1863 Confederate Requisition for Forage – Major General Howell Cobb twice

Description

1863 Confederate Requisition for Forage – Major General Howell Cobb twice
Offered for your consideration is a partly-printed Confederate form, signed twice at the conclusion by Major General Howell Cobb, one of the most prominent members in the foundation of the Confederate government. The document is headlined “
FORMS N.O. 32 and 33
”, with this for being a “
REQUISITION FOR FORAGE for Public and Private Horses, Mules and Oxen, in the service of
Maj Genl Howell Cobb
for
31
days, commencing the
1
st
of
Oct
, 186
3
, at
Atlanta
”. This is followed by 21 columns, each presenting information important to the reason for the issuance of the form. Only 8 of these columns bear notations, among them being “
No. of Horses
4
” (these are listed as “
PRIVATE
”), as well as “
No. of Days.
31
” and “
No. of Rations.
124
”. Also noted are the “
DAILY ALLOWANCE TO EACH ANIMAL
”, with the “
Pounds Corn
” listed as “
12
” and “
Pds. Fodder
” as “
14
”. These are added together under the “
TOTAL ALLOWANCE
” columns, with “
Pounds Corn
” being “
1488
” and “
Pds. Fodder
” being “
1736
”. This section is followed by a printed statement which reads “
I certify, on honor, that the above Requisition is correct and just; that I have now in service the number of animals for which forage is required; and that forage has not been received for any part of the time specified
”, with the signature of “
Howell Cobb
/
Maj Genl
” at the conclusion. An additional statement indicates there was “
Received at
Atlanta Ga.
on the
1
day of
Octo
1863, of
Capt. H. T. Massengale
Quartermaster
1.488
pounds of Corn …
1.736
pounds of Fodder, in full of the above Requisition.
”, followed by another signature of “
Howell Cobb
/
Maj Gen
”. The back of the form was originally blank, though now it bears a manuscript notation reading “
No. 23 Abstract. G. 4
th
Qr. 1863
/
Gen. Howell Cobb.
/
Octo. 1./63
” (this was done so that the contents could be identified when the document was folded for storage). An interesting document, presumably referencing the number of personal horses that a general kept. A great item to frame with a portrait of Cobb (he seems to be an unhappy individual).
Howell Cobb
was born on September 7, 1815 at Cherry Hill, Jefferson County, Georgia, though he was raised in Athens and attended the University of Georgia. He was admitted to the bar in 1836, and became solicitor general of the western judicial circuit of Georgia. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives, taking office on March 4, 1843 and serving continuously until March 3, 1851 (from December 3, 1849 through March 3, 1851 he was Speaker of the House). Cobb served as governor of Georgia from November 5, 1851 to November 9, 1853, and two years later, returned to the House of Representatives from March 4, 1855 until March 3, 1857. Four days later, on March 7, 1857, Cobb became the 22
nd
United States Secretary of the Treasury, serving in that capacity until he resigned on December 6, 1860. Returning South, Cobb served as president of the convention of seceded states that met in Montgomery, Alabama, on February 4, 1861. He was a guiding force as the delegates formed a new Confederacy, and served as the president of the Confederate Provisional Congress until February 18, 1862, when he resigned to join the military. Commissioned as colonel of the 16
th
Georgia Infantry, Cobb was appointed a brigadier general on February 13, 1862 and given a brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia. Before seeing actual combat with his new command, Cobb represented the Confederate authorities in talks regarding a prisoner of war agreement between the two governments. He returned to the army, leading his men during the Peninsula Campaign and the Seven Days Battles, as well as at South Mountain and Antietam. Cobb was subsequently detached from the Army of Northern Virginia and given command of the District of Middle Florida. He was promoted major general on September 9, 1863 and assigned to command the District of Georgia and Florida. During the Atlanta Campaign and the subsequent March to the Sea, Cobb commanded the Georgia Reserve Corps (he led the Confederate resistance at the battle of Columbus, Georgia on April 16, 1865). General Cobb surrendered on April 20, 1865 at Macon, Georgia. Following the close of the war, Cobb resumed his law practice, and, after some time, began denouncing the Reconstruction Acts. Howell Cobb died of a heart attack in New York City on October 9, 1868, but was buried in the Oconee Hill Cemetery in Athens, Georgia.
The presently offered document exhibits signs of period use and less than ideal long term storage. Toning is present across the entire surface, imparting to the paper a brownish hue (slightly lighter than the color of a standard lunch bag). The exact amount of toning is difficult to determine, as the original color of the paper is not readily apparent (several light spots seem to imply that the paper was an off-white or beige hue). Numerous folds are noted, with some of these showing lighter tones than the surrounding paper (these folds do not seem to have seriously weakened the paper, though they could be strengthened with archival tape on the predominantly blank back). The signatures are affected by several of the folds, more noticeable due to the lighter toning. Though significantly toned, the contrast is still adequate, with all of the printed and manuscript material present and legible (some of the printed letters are light due to poor inking, particularly the “R” in “Remarks” which does not appear to have been printed). Due to the poor quality of the paper and the acidic nature of the ink, corrosion has caused some of the letters to erode the paper, while many others are easily from their opposite side (one small hole can be seen at the top center, though this does not appear to be the result of this affect). Measuring approximately 7⅞ x 10⅝ inches, this interesting and historic piece would make a great addition to any Civil War, political, or financial autograph collection. Further research may determine whether Cobb had a famous or favorite horse, presumably one of the ones receiving this food.
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Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2
nd
Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows.
American Coins and Collectibles
Shreveport, LA