Rare Civil War-dated manuscript DS, signed “Jefferson Davis,” one page, 17 x 14, April 28, 1863. As "President of the Confederate States of America," Jefferson Davis appoints Hamilton H. Dalton as "First Lieutenant in the Navy of the Confederate States." Crisply signed at the conclusion by Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and countersigned by Confederate Secretary of the Navy Stephen R. Mallory. The red CSA Navy seal affixed to the lower left remains intact. In fine condition, with slightly irregular light toning; both signatures are exceptionally clean and bold. The Confederate States Navy was established on February 21, 1861, and Jefferson Davis named Stephen Mallory as Confederate States Secretary of the Navy. All extant CSA naval commissions are accomplished in manuscript, as the handsome engraved documents were printed in Great Britain and captured while en route to the American South. Aside from occasional skirmishes with Union ships—most famously at the Battle of Hampton Roads—the Confederate Navy focused on the protection of Southern harbors and coastlines, and running the Union blockade. The lieutenant appointed by this commission, Hamilton Henderson Dalton, is best known as the commander of the ironclad CSS Richmond, which he burnt on April 3, 1865, to prevent her capture by Union forces. A scarce and sought-after Confederate naval appointment.
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