Napoleon Dana, Union POW Exchange Document Signed 

About Auction

Live

American History

By Cowan's Auctions

Nov 21, 2014 - Nov 22, 2014

Set Reminder 2014-11-21 10:00:00 2014-11-22 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American History https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-279
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

View Full Catalog (301)

• Lot Description
  Napoleon Dana, Union POW Exchange Document Signed 
  
  Manuscript document dated April 14, 1865, which discusses the return of Union prisoner's of war from the Confederate camps:
  
  Vicksburg, Miss. April 14th, 1865.
  1st It is understood that the Confederate Agents of Exchange at this point, agree to permit the prisoners now encamped near this city, to go to such places as the United States may direct, upon parole of honor, not to serve against the Confederate States in any Military or constabulary capacity until regularly exchanged.
  2nd. That they have been induced to this action by the following telegraphic despatches from Lieut. Gen. Grant, U.S.A. and Col. Robert Ould Chie4f of Exchange Bureau, C.S.A. official copies of which having been furnished by Major General N.J.T. Dana Commanding Department of Mississippi.
  Cairo, Ill. April 10th 1865.
  "By telegraph from Headquarters Armies Appomatox. April 9th, 1865."
  
  The telegraphs from General Grant  and Col. Ould inform Dana that prisoners are being sent to Vicksburg after being released. Then:
  
  3rd. That paroled prisoners under this agreement, furloughed home, while observing the terms upon which their paroles are given, are not to be captured by the United States or Confederate forces, so long a they conform to the law.
  
  The telegraph messages were sent, obviously, after the signing of the surrender by Confederate forces at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. One of the problems was that other Confederate Armies had not yet surrendered, only the ANV. Joseph Johnston's Army of Tennessee was still fighting Sherman's forces; Kirby Smith was still fighting in the Trans-Mississippi region; Stand Watie's Cherokee Mounted Rifles were still fighting in Indian Territory; as were many smaller Armies and independent units, such as Mosby's Rangers/raiders. The telegraph messages were sent to let all generals know that released prisoners were not to be captured, although some of them were not in ready communication.
  
  Signed on the third page by Maj. Gen. N.J. Dana, District of Vicksburg, and N.G. Wallis and A.M. Henderson, Commissioner of Exchange for the Confederacy.
  
  Napoleon Jackson Tecumseh Dana (1822-1905) was a graduate of the USMA (1842, 29/56). He, like most graduates in the 1840s, served garrison duty in the West until the start of the Mexican War. After that short conflict, he returned to garrison duty in the north, principally Minnesota. He resigned in 1855 to take up a civilian career, although he remained active in the state militia. With the start of the Civil War, he raised the first Minnesota infantry unit and was commissioned Brig. Gen. in 1862, attached to the Army of the Potomac. He served in early battles in the Eastern Theater, including Richmond and Antietam, where he was seriously wounded and thought to be dead. After recovering, he fought in the south and west, serving in the Armies of the Gulf, Tennessee and Mississippi. With Lee's surrender, he resigned to engage in mining in the west. The Army seems to have exposed him to opportunities he might not otherwise have considered. After a short period, like so many other generals, he became a superintendant of railroads. By the end of the century, President Cleveland tapped him as commissioner of pensions, although McKinley replaced him when he came to office. 

  Condition

  Minor soil and toning on folds on outer leaf. Some handling marks upper right. Overall very good to excellent.
• Shipping Info

  • SHIPPING. At the request of the buyer, Cowan's will authorize the shipment of purchased items. Shipments usually occur within two weeks after payment has been received. Shipment is generally made via UPS Ground service. Unless buyer gives special instructions, the shipping method shall be at the sole discretion of Cowan's Auctions, Inc.. Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.

• Buyer's Premium

  • Hammer Price	Premium (%)
    $0	28.00
    $250,001	23.00
    $3,000,001	15.00