Item No. SQ6931965

Offered here is a beautiful 1864 Civil War letter signed by five Union generals. It was written on July 21, 1864, by Captain William Stewart, commanding the 110th Pennsylvania Volunteers, to the brigade adjutant, Lieutenant James H. Lockwood (120th New York, originally), about issuing a government horse to Lieutenant John L. Ellis (110th Penn. adjutant). The letter was docketed and sent up the chain of command for approval. First to sign was Brigadier General Regis de Trobriand, commanding the 1st Brigade. Then the 3rd Division commander, Major General David B. Birney, signed. Next to sign was Major General Winfield Scott Hancock, commander of the 2nd Corps. Then it went to the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac and was signed by General Meade's adjutant general, Brigadier General Seth Williams. Williams referred the matter to the Chief Quartermaster, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Napoleon Batchelder (later a Brigadier General), who authorized the use of the horse.

The letter was then sent back down the chain of command, first to Seth Williams, who signed for a second time. At 2nd Corps headquarters, it was signed for by one of Hancock's adjutants, Lieutenant Colonel Francis Amasa Walker. Birney's staff man, Major John Hancock, signed before returning it to the 1st Brigade, where it was finally returned to Lieutenant Lockwood on July 26. The letter made a five-day journey through several headquarters of notable generals, and all just days before the Battle of the Crater at Petersburg on July 30.

The letter was written upon a stationery sheet measuring 7 3/4" x 9 3/4". The paper is in good sturdy condition, not stiff. Very little wear to edges and corners. Creases where originally folded. Strong ink signatures.

This document came from an extensive archive of 110th Pennsylvania documents kept by the regimental quartermaster, Samuel D. Hayes.