^Lot 51 U. S. Grant

ALS signed “U. S. Grant, Lt. Gen.,” one page, lightly-lined, 7.75 x 10, March 3, 1865. Letter, marked “Cipher” at the top by Grant indicating this was a message to be telegraphed after it was encrypted, to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. In full: “I would respectfully recommend John A. Rawlins for the appointment of Brig. Gen. & Chief of Staff under the Bill which has just passed the two Houses of Congress. Will you please do me the favor to endorse this recommendation favorably?” Notation on reverse in an unidentified hand notes “Copied.” The time “3 PM” in pencil at the top edge suggests it was sent at that time. A mild overall shade of toning from previous display, a few tape remnants on reverse, a couple pencil notations, and a rough left edge, otherwise fine condition.

On March 2, Robert E. Lee sent Grant a message asking to “iron out differences” between the North and South. The following day, when this letter was transmitted, Lincoln issued instructions on surrender discussions, giving Grant wide-ranging powers on military matters. Unbeknownst to Grant, Lincoln also appointed John Rawlins “major-general by brevet…for faithful and meritorious service.” Less than a week later, Lincoln would appoint Rawlins as Grant’s chief of staff. When Grant was elected president in 1868, he appointed Rawlins his secretary of war.

The Union used a few forms of coded communication, but this message was likely encrypted using the Union Cipher Disk. Union officers were notoriously careless with the disk, often preceding the coded message with the key to interpret it. The Confederates understood the Union coding method and in all likelihood captured Union Cipher Disks during the war. A fine war-dated document involving a trusted associate of the great Civil War general.