Item #SQ3788250

Offered here is an interesting document from the Civil War. The document is a request from Captain Thomas B. Wooff of the 101st Illinois Volunteers for a furlough for a private in his company. The back side of the request features endorsements going up the chain of command, signed by Lt. Col. John B. Lepage of the 101st Illinois; 3rd Brigade commander, Brig. Gen. Hector Tyndale; 1st Division commander, Brig. Gen. Alpheus Williams; and 20th Corps commander, Major General Joseph Hooker. It was then forwarded to Major General George H. Thomas's Headquarters of the Department of the Cumberland at Chattanooga, where it was signed and returned by staff officer Henry M. Cist (later a brevet brigadier). Back down the chain of command it went; signed by Henry W. Perkins (brevet brigadier) of Hooker's staff and Samuel Pittman of Williams's staff. Captain Wooff's request reads:

Camp 101st Regt Ill Infty Vols
Near Bridgeport Alabama
April 20th 1864

Brig Gen Wm D. Whipple
Asst Adj't Genl Dept Cumberland

Genl
I would respectfully recommend John B. Stewart, a private of Captain Thomas B. Wooff's Company "B" 101st Reg Ills Infty - aged 19 years 5 feet 6 inches high fair complexion. light eyes light hair and by profession a farmer born in the State of Illinois and enlisted at Concord in the State of Illinois on the 18th day of August 1862 to serve for the period of three years for a furlough w/ permitting him to go to Arcadia in the County of Morgan State of Illinois for Seventy days by reason of meritorious conduct, and he being a minor at time of enlistment and owning some personal property in which he has interested the money that he has earned before and since enlistment which his Fathers creditors are disposed to appropriate to the payment of his Fathers debts and which he can save by personal attention. The applicant has never been absent from his command since enlistment.

Respectfully Submitted
Thomas B. Wooff
Capt Co "B" 101st Regt Ills Vols

Post office address
Arcadia Morgan Co Ills

The document is a standard four-page bifolium measuring 8" x 10". There is writing on only two of the four pages. The paper is in good sturdy condition, not stiff, and not particularly delicate even at the folds. Very little wear to edges and corners. Strong ink signatures throughout.