VERY RARE Civil War Signed Pennsylvania War Document John W. Geary Governor NR

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

VERY RARE Civil War Signed Pennsylvania War Document John W. Geary Governor NR:
$97.00

Amazing Civil War Document; Chambersburg War Damage Claim Dated January 1872. Boldly Signed By: Governor John W. Geary, John Hartranft & Robert Mackey. This document has been very well preserved & passed down through generations. It has never been offered for sale, until now.

THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG:

During the Gettysburg campaign, Confederate troops restrained themselves from destroying non-government property. By the Rebels\' next raid into the North, however, the policy had changed.

On July 30, 1864, Brigadier General John McCausland and 2,800 Confederate cavalrymen entered Chambersburg and demanded $100,000 in gold or $500,000 in greenbacks. The residents of Chambersburg failed to raise the ransom, and McCausland ordered his men to burn the town. Flames destroyed more than 500 structures leaving more than 2,000 homeless. One resident died of smoke inhalation. Damage was estimated at more than $1.6 million. To make matters worse, many inebriated Confederate soldiers looted homes and abused civilians. Mobs of angry townspeople looking for retribution killed several Rebels.

Good Samaritans in the Rebel ranks helped citizens escape and save their valuables; a Confederate captain even ordered his company to douse the flames. One officer, Colonel William Peters, staunchly refused to take part in the burning. McCausland had him placed under arrest.

Chambersburg was the only Northern town the Confederates destroyed. The attack inspired a national aid campaign and spurred the Union Army to the aggressive approach that finally won the war.

Chambersburg War Damage Claim Certificate. Applications Were Submitted Under Act of February 15, 1866. A record of damage claims were submitted by citizens who suffered losses during the burning of Chambersburg on July 30, 1864. The applications were itemized accounts of real and personal property lost by each claimant and assign to each item a monetary value. Included were affidavits of witnesses in support of claims, a record of the award allowed each claimant by the 1866 Board of Appraisers and the 1871 commission to re-adjudicate claims, and a record of the pro rata payment given to each claimant in conjunction with the 1866 state appropriation of $500,000 for the relief of Chambersburg citizens who suffered property losses as a result of the rebel invasion.

JOHN W. GEARY, JOHN HARTRANFT and ROBERT MACKEY. Document signed: \"John W. Geary\" as Governor of Pennsylvania, Also signed: \"R W Mackey\" as State Treasurer and \"J. F. Hartranft\" as Auditor General. Pennsylvania, January 1872. Certificate number 1666, attesting that Upton Washabaugh (Estate) has on file in the office of the Auditor General an approved and registered claim for damages in the sum of $1,609.71 for damages sustained during the late rebellion, payable only when such claims shall be paid by the U.S. government. Dollar amount & certificate number written in red.

Unfortunately to the victims of Chambersburg, no claims were ever paid by the government.

Guaranteed Authentic! Will Pass PSA or JSA!

110% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE

John White GEARY (1819-1873), a soldier and politician, served as San Francisco\'s first Mayor (1850-1851), Governor of the Territory of Kansas (1856-1857) and Governor of Pennsylvania (1867-1873). A veteran of the Mexican War, Geary had been appointed Postmaster of San Francisco by President Polk before becoming the city\'s last American Alcalde (August 1849) and first Mayor. He served as a General in the Union Army during the Civil War, commanding a division at Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Lookout Mountain, and in Sherman\'s march to the sea. He was military governor of Savannah, Georgia.

John F. HARTRANFT (1830-1899) won the Congressional Medal of Honor for his conduct in the first major battle of the Civil War, 1st Bull Run (July 21, 1861). After serving as Auditor General (1866-1872), he succeeded Geary as Governor of Pennsylvania (1873-1879). He sought the Republican Presidential nomination in 1876.

Robert W. MACKEY served twice as Pennsylvania Treasurer (1869-1870, 1871-1876).

Vertical center fold has slight separation, though is still all intact. Otherwise, Very Fine Condition. Please see detailed photographs of this document as they are an Important part of the description. Also, please ask any & all questions prior to offerding.

If you are new to or have a history of 10 response or less, please email me before offerding. Just as a sign of good faith.

Thank You & Enjoy Another_Unique_Antique!