Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) 16th President of the United States (1861-1865). Partly-printed document signed in full as President, vellum, 13¾ x 17½ in., Washington, Feb. 20, 1865. Conferring on "George W. Schofield of the Volunteer Army of the United States …the rank of Brigadier General By Brevet…for gallant and meritorious during the late campaigns in Georgia and Tennessee." Countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Very fine condition; blue seal of the War Department is intact; normal folds. Matted with a carte de visite photo of Lincoln and a typed descriptive card (which has moved), and framed to an overall size of 27½ x 32 in.
General George Schofield (1833-1882) served as military secretary for his brother, Maj. Gen. John McAllister Schofield, who was a Medal of Honor winner. Before receiving this Brevet, General George had received a Brevet for Champion's Hill (May 16, 1863) during the Vicksburg siege. After the Civil War, he fought in the Indian Wars and worked with Smith and Wesson to design the Schofield pistol. Despondent from a brain tumor, he committed suicide in 1882 with his Schofield pistol. Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000
U.S. Presidents
