Galusha Pennypacker Signed Autograph Request – Medal of Honor Recipient

Description

Galusha Pennypacker Signed Autograph Request – Medal of Honor Recipient
Offered for your consideration is a manuscript autograph response, signed at the conclusion by Galusha Pennypacker, the only general in the history of the United States Army who was not old enough to vote for the president who appointed him. Headlined “
300 South 10
th
St.,
/
Philadelphia,
/
July 1
st
, 1914
”, the text of this letter is short and to the point “
With very kind regards.
”. It is signed “
Yours most truly,
/
G. Pennypacker,
/
Bvt. Major General,
/
U. S. Army
”, and addressed “
To
/
Mr. Glen
Walton Blodgett,
/
Buffalo,
/
New York.
”. The header and recipient’s address have brackets at the right end, while a swirl descends from the branch of service toward the address. The back of the letter is blank. Penned in a neat hand, this piece would look great framed beside a portrait of General Pennypacker or a picture of the Medal of Honor.
Galusha Pennypacker
was born on June 1, 1844 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where he was well-educated in private schools. At the outbreak of the war, Pennypacker, though only 16 years old, enlisted in the 9
th
Pennsylvania Infantry, a ninety-day regiment in which he became quartermaster sergeant. Following his discharge, he recruited a company of the 97
th
Pennsylvania Infantry, and was commissioned its captain on August 22, 1861, at the ripe old age of seventeen. He was promoted to major in October. He served in the Department of the South, taking part in operations in Florida and against Charleston, South Carolina until early 1864, after which he and his regiment were transferred to General Benjamin Butler’s Army of the James. Promoted to colonel, Pennypacker led his regiment, and ultimately a brigade of the XXIV Corps, in engagements in front of Petersburg. Wounded four times during these various actions, he subsequently took part in Butler’s unsuccessful attempt to capture Fort Fisher, North Carolina, in December. He was conspicuous the following January in the ultimate capture of the fort, being severely wounded in the assault. He was hospitalized for ten months due to his wound, and was subsequently awarded the Medal of Honor for this action. On April 28, 1865, a month before his twenty-first birthday, Pennypacker was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers to rank from February 18 and brevetted major general to rank from March 13, 1865. With the re-organization of the army in 1866, Pennypacker became colonel of the 34
th
Infantry, was brevetted major general in the regular army on March 2, 1867, and commanded the 16
th
Infantry after the 34
th
and 11
th
merged to form that unit. He remained in that position until his retirement in July, 1883, at the age of thirty-nine. In 1904, Pennypacker, who had retired as a colonel, was promoted to brigadier general on the retired list. Galusha Pennypacker died on October 1, 1916 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was buried in that city’s National Cemetery.
Medal of Honor Citation:
Gallantly led the charge over a traverse and planted the colors of one of his regiments thereon, was severely wounded.
The presently offered document exhibits signs of period use and subsequent long-term storage. Toning is present across the entire surface, imparting to the paper a tan hue, though what the original color was is unknown to the seller. The edges are somewhat darker, with a few small associated stains. Three areas of damage can be seen at left, apparently caused by the rings of a loose leaf binder. Several folds are present, both horizontal and vertical, with one of the latter bisecting autograph of the general. This piece measures approximately 8 x 10½ inches, with the signature itself being approximately 4 inches long. A great addition to any Civil War or military officer collection, especially given the fact that he couldn’t vote for the president who president who appointed him.
A charge of .95 will be added to the winning bid for postage and insurance.
If you have any questions concerning this item, please ask before purchasing.
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