Standard form-"To Whom It May Concern"-discharge, U.S. Govt. Print Office 1861. Dated 11/1/1863. Measures 11 x 8.5", in plastic sleeve w/ black card backing Signed by "S. P. Spear/ Col. 11th Vermont Cavalry/ Commanding," w/reverse inked endorsement by Captain Robert B. Ward 11th PA, "Private John Shafer has been under my comd. As a soldier since October 1861 and I consider him a very good soldier. He has been in several skirmishes with the enemy and behaved well." Blue ink stamp; "Paid in Full by Wm. R. Gibbon/ Paymaster U.S.A." Two vertical fold marks, w/full length vertical tear along the right mark mended by tape; also a small tape tear in the left margin. Some vertical wrinkling near right margin.

The 11the PA. Cavalry was organized in Philadelphia between August and October 1861. This unit served in southeastern Virginia and North Carolina through most of the war, and participated in many small actions and skirmishes, before joining in the siege of Petersburg and chase and surrender of Lee's army at Appomattox. Documentation provided on Col. Spear & Capt. Ward.