President John Tyler Signed Military Commission

Single sheet, partly printed, dated 17 February 1845, Washington, D.C., a military commission appointing John P. Johnstone as a Brevet Second Lieutenant of Artillery, signed by John Tyler as President and counter-signed by William Wilkins as Secretary of War; with embossed white seal in bottom left corner; presented in a wooden frame behind glass.

Sheet size 17 1/4 x 14 1/2 in.; Frame dimensions 19 3/4 x 16 5/8 x 7/8 in.

John P[reston] Johnstone (Virginia, 1824-1847), nephew of the important American Civil War general Joseph E. Johnston, was promoted to Brevet Second Lieutenant after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1843. He served in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Texas before fighting in the Mexican-American War where he died at the Battle of Contreras on August 19, 1947.

Scattered staining and grime, several small damp stains, minor edge wear, and with expected folds; laid down to board; some wear to frame.

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