Sold – President James K. Polk Appoints a Future Civil War General

Israel Vogdes (1816-1889) was appointed to West Point at the age of 17 and was graduated in 1837, ranking 11th in the class which included Braxton Bragg, Jubal Early, John Sedgwick and Joseph Hooker.

From 1837-1849 he taught mathematics at the Academy and then saw service against the Florida Seminoles as an officer of artillery. He was subsequently stationed in Charleston Harbor and at the Artillery School for Practice at Fort Monroe. Vogdes was promoted to first lieutenant in 1838 and in 1847 to captain; we offer this latter appointment.

Document signed as president, large folio on vellum, with an eagle above, and flags, cannon and military accoutrements below, Washington, February 14, 1848, naming Vogdes “Captain in the First Regiment of Artillery”.

Polk’s signature is excellent, and the white seal is still intact. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Vogdes held the same rank in the same unit. However, when the resignations of Southern officers began to come in, he was advanced to major on May 14. He took part in the defense of Fort Pickens in Pensacola Harbor and in October 1861 was taken prisoner in the course of a Confederate attack designed to reduce the fort.

Finally exchanged in August 1862, he played an important part in designing and building artillery positions in the Charleston, S.C. perimeter, including Light-House Inlet, Morris Island, and Folly Island. Vogdes was made a brevet brigader general, U.S. Army, "for Gallant and Meritorious Services in the Field during the Rebellion."

During the last year of the war he was in command of the defenses of Norfolk and Portsmouth, Va. He retired in 1881, and was buried at West Point. Included is the original tube in which either this or his latter appointment originally came, with the calligraphic legend, “Brevet Brigadier General Israel Vogdes.”