Lot 1147

UNION GENERALS ZEALOUS B. TOWER, JAMES B. RICKETTS AND IRWIN MCDOWELL

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UNION GENERALS ZEALOUS B. TOWER, JAMES B. RICKETTS AND IRWIN MCDOWELL

Estimate: $300 - $400

Starting Bid: $160

(0 Bids)

by Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
July 31, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
106 East Main Street, Suite 103
Elkton, MD, US 21921

UNION GENERALS ZEALOUS B. TOWER, JAMES B. RICKETTS AND IRWIN MCDOWELL
A fine association group of signed endorsements on a war-date note, 1p. 8vo., [n.p.], July 24, 1862, a pass allowing a Sgt. Nelson Harris of the 26th New Jersey Volunteers to travel to Falmouth, VA to retrieve papers left behind there, signed at the conclusion by the regiment's commanding colonel, WILLIAM H. CHRISTIAN (1825-1887). Below, the pass is approved by Brig. Gen. ZEALOUS B. TOWER (1819 – 1900), who was severely wounded at Bull Run and later fortified Nashville and fought Hood in the region. He signs ‘Z. B. Tower' in black ink, adding his rank ‘Brig Gen Comd'. The pass also bears the A.E.S. at the bottom of Brig. Gen. JAMES B. RICKETTS (1817-1887), who was captured at Bull Run and later led at Antietam, Spotsylvania, and Petersburg, being wounded in action six times.  He writes ‘Approved and dismissed to Hd Qrs 3d Corps for sanction', and signs in black ink, adding his rank ‘Brig Genl Vols Comdg Div'. The verso further bears the signed endorsement of Maj. Gen. IRWIN MCDOWELL (1818-1885), whose army was routed at Bull Run and who was later reprimanded for his command of the 3rd Corps at Cedar Mountain and Second Bull Run. He approves the pass and signs in black ink, adding his rank ‘Maj. Genl.' The verso further bears the endorsements of colonels acting as adjutants to McDowell and Maj. Gen. John Pope, as well as a railroad superintendent. Shows period folds with some splits thereto at the edges, also slightly ragged at the left edge and faintly soiled on the verso, and with two punch cancellations at upper left away from any signature, in very good condition overall.

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$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000