Pardoning a deserter from Fort Delaware - photo 1
Pardoning a deserter from Fort Delaware - photo 2

Pardoning a deserter from Fort Delaware

Lot 201
28.01.2025 00:00UTC +00:00
Classic
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CHRISTIE'S
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
ID 1360918
Lot 201 | Pardoning a deserter from Fort Delaware
Estimate value
$ 3 000 – 5 000
LINCOLN, Abraham (1809-1885). Autograph endorsement signed ("A. Lincoln"), [Washington D.C.], 1 April 1864, comprising nine lines total, plus signature and dateline. Accomplished on the verso of a letter from the commander of the Third Maine Battery, Ezekiel R. Mayo, additionally endorsed by Col. Daniel Chaplin of the 1st Maine Artillery Regiment.

One page, 196 x 318mm (some tape repairs and reinforcements to the folds, slight loss to the lower edge, pinholes at upper-corners).

Lincoln conditionally pardons a deserting artilleryman. The commanding captain of his battery, Ezekiel R. Mayo, supports his restoration to duty in his company, believing that the accused Private Edward Avery was a faithful soldier induced to desert by “irresponsible persons not belonging to the Army” and that he seems to be “thoroughly repentant of the act”. At the conclusion, Col. David CHAPLIN (1820-1864) adds his signature and endorsement of Edward Avery, concurring fully with Mayo’s opinion. In response, Lincoln directs that Edward Avery be permitted to return to his Company and pardons him for desertion, so long as he faithfully serves the remainder of his term. According to Civil War Data, Private Avery deserted 9 June 1863 and was arrested over one month later on 19 July 1863; he returned to service on 6 April 1864 - five days after Lincoln's conditional pardon. Avery mustered out of service on 1 September 1864 and returned to Maine, dying in 1882.

Daniel Chaplin, one of Avery's endorsers, was best known for leading possibly the greatest single loss of life by a Union Regiment in a single action during the war. Leading the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery Regiment during the Siege of Petersburg, Chaplin's ill-advised charge against the Confederate breastworks resulted in 67% of his 900-man force being killed or wounded in the attempt.
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
14.01.2025 – 28.01.2025
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
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Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

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