Dated 8/25/1848. Standard presidential commission, in parchment, 15.5” x 22--w/ “President of the United States of America,” above spread American eagle, w/battle flags below. War department seal, affixed upper right margin. Adjutant General’s Office notation, in red ink, at uppermost right margin: “Recorded Vol. 3, page 154. August 25, 1848. ‘ Signed below by “James K. Polk” and Secretary of War Marcy. Exhibits fold-marks. Ink lightly faded while remaining entirely legible. Else near fine.

Inscribed to “Captain John F. Reynolds,” whose rank of “Major by Brevet” dates from the “23^rd day of February, 1847…”for gallant meritorious conduct at the Battles of Buena Vista.” Signed by Secretary of War “W.L. Marcy,” and in bold ink by President James K. Polk.

John F. Reynolds was a native of Lancaster, PA, and an 1841 West Point graduate assigned to the U.S. Third Artillery. In the Mexican War he served with Zachary Taylors’s Army and was awarded a brevet promotion to Captain for gallantry at Monterrey, followed by promotion to Brevet Major for services during at the Battle of Buena vista where his artillery section prevented Mexican cavalry from outflanking American positions on the right--awarded in 1848.

Reynolds later served in the 1855 “Rogue River War,” and the 1857-58 Mormon War. Just prior to the Civil War he had been commandant at West Point (1860-61), and become secretly engaged to Katherine Hewitt.

With the coming of war Reynolds was promoted to Lt. Colonel and then in the autumn of 1861 to Brigadier General, commanding a Pennsylvania Reserves Brigade. In the following year he commanded that brigade with distinction at Beaver Dam Creek during the Seven Days battles of July. Promoted to command of the Pennsylvania Reserves division, he again performed notably in safeguarding Gen. Pope’s retreat at Second Bull Run. Promoted to Major General, Reynolds commanded the Union 1^st Corps at the Battle of Fredericksburg.

Critical of Gen. Burnside and Gen. Hooker’s performances at the Battles of Fredericksburg Chancellorsville, after the latter battle, Reynolds was l sounded out by Lincoln on the matter taking command of the Army of the Potomac, but would accept only on a guarantee of independence from the political /civilian influence, which Lincoln could not accept. Consequently, on the resignation of Joe Hooker during the march north to Gettysburg, command of the Army of the Potomac devolved on Gen. George Meade.

In late June 1863, Reynolds commanded the left wing of the Army, including the 1^st, 3^rd and 11^th Army Corps, along with Gen. Buford’s cavalry division leading the advance In pursuit of Robert E. Lee’s Army of the Potomac on the move into Pennsylvania

On the Morning of July 1^st Reynolds lead the 1^st Corps into Gettysburg to assist Buford’s cavalry which had stalled the rebels west of town, with his Left Wing 3^rd Corps and 11^th Corps coming close behind.

At some point after 10 AM, in the Herbst woods on McPherson’s Ridge, while urging on the 2^nd Wisconsin, Reynold’ was shot from his horse, dying instantly from a head wound near his lower neck. Carried from the field, command of his left wing devolved temporarily Gen. Doubleday, pending the arrival of Gen. Howard’s 11^th Corps, followed by Gen. Hancock and finally Georg Meade himself in late evening of that day.

Relying on Gen. Buford’s cavalry reporting, John Reynolds is regarded as the commander who committed the Army of the Potomac to the fight at Gettysburg, and who placed the troops, while keeping an eye on the high ground south of town as a Union rallying point.

In all, an utterly superb Gettysburg collectible, commemorating one the most memorable and consequential Union commanders of the American Civil War.  [jp] [ph:L]

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