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Estimate: $ 500 - $ 750
THE SECRETARY OF WAR PRESENTS HIS NEW COMMANDING GENERAL (CIVIL WAR.) Carte-de-visite portrait of newly commissioned Lieutenant General Grant, signed by Edwin Stanton. Albumen photograph, 3 1/2 x 2 inches, on original mount with E. & H.T. Anthony of New York backmark; chipping to upper right 1/2 inch of image with slight loss to caption, 1 1/2-inch light diagonal crease in same area, other minor wear and foxing; signed and inscribed by Edwin Stanton as Secretary of War on recto and verso. [Washington], 11[?] March 1864
Ulysses S. Grant began the Civil War as a colonel, but rose quickly through a series of dramatic victories and the support of President Lincoln and Secretary of War Stanton. On 2 March 1864, Lincoln made him a Lieutenant General in command of the entire Union army--a rank not held by any officer since George Washington. Grant arrived in Washington to receive the honor on 8 March, and formally received the promotion at a cabinet meeting the following day.
Stanton was obviously delighted with the appointment, and this card serves as evidence. Above Grant's stern visage are inscribed the names of three of his greatest victories (with Fort Donelson misspelled): "Donaldson, Vicksburg, Chattanooga," with "Major General Grant" inscribed in Stanton's hand below. On verso, Stanton has signed the card just days after the appointment: "With regards of Edwin M. Stanton, March 11[?], 1864."
It's obviously very unusual to find a photograph of one important historical figure, signed by another. We don't know who Stanton signed this card for, but it seems clear that he was using the card to boast about "his" new commanding general. Three years later, Grant would temporarily replace Stanton as Secretary of War, a move which triggered Andrew Johnson's impeachment hearings.
