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UNION COLONEL MICHAEL DONOHOE PRESIDENTIAL SIGNED

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
UNION COLONEL MICHAEL DONOHOE PRESIDENTIAL SIGNED

COMMISSION, BELT & BUCKLE, MOLLUS MEDAL & MORE. This interesting group consists of a framed presidential commission dated April 9, 1866 bearing a steel engraved stamp signature of Andrew Johnson. The Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, signed the document w/ pen & ink. The commission is for Michael Donohoe & appoints him the rank of Brigadier General. Also included is a fine circa 1870 English made US General Officer’s dress sword belt. Buckle is unmarked & features a silver washed wreath & stars over the gilded buckle. Belt & sword straps are completely covered in gold bullion. Sword straps are complete w/ all associated hooks, buckles & swivels. The lot further includes Donohoe’s gold MOLLUS medal numbered “8056” w/ original red, white & blue ribbon. A single Civil War era full colonel’s shoulder strap belonging to Donohoe is also included. Finally, a sm. booklet published & given out at the funeral of General Donohoe in 1895. Michael Thomas Donohoe Jr. was born in 1838 in Lowell, Massachusetts to Irish immigrant parents. He was a clothing merchant working in New Hampshire at the onset of the Civil War. He enlisted in Company C of the 3rd New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry & was commissioned as a captain of that company in August of 1861. In 1862 while serving in South Carolina, he participated in the Battle of Secessionville on June 16. At the end of July 1862 he resigned his commission & returned to New Hampshire to recruit & form the 10th New Hampshire Volunteers. He was commissioned colonel of the regiment early in September & would lead the 10th New Hampshire through the remainder of the Civil War. His major battles include the Battle of Fredericksburg, Suffolk & the James River Campaign in 1864. During the Battle of Fort Harrison in Virginia, he received a severe wound in the hip when his horse was shot out from under him. After recovering, he led his men during the occupation of Richmond. He was breveted to Brigadier General for “gallant conduct in the field”. CONDITION: commission has a 6 1/2" tear at the center folded seam but the presidential steel engraved signature is quite clear. Belt has a single weak spot in the leather that is not broken. There is some wear to the bottom edge of the bullion in 1 spot & the keeper loop is missing. The MOLLUS & shoulder strap are undamaged. (02-15510/BF). $1,000-1,500.