The document is for a furlough for Private George Hubbell of the 121st New York Infantry. Hubbell enlisted in the 121st at Frankfort, New York as a Wagoner on August 23rd, 1862, and served until June 25th, 1865. It document states that "Hubbell is a private of Captain John D. Fish, Company 121 Regiment N.Y.S. Vols....". (Captain Fish would later be killed at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House on May 12th, 1864). After some further details it states "...having received a furlough from the 4th day of March to the 2d day of April 1863 at which period he will rejoin his company or regiment at White Oak Church or wherever it may be or be considered a deserter". Captain Wilson signs the document on March 24th, 1863 from "Camp at White Oak Ch Va".
The other side lists the chain of events on the three folded panels as to what all is involved in getting the final furlough approved. The first panel in part reads "Approved for ten days by command of Maj. Genl Sedgwick" (He was killed at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, May 9th, 1864). It is then signed "M. T. McMahon / Lt. Col. x AAG". Lieutenant Colonel Martin T. McMahon received the Congressional Medal of Honor for "distinguished bravery at the Battle of White Oak Swamp" on June 30th, 1862. The incident for which it was conferred was for the burning of a pontoon train which had been abandoned between the lines and thus prevented it from falling into the hands of the enemy. McMahon volunteered to destroy it, and did so, after saving one of the wagons, to which he succeeded in attaching some straggling mules that were wandering up and down between the lines of the two armies. This wagon was the instrument-wagon of the train, and was extremely valuable.
The second panel has some praise from Captain Wilson stating in part "Private Hubbell has been for months on extra duty at these H. Qrs. & is a faithful reliable man. He wishes to visit his home & look to the comfort of his family.....". Towards the bottom it is approved and signed by "J.J. Seaver / Col. 16th N.Y. Vols / Comdg Brigade".
The third panel has it dated and approved, and signed by W.T.H. Brady and signed again by Captain Robert P. Wilson. This Brady should be Lieutenant William T. Brady who was in the 62nd New York Infantry of the 6th Corps and would get wounded a couple months later during the Chancellorsville Campaign. Needless to say, this document is truly loaded and a great piece of Civil War history. I have also included the records of six of the men from the document. The value of a Civil War Medal of Honor signature alone is extremely desirable and rare. (ON HOLD)
