LS signed by 28 members of West Point's class of 1826, one page both sides, 7.75 x 9.5, October 25, 1825. A letter of recommendation for a classmate. In part: "A letter from Lieut. Burnham...enquires whether there be any unwillingness on our part to the appointment of Mr. Meade, late a member of the Class, as Lieutenant in the Marine Corps-We are ready to answer this question in the negative. Mr. Meade's conduct whilst he was amongst us, was such as to ensure the friendship & esteem of every individual, not only of the Class, but of the Corps of Cadets. His gentlemanly conduct, many deportment, and liberality of sentiment, place him high in our confidence & esteem." Signed on the reverse by 28 members of the class, including future Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston, and future Union Generals Samuel P. Heintzelman and Amos Beebe Eaton. In very good condition, with intersecting folds with partial tape-repaired separations, a tape-repaired tear to lower left corner, and burn marks and paper loss to top edge. Johnston was the highest-ranking officer, Union or Confederate, killed during the entire Civil War, and given his early death at the Battle of Shiloh on April 6, 1862, his signature is excessively scarce in any form. This example presents an especially interesting, very early format.
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