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The Civil War
1 Lot
 Lot 250. Civil War Major General William Henry French Autograph Dated Jan. 1, 1864. The signature, with a “Head Quarters 3d Army Corps” notation, is matted and shadow-framed with an authentic Civil War mini ball, a photo of French, and a brief biography focusing on his military service. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, Capt. French, with his “1st U.S. Artillery,” was stationed at Eagle Pass, Texas, at the start of the Civil War. He refused to surrender his garrison to the Confederate-aligned state authorities as they requested. Instead, he moved his men to the mouth of the Río Grande in 16 days and sailed to Key West, where he quartered at the Federal military post there. Shortly thereafter, he was elevated to major and assumed command of the base. In conjunction with the Union Navy, he was instrumental in shutting off Key West to slave traders. He was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers as of Sept. 28, 1861, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, where he commanded a brigade of the II Corps in the Peninsula Campaign. He was engaged at the battles of Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Oak Grove, Gaines’ Mill, Peach Orchard, Savage’s Station, Glendale and Malvern Hill. He received praise in official reports for his actions and leadership, and was promoted to command a division during the Northern Virginia Campaign. French commanded the 3rd Division of the II Corps at the Battle of Antietam, making the first attack on the Confederate Division in the Sunken Road. He was promoted to major general on Nov. 29, 1862. He led his division in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. During the Gettysburg Campaign, French commanded elements of the VIII Corps and the District of Harpers Ferry. Shortly after Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Sickles was wounded at Gettysburg, he assumed command of the battered III Corps. His military reputation was ruined during the Mine Run Campaign in Nov. 1863 when Maj. Gen. George G. Meade claimed that French’s corps moved too slowly to exploit a potential advantage over Gen. Robert E. Lee. This engagement was the last for the III Corps, which was reorganized out of the Union Army in the spring of 1864, and French was mustered out of volunteer service on May 6, 1864. French died in 1881 at the age of 66. His signature grades nm 7 to nm-m 8. The handsome display containing his signature measures 15” x 15”. It will look great on a wall and will likely be an excellent conversation starter. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $110.
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