Eagle mast discharge, documents, and Civil War era leather wallet of Corporal Alonzo B. McKenzie, 140^th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, wounded at Gettysburg.  Alonzo mustered in to Company F of the 140^th PA Infantry in August 1862.  As written in “The Union Army Vol. 1,” the Regiment, serving in 1^st Division of the II Army Corps, “participated with credit in the battle of Chancellorsville, where its losses were 44 killed, wounded and missing, and then returned to Falmouth.  It arrived at Gettysburg on the morning of July 2 and lost heavily in the fierce fighting at the wheatfield (sic).  Its total losses during the battle were 241, more than half its effective strength, Col. Roberts being among the killed.” Further details on its Gettysburg service is available in the OR report of Lieutenant Colonel John Fraser.  With two of his fellow soldiers bestowed the Medal of Honor on July 2^nd, 1863, the date of Alonzo’s wounding underscores the intensity of 140^th PA’s fight in the Wheatfield.  Due to his wounding, as stated in the discharge as a “gunshot wound to the left arm, received in action,” Alonzo was transferred to the 2^nd Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps and was discharged officially from that unit in September 1864.

Alonzo is described as being 25 years of age at the time of his enlistment, born in Beaver County, PA and employed as a brickmaker.  The document is signed by Surgeon James Bryan.  Alonzo’s discharge is in fine condition, with all printing and ink in legible condition.  There is some staining along the fold at the bottom third of the discharge.  Ink note and stamp from the paymaster indicated that the government paid his bounty.  Somewhat unique to this document is the fact that the backside includes amplifying information, to include completion of the “Oath of Identify” section, which Alonzo signed, and a note written in ink “Wounded at the battle of Gettysburg Pa July 2d 1863.”  Also included is a Department of the Interior postcard to Mrs. Kate McKenzie, a widow by 1916, and a 12”x14” cemetery plot deed for Grove Cemetery, Beaver County, PA.

Accompanying the documents is a Civil War era wallet, measuring 4”x 8 ½”, of burgundy (exterior) and tan (interior) leather.  Alonzo’s name is written in ink, and stamped in ink on the interior fold.  The wallet has four collapsible compartments.  There is some flaking of the leather on the exterior corners, but it is in otherwise fine and supple condition.  This is a remarkable grouping from a Gettysburg wounded in action soldier who served in one of the Army of the Potomac’s finest units. [JC]

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