Civil War-dated partly-printed vellum DS as president, one page, 14.75 x 19.75, July 15, 1864. President Lincoln appoints Lemuel B. Norton as a "Captain in the Signal Corps, in the service of the United States." Signed neatly at the conclusion by Lincoln, and countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Bright green War Office seal remains affixed to upper right. In fine condition, with a few small stains.
Norton was the Chief Signal Officer for the Army of the Potomac during the pivotal July 1863 Battle of Gettysburg. He was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in Company H, 10th Pennsylvania Reserves on June 22, 1861. He was promoted to Captain and commander of the company on May 1, 1863, but resigned two months later to assume the Army of the Potomac Chief Signal Officer duty, due to the previous Chief, Captain Benjamin F. Fisher, having been captured by Confederates at the June 17, 1862 Battle of Aldie. Through the subsequent battle he directed the Union's signal and communication stations throughout the Union positions, with a number of them, especially the one on Little Round Top, becoming famous for their part in the battle. Captain Norton would serve through the rest of the conflict, and would not be mustered out of the Volunteer service until May 7, 1867.
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