American Historical Ephemera and Photography

Manuscript appointment recommendation signed ("J. Warren Keifer") as Brevet Brigadier General to Brevet Major General Lorenzo Thomas. "Headquarters 2 Brig 3d Div 6 A.C. / Camp Near Washington D.C.," 12 June 1865.

1 1/2 pages, on bifolium, 7 7/8 x 9 7/8 in. Creasing with some minor separations, toning, soiling. Docketed verso.

Document recommends Colonel Benjamin F. Smith, 126th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for promotion to the rank of brigadier general by brevet to date from 25 March 1865, "for long and distinguished services during the war, for gallantry in the battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor and in front of Petersburg on the 25th of March last."

Typewritten letter signed ("J. Warren Keifer") to Fred M. Steele. Springfield, OH, 12 March 1887.

1 1/2 pages, 8 3/4 x 11 in. Creasing, abundant separations, fabric tape to left edge, staining/soiling. On Keifer's law office letterhead. With manuscript edits.

Keifer responds to a request for a "memorandum of the period of time covered during my public service, together with offices held." He gives an outline of his public and civil service, including his service in the Ohio Senate, the 45th-48th Congresses of the United States, from 1877-1885, and as Speaker of the US House of Representatives during the 47th Congress. He then details his military service, from April 1861 to June 1865, including as major, lieutenant colonel, colonel, brevet brigadier general, and brevet major general. He gives the locations and attachments of his service at various times, making note of his participation in General Sheridan's three Shenandoah Valley battles in the fall of 1864 and the final battles at Petersburg in the Spring of 1865.

TOGETHER, 2 documents signed.