1861 Abraham Lincoln Signed Civil War Military

Updated September 10, 2026

Commission – Assistant Surgeon Charles A. McCall, Countersigned by Simon Cameron (Vellum) An exceptional, highly desirable American Civil War-era military commission document on original vellum, boldly signed by the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. This partly-printed document appoints Charles A. McCall to the rank of Assistant Surgeon in the service of the United States. Dr. Charles A. McCall would go on to have a prominent medical career during the war, managing critical cases and operating at Mt. Pleasant Hospital in Washington, D.C.Date Given: August 5, 1861Signatures: Features a strong, dark, and clear signature from Abraham Lincoln at the lower right. It is countersigned on the left by Simon Cameron, Lincoln's first Secretary of War.Official Markings: Includes the original, intact bright blue serrated paper seal on the upper left side.Docketing / Reverse Info: The top-left corner features handwritten recording notes from the Adjutant General's Office dated August 10, 1861, signed by Lorenzo Thomas, Adjutant General ("L. Thomas, Asst. Genl."). Recorded in Vol. 17, Page 13.Aesthetics: The document features the iconic striking vignettes including the soaring bald eagle at the top holding a banner reading "E Pluribus Unum" and a beautiful display of military flags, drums, and heavy weaponry at the bottom.Condition:The document is in very good historical condition, displaying rich, legible ink. It shows expected age toning, folds from historical storage, and scattered light foxing/spotting typical for 19th-century vellum. It comes housed in a decorative, beaded gilt-wood frame.

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