Canby, Gen. Edward (1817-73) Union general in the Civil War, Reconstruction era, and the Indian Wars, the only U.S. general to be killed during the Indian wars; he was killed during peace talks with the Modoc Indians in Northern California.
Autograph document signed ("Edw. Canby") as Major General, being a Field Order on "Headquarters, Military Division of West Mississiippi," notepaper, 4½x 5", New Orleans, La., n.d. (likely 1864). "Send these and the dispatches for Genl. Halleck by the boats this evening & deliver Capt. Auger's for the next boat." Boldly penned and signed. Canby was appointed M.G. of Volunteers on May 7, 1864 and assigned to the command of the Military Division of West Mississippi. This document is probably from later that year. A note in red ink at the bottom edge says, "Killed by the Modoc Indians, April 11, 1873, in the lava beds."
Estimated Value $300 - 400.
U.S. Civil War