February 23rd, 2012
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2012
A good war-date Confederate Congress, 2pp. 4to., petition written by Arkansas Representative Augustus Hill Garland (1832-1899), Richmond, [Va.], June 10, 1864 to President Jeff Davis sponsoring a Mississippi riverboat captain to act as a government agent in the building of an ironclad fleet, in part: "The Undersigned members of both houses of Congress of the Confederate States being personally acquainted with Capt. John T. Shirley [who built the ironclads CSS Arkansas & Tennessee in 1862 with a cost of $80,000 each] of Memphis, Tenn., and having a knowledge of his skill and experience in the construction of Ironclad vessels of war, together with his long experience in the handling of vessels on the Western Rivers…for river service…and patriotism, hereby recommend him as a person in every way suited for the very responsible and laborious position of government agent for the construction of a fleet of Iron Clad vessels, for Mississippi river service…if full powers are given him, he will prosecute the work with energy…". Secretarially signed by G. A. Henrys, Charles B. Mitchell, John V. Wright, Tenn., H. C. Chamberlain, Miss., T. B. Hauley, Ark., Thomas I Foster, Ark. And John D. Atkins, Tenn. Garland then continues, inn part: "I have known Capt. Shirley a long time and know him to be active, energetic, intelligent and faithful…I believe it would be a public service and I hope the Pres't. Will grant this application…". Even with experience in building ironclads and his Congressional support, Shirley never became a government agent. Fine. GARLAND, Augustus H. (1832-1899) became the 11th governor of Arkansas (1874-1877), Confederate congressman who served on the Public Lands, Finance and judiciary committees. After the war he became a U. S. senator and attorney general of the United States with Garland County, Arkansas being named for him.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.