Seth Kaller, Inc.

Kimball served General Patrick, and fought at Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg. He later became Director of the U.S. Mint.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Document Signed, as President, appointing James P. Kimball as Assistant Adjutant General of Volunteers, co-signed by Edward Stanton, Washington D.C., April 18, 1862, 1p.

Inventory #22109       Price: $11,000

Also for sale as part of the Ultimate Lincoln Collection.

Historical Background

James Kimball was born in Salem, MA in 1836, attended Harvard University, the University of Frederick Wilhelm, Berlin, the University of George Augusta, and the Mining School at Freiberg, graduating with degrees in Mining and Metallurgy. He began his career as a state geologist and academic.

When the Civil War broke out, Kimball was appointed Assistant Adjutant General to General Marsena Rudolph Patrick, who was named as the provost marshal for the Army of the Potomac in 1862. During his service with Patrick, Kimball saw action at Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg, among other battles. At the Battle of Gettysburg, Patrick’s brigade of troops oversaw the processing of thousands of Confederate prisoners of war.

Kimball eventually resigned from the army due to ill health, and returned to his career as a mining engineer and geologist.  In 1885 President Cleveland appointed him as Director of the U.S. Mint. Kimball was the first metallurgist in that position, and his tenure is marked by his famous (to numismatists) report in which he criticized the quality of U.S. coinage, and started the process that eventually led to St. Gaudens designing the “Double Eagles,” considered by many as  the most beautiful coins of the world.

Condition

Some toning, otherwise fine and with excellent Lincoln signature.

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