Governor of Connecticut
United States Senator from Connecticut
Signature as President of the United States Centennial Commission
(1826-1905) Graduated from Hamilton College in 1847, became a lawyer in the 1850's, was one of the organizers of the Republican party in Connecticut, and also became the editor of the Hartford Evening Press. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Hawley recruited the first company of the 1st Connecticut Infantry, and was commissioned its captain leading them in the 1st battle of Bull Run. He became the lieutenant colonel of the 7th Connecticut Infantry in Sept. 1861, colonel in June 1862, and on Sept. 13, 1864, brigadier general. With his regiment he took part in the Port Royal expedition, the capture of Fort Pulaski, the battles of James Island and Pocotaligo, S.C., and the Florida expedition. He commanded a brigade on Morris Island during the siege of Charleston, and in the battle of Olustee, Florida. He then came north and became a brigade commander in Gen. Alfred H. Terry's division seeing action throughout the Petersburg campaign, and when Terry went to North Carolina, Hawley took over command of the division. In 1866 he was elected governor of Connecticut, and in 1881 was elected to the U.S. Senate where he served until his death.
Signature as President of the U.S. Centennial Commission: 6 1/2 x 3 1/4, in ink, Jos. R. Hawley, Pres't U.S. Centennial Commission, Phila., 1876. Light age toning. Large autograph. Very fine. |