Civil War Order to Pay for Loss of Weapons After Enemy Capture

Autograph Manuscript Signed, “B.W. Crowninshield”, as Inspector and Mustering Officer, 1p, on cream blue-lined paper, 7.75” x 9.75”, Warrenton, January 6, 1864. Adhesive remnants at the top; folds with two small areas of paper loss; minor creasing; else, near fine condition. Accompanied by a CD entitled, “A History of the First Regiment of Massachusetts Cavalry Volunteers / Originally published 1891 Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, MA”.

Crowninshield’s order in full, with original spelling retained, “Private Dana A. Field against whom on the above roll are interval charges for the loss of horse, arms & equiptments captured by the enemy on the 29th day of March 1863, having demanded of me as Mustering Officer inquiry into the facts and circumstances attending such loss in accordance with §1088 of Revised Army Regulations, no such investigation having previously been held. I have investigated the case & find that the said private Dana A. Field was captured by the enemy under circumstances which exonerated him from liability for the loss of his horse & horse equiptments but not for the loss of his arms & accoutrements. I have accordingly ordered the money value of his horse, Sadell & Bridle so lost to be remitted, retaining against him the stoppage for arms & accoutrements to wit $32.93”.

Benjamin Williams Crowninshield (1837-1892) was a member of the Boston Brahmin Crowninshield family. With the onset of the Civil War, Crowninshield enlisted as a lieutenant with the First Massachusetts Cavalry in November 1861. He rose through the ranks, quickly being promoted to first lieutenant in December 1861, captain in March 1862, and major in August 1864. He was aide-de-camp to General Philip Sheridan, remaining with the General until mustered out in November 1864. In June 1865, Crowninshield reached the highest rank that he was to attain, brevet colonel of the U.S. Volunteers.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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