Lincoln, Abraham, Partly-printed document signed in full as President, 14¾ x 17¾ in., vellum, Washington, 19 Feb. 1863. Appointing David Kindleberger a Surgeon in the Navy from the 14th of August 1862. Countersigned by Gideon Welles as Secretary of the Navy. With the usual lovely vignettes and the orange seal intact at bottom center. Normal folds and two small tape remnants on verso, else fine.
David D. Kindleberger (1824-1921) joined the U.S. Navy as an Assistant Surgeon in 1859 and was on a three-year tour aboard the USS San Jacinto, which was sent to the west coast of Africa to stop the slave trade. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was assigned for duty aboard the USS Miami with the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. He participated in a number of naval engagements off the southern coast, including the battle of Mobile Bay where he served as a surgeon aboard the USS Monongahela. On August 14, 1862, he was promoted to Surgeon, and his commission (offered here) was signed by President Lincoln on Feb. 19, 1863. He had a long and distinguished career in the Navy, serving as Fleet Surgeon of the Pacific Coast Naval Station, and as Medical Director in charge of the naval hospital at Washington and, later, at Philadelphia. He rose to the rank of Rear Admiral.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000
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