![LINCOLN, Abraham, President. Autograph letter signed ("A. Lincoln") as President, to Secretary of War [Edwin M. Stanton], Washington, D.C., 10 December 1864. 1 full page, 8vo, "Executive Mansion" stationery. Fine.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/1998/NYP/1998_NYP_09012_0108_000(112942).jpg?w=1)
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LINCOLN, Abraham, President. Autograph letter signed ("A. Lincoln") as President, to Secretary of War [Edwin M. Stanton], Washington, D.C., 10 December 1864. 1 full page, 8vo, "Executive Mansion" stationery. Fine.
LINCOLN APPROVES A PROMOTION FOR A FUTURE WINNER OF THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR
At the recommendation of General Horatio G. Wright (commanding a division in the VI Corps, Army of the Potomac) Lincoln writes to the Secretary of War: "This morning the Rhode Island Delegation, and Genl. Wright, call and ask that Col. Charles H. Tompkins, be made a Brigadier General. They show an excellent recommendation from Gen. [John] Sedgwick, and Gen. Wright says Col. Tompkins is now his chief of Artillery, and if appointed he can assign him a command. Let the appointment be made, unless there be some valid objection known at the Department."
It appears that this appointment was never made, as the records show Tompkins had resigned as Colonel of Volunteers in April 1862, but returned with rank of Captain in the regular Army for the duration of the war. He was retired in 1894 as Colonel, and the year before was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bold reconnaissance 31 May 1861 to Fairfax C.H. (Boatner, p.841). General Sedgwick, who had recommended Tompkins, had been killed by a sharpshooter four months earlier. Published in Collected Works 11:408
LINCOLN APPROVES A PROMOTION FOR A FUTURE WINNER OF THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR
At the recommendation of General Horatio G. Wright (commanding a division in the VI Corps, Army of the Potomac) Lincoln writes to the Secretary of War: "This morning the Rhode Island Delegation, and Genl. Wright, call and ask that Col. Charles H. Tompkins, be made a Brigadier General. They show an excellent recommendation from Gen. [John] Sedgwick, and Gen. Wright says Col. Tompkins is now his chief of Artillery, and if appointed he can assign him a command. Let the appointment be made, unless there be some valid objection known at the Department."
It appears that this appointment was never made, as the records show Tompkins had resigned as Colonel of Volunteers in April 1862, but returned with rank of Captain in the regular Army for the duration of the war. He was retired in 1894 as Colonel, and the year before was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bold reconnaissance 31 May 1861 to Fairfax C.H. (Boatner, p.841). General Sedgwick, who had recommended Tompkins, had been killed by a sharpshooter four months earlier. Published in Collected Works 11:408