A CIVIL WAR APPOINTMENT FOR ASSISTANT SURGEON JAS. B. SHEPHERD, INTENDED FOR THE DESK OF GENL. ROBERT E. LEE, FROM JAMES SEDDON AND DR. SAMUEL P. MOOR

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By Simpson Galleries

Jun 12, 2021

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• Lot Description
  A CIVIL WAR APPOINTMENT FOR ASSISTANT SURGEON JAS. B. SHEPHERD, INTENDED FOR THE DESK OF GENL. ROBERT E. LEE, FROM JAMES SEDDON AND DR. SAMUEL P. MOORE, SIGNED, RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, JULY 13, 1863, lithograph and manuscript in ink on paper, signed by James Seddon, while serving as Confederate States Secretary of War, endorsed and giving instruction by Dr. Samuel P. Moore, while serving as Confederate Surgeon General, with a blind stamp seal of the Virginia Regimental Army and a roman number inscribed V in the upper right, in the upper left an internal note (attributed) appearing in the hand of Samuel P. Moore addresses, "Gen. R.E.Lee.," in the lower foreground special instructions, "You will also respond for duty to the Medl. [sic] Director under where you are serving. G. Moore, Surg. Genl." 10 1/8" x 7 15/16" Note: Facsimile Transcription: "Genl.R.E.Lee, V., Confederate States of America War Department, Richmond, July 13th, 1863. For: You are hereby informed that the President has appointed you Assistant Surgeon in the Provisional Army in the service of the Confederate States: to rank as such from the thirtieth day of April  one thousand eight hundred and sixty three. Should the Senate at their next session advise and consent thereto, you will be commissioned accordingly. Immediately on receipt hereof, please to communicate to this Department, through the Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, your acceptance or non-acceptance of said appointment: and with your letter of acceptance, return to the Adjutant and Inspector General the oath, herewith enclosed, properly filled up, subscribed and attested, reporting at the same time your age, residence when appointed and the state in which you were born. Should you accept, you will report for duty to Surgeon General by letter. James A. Seddon, Secretary of War. Dr. Jas B. Shepherd, Asst. Surgeon. You will also respond for duty to the Medl. director under where you are serving, Dr. Moore, Surg. Genl."The present appointment document predates, by seventeen days, Dr. Samuel P. Moore's assumption of his duties as Confederate Surgeon General, which occurred formally on July 30, 1863, in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Moore is likely acting within both the position as head of the Confederate Army Medical Department as well as Confederate Surgeon General. The appointment commissions Dr. Jas B. Shepherd for rank as Assistant Surgeon for service beginning April 30, 1863. The date April 30, 1863, coincides with the commencement of the Battle of Chancellorsville, sometimes called General Robert E. Lee's "Perfect Battle," which is noted for mortally wounding Lt. Gen. Stonewall Jackson among other notable Union and Confederate Civil War veterans. Despite the Confederate victory at Chancellorsville, it is arguable that the casualties of the Battle of Chancellorsville significantly weakened the regimental numbers of the Confederate Army as the ongoing American Civil War hurdled towards the decisive Battle of Gettysburg, which was to be fought only three months later. James Seddon, fourth Confederate States Secretary of War issues the memo on July 13, 1863. This date July 13, 1863, coincides with General Robert E. Lee's Retreat from the Gettysburg Campaign. At the time this appointment was issued, the Confederate army was reeling from massive casualties beginning in early July as a result of the loss at Gettysburg. The confederate army was in desperate need of medical attention as wounded soldiers were transported in armored carts back to Virginia. Provenance: Estate of Dr. Paul E. Shutts, Houston, Texas.

  Condition

  Lacerations at creases with tape/glue residue, buckling at center, smudges and stains, repairs, overall in good condition, wear commensurate with age and use. Simpson Galleries strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Simpson Galleries regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Simpson Galleries. All lots offered are sold "AS IS."
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