This 1863 document is a recommendation for promotion of several officers in the 125^th New York Infantry, from the Colonel of the regiment, Levin Crandell. Lined paper measures 15 5/8” x 10”. Excellent condition overall; fold lines, with one very small fold line tear. Light yellowing at edges. All text and signatures are clearly legible.

Dated “Head Quarters 125^th Regt N.Y. Vols / Camp Near Brandy Station Va 18^th Nov 1863”. “Sir _ I have the honor to recommend the following promotions in the 125^th Regt New York State Volunteers Infantry, to wit:”

Summarized below are the names of those to be promoted, etc.

1. Captain Joseph Hyde, to be promoted to Major in place of Maj. S.C. Armstrong

2. 1^st Lieut William D. Taylor to be promoted to Captain in place of Acpt. E A Hartshorn

3. 1^st Lieut. Lewis H. Crandall, to be promoted to Captain in place of Capt. Joseph Hyde

4. 2^nd Lt. Harry L. Haskell to be promoted to Captain in place of Capt. William McPlumb (KIA)

5. 2^nd Lieut William Milner to be promoted to 1^st Lt. in place of Lt. William D. Taylor

6. 2^nd Lieut. Lee Churchill to be promoted to 1^st Lt. in place of Lt. William H. Hakes

7. 2^nd Lieut. George A. Bryan to be promoted to 1^st Lt. in place of Lt. BR Townsend

8. 2^nd Lieut E.S.P. Clapp to be promoted to 1^st Lt. in place of Lt. John Quay

9. 2^nd Lieut J DeWitt Coleman to be promoted to 1^st Lt. in place of Lt. Lewis H. Crandell

Crandell wrote, “The above recommendations are not made in the order of seniority by according to merit talking into consideration their qualifications and fitness for the office, and particularly their good behavior in the several severe Battles in which they have been engaged.”

Directed to “Brig Genl J.T. Sprague / Adt Genl State of New York”, and signed, “Very Respecfully / Your obt Servt / Levin Crandell Col / Comg 125^th Regt N.Y. Vols”.

Below Crandell’s signature at the lower right is the signature of Maj. Genl Owens: “Approved / Joshua T. Owens / Brig Genl Com’g Brigade”.

At lower left is Hays’ signature: “Approved, and Str______, / recommended. ~ I have been in command of this Brigade, since January 1863. / Alex Hays / Brig Genl Vols / Com 3^rd Div 2d A Corps”.

Alexander Hays was born in Franklin, Pa., July 8, 1819, and was graduated at the United States military academy in 1844. He served in the Mexican war as 2nd lieutenant in the 8th infantry, distinguishing himself in the battle near Atlixco, then resigned his commission, in 1848, and was an iron manufacturer in Venango county, Pa., 1848-50, assistant engineer on railroads in 1850-54, and after that until the outbreak of the Civil War a civil engineer in Pittsburg. When the war began he re-entered the national service as colonel of the 63rd Penn. regiment and was given the rank of captain in the regular army to date from May 14, 1861. He served in the Peninsula with the 1st brigade of Kearny's division of Heintzelman's corps, and his service at Williamsburg and in the Seven Days' battles won him promotion to the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel U. S. A. He was wounded at second Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862, and his services there and in this campaign won him promotion to brigadier-general of volunteers, Sept. 29, 1862. He was wounded at Chancellorsville, while at the head of his brigade, and at Gettysburg he commanded the 3rd division of Hancock's corps, aided in holding Cemetery ridge, and in the latter part of the battle, when Hancock was wounded, had temporary command of the 2nd corps. Upon the reorganization of the army Gen. Hays was placed in command of the 2nd brigade of Birney's 3rd division of the 2nd army corps. He led his brigade in the battle of the Wilderness, and at the junction of the Germanna plank road with the Brock road, during the terrible struggle which was the feature of the first day's fighting, he was killed, May 5, 1864. He was brevetted major-general of volunteers for gallantry. Source: The Union Army, vol. 8.

Joshua Thomas Owen was born in Caermarthen, Wales, March 29, 1821. He immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1830, was graduated at Jefferson college, Canonsburg, Pa., in 1845, and engaged in teaching and in the practice of law, being admitted to the bar in 1852, and he established, with his brother Robert, the Chestnut Hill academy for boys. He was a member of the state legislature, 1857-59, was a private in the 1st city troop of Philadelphia in 1861, and on May 8 of that year became colonel of the 24th Penn. volunteers. After being mustered out after his three months, service had expired he organized the 69th Penn. regiment, of which he became colonel, Aug. 18, 1861, and with which he served in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac from Fair Oaks to Cold Harbor, commanding a brigade part of the time and Winning by gallant and meritorious conduct at Glendale promotion to the rank of brigadier-general of volunteers, Nov. 29, 1862. His commission expired March 4, 1863, but he was reappointed, March 30, and served until mustered out, July 18, 1864. Gen. Owen then resumed the practice of his profession in Philadelphia, and was recorder of deeds there in 1866-71. In 1871 he founded the "New York Daily Register," a law journal which became the official organ of the New York courts in 1873, and he was a member of its editorial staff until shortly before his death. Gen. Owen died at Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 7, 1887. Source: The Union Army, vol. 8.

Levin Crandall was 36 years old when he enlisted as a Lt. Col. on 8/22/62 at Troy, NY. On 9/10/62 he was commissioned into the 125^th New York. Listed as a POW on 9/15/62 at Harper’s Ferry; paroled 9/16/62. Promoted to Colonel on 7/3/63. Discharged for disability on 12/14/64.

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