Rare, Partly-Printed 1863 Soldier’s Discharge – 2nd Nebraska Volunteer Cavalry

Description

Rare, Partly-Printed 1863 Soldier’s Discharge – 2nd Nebraska Volunteer Cavalry
Offered for your consideration is a partly-printed document, issued in 1863, discharging a member of the 2
nd
Nebraska Cavalry. This piece is dominated by a vignette depicting a spread-winged bald eagle, a lengthy ribbon curling from its beak. The eagle is perched atop a staff bearing the furled flag of the United States, with a liberty cap at its top. In an arc above, in large letters, is printed “
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
”, while below is the soldier’s military and personal information, as well as the signatures of the discharging officers. The body of the document states “
Know Ye, That
Pleasant G. Swan
a
6
th
Corporal
of Captain
Theodore W. Bedford’s
Company,
(C) Second
Regiment of
Neb Cavl Vol.
who was enrolled on the
Sixth
day of
October
one thousand eight hundred and sixty-
two
to serve NINE MONTHS, is hereby discharged from the service of the United States, this
Ninth
day of
September
186
3
, at
Omaha
by reason of expiration of term of service.
”, with a notation that “
(No objection to his being re-enlisted is known to exist)
”. This is followed by the soldier’s personal information, which states that “
Said
Pleasant G Swan
was born in
Burea
(u)
County
in the State of
Illinois
, is
Twenty Two
years of age,
Five
feet
8½
inches high,
Dark
complexion,
Blue
eyes,
Black
hair, and by occupation, when enlisted, a
Farmer
”. This document was apparently “
Given at
Omaha Neb
this
Ninth
day of
September
186
3
” and was signed at the conclusion by “
T. W. Bedford
” as “
Cap’t
2
nd
Neb Cav’l
Commanding Company
” and “
John A. Wilcox
” as “
Lt. 4
th
U. S. Cav’y and As’t Commissary Musters.
” (it is interesting to note that one resource indicates that Swan was not discharged until December 23, 1863, though this document clearly shows a different date). An additional statement, written in red ink, reads “
Paid in full to date of Muster out by Major S W Eldridge Paymaster U S A
”. The back bears a partially printed “
Oath of Identity
”, though none of the information required is filled in. Though not in ideal condition, documents of this type are rarely encountered on the collector’s market (this is the first that we have ever handled). A great opportunity to add one of these interesting and historic pieces to your collection – don’t let it pass you by.
Cursory research indicates that
Pleasant G. Swan
was 22 years old when he enlisted at Brownsville, Nebraska on October 6, 1862. He was mustered in as a corporal in Company C, 2
nd
Nebraska Volunteer Cavalry on October 30, 1862. His records indicate that he was mustered out on December 23, 1863, though from the document we know it was significantly earlier.
Theodore W. Bedford
was 29 years old when he enlisted, also at Brownsville, Nebraska, on October 30, 1862. He was commissioned as a captain in Company C, 2
nd
Nebraska Volunteer Cavalry the same day. He is listed as being mustered out on December 23, 1863.
John Andrew Wilcox
enlisted and was commissioned as a 2
nd
lieutenant in the 1
st
United States Cavalry on March 28, 1861. He was transferred to the 4
th
United States Cavalry on August 3, 1861. Records indicate that he was promoted to 1
st
lieutenant on May 14, 1861 and captain on December 1, 1863. He remained in the United States Army after the Civil War, finally retiring October 20, 1892.
The 2
nd
Nebraska Volunteer Cavalry was organized in Omaha, Nebraska on October 23, 1862, and assigned to duty at Fort Kearney. They served until April, 1863 protecting emigrants, stage and telegraph lines, and operating against Indians in the area. They participated in Sully’s Expedition to the Dakota Territory from August 13
th
through September 11
th
, 1863. The regiment was mustered out on December 23, 1863.
The presently offered document exhibits signs of period use, with less than ideal subsequent storage. Toning is present across the entire surface, imparting to the paper a beige to light tan hue. Numerous stains are scattered throughout the piece, none of which are dark enough to obscure any of the text or design. These stains are present on both sides, though oddly they are more pronounced on the front than the back. Numerous multi-directional folds are noted, several of which have caused the paper to weaken and separate. A few of these separations have been strengthened with adhesive tape, though the long-term safety of these repairs is suspect (areas not already repaired could be strengthened with archival tape for the preservation of the document). The contrast varies, apparently based on the type of pen and ink used, though all of the manuscript material is legible (some of the pre-printed text is also light, possibly more a result of the printing process than actual fading or wear). Ink corrosion is noted in select areas, some of which has caused some minor paper loss. Scattered period ink stains are noted for accuracy. This interesting and historic piece measures approximately 7⅞ x 10 inches. As noted in the general description, this piece is not in the best of condition, but it seems to be quite rare. It would appear that the territory (Nebraska would not be a state until 1867) contributed approximately 3,000 men to the Union cause, presumably the total number of these documents which
could
have been issued (compare that to New York’s contribution of over 465,000 soldiers). How many of these documents were actually issued is unknown to the seller, as is the number which have survived. Either way, this is a rarely offered document from this forgotten area of the Civil War.
A .95 charge will be added to the winning bid for postage and insurance.
A .00 charge will be added to any item picked up in person at our physical location.
If you have any questions regarding this item, please ask before purchasing.
Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2
nd
Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows.
American Coins and Collectibles
Shreveport, LA