Item No. 2841283

This is an interesting December 1864 document in which future Medal of Honor recipient Lieutenant George. E. Albee of the 36th Wisconsin requests a leave of absence while awaiting exchange at Camp Parole near Annapolis, Maryland. He states the purpose as “visiting my Friends at Lisbon N.H. & recovering my health.” Lisbon happened by be Albee’s hometown. After signing Albee includes additional information, including that he had been captured August 25, 1864, at the Second Battle of Ream’s Station; that he had been paroled at Richmond September 24; and that he had already been granted previous leaves of absence. Albee had enlisted in the Wisconsin Company (G) of the 1st United States Sharpshooters in June 1862 and was wounded in hip two months later at the Second Battle of Bull Run. He enlisted in the 3rd Wisconsin Light Artillery in December 1863 before being discharged in order to accept a commission in the 36th Wisconsin Infantry in February 1864. He was mustered out in July 1865, but that September accepted a commission in the 36th US Colored Troops, mustering out in October 1866. Albee continued in the Army, retiring in 1878. Later in life he served in the Connecticut National Guard. In 1894 he was awarded the Medal of Honor in recognition of his bravery during an October 1869 encounter on the Brazos River in Texas in which Albee with two other men attacked a group of eleven Indians, driving them away.

Albee’s request for leave is disapproved by the post commander, Colonel Adrian R. Root of the 94th New York. Root had been commissioned lieutenant colonel of the 21st New York in May 1861, but when Colonel Henry K. Viele of the 94th New York unexpectedly resigned in May 1862 Root was brought over to lead the regiment. Like Albee, Root was also wounded at Second Bull Run, receiving one of two wounds while rescuing the regimental colors. He was again wounded the following year during the July 1 fighting at the Battle of Gettysburg, fell into enemy hands, but was left behind but unparoled by the retreating Confederates. As a result Root was assigned to command Camp Parole shortly after the battle. He received a brevet star in March 1865 and mustered out that July.

The document was written on two sides of a 7 3/4” x 10” letter sheet. It is in excellent condition with very light toning. Creased at the original folds. The full transcript appears below:

Camp Parole near Annapolis Md. Dec. 7th 1864

Colonel Adrian R. Root
Commanding Post

Sir:
I have the honor to apply for leave of Absence for thirty (30) days for the purpose of visiting my Friends at Lisbon N.H. & recovering my health.

I am a Paroled Officer.

Hoping that this will meet with your approbation.
I remain Col.
Very respectfully yours
Geo. E. Albee
2nd Lieut. 36th Wis. Vols.

Captured at “Reams Station” Va. Aug 25th 1864
Paroled from “Richmond” Va. Sept. 24th 1864
Granted leave of absence for 20 days from Sept. 27th by Special orders “No. 322” War Dept. A.G.O.
Extended 30 days by Special Order “No. 350” War Dept. A.G.O.

Hd Qrs Camp Parole
Near Annapolis Md
Dec 11th 1864

Respectfully rec’d to 2d Lt. G. E. Albee, 36th Wis Vols.

My instructions do not permit me to approve applications for leaves of absence at present.

Officers requiring medical treatment must apply for admission into the Officer Hospital.
A. R. Root
Col. 94 N.Y.V.V.
Com’dg Post