Item No. 7810462

In this order dated March 21, 1865, Medal of Honor recipient Captain George W. Hooker of Brigadier General Charles Devens’s staff directs the commanding officer of the division’s pioneer detachment that “In anticipation of an immediate movement, all baggage which cannot be carried by the amount of transportation allowed in orders should at once be sent to the rear.” Hooker signed the letter at the bottom.

George White Hooker enlisted as a private in the 4th Vermont in September 1861. He rose quickly through the ranks and by August 1862 was first lieutenant of Company E. In the summer of 1864 he was promoted captain and attached to the adjutant general’s department, serving on the staff of Brigadier General Charles Devens. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on September 14, 1862, at the Battle of South Mountain, where he “rode alone in advance of his regiment and captured a major and 116 men.”

The order was written on one side of a 7 3/4” x 10” letter sheet. Creased at the original folds. The full transcript follows:

Headquarters 3rd Division
24th Army Corps   March 21st 1865

Circular

In anticipation of an immediate movement, all baggage which cannot be carried by the amount of transportation allowed in orders should at once be sent to the rear. All surplus ordnance and ordnance stores will at once be turned over to the proper Officer, and the command held in readiness to move without unnecessary delay.

By Order of
Brig Genl Devens
Geo. H. Hooker
A.A.G.

Chf of Pioneers