1855 Tri-Monthly Report Signed by Future CS General George H. Steuart

Description

1855 Tri-Monthly Report Signed by Future
Confederate
General
George H. Steuart
Offered for your consideration is a partly-printed pre-Civil War document signed at the conclusion by a future Confederate general, while an officer in the United States Cavalry. The document is headlined “
TRI-MONTHLY REPORT of the state of the Recruiting Service at
Detroit Michigan
from the
11
th
day of
July
to the
20
th
day of
July
185
5
”, under which is printed “
This report, properly endorsed, will be forwarded, without a letter of transmittal, direct to the Adjutant General’s Office, on the 10th, 20th, and last day of the month.
”. Below this is a number of vertical columns relating to the recruiting of soldiers for the period stated. Most of these columns have printed elements, one indicating the number of recruits that were accepted and many with reasons why numerous applicants were refused. This particularly document notes that “
19
” men were the “
Number enlisted last ten
days
”, while “
42
” is listed as the “
TOTAL NUMBER REFUSED
”. Among the reasons for refusal (but not completely listed) are “
Minors
”, “
Appearance of intemperance
”, “
Mal-formation
”, “
Impaired vision
”, “
Varicose veins
”, “
Extreme ignorance
”, as well as “
Married
” (it is interesting to note that extreme ignorance was the second most popular reason on this document for refusal). The document is dated, “
July 20
th
1855
”, with the location being stated as “
Detroit Michigan
”. It is signed at the conclusion by “
G. H. Steuart
” in his capacity as “
1
st
Lt 1
st
Cavalry
and Recruiting Officer.
”. The back of this piece bears a partly-printed recapitulation of the internal contents, though the specific details relating to the numbers is not listed. This form was produced by “
PUBLIC PRINTER, March 22, 1854.
”, with the date probably a reference to a contract or issue. An interesting military document, rarely encountered on the collector’s market (this is the first document of this type that the seller has handled). This piece would make a nice, representative example of this rarely encountered Confederate general, as well as an interesting document revealing the various reasons that could a recruit to be refused service in the United States Cavalry (one wonders whether they, or the various states, would be so picky as they recruited for the Civil War).
George Hume “Maryland” Steuart
was born on August 24, 1828 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point when he was just nineteen years old, though he stood next to last in his class. He served in the cavalry on the frontier until he resigned his commission on April 22, 1861, after which he was appointed captain of cavalry in the regular Confederate service. He became lieutenant colonel of the 1
st
Maryland Infantry upon its formation, and after First Manassas (he was captured here, but recaptured by the Confederates the same day), he was advanced to colonel. He was promoted to brigadier general to rank from March 6, 1862 and given command of a brigade of four Virginia regiments and the 1
st
Maryland Infantry. He led his brigade, a part of Ewell’s division, during “Stonewall” Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign, until seriously wounded at the battle of Cross Keys, Virginia. He returned to see action at the battle of Gettysburg, leading a brigade in Edward Johnson’s division. He continued to command these men during the battle of the Wilderness, until he, and most of the division were captured at the “Mule Shoe” at Spotsylvania on May 12, 1864. After he was exchanged, he led a brigade in General Pickett’s division at Five Forks, Sayler’s Creek, and Appomattox. After the war, General Steuart returned to Maryland and took up farming in Anne Arundel County. Proud of his service, he served for many years as the commander of the Maryland division of the United Confederate Veterans. George Hume Steuart died on November 22, 1903, at South River, Maryland, and was buried in Green Mount Cemetery, Baltimore.
The presently offered document exhibits signs of moderate period use, as well as subsequent long-term storage. Toning is present across the entire surface (darker at the edges), less noticeable on the front than the back, since the back formed the outside when the document was folded for filing. This toning is somewhat mottled, again, more visible on the back than the front. Several foxing spots are scattered throughout the piece, though these are small and do not seriously affect the overall eye appearance. The contrast is average for the period, though some of the manuscript additions are light (they are still fully legible). Two horizontal folds bisect the document, resulting in minor paper loss at the edges and some slight weakening of the paper. There are some minor edge problems, but these do not affect any of the text or the signature. This interesting document measures approximately 6¾ x 8¼ inches and would look great if framed with a portrait of Steuart. Though not perfect, Steuart appears to be somewhat difficult to locate as an autograph, making this a fine opportunity to add him to your collection.
A .95 charge will be added to the winning bid for postage and insurance.
A .00 charge will be added to any item picked up in person at our physical location.
If you have any questions regarding this item, please ask before purchasing.
Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2
nd
Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows.
American Coins and Collectibles
Shreveport, LA