USS FOREST ROSE Court Martial Grouping

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Raynors Spring Americana Auction - Feb 28 Par...

By Raynor's Historical Collectible Auctions

Feb 28, 2026

Set Reminder 2026-02-28 10:00:00 2026-02-28 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Raynors Spring Americana Auction - Feb 28 Part1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/raynors-historical-auctions/raynors-spring-americana-auction---feb-28-part1-22414
Fascinating Americana Auction offering item in all periods of American history., from colonial through WWII. The items are offered as Autographs, Broadsides, Civil Wat Relics, Civil War Diaries, Confederate items. Political, Presidential, 20th Century Israel, Early Sports. Raynor's Historical Collectible Auctions bob@hcaauctions.com

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• Lot Description
  An interesting group of five items related to the service of a George W. Shallenberger as acting assistant engineer of the Mississippi River Squadron stern-wheel steamer USS FOREST ROSE, and his court martial for overstaying his leave while at that post. Includes: A.L.S., 1p. legal folio., ‘U. S. S. Forest Rose, Mississippi Squadron', [Mound City], May 19th, 1865, from Shallenberger to Secretary of the Navy GIDEON WELLES, in full: ‘I have the honor to forward through my commanding officer my resignation as acting 2nd Asst Engineer and respectfully request that it may be accepted.' Shallenberger signs at the conclusion in black ink. Below, his acting commander, a Lt. A. A. Gould, forwards the message, with the note: ‘G W Shallenberger is suspended from duty, awaiting sentence of a court martial.' A second hand adds the pencil note: ‘Keep this until Admiral is heard from in this case?' Shows original mailing folds, slightly ragged at the left edge, else very good. WITH: Manuscript L.S., 1p. 4to., Mound City, May 19, 1865 – the same day as Shallenberger's previously-described letter of resignation - from SAMUEL P. LEE (1812 - 1897) Union rear admiral and a cousin of Robert E. Lee, to Shallenberger. Writing from his flagship, the steamer USS TEMPEST, presumably after being notified of Shallenberger's intent to resign, Lee commutes the sentence passed against Shallenberger, in full: ‘The Court Martial by which you were tried on the 11th day of April last found you guilty of overstaying your leave of absence and sentenced you to be reprimanded in General Orders and to be deprived of further leave of absence while the present war may last. On the recommendation of the commanding officers of the District and vessel to which you are attached, & of the court which tried you, I have remitted the execution of the sentence. You are therefore released from arrest. Report to your comdg. officer for duty.' Signed ‘S. P. Lee' at the conclusion in black ink. Shows original mailing folds and very faint toning to the edges, otherwise in fine condition. WITH: A fine 2.5 x 4 in. sepia carte de visite photograph featuring a full-length portrait of Shallenberger in naval uniform, identified by a faint pencil inscription below the image. The verso bears a second pencil inscription identifying the photographer as ‘J. P. James Artist Helena Arkansas'. Shows staple hole at the top and bottom edges, else very good. WITH: Autograph D.S., 1p. folio, [n.p.], ca. June 30, 1865, a coal report for the Forest Rose, signed by Shallenberger as ‘Acting 2nd Asst Engineer' at the conclusion. Shows two archival tape marks to the recto, otherwise in fine condition. WITH: Partly-printed D.S., 1p. 4to. Mound City, August 4, 1865, again from Admiral Samuel P. Lee, ordering Shallenberger's detachment from the Forest Rose, and instructing him to report to his home in Brownsville, Pennsylvania for further action from the Navy Department. Signed ‘S. P. Lee' in black ink at the conclusion, and again by Gould at top, confirming its delivery to Shallenberger. Shows original mailing folds, otherwise in fine condition. Five pieces.
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