Awesome collection of 12 Spanish American and Civil War autographs originally collected by an employee of a major Washington Hotel in the late 1890's. All are on 2 5/8" by 3 1/2" white cards. The vintage black ink signatures all rate a beautiful 9-10/10. A copy of a 1928 newspaper article about the collection is also included.
"C. K. Davis 1899" (1838-1900) - Civil War Lieutenant. Was a United States Senator involved in the peace treaty talks that ended the Spanish American War.
George Dewey Manila 27 January, 1899" (1837-1917) - Probably most famous military man associated with the Spanish American War. His famous order, "You may fire when ready, Gridley", began the attack on the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay. Within 6 hours he had sunk or captured every Spanish vessel. He served as a lieutenant under Admiral Farragut during the Civil War, then remained in the Navy. In 1896 he was made a commodore and appointed to command the United States Asiatic Squadron a few weeks before the start of the war. In 1899 Dewey was named Admiral of the Navy, the only person in the history of the United States to attain this honor.
"Richmond Pearson Hobson" (1870-1937) - Congressional Medal of Honor winner for sinking his vessel, the Merrimac, to block Santiago harbor, under heavy fire. Was captured by the Spanish and imprisoned in Havana.
"Fitzhugh Lee Major General Dec. 4, 1898" (1835-1905) - Nephew of Robert E. Lee. Confederate Cavalry General during the Civil War. Major General of Volunteers during the Spanish American War. Military Governor of Havana after the war.
"Charles King Brig. Genl. USV 1st Div. 8th Com. Manila Apr. 1899" (1844-1933) - King is the only soldier in American History to have served in 5 wars; Civil, Indian, Spanish American, Philippine Insurgency, World War I. He was a Brigadier General of Volunteers during the Spanish American War.
"Very Cordially Friend. Wesley Merritt Major General U. S. Army" (1834-1910) - In Civil War Sheridan's 2nd in command during the Appomattox Campaign. Commander of US ground forces for the taking of Manila in the Spanish American War. Briefly Military Governor of the Philippines.
"Nelson Miles" (1839-1925) Civil War hero. Won Congressional Medal of Honor at Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863. Was Major General by the end of the War. Commanding General of the Army 1895-1903.
"W. S. Sampson Rear Adml. U. S. N. Dec. 17, 1898" (1840-1902) - Civil War Lieutenant. President of the Court of Inquiry on the sinking of the battleship Maine. Commander of overall squadron at the battle of Santiago.
"Wm M. Shaffer Major General U. S. Vols" (1835-1906) - Fought with the Union during the Civil War. Commander of the army that invaded Cuba in June 1898.
"W. S. Schley Rear Admiral U. S. N." (1839-1911) - Civil War Lieutenant. Rear Admiral during the Spanish American War. Was in command of a squadron during the war with the vessel Brooklyn as his flagship.
"C. D. Sigsbee, Captain, U.S.N. U.S.S. Texas - New York Nov. 29th, 1898" (1845-1923) - Commander of the United States Battleship Maine at the time it exploded in Havana harbor in February 1898, which led to the Spanish American War. Saw action in the Civil War after graduating from the US Naval Academy.
"Jos Wheeler Major General" (1836-1906) - Was a Major General on the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Robert E. Lee considered Wheeler, "Fighting Joe", to be one of the two most outstanding Confederate cavalry leaders. In 1898, Wheeler volunteered for the Spanish American War and received an appointment to major general of volunteers. He was commander of the cavalry division, which included Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders. He holds the rare distinction of serving as a general during war time for two opposing forces - first as a general in the Confederate army against the United State in the Civil War and later as a general in the United States Army fighting Spain.
LOA from PSA/DNA.