Abraham Lincoln Related
1862 Abraham Lincoln “Twice Signed” Civil War Letter
ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1809-1865). Sixteenth President of the United States, serving from throughout the American Civil War until his Assassination at Ford’s Theater by John Wilkes Booth in April of 1865.
October 9, 1862-Dated Civil War, Autograph Letter Signed, “A. Lincoln” as President, and Autograph Note Signed, “A. Lincoln” as President, on the first and fourth pages of this 5” x 8” “Executive Mansion, Washington” official printed stationery. Together, on two conjoined sheets, thus fully Displayable! Overall size measures 10” x 8” with Docket on verso. Superb dark brown and easily readable with vivid eye appeal. Just a bit of faint show-through from the docket, trivial light smudging on General Meigs’ notation only. Both items read, in full;

“Executive Mansion, Washington --- October 9, 1862. Quarter-Master General [Montgomery C. Meigs] --- My Dear Sir: -- The bearer of this, Elbridge Meconkey, was on Gen. Mc.Call’s staff, and was wounded at Gaine’s Mill. He now wishes to be a Quarter-Master; and I would like to appoint him, if another Q.M. is now needed. Please answer. -- Yours truly -- (Signed) A. Lincoln.”

On the fourth page, Union General Meigs returns the Letter to the President. Meigs writes, in full:

“Respectfully returned to the President of the United States. This Department has now calls for details of Quarter-Masters of Volunteers which it cannot supply, & the Quarter master General will gladly avail of the services of any efficient officer who may be appointed & directed to report to him for duty. -- (Signed) M C Meigs. QMG. Q M Generals Office - Oct.10th 1862.”

Next, President Lincoln boldly pens the following beneath General Meigs reply: “Let Elbridge Meconkey be appointed at once. -- (Signed) A. Lincoln. Oct. 10, 1862."

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Signed Letters with added notes or endorsements on opposite sheets are rarely encountered. Typically, such documents or endorsements were usually separated by collectors into two Signed “Lincolns” at some time during the almost 150 years since they were written. This rarity is bold with two excellent sharp vivid “A. Lincoln” signatures and is an especially attractive, perfect for display.
The following are excerpts from official reports of Brigadier General George A. McCall, U. S. Army, commanding Third Division, of the battles of Mechanicsville, Gaines’ Mill, and Glendale, or Nelson's Farm (Frazier's Farm):

“Headquarters McCall’s Division, Camp Pierpoint, December 22, 1861 ... It is proper to mention that deeming it necessary to leave one of my staff at headquarters to superintend the telegraph and to order forward the reserve, viz, the Second Brigade and three squadrons of cavalry, if required, the lot fell upon my aide-de-camp Lieut. Elbridge Meconkey, who discharged this responsible duty entirely to my satisfaction...

Headquarters McCall’s Division, Camp near Harrison's Landing, August 12, 1862... It is with much gratification that I acknowledge my obligation to General Griffin, who promptly brought his fine brigade to my support at a time it was supposed to be much needed.

Also to ... My personal staff, Captain H. J. Biddle, assistant adjutant-general, Lieutenants and Aides-de-Camp Scheetz and Meconkey, deserve special notice for their gallantry in carrying orders and the other duties incident to their officers...”

Roy P. Basler notes in “The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln” (University Press: New Brunswick, N.J., 1953), Volume V, page 454: “No further record of Elbridge Meconkey has been found, but his recommendation from Lincoln, and perhaps other papers, are listed as missing from the Quartermaster General’s files [in the National Archives] (DNA WR RG 92, P 100).”

The Battle of Gaines’ Mill took place on June 27, 1862. Meconkey met with President Lincoln on October 9, 1862 and personally delivered the President’s letter to Gen. Meigs. There is no government record of any further appointment of Elbridge Meconkey (1840-1887), 44th Regiment Cavalry, Pennsylvania Volunteers.

The Tuesday, May 31, 1887, edition of the “Harrisburg [Pa.] Patriot” reported his suicide on Memorial Day. Headed “Death of Major Meconkey / A Useful Life Ended in an Unexpected Manner.” Reading, in part:

“The saddest event of recent years in this city was the death yesterday morning of Major Meconkey, by his own hand [by hanging], in the office of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Society about 11 o’clock. For some time, the Major has been despondent, the result of protracted ill health, and recently evidences have disclosed the fact that his reason was unseated. But no one who knew him apprehended such an issue of his troubles and the entire community was shocked when the news of the sad occurrence spread as it did with lightning rapidity throughout the city.

Major Meconkey was in every respect one of the most estimable citizens of the Commonwealth. Endowed by nature with a wonderfully strong physical and mental system, his education added to his acquirements and marked him as a man of remarkable parts. He was born in Chester county forty-nine years ago and enjoyed all the advantages of wealth and position. He was a student of Yale College and afterwards graduated from the law school of Harvard University [in 1861].

At the breaking out of the war he entered the army and became an officer on the staff of General McCall who commanded the Pennsylvania Reserves. His military record is radiant with brilliant services and his civil life is marked by a devotion to every duty that devolved upon him and a faithful performance of every work.

At the close of the war, Major Meconkey, having been previously admitted to the bar of Chester County, married Miss Berghaus and located here for the practice of his profession. Subsequently he removed to Quincy, Illinois but soon returned to Harrisburg. He served as one of the reading clerks of the House of Representatives in Congress with marked success and during the session of 1875-76 and ‘83 was resident clerk of the House of Representatives of the Pennsylvania Legislature.

In this important office he manifested a zeal and ability in the discharge of his duties that won the respect and the admiration of the entire state...”

General Meigs, who ostensibly met Meconkey when he gave him Lincoln’s letter, wrote the President that there was a need for Quarter-Masters and he would “gladly avail of the services of any efficient officer who may be appointed & directed to report to him for duty.” Pres. Lincoln then ordered “Meconkey be appointed at once.”

As Quarter-Master is not mentioned in Meconkey’s lengthy obituary, nor is the appointment found in government records, it appears that he was not appointed. Extensive research has not revealed why.