OF WAR.
Jefferson F. Davis was an American politician who served as the first and only president of the Confederate States from 1861 to 1865. He represented Mississippi in the United States Senate and the House of Representatives as a member of the Democratic Party before the American Civil War. He was the United States Secretary of War from 1853 to 1857.
Promoted to captain on August 5, 1853, Grant was assigned to command Company F, 4th Infantry, at the newly constructed Fort Humboldt in California. Grant arrived at Fort Humboldt on January 5, 1854, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. Buchanan. Separated from his family, Grant began to drink. Colonel Buchanan reprimanded Grant for one drinking episode and told Grant to "resign or reform". Grant told Buchanan he would "resign if I don't reform". On Sunday, Grant was found influenced by alcohol, but not incapacitated, at his company's pay table. Keeping his pledge to Buchanan, Grant resigned, effective July 31, 1854. Buchanan endorsed Grant's resignation but did not submit any report that verified the incident. Grant did not face court-martial, and the War Department said: "Nothing stands against his good name". Grant said years later, "the vice of intemperance (drunkenness) had not a little to do with my decision to resign" With no means of support, Grant returned to St. Louis and reunited with his family.
Current Opening Bid: $2,900