Item No. 5049725

An interesting June 1863 3rd Corps general order from General David B. Birney's division headquarters to his brigade commanders. It was written and signed by Captain James Cuffe Briscoe of Birney's staff (Briscoe would eventually become a brevet-brigadier general and lead a brigade in late 1864 through the end of the war). Written during the brief period between Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, the order set days on which each unit would conduct brigade drill. It reads, in full:

Head Qrs. 1st Division 3rd Corps
June 1st 1863

General Orders
No. 53

Hereafter there will be Brigade Drills on the Division parade ground from 6 to 8 o'clock A.M. as follows.

1st Brigade. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
2nd Brigade (on the following) Saturday, Monday & Tuesday
3rd Brigade (   "   "        "        ) Wednesday, Friday & Saturday

and so on, omitting Inspection days and alternating every three days.

By Command of Major Genl Birney
J. C. Briscoe
A.A.A.G.

Docketed on reverse.

The order was written upon a single 7 3/4" x 9 3/4" stationery sheet. The paper is in excellent condition. No stiffness. Very little wear to corners and edges. Creases where originally folded.