Two military documents relating to Stephen Platt Quackenbush (1823-1890), a distinguished Civil War veteran and future Rear Admiral. The first document bears the STAMPED signature of 17th U.S. President Andrew Johnson, while the second document was signed by 21st U.S. President Chester A. Arthur.

The lot is comprised of:

1. A 1p document bearing the STAMPED signature of 17th U.S. President Andrew Johnson (1808-1875) near the lower right, and also bearing the STAMPED signature of U.S. Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles (1802-1878) near the lower left. Issued from Washington, D.C. on July 26, 1866. The partly printed and partly handwritten document on parchment bears an embossed red "Navy Department" seal at the center bottom. Docketed at lower left. Expected wear including minor wrinkles mostly confined to the edges. Isolated folding of the seal sawtooth points, else near fine. 15.875" x 19.375."

The military appointment promoted Stephen P. Quackenbush to the rank of "Commander in the Navy" effective July 25, 1866.

2. A 1p document signed by 21st U.S. President Chester A. Arthur (1829-1886), as "Chester A. Arthur" near lower right, and also signed by U.S. Secretary of the Navy William E. Chandler (1835-1917), as "W=E. Chandler" near lower left. Issued from Washington, D.C. on January 14, 1885. The partly printed and partly handwritten document on parchment bears an embossed blue "Navy Department" seal near the upper right. Docketed at lower left. Expected wear including a few wrinkles and isolated loss to the seal edges, else near fine. 15.75" x 19.375."

The promotion conferred the rank of "Rear Admiral in the Navy" to Stephen Platt Quackenbush dated retroactively from July 28, 1884. Quackenbush would soon after retire.

Stephen P. Quackenbush was a career naval officer who saw action in both the Mexican-American War and Civil War. First appointed midshipman in 1840, Quackenbush steadily advanced up the ranks, being promoted to lieutenant in 1855, lieutenant commander in 1861, commander in 1866, captain in 1871, commodore in 1880, and rear admiral in 1884. Quackenbush retired in 1885 after 45 years of service.

Quackenbush's most exciting and productive years were definitely during the Civil War, when he commanded various vessels attached to Union Blockading Squadrons. He captured multiple Confederate blockade runners carrying important military supplies; the sale of goods confiscated from the blockade runner "Princess Royal" resulted in $250,000. The Naval History and Heritage Command, a navy database, as well as a Quackenbush family genealogical resource, indicate that injuries Quackenbush received during the Battle of Malvern Hill (1864) later necessitated the amputation of his right leg.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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