Lot 24
Johnson, Andrew (1808-1875) 17th President of the United States (1865-1869). Partly-printed Document Signed as President, on vellum, 19½ x 15¾ in., Washington, D.C., April 15, 1865. Appointing William H. Dimond "Assistant Adjutant General of Volunteers with the rank of Captain." Countersigned by E.M. Stanton as Secretary of War. The docket is signed by E.D. Townsend as Assistant Adjutant General at upper left. Usual military engravings are at top and bottom. Overall age toning and some minor ink transfer. A horizontal fold traverses Andrew Johnson's signature and another horizontal fold crosses the blue War Department seal.
Accompanying this document is a 1½ page letter from the War Department, Adjutant General's Office, datelined Washington, April 1888, addressed to General W. H. Dimond, National Guard of California, National Guard of California, responding to an inquiry by Dimond. In part: "…I have the honor to inform you that, as shown by the records, you were nominated to the Senate for captain and assistant adjutant general of volunteers March 3, 1865; that you were confirmed March 9, 1865, and commissioned under date of April 15, 1865. It may be added that your commission was one of a number which had been made out, and was awaiting the signature of President Lincoln when he was assassinated, and which were made out anew for President Johnson's signature." The transmittial envelope is postmarked April 6, 1888.
President Lincoln died at 7:22 AM April 15, 1865 as a result of the attack by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater on the evening of April 14. Booth planned to destroy the administration by assassinating President Lincoln, Vice President Andrew Johnson, Secretary of State William H. Seward, and General Ullysses S. Grant. Grant had planned to attend the theater but changed his plans and did not attend. Seward was attacked in his home by Lewis Powell and gravely wounded. George Atzerodt, who had been assigned the task of assassinating Andrew Johnson, failed to carry out his part of the plan, and on the morning of the 15th, Andrew Johnson was sworn in as President by Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase. This military commission was one of the first documents signed by President Johnson on his first day in office.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 15,000.
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