Typewritten order issued and signed by President Theodore Roosevelt which gives preference to Civil War soldiers who are seeking appointed positions. The January 17th, 1902 dated order bears President Roosevelt’s bold signature in strong, dark ink and includes an annotation for recipient Wilmon W. Blackmar, Department of Massachusetts Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.  Accompanying the order is a typewritten letter to General Blackmar from Secretary John D. Long of the Navy Department, explaining that a copy of the order referred to by Blackmar in a previous letter is sent.  Blackmar himself was a noted Civil War veteran, serving in the 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry and the 1st West Virginia Cavalry (US) before gaining prominence as a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and serving as Judge Advocate General for several Massachussetts governors. Blackmar was also a Medal of Honor recipient, having “led a successful advance upon the enemy” at the battle of Five Forks, VA.

[World War 1, World War One, WW1, WW2, World War Two, World War 2, Teddy Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D Roosevelt] [Civil War, Union, Confederate]