February 1865 Order by Medal of Honor Recipient Captain George W. Hooker, Informing 3rd Division that "the Division will be reviewed tomorrow at 10 o’clock a.m. by the Major Gen’l Commanding Corps"
February 1865 Order by Medal of Honor Recipient Captain George W. Hooker, Informing 3rd Division that "the Division will be reviewed tomorrow at 10 o’clock a.m. by the Major Gen’l Commanding Corps"
Item No. 5637805
In this February 11, 1865, order, Medal of Honor recipient Captain George W. Hooker of Brigadier General Charles Devens’s staff indicates that “the Division will be reviewed tomorrow at 10 o’clock a.m. by the Major Gen’l Commanding Corps.” The commanding officer of the 24th Corps at that time was Major General John Gibbon. Hooker continues that “the review will take place in front of Genl Harris’ Hd Qrs.” This would have been Brigadier General Thomas M. Harris, commander of a West Virginia brigade in the 3rd Division. He further instructs that “Brigade Commanders will have their troops on the Ground at 10 o’clock a.m. A staff officer will be instructed as to the manner of the formation and will be present to form the line” and that “the men will be in light marching order without overcoats, blankets, canteens, or haversacks.” He lastly directed the division’s attached contingents of sharpshooters and pioneer troops to “report with their respective commands” to another staff officer, Captain Merritt B. Bessey. It is signed at the bottom by Hooker.
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 two pages of a 7 3/4” x 9 3/4” bifolium letter sheet in very good condition with light toning. Creased at the original folds. The full transcript follows:
Head Qrs 3d Division
24th Army Corps Feby 11th 1865Circular
The Division will be reviewed tomorrow at 10 o’clock a.m. by the Major Gen’l Commanding Corps.
The review will take place in front of Genl Harris’ Hd Qrs. Brigade Commanders will have their troops on the Ground at 10 o’clock a.m. A staff officer will be instructed as to the manner of the formation and will be present to form the line.
The men will be in light marching order without overcoats, blankets, canteens, or haversacks.
II. Capt. S. L. Given comd’g Div Sharpshooters & Lieut Stanton comd’g Pioneer Corps will report with their respective commands to Capt. M. B. Bessey, A.Q. General, at 10 a.m.
By order of
Brig Gen Devens
Geo. H. Hooker
Capt. & A.A.G.