Dated “Boston Oct. 23 1862 / Box / Freight 12 P Paid.” Pre-printed form, w/patriotic motifs. One page, 5.5 x 8.5.” Exhibits fold-marks, small torn spot, left margin. Else VG.

An 18 year-old machinist, Charles H. Richardson, enlisted as a Private and mustered into Co. “A”, 6^th Mass. Infy, 4/15/1861. Mustered out 8/2/1861, he enlisted in Co. “A”, 26^th Mass. Infy., 10/18/1861and re-enlisted on 1/1/1864. Promoted Corporal, 11/1/1861, he was promoted Sergeant, 2/1/1863, 1^st Sergeant, 1/1/1864, and to 2^nd Lieut., 12/1//1864. Mustered out at Savannah, GA, 8/26/1865.

Organized in August 1861, the 26^th Mass. Infy., served in Louisiana, attached to the 19^th Army Corps, participated in the occupations of Forts Philip and Jackson prior to the capture of New Orleans, April 1862, and in the Sabine pass Expedition, September 1863. Transferred east in the summer of 1864, it was engaged at Bermuda Hundred and participated in Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign, including the Battle of Cedar Creek. Winchester & Fisher’s Hill. At the end of the war it served provost duty in Savannah, GA, and mustered out there, 8/26/1865. During service it lost 64 men killed or mortally wounded and 185 to disease for a total of 249.

Fine memento of a young 18 year old machinist (and a express package received from home) who went distance and was promoted from High private to 2^nd Lieutenant along the way. In protective sleeve.  [jp][ph:L]

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