One page, war dated letter, signed by Gideon Welles as Secretary of the Navy under Lincoln, September 6th, 1862. “I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd enclosing a communication from Lieut. E.C. Bowen. The 4th section of the Act of January 16, 1857… provides that reserve officers may be promoted… by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The death of an officer on the reserved list creates no vacancy which can be filled during the recess… your obt. servt., Gideon Welles.” $295
