Endorsement on the reverse of an ALSO written by the widow of General Walker K. Armistead, requesting President Polk appoint her son as a midshipman in the Navy, signed “J. C. Calhoun,” and also signed by six other Senators. The letter is dated December 26, 1845, and is written to U. S. Senator William H. Haywood of North Carolina. In part, “I wish you to apply to the President for a Warrant in the Navy for my son Walker Keith. He is 15 years old, healthy, strong, robust, intelligent & I think, a brave boy. My husband, his Father, the late Gen’l W. K. Armistead served his country long and faithfully, tho’ without parade of his services - his uncle, George Armistead, was a brave & gallant officer, as the defence of Baltimore testifies…” At the conclusion, Senator Haywood has penned four lines beginning “The undersigned Senators do heartily unite in requesting that Master Walker K…be appointed a Midshipman…” Signed “Will. H. Haywood,” “Willie P. Mangum,” “J.C. Calhoun,” “J. Speight,” “Lew Cass,” and “J. Fairfield.” Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton has penned a seven line endorsement, signing “Thomas H. Benton.” A penciled note on the address leaf states that there were no vacancies. He was never appointed. Major George Armistead was the Commander of Fort McHenry in the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812, during which The Star-Spangled Banner was written. It was Armistead who ordered “a flag so large that the British would have no difficulty seeing it from a distance.” In very good condition, with mild toning, a small area of paper loss to left edge, intersecting folds, and some mild soiling. R&R COA.
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