President Abraham Lincoln Appoints Future General Charles S. Lovell, Who Would Soon Command a Regiment and Be Decorated For Heroism at the Second Battle of Bull Run, Antietam, and Fredericksburg

Charles Swain Lovell began his notable military career by enlisting as a private in the 2nd United States Artillery in January 1831, and served in various garrisons, rising to quartermaster-sergeant, sergeant-major, and, in October 1837, to 2nd lieutenant. He was promoted 1st lieutenant in July 1838. He participated in key battles of the Mexican War as part of General Winfield Scott’s advance from the coast to the capture of Mexico City. Ranking as captain from June, 18, 1846, he took part in the battles of Churubusco, Molino del Rey,, and in the City of Mexico campaign was present at the taking of Chapultepec. When the Civil War broke out he was promoted to major, and was a brigade commander at Gaines’s Mills, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. He was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for gallantry at Gaines’s Mills, promoted to colonel for service at Malvern Hill, and brevetted brigadier general on March 13, 1865 for “gallant service at the Battle of Antietam.”

Document signed, as President, Washington, September 9, 1861, effective retroactively to May 14, 1861, an ornate, vignetted commission, with an eagle, cannons and flags, appointing Charles S. Lovell to the rank of “Major in the tenth regiment of infantry.” The document is countersigned by Secretary of War Simon Cameron, who served as Lincoln’s Secretary of War for less than one year. The document is backed to a light board.