Partly-printed vellum DS as president, signed “William McKinley,” one page, 15.75 x 19.5, May 17, 1897. President McKinley appoints Erasmus Corwin Gilbraith as a “Major of Infantry in the service of the United States." Boldly signed at the conclusion in ink by President McKinley and countersigned by Secretary of War Russell A. Alger, and Adjutant General of the U.S. Army George D. Ruggles. Retains the complete War Office blue seal affixed to the lower left. In fine condition, with intersecting folds.
Russell A. Alger (1836-1907) was a Civil War Brevet Major General, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, Governor of Michigan, U.S. Sec. of War, and a U.S. Senator. George D. Ruggles (1833-1904) was Chief of Staff of the Army of Virginia during the Civil War and U.S. Adjutant General (with rank of Brigadier General) from 1893-97. The appointee, Erasmus C. Gilbreath (1840–98), had a 37-year military career. At Devils Den during the Battle of Gettysburg he assumed temporary command of the 20th Indiana Volunteers, his regiment holding their ground but suffering 156 casualties. He later fought in the Indian Wars (where he helped establish Fort Custer) and with the 11th U.S. Infantry during the Spanish-American War, dying in Puerto Rico nine days after the war ended.
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