Civil War password countersign document marked “confidential” sent to Colonel Zenas Bliss of the 7th Rhode Island Infantry in February of 1863. Bliss was awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry at the Battle of Fredericksburg in 1862. Perhaps not coincidentally, the confidential countersign password is shown as being “Fredericksburg."  Uttering that name would allow Colonel Bliss to get through the Union lines.

Sometimes the most commonplace documents used during the Civil War are the most difficult to find. Every day, countersign "password" slips were created and delivered to those who would need them in order to cross picket lines. But few of these slips of paper remain. Letter is in vert good condition, and retains its original wax seal. It was sealed in an interesting, and very particular, way. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate]