![[CIVIL WAR]. ARMISTEAD, Lewis A., Brigadier General, C.S.A. Document signed twice ("L.O. Armistead Bvt. Maj. 6th Infty."), Fort Mohave, N.M. [New Mexico Territory, now Arizona], 1 September 1859. 3 pages, 4to, comprising a one-page manuscript order (page 1) and a double-page statement of accounts (pages 2 and 3). In excellent condition, the ink clear and bright.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/1999/NYR/1999_NYR_09178_0169_000(115056).jpg?w=1)
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[CIVIL WAR]. ARMISTEAD, Lewis A., Brigadier General, C.S.A. Document signed twice ("L.O. Armistead Bvt. Maj. 6th Infty."), Fort Mohave, N.M. [New Mexico Territory, now Arizona], 1 September 1859. 3 pages, 4to, comprising a one-page manuscript order (page 1) and a double-page statement of accounts (pages 2 and 3). In excellent condition, the ink clear and bright.
A VERY RARE DOCUMENT SIGNED TWICE BY LEWIS ARMISTEAD, KILLED IN PICKETT'S CHARGE FOUR YEARS LATER
A fine document relating to the early military career of this distinguished officer whose heroic death in Pickett's celebrated charge on the third day of Gettysburg, marked the high-water mark of the Confederacy. All documents of Armistead are of the greatest rarity: no letter or document is recorded in auction records since at least 1975. Armistead was, at this time, commanding the 6th. Infantry, on garrison duty at isolated Fort Mohave, on the Colorado River.
"Order, a company council of administration, to consist to Bvt. Maj. L. A. Armistead 6th Infantry and 1st Lieut. L.C. Bowles, 6th Inf. Will assemble to day...for the examination and settlement of the company fund of 'F' Company, 6th Infantry. L.A. Armistead Bvt. Maj. 6th Infty." The same hand adds a follow-up report beneath: "The council met pursuant to the above order, present the members, and proceeded to business and found the Company fund of 'F' Company 6th Inf. as set forth in the following account..."
The account is attractively laid out in tabular form, filling pages 2 and 3, in the same hand as the order. It consists of seven neatly-ruled columns, headed "F Company 6th Infantry in account with Bvt. Maj. Lewis A. Armistead 6th Infantry"; and records Company expenditures from a four-month period from June to September 1859. The list itself is interesting, and records such purchases as "5 lbs. Tobacco" purchased on 7 June and again on 31 August, and "5 lbs. Coffee" (at fifteen cents a pound). In July, the company apparently planted a kitchen garden, and spent $6.00 for "Garden Seeds." The company apparently liked condiments, and bought "1 Bot. Mustard" and a total of 10 "Botts. Pepper," on two occasions. Also listed are such domestic items as "Soap," and "1 Knife." These expenses totaled $233.20. At the bottom right the account is certified by Armistead with a second, large signature: "L.A. Armistead Bvt. Maj. 6th Infy."
Lewis Addison Armistead (1817-1863), from North Carolina, attended West Point Military Academy (where he broke a dinnerplate over the head of classmate Jubal A. Early) and was assigned as Second Lieutenant to the 6th Infantry. He was brevetted Captain for meritorious and gallant conduct in the battles of Churubusco and Contreras, and Major for service in the battle of Molina del Rey, during the Mexican War. Resigning his commission in May 1861, he was named Colonal commanding the 57th Virginia. In April 1862 Armistead was promoted to Brigadier General and assigned command of a brigade (the 9th, 14th, 38th, 53rd and 57th Virginia) in George Pickett's division (the other two were led by Garnett and Kemper). It was this division which launched the now famous charge at the Union center on the third day of Gettysburg ("Pickett's charge"). After traversing a field of withering artillery and small arms fire, with heavy loss, Armistead, leading his men with his hat held aloft on his sword, stepped over the stone wall on Cemetary Ridge which marked the forward Union line and advanced towards the Union cannon, firing canister at point-blank range. He was mortally wounded in this final, climactic phase of the attack, now regarded as the Confederacy's "high water mark"; his brigade suffered an appalling 73 casualty rate.
A VERY RARE DOCUMENT SIGNED TWICE BY LEWIS ARMISTEAD, KILLED IN PICKETT'S CHARGE FOUR YEARS LATER
A fine document relating to the early military career of this distinguished officer whose heroic death in Pickett's celebrated charge on the third day of Gettysburg, marked the high-water mark of the Confederacy. All documents of Armistead are of the greatest rarity: no letter or document is recorded in auction records since at least 1975. Armistead was, at this time, commanding the 6th. Infantry, on garrison duty at isolated Fort Mohave, on the Colorado River.
"Order, a company council of administration, to consist to Bvt. Maj. L. A. Armistead 6th Infantry and 1st Lieut. L.C. Bowles, 6th Inf. Will assemble to day...for the examination and settlement of the company fund of 'F' Company, 6th Infantry. L.A. Armistead Bvt. Maj. 6th Infty." The same hand adds a follow-up report beneath: "The council met pursuant to the above order, present the members, and proceeded to business and found the Company fund of 'F' Company 6th Inf. as set forth in the following account..."
The account is attractively laid out in tabular form, filling pages 2 and 3, in the same hand as the order. It consists of seven neatly-ruled columns, headed "F Company 6th Infantry in account with Bvt. Maj. Lewis A. Armistead 6th Infantry"; and records Company expenditures from a four-month period from June to September 1859. The list itself is interesting, and records such purchases as "5 lbs. Tobacco" purchased on 7 June and again on 31 August, and "5 lbs. Coffee" (at fifteen cents a pound). In July, the company apparently planted a kitchen garden, and spent $6.00 for "Garden Seeds." The company apparently liked condiments, and bought "1 Bot. Mustard" and a total of 10 "Botts. Pepper," on two occasions. Also listed are such domestic items as "Soap," and "1 Knife." These expenses totaled $233.20. At the bottom right the account is certified by Armistead with a second, large signature: "L.A. Armistead Bvt. Maj. 6th Infy."
Lewis Addison Armistead (1817-1863), from North Carolina, attended West Point Military Academy (where he broke a dinnerplate over the head of classmate Jubal A. Early) and was assigned as Second Lieutenant to the 6th Infantry. He was brevetted Captain for meritorious and gallant conduct in the battles of Churubusco and Contreras, and Major for service in the battle of Molina del Rey, during the Mexican War. Resigning his commission in May 1861, he was named Colonal commanding the 57th Virginia. In April 1862 Armistead was promoted to Brigadier General and assigned command of a brigade (the 9th, 14th, 38th, 53rd and 57th Virginia) in George Pickett's division (the other two were led by Garnett and Kemper). It was this division which launched the now famous charge at the Union center on the third day of Gettysburg ("Pickett's charge"). After traversing a field of withering artillery and small arms fire, with heavy loss, Armistead, leading his men with his hat held aloft on his sword, stepped over the stone wall on Cemetary Ridge which marked the forward Union line and advanced towards the Union cannon, firing canister at point-blank range. He was mortally wounded in this final, climactic phase of the attack, now regarded as the Confederacy's "high water mark"; his brigade suffered an appalling 73 casualty rate.