This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/24/2013
Very rare signature of Captain Samuel H. Beckwith, General Grant's personal cipher-operator during the Civil War. Nicknamed ''Grant's Shadow'' for the closeness of their war-time relationship, Beckwith was reportedly the only man at Union headquarters entrusted with the key to the cipher to transmit Grant's confidential communications. Of him is written that ''he carried with fidelity the secrets of the nation.'' Autograph appears on a 5.25'' x 3.5'' card signed in Utica, New York. Near fine condition.