Civil War Letters, Documents and Autographs

Popular interest in the American Civil War has always been very strong, and this interest has been reflected in the collecting of Civil War autographs, signatures, signed letters, and documents. Many Civil War generals had long life spans and were in administrative positions where it was necessary that they sign many letters and documents. Additionally, Civil War generals were very well known after the war, and many people sought their autographs and signatures, which they readily gave. Many of these were written in autograph albums that were devoted to Civil War personalities. As a general rule, autographs and signatures of the Confederate generals and leaders are much scarcer than those of the Union leaders. This is primarily because the Union generals had prominent positions after the war while the Confederates did not. Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee are available in signatures and signed letters and documents. Both are very popular figures, and their prices reflect the interests of collectors. The Confederate President Jefferson Davis is mostly available in his role as Secretary of War under Franklin Pierce, and in postwar letters written after he returned from exile. The Confederate General Stonewall Jackson is the rarest and most sought after of the Confederate generals, as is Nathan B. Forrest. Other Confederate generals are eagerly sought after, such as P.G.T. Beauregard, Jeb Stuart, James Longstreet, Joseph E. Johnston, Albert Sidney Johnston, Jubal A. Early, Braxton Bragg, and Joseph Wheeler. John S. Mosby, the Gray Ghost, the most famous of the Confederate raiders, can occasionally be found on signature cards from the late 19th century or in business letters from that same period of time.

After Ulysses S. Grant, the most popularly sought after Union general is William Tecumseh Sherman who is available in both signed cards and letters after the war. Philip H. Sheridan, who blocked Lee's retreat at Appomattox, can usually be found on signed cards, as can "Fighting" Joe Hooker. Signed letters of Henry W. Halleck and George B. McClellan can be obtained, and autograph material of Admiral David G. Farragut and David D. Porter was also saved by collectors at the time.

Please browse our selection of American Civil War autographed memorabilia or you may search our entire inventory alphabetically or by name.