Colonel 22nd Massachusetts Infantry during the Civil War

United States Senator

Vice President of the United States under President Ulysses S. Grant

(1812-75) A strong supporter of abolition, he entered politics as a Whig and in 1840 was elected to the Massachusetts legislature. He served in the state senate from 1844-46, and 1850-52. Was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1855 and served until 1873. In the Senate he served on the committee on military affairs and with the outbreak of the Civil War, became committee chairman, a post in which he demonstrated exceptional ability in making necessary preparations for war. In his capacity of brigadier general of the Massachusetts Militia, he worked effectively to promote recruitment in his state. He also took a commission in 1861 as colonel of the 22nd Massachusetts Infantry. Following the war he joined forces with the Radical Republicans to impose harsh Reconstruction terms on the South, although several visits to the South convinced him of the wisdom of being more conciliatory. He served as Vice President of the United States under President Ulysses S. Grant, from March 1873 until his death in office in Washington, D.C., on November 22, 1875.

Signature With Sentiment: 4 x 1 1/2, in ink, With the regards of Henry Wilson. Very fine.