Partly-printed vellum DS as president, one page, 15.75 x 19.75, April 20, 1865. President Johnson appoints William H. Penrose of the U.S. Volunteers to "the rank of Brigadier General by brevet in said service…for gallant and meritorious service at the battle of Middletown, Virginia." Signed boldly at the conclusion by Andrew Johnson, and countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Embossed blue War Office seal remains affixed to upper left panel. In fine condition. A veteran of notable battles at Second Bull Run, Spotsylvania, and Gettysburg, William H. Penrose (1832-1903) commanded the First New Jersey Brigade and was given a full promotion to brigadier general of volunteers in June 1865; he mustered out of volunteer forces the next year but stayed in the U.S. Army serving in the 12th, 16th and 20th U.S. Infantry Regiments. A remarkably early military commission from President Johnson—his predecessor, Abraham Lincoln, succumbed to an assassin's bullet just five days prior.
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