Item No. 4214556

This printed general order was issued by the War Department in Washington, DC, on April 11, 1861—the day before the Civil War began with the firing upon Fort Sumter. It states two pieces of Army business concerning officers with questionable loyalty. First, Captain William B. Johns of the 3rd US Infantry, “having declined the command of his company, when ordered on a particular service, the President directs that he cease to be an officer in the Army from this date.” Johns was an 1840 West Point graduate. While an expedition was being organized for the relief of Fort Pickens, Johns had written to his commanding officer asking not to be ordered to draw his sword against his countryman. His hesitation that was quickly met with dismissal.

The second officer was Lieutenant Abner Smead. The lieutenant, “having, when with his company under critical circumstances, tendered his resignation in order to escape from duty therewith, the President directs that he cease to be an officer of the Army from this date.” An 1854 West Point graduate, Smead joined with the rebels and was appointed major of the 19th Mississippi, but transferred to the 12th Georgia. He would be relieved in November, 1864.

The order is signed by Assistant Adjutant General James B. Fry of the War Department. He was a member of General Irvin McDowell’s staff during the First Battle of Bull Run and served on General Don Carlos Buell’s staff during the Battle of Shiloh. Promoted brigadier general, between late 1862 and the end of the war Fry served in Washington as provost marshal general.

The document measures about 4 3/4” x 7”. It has a rough left margin where the order appears to have been previously bound.