United States. A Promotional Document Signed by 14th President of the United States Franklin D. Pierce to First Lieutenant Alfred Cumming

C. 1856. A promotional document to Alfred Cumming, promoting him to First Lieutenant of the Tenth Regiment of Infantry, signed by US President Franklin D. Pierce and US Secretary of War Jefferson Davis. The award document page is affixed to a cardstock backer, it is largely pre-printed, but is completed with pen in the areas left blank. 

It reads “Know Ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and abilities of Alfred Cumming I have nominated, and by and with the advice consent of the Senate, do appoint him First Lieutenant of the Tenth Regiment of Infantry in the service of the United States: to rank as such from the third day of March eighteen hundred and fifty five. He is therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of First Lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And I do strictly charge, and require all Officers and Soldiers under his command to be obedient to his orders as First Lieutenant. And he is to observe and follow such orders and restrictions, from time to time, as he shall receive from me, or the future President of the United States of America, or the General, or other superior Officers set over him, according to the rules and discipline of War. This Commission to continue in force during the pleasure of the President of the United States for the time being. Given under my hand, at the City of Washington this thirtieth day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty six and in the eightieth year of the Independence of the United States”.

It is signed by the 14th President of the United States, Franklin D. Pierce, as well as Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis. It bears a seal along the top left of the award page, as well as a print of an eagle in flight clenching laurel leaves in one claw and a bushel of lightning bolts in the other, along with a coat of arms along the bottom third of the document. It measures 44 cm (l) x 338 mm (w), with light soiling throughout from age, in overall better than very fine condition.

Footnote: Franklin Pierce (November 23rd, 1804 - October 8th, 1869) was the 14th president of the United States, serving from 1853 to 1857. Jefferson Davis (June 3rd, 1808 - December 6th, 1889) served as the first and only president of the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865. He served as the United States Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce from 1853 to 1857.