Civil War Confederate General Joseph “Fighting Joe" Wheeler Signed Check PSA

Title:
Joseph Wheeler – PSA/DNA Certified Hand-Signed Check – August 26, 1901

Description:
Original hand-signed bank check filled out and signed by Joseph Wheeler, dated August 26, 1901, just months before his death. The check is drawn on the Mechanics’ National Bank of New York and made payable to Louis Voss in the amount of $32.00. It is completed in Wheeler’s hand and signed clearly at the bottom right as:

Joseph Wheeler

The check, pink in color and measuring approximately 6.25" x 2.75", bears a central cancellation punch and a back endorsement from the Pacific Bank, N.Y., dated August 27, 1901. The item has been professionally authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA in a secure, tamper-evident slab.

The PSA label reads:

• CHECK

• JOSEPH WHEELER

• AUTHENTIC AUTO

• PSA/DNA CERTIFIED

• Certification #: 83803016

Despite its age, the check displays only minor handling wear, and Wheeler’s bold signature remains dark and legible.

Historical Context:
Joseph Wheeler (1836–1906) was a Confederate major general, later serving as a U.S. Congressman from Alabama and a major general in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War. One of the few former Confederate officers to later serve in the U.S. military, Wheeler became a symbol of post-Civil War national reconciliation.

During the Civil War, Wheeler earned the nickname “Fighting Joe” and served with distinction as a cavalry commander in the Army of Tennessee. After the war, he was elected to Congress, advocating for Southern interests during Reconstruction. In 1898, during the Spanish-American War, Wheeler famously commanded U.S. troops in Cuba, further cementing his national legacy.

By the time this check was signed in 1901, Wheeler was nearing the end of his remarkable life of military and public service. The date places this autograph within the final year of his congressional tenure and just five years before his death.

Authentication & Encapsulation:
Authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA, the industry’s gold standard for autograph verification.

• Certification Number: 83803016

• Housed in a tamper-proof, archival-grade PSA slab with a certification label clearly identifying the signer and artifact type.

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
This PSA/DNA-certified check represents a rare, dual-era collectible from Joseph Wheeler, a figure who bridged the Confederate legacy and later national reunification. Combining historical military significance with personal financial documentation, it’s an ideal piece for collectors of Civil War, Spanish-American War, or Reconstruction-era memorabilia.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.