When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Rare Civil War Presidential Military Commission to Benjamin Chew Tilghman
Offered is an original United States Army vellum brevet commission appointing Benjamin Chew Tilghman (1821–1901) as Brevet Brigadier General of United States Volunteers, signed by President Andrew Johnson and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton.
Issued on April 9, 1866, with rank dating from April 13, 1865, the commission honors Tilghman's distinguished service during the American Civil War.
Benjamin Chew Tilghman
Tilghman began the war with the 26th Pennsylvania Volunteers, eventually assuming command after Colonel William F. Small was wounded during the Peninsula Campaign.
He was himself severely wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863 but later returned to active service as colonel of the 3rd United States Colored Troops (USCT), one of the earliest African American regiments organized at Camp William Penn near Philadelphia.
His brevet promotion recognized his "gallant and meritorious services" during the Civil War.
Features
Original vellum commission
Large engraved eagle vignette
Original blue embossed Great Seal
Bold Andrew Johnson signature
Bold Edwin M. Stanton signature
Beautiful engraved military trophy vignette
Outstanding display piece
Condition
Original folds as issued
Seal intact
Light age toning
Minor handling wear
Excellent eye appeal
An exceptional Civil War presidential commission combining Andrew Johnson, Edwin Stanton, a brevet Union general, and an officer who commanded United States Colored Troops—making it desirable for advanced collectors of Civil War manuscripts, presidential autographs, and African American military history.
Benjamin Chew Tilghman (1821–1901)
Soldier, served during the Civil War as Colonel of the 26th Pennsylvania Volunteers and later the 3rd United States Colored Troops. Philadelphia native, scion of a prominent local family, educated as a Chemist at the University of Pennsylvania.
Beautiful vellum commission as Brevet Brigadier General, dated April 9, 1866, to rank from April 13, 1865. Brevet commissions were honorary titles adopted by the United States Army in the early days of the republic as a reward for gallant service. Since the Army was almost always too small to allow many vacancies for permanent rank promotions, brevets were used as an honorable expedient. An officer’s responsibilities, pay and assignments were usually based on his permanent rank, while he was entitled to the uniform and title of his brevet rank. In 1863, General Order 72 from the Secretary of War announced an act allowing the president to confer brevet commissions on Union officers “distinguished by gallant actions or meritorious conduct.” At the end of the Civil War, many Union colonels were rewarded for their good service with brevet commissions as brigadier generals, in lieu of medals or other awards. Tilghman was granted the honor of brevet brigadier general’s rank in recognition of his long and distinguished service during the war.
Tilghman first served as lieutenant colonel of the 26th Pennsylvania Volunteers, the first three-years regiment raised in the state. Almost all of the recruits were drawn from the Philadelphia area, and the regiment was mustered into Federal service May 5, 1861. The regiment’s colonel, William F. Small, a Philadelphian and veteran of the Mexican War, was wounded during the Peninsula Campaign near Williamsburg, and Tilghman took over the command of the unit. He remained with the 26th Pennsylvania until he was badly wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863, and was compelled to resign his commission.
When he had recovered sufficiently, Tilghman accepted the colonelcy of the newly formed 3rd United States Colored Troops formed at Camp William Penn, in Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County. The 3rd USCT served for a time in South Carolina, but most of its service was in Florida, often in the role of heavy artillery. The regiment remained in Florida, in Federal service, until October 21, 1865, when it was mustered out.
