Lincoln, Abraham | A military commission for Charles R. Woods, "...for long and continued services, and for special gallantry..."

Lincoln, Abraham
A document signed ("Abraham Lincoln") as 16th President, being a military commission for Charles R. Woods

Engraved broadside on vellum (to sight: 460 x 360 mm). Accomplished in a clerical hand, Washington, 22 March 1865, appointing Charles R. Woods to the position of Major General, countersigned by the Secretary of War Edwin Stanton ("Edwin Stanton"), embossed blue paper seal, martial vignettes by J. V. N. and C. H. Throop at head and foot, recording docket; some fading, old folds and minor marginal creases. With etched portrait of Lincoln. Matted, framed, and glazed together; not examined out of frame.

"...for long and continued services, and for special gallantry at Griswoldville, Georgia."

Fought on 22 November 1864, the Battle of Griswoldville was the first military campaign of General Sherman's March to the Sea, during the American Civil War. A detachment of Confederate cavalry attacked the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry on the Gordon Road, and in turn the 9th then charged the Confederates and drove them back nearly a mile across a creek. As the conflict escalated, Gen. Charles C. Walcutt's infantry brigade and artillery battery joined the cavalry. Walcutt staged a strong skirmish line, which drove the Confederates back through Griswoldville. After this, by orders of Union division commander Brig. Gen. Charles R. Woods, they fell back to the Duncan farm and took up a position on the edge of the woods. The Georgia Militia had been ordered from Macon to Augusta, thinking the latter was Sherman’s next objective, and only accidentally collided with Walcutt’s force. The Union was ultimately victorious, and the Confederate losses significant with 51 dead, 472 wounded, and about 600 captured.

Charles R. Woods was a career United States Army officer, who served with distinction during the American Civil War, and is now perhaps best remembered for commanding the relief troops that first attempted to resupply Fort Sumter prior to the start of the conflict.

Condition Report:
Condition as described in catalogue entry.