January 23rd Rare Autographs, Sports, Books and Photography
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/23/2020
JAMES MADISON and WILLIAM EUSTIS In the early weeks of the War of 1812, the President appoints lieutenant Colonel Electus Backus. Partly Engraved DS: "James Madison" as fourth U.S. President and "W. Eustis" as Secretary of War, 1p, 14x17. On vellum. Washington, June 1st, 1810.James Madison Signed Appointment for lieutenant Colonel Electus Backus. Backus was killed at the 2nd Battle of Sackets Harbor during the war of 1812. A fine appointment. Missing the seal but otherwise fine condition.
The Second Battle of Sackets Harbor was fought on May 29, 1813 between British forces under the command of Colonel Edward Baynes and American forces under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Electus Backus of the Regular Army and Brigadier General Jacob Brown of the New York State Militia.
Sackets Harbor was a principal port and shipbuilding yard for the upper St. Lawrence River Valley and Lake Ontario during the War of 1812. The British wanted to take advantage of the American fleet’s absence to seize and destroy the shipyard and supplies at Sackets Harbor. American forces put up a tenacious defense on land and eventually drove the British away. Thirty British soldiers were killed, 200 wounded, and 35 taken prisoner in the attack. The Americans sustained 157 casualties, including 26 missing or captured.
James Madison Signed Appointment
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