Alexander N. Shipley Military Commissions

Collection

Identifier: MS 0328

Staff Only

Finding aid note: Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Scope and Contents

The Alexander N. Shipley Military Commissions consist of five oversized (c. 16” x 19”) parchment documents under the decorative title ‘The President of the United States of America’ and bearing official wax seals. Each is dated and signed by or stamped with the signature of the incumbent President (James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln, or Andrew Johnson), followed by that of the incumbent Secretary of War. Also included is one 8” x 10” document imprinted on a sheet of folded 10” x 16” paper, relating to Shipley’s promotion to Brevet Lieutenant Colonel.

Dates

Creation: 1858 - 1866

Creator

United States. Army. Maine Infantry Regiment, 7th (1861-1864) (Organization)

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions on access to these papers.

Conditions Governing Access

Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Alexander N. Shipley Military Commissions must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

Historical Note

The five commissions in this collection document the promotions before and during the U.S. Civil War of Alexander N. Shipley, first as 2nd and then 1st Lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Infantry (1858 and 1861, respectively), then to Assistant Quartermaster with the rank of Captain in 1862, and finally to Brevet Lieutenant Colonel and Brevet Major, both in 1866 (brevet ranks in general being nominal ranks without additional pay or right of command, conferred by the President of the United States by and with consent of the Senate for distinguished military conduct and service).

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet (6 documents in one folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract:

Five commissions recording the military promotions of Alexander N. Shipley from 2nd Lieutenant (1858) to Brevet Lieutenant Colonel (1866), and containing either authentic or stamped signatures of U. S. Presidents (James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson); also included is a smaller document relating to Shipley’s promotion to Brevet Lieutenant Colonel .