Lemuel B. Norton, Chief Signal Officer at Gettysburg, Recommendation for Captain Signed by U.S. Grant, Plus Pennsylvania Commissions

Lot 82

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American History: Live Salesroom Auction

By Cowan's Auctions

Nov 20, 2015 - Nov 21, 2015

Set Reminder 2015-11-20 09:30:00 2015-11-21 09:30:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American History: Live Salesroom Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-live-salesroom-auction-1016 Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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Lot Description

Lemuel B. Norton, Chief Signal Officer at Gettysburg, Recommendation for Captain Signed by U.S. Grant, Plus Pennsylvania Commissions

Lot of 5, including: document containing personally written letters of recommendation for Lemuel B. Norton from several Union officers, 1p, 9.75 x 7.5 in. including: A.A. Humphreys (1810-1883), Maj. Gen., dated March 3, 1865; signature that appears to be from J.W. Turner (1833-1899), Brig. Gen., dated March 8, 1865; Godfrey Weitzel (1835-1884), Maj. Gen., dated February 15, 1865; and John Gibbon (1827-1896), Maj. Gen., dated February 26, 1865. The same manuscript document is signed by U. S. Grant (1822-1885) as follows, Approved, U.S. Grant, HdQrs. Armies of the United States, City Point, Va. March 8/65.

Two Civil War-period Pennsylvania State Military Commissions signed by Andrew G. Curtin (1817-1894) as Governor of Pennsylvania, each 1p, 17 x 13.5 in., with embossed seal affixed upper left. The first appoints Norton 1st Lt., Co. C, 10th Infantry, PA Reserve Vol. Corps., and the second appoints Norton Capt., Co. C, of the 10th PA.

Also included is a manuscript affidavit issued on May 10, 1867 by Michael Kelly, a soldier in the Signal Corps, who testified to the capture of Capt. B.F. Fisher, Maj. Sterling, and a government bay horse (cared for by Norton) by rebel troops near Aldie, VA, dated May 10, 1864; and a post-war ALS referencing bills and receipts belonging to Norton.

Lemuel B. Norton, Chief Signal Officer for the Army of the Potomac at Gettysburg

Lots 80-84

Warren County, PA native Lemuel B. Norton (1839-1871) enlisted on June 22, 1861 at the age of 21 as a 1st lieut. and was commissioned into Co. A of the 10th Infantry Regiment of the Pennsylvania State Guard and was later promoted to captain, but left that position when appointed by President Abraham Lincoln to the rank of captain in the Army of Potomac Signal Corps, a military organization pioneered by Maj. Albert J. Meyer. The new group utilized communication tactics and information as a weapon.

Norton served as Chief Signal Officer at the Battle of Gettysburg. He established a complicated line of men at important vantage points near Cemetery Hill, Powers Hill, Culp’s Hill and Little Round Top. He used them to communicate with other generals the positions and movements of enemy troops. His group on Little Round Top forced Longstreet to detour the approach march to his attack on July 2nd. Longstreet rerouted his march to a more concealed route, but failed. The Signal Corps warned Meade of their approach and reinforcements charged toward the flank that narrowly fought off the Confederates. In addition to his men, he had field telegraph trains he chose not to deploy.

Norton was recognized for "Gallant and Meritorious Service" in the Battle of Gettysburg, for "Meritorious Service" in the Signal Corps during the war, and for "Meritorious Service" in the Campaign against Richmond, VA. He continued his service after the war and ended his military career as a major in July 1867. Norton died in Philadelphia, PA, in December 1871 of pulmonary tuberculosis as a result of military exposure.

The papers, commissions, and personal effects offered here were previously passed down through members of Norton's family, and were sold in 1997 to a private collector.

Condition

Range in condition. Some letters are in good condition. The ANS and appointment from U.S. Grant are ripped and held together by tape. The appointments are also in rough condition with separation and residual tape.
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