The First War Department Printing and Fifth Overall of the Final "Emancipation Proclamation"

LINCOLN, Abraham. CIVIL WAR.

[Emancipation Proclamation] War Department General Orders 1863.

Washington D.C. War Department, 1863.

War Department General Orders 1863. Washington D.C.: War Department, 1863.

Full Description:

[LINCOLN, Abraham]. [CIVIL WAR]. [Emancipation Proclamation] War Department General Orders 1863. Washington D.C.: War Department, 1863.

The first War Department printing [General Orders #1, Jan 2, 1863], and fifth overall printing of the final Emancipation Proclamation. The [4] page pamphlet bound together with a nearly complete run of War Department general orders for the year 1863. Two octavo volumes (6 7/8 x 4 5/8 inches; 174 x 119 mm). Volume I comprising General Orders of the War Department, Adjutant General’s Office, Numbers 1-221, 2 January 1863 to 16 July 1863, and Volume II comprising Numbers 222-400, 16 July 1863 to 28 December 1863. Nearly complete, only lacking numbers 55, 63, 116-119, 148 in volume I, and 274, 352, and 381 in volume II. With 5 copies of number 149, and and 3 copies of number 240.

Contemporary half calf over marbled boards. Spine lettered in gilt. All edges speckled brown. Hinges repaired. Some rubbing to board edges. Previous owner's contemporary ink signature Bvt. Col. E.J. Wells (?) on front paste down of each volume. Numerous annotations in the same old ink throughout, generally noting when the order was received and dated 1863. Some glue marks to the General Order #1, not affecting text. A small tear to last leaf of text in volume I, with no loss. Overall a very good copy.

In addition to the very important first War department printing of the Emancipation Proclamation, these volumes contain several other very important and interesting General Orders from the War Department as well as President Abraham Lincoln in relation to the military during this year in the Civil War.

Notably:

No. 100, April 24, “Instructions for the Government of Armies of the United States in the Field.” "commonly known as the 'Lieber Code' after its main author Francis (Franz) Lieber. The Lieber Code set out rules of conduct during hostilities for Union soldiers throughout the U.S. Civil War. Even today, it remains the basis of most regulations of the laws of war for the United States... The Lieber Code consists of 157 provisions that deal with a wide range of legal issues that must be considered in armed conflict. It contains general principles, but also very detailed rules. Among the issues addressed are whether armed force is justified by military necessity, the principle of humanity, the distinction between combatants and civilians, POW status, retaliation, and permissible methods and means of warfare." (LOC)"

No. 143, May 22, the establishment of the United States Colored Troops. This authorized the establishment of a bureau regulating the recruitment, training and organization of the U.S. Army's first regiments composed entirely of African-American soldiers.

Numerous court cases are documented including #17- The sentenced hanging death of a "colored man" for "attempted rape". #346- The trial of George Woolfolk for ""Being secretly within lines of the US forces as the same time belonging to the so-called Confederate Army." He was sentenced to be shot to death. And #396- The trial brought by Colonel John Gault against Dr. Aaron James for "Being the captain of a band of guerillas or marauders, and shooting at US soldiers." He was sentenced to death but the President disapproved the sentence and directed him to be released.

A number of orders of Military discharges, both honorable and dishonorable as well as military promotions. #337 announces "Major General U.S. Grant, U.S. Army, is placed in command of the Military Division of the Mississippi, Headquarters in the field." #349 announces "Major General William T. Sherman is appointed to the command of the Department and Army of the Tennessee, Headquarters in the field." #194 is the appointment of Major General George Meade as commander of the Army of the Potomac, who would defeat General Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg only days later. And #398 honors Ulysses S. Grant for his Mississippi River campaign, and presents him a gold medal.

Numerous obituaries including #71 which announces the death of Major General E.V. Sumner, who fell ill and died on his way to take command of the Department of the Missouri, and directs the ways that Department should give him military honors.

Important presidential proclamations including #58- Calling to all soldiers who were "absent without leave," urging them to return to their regiments and would not face punishment, beside loss of wages for time missed. #252- Orders regarding the treatment of prisoners of war, stating that 'if the enemy shall sell or enslave anyone because of his color, the offence shall be punished by retaliation upon the enemy's prisoners in our possession'. "President Abraham Lincoln issued an 'eye-for-eye' order, warning the Confederacy that Union soldiers would shoot a rebel prisoner for every Black prisoner shot. It also would condemn a rebel prisoner to a life of hard labor for every Black prisoner sold into slavery. (AA Registry). #315- Lincoln's suspension of the "writ of habeas corpus." "The doctrine of habeas corpus is the right of any person under arrest to appear in person before the court, to ensure that they have not been falsely accused... Lincoln's suspension of the "writ of habeas corpus" was one of the most controversial acts of his administrations... Lincoln defended himself against charges that his administration had subverted the Constitution, however, arguing that acts that might be illegal in peacetime might be necessary “in cases of rebellion,” when the nation’s survival was at stake." (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History). #340- Proclamation by the President, calling for three hundred thousand volunteers. "Whereas the term of service of a part of the volunteer forces of the United States will expire during the coming year; and Whereas, in addition to the men raised by the present draft, it is deemed expedient to call out 300,000 volunteers to serve for three years or the war, not, however. exceeding three years."

And numerous other General Orders pertaining to soldiers and the war effort, including #35- A list of items that could be sold to soliders by sutlers. #40- The establishment of a Volunteer force for Kentucky. #163- "A resolution to encourage the enlistments in the Regular Army and Volunteer forces." #323- which authorized each enlisted cook "two under-cooks of African descent, who shall receive for their full compensation ten dollars per month and one ration per day." #351- This discusses the governance of "The Employment of women nurses in the U.S. General Hospitals." and #364 which discusses the cos of clothing and camp for the U.S. Army and includes a folding chart.

Eberstadt 12. Grolier, 100 American, 71. Streeter 1751.

HBS 69520.

$7,500.

Price: $7,500.00

Item #69520