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Civil War-dated partly-printed document from “Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America,” one page, 11.75 x 8.75, April 23, 1865. A falsified Confederate commission that has been filled out by a Union soldier in clever, mocking fashion. The document appoints Margie H. Burnett of Plymouth, Massachusetts as “‘Inspector in chief’ of the lives, characters and habits of the Slave Mistresses of my Confederacy and to report the result to me after diligent enquiries.” The lower portion bears the false signature of Judah P. Benjamin. In very good condition, with minor edge loss, irregular toning and staining, and splitting the central vertical fold.
As Union troops occupied Confederate towns and cities throughout the South, they took over courthouses as temporary headquarters. This document appears to be an attempt at humor on the part of a Union soldier, who thought it a great joke to take a blank Confederate form and fill it out with this absurd appointment. Of course, by April 23, 1865, Lee had surrendered at Appomattox, and the war was over.
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