Item No. 0926375

In this February 24, 1863, letter First Sergeant William H. Phillips writes to New York Governor Horatio Seymour in hopes of having his promotion to second lieutenant approved. Phillips was a member of Battery C, 1st New York Light Artillery, a unit that saw much action with the Army of the Potomac from the Seven Days to Petersburg.

The letter is endorsement signed on the reverse first by Captain Alanson M. Randol, commanding the divisional artillery of the 3rd Division, 5th Army Corps. Randol was an 1860 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, was breveted a brigadier’s star in 1865, and continued in the Army after the war.

It was next signed and endorsed by Brigadier General Andrew A. Humphreys, commander of the 3rd Division, who “approved & earnestly recommended” the application. Humphreys was a career Army officer, civil engineer, and a Union General. He served in senior positions in the Army of the Potomac, including division command, chief of staff to General George G. Meade, and corps command.

The last offer to sign was Lieutenant Addison G. Mason, who signed on behalf of General George G. Meade, commander of the Army of the Potomac.

According to HDS Phillips’s promotion actually came through February 23.

The letter was written on a legal-size letter sheet measuring about 8” x 12 1/4”. It is in excellent condition with light toning and slight dampstaining. Creased at the original folds. The full transcript is below:

Hd Quars C Battery 1st N.Y. Art.
3rd Div. 5th Army Corps
Feb 24th 1863

To his excellency the gov.
of the State of N. York

Sir, on the 31st day of Oct. 1862 I had the honor to receive by order of Major Genl. F.J. Porter, commander of the 5th Army Corps, an appointment as acting 2nd Lieut. in Battery C 1st New York Art. Regiment to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Lieut. Saml. R. James. I have been acting upon the appointment from its date, hoping to receive the approval of his excellency the gov. of the State of N. York. Learning that the appointment had not as yet been sent in for confirmation, I would respectfully ask that my appointment may meet with your approval, and a commission be granted at your earliest convenience.
Respectfully, your obt. Servt.
Wm. H. Phillips
First Sergeant & Actg 2nd Lieut.

To his excellency Horatio Seymour
Gov. of the State of N. York

Hd. Qrs. 3rd Div. 5th Corps
Feb. 24th 1863

1st Sergt. W. H. Phillips has been under my com’d since Nov 1st, 1862, actin in the capacity of 2nd Lieut. I would respectfully recommend that he be commissioned as such to date from Nov 1st, 1862.
R. M. Randol
Capt. 1st US Arty.
Comd’g Div’n Arty.

Hd. Qr. 3d Div, 5th Corps
Feby. 25, 1863

Approved & earnestly recommended.
A. A. Humphreys
Brig. Genl. Comd’g Div.

Head Quarters 5th Corps
Army of the Potomac, Feby. 27, 1863

Resp’y forwarded to the Adjutant Genl. of the State of New York. Approved.
By command of
Major Genl. Meade
A. G. Mason
A.A.A.G.