Item No. 2666949

Signature of Charles J. Faulkner, cut from a pre-Civil War autograph book. Signed, “Chas Jas Faulkner / Berkeley Co / Virginia.” A native of Martinsburg (now West Virginia), Faulkner had served in the pre-war years in the Virginia House of Delegates and as a US Representative from Virginia. He was named minister to France by President James Buchanan in 1859. Upon his return from Europe in 1861, he was arrested by federal authorities and detained until exchanged for New York Congressman Alfred Ely in December 1861. Days after his release, he was commissioned lieutenant colonel in the Confederate service and joined the staff General Stonewall Jackson.

On the reverse is the signature of Zedekiah Kidwell, signed, “Virginia / Z Kidwell / Fairmont.” Kidwell was a pre-war physician and politician from Fairmont (now West Virginia) who, like Faulkner, served in the Virginia House of Delegates and in the US House of Representatives. During the Civil War, he held a civil position in Richmond. The autographs were likely made during the 1850s while both were members of the House of Representatives.