Lot 47: JACKSON THOMAS J.

47. THOMAS J. JACKSON (1824-1863) "Stonewall", Confederate lieutenant general and a brilliant yet somewhat eccentric tactician, he gained his nickname from his stand at Bull Run and served as Lee's right hand in the Seven days, in Maryland and at Chancellorsville where he was accidentally shot by Confederate pickets while riding between lines. A pair of superb related documents, both issued by the Virginia Military Institute, the oldest state military school in the country (1839) whose alumni were regarded as the best officers of the South (and several distinguished themselves in the Union army as well!). The first document is 1p. folio parchment, Lexington, Va., July 4, 1852, an ornate, partly-printed diploma awarded to surgeon Miles B. Manser of Fayette Co. At bottom the diploma is signed by fifteen professors and faculty members including Jackson: "T.J. Jackson Prof. Nat[ural]. Phil[osophy]. & Inst[ructor]. Art[illery].", also signed by French Professor RALEIGH E. COLSTON (1825-1896), later a Confederate brigadier general who led brigades under Longstreet and Jackson and commanded a division at Chancellorsville and WILLIAM B. TALIAFERRO (1822-1898), a Confederate major general who fought with Jackson in the Valley and commanded Jackson's division at Fredericksburg. He ended the war in the Carolinas, surrendering with Joseph Johnston. Further signed by FRANCIS H. SMITH, VMI's first Superintendent, WILLIAM GILHAM (1818-1872) Confederate officer present with his cadets at New Bern and author of a superb training manual, WILLIAM H. RICHARDSON Virginia Adjutant General, and Governor JOSEPH JOHNSON. But for a small light dampstain at bottom margin and far from text, this document is in excellent condition, no folds, with hanging seal and blue ribbon entirely intact and signatures distinct. Sold with a second certificate issued by Virginia Military Institute's "Societe de Cadets" to Manser, 1p. folio parchment, [Lexington, n.d. ca. 1852]. The diploma bears a beautiful hand-colored engraving of the school at top, and is signed at bottom by 24 members, including: THOMAS T. MUNFORD (b. 1831) Confederate brigadier general who succeeded Turner Ashby under Jackson, and was engaged in many of the decisive battles of the war, GEORGE SMITH PATTON (1833-1864) Colonel of the 22nd Va. and grandfather of Gen. George Patton, S.B. GIBBONS Colonel of the 10th Va., JAMES A. WALKER (1832-1901) brigadier general assigned command of the Stonewall Brigade in May 1863, leading it at Gettysburg where his regiment participated in the attacks on Culp's Hill, WILLIAM O. YAGER (d. 1904) Commander of the 1st Texas Cavalry, C.S.A., JOSEPH MAYO, JR. Colonel, 8th Va., GEORGE A. GOODMAN, Lt. Col., 13th Va., and others unidentified by us. A few wrinkles, otherwise in excellent condition with (chipped) pendant seal on blue ribbon, no folds and bold signatures. Both documents are contained within the original metal cylindrical black metal period tube bearing Manser's initials. Two excellent paired documents, untouched for 150 years, now well suited for display. $8,000 -10,000