Mexican-American War military appointment commission document signed by both President James K. Polk and Secretary of War William Learned Marcy in black ink, dated August 11, 1846, conferring the rank of Assistant Adjutant General with the brevet rank of Captain to Edward D. Townsend. Paper auction label affixed with tape to brown paper lining en verso. Housed in a contemporary wooden frame. Sight – 16 3/4" H x 12 3/4" W. Framed – 23 1/2" H x 19 1/2" W. Mid 19th century. Note: Edward D. Townsend was born in Boston in 1817, and graduated West Point in 1837. He served in the artillery in the Florida war and on the northern frontier, reaching the rank of Captain in 1848. In 1852 he entered the Adjutant General's Department, and in 1861 he became Gen. Scott's chief of staff, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He served throughout the Civil War with distinction in the Adjutant General's office. In 1865 he was made a Brevet Major General, and Brigadier General in 1869. He was retired in 1880. Gen. Townsend published two "Catechisms of the Bible" and "Anecdotes of the Civil War." (Biography courtesy New York Times Obituary, May 12, 1893). CONDITION: Written portions of document faded. Seal unattached to document, in top left quadrant of frame. Areas of toning, largest 2", lower quadrant of sheet. Black scuffs, largest 1", scattered on surface of sheet. Not examined outside of frame.