Presented is an officer’s commission identified to William H. Chamberlin.  Chamberlin’s commission is a cream-colored vellum paper and bears the handwritten signatures in ink of President Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton.  This original vellum artifact is Chamberlin’s actual military commission appointing him as a ‘First Lieutenant in the Seventeenth Infantry”. The document is dated June 8, 1863, with the rank to date from August 16, 1862. The document measures 13 ¾” x 17 ½” and is housed in a 21” x 24 ½” frame.  Unfortunately there is damage to the document, most notably water damage along the bottom edge, and less so along the top edge.  It does not affect the printed or ink handwritten text. The filled-in information on Chamberlin’s rank, dates of appointment, etc., is light, but legible. The Lincoln and Stanton signatures, though, are more visible.  There are some surface cracks and other minor damage to the frame, but they are not severe and add some aging character.

William H. Chamberlin, born 3/3/43 in Lebanon, York County, ME enlisted on 8/19/61 as a Private. Information gleaned from findagrave.com indicates that he enlisted at Lewison, ME, and his enlistment papers describe him as having brown hair, grey eyes and a florid complexion, and stood on 5 5 ½”. He was promoted to corporal, date not given; Sergeant on 3/9/62.  Discharged August 1862 to accept commission as a 2^nd Lieutenant at Harrison’s Landing, VA. Promoted to 1^st Lieutenant as indicated by this commission. Chamberlin was killed in action in the fierce fighting that occurred in the Wheatfield on July 2, 1863; he was later brevetted Captain for his actions during the battle. His death is noted in the Gettysburg after action report of Lt. Col. J. Durell Greene, 17^th US Infantry:

“Camp near Purcellville, Va., July 19, 1863. Capt.: I have the honor to report that the Seventeenth U. S. Infantry, under my command, numbering 25 officers and 235 enlisted men, and forming a portion of the Second Brigade, Second Division, Fifth Army Corps, was engaged in the battle of Gettysburg, July 2. The regiment formed the left of the brigade line, and went into action at 6 p. m. From the position in line, the nature of the ground passed over, and other circumstances, the regiment suffered severely from the fire of the enemy, as the list of casualties, recently forwarded, will show. The regiment was engaged in all about two hours, and retired with the brigade. The regiment mourns as killed First Lieut. W. H. Chamberlin, and Second Lieut. E. S. Abbot, mortally wounded, young officers, but recently promoted from the ranks. Both officers and men behaved with just credit under the trying circumstances in which they were placed. I particularly remarked Capt. E. H. Ludington, Company B, Second Battalion; First Lieut. A. Menzies, adjutant First Battalion, and Second Lieut. F. E. Stimpson, acting battalion quartermaster, as distinguished for coolness and gallantry. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. DURELL GREENE, Lieut. Col. Seventeenth U. S. Infantry, Comdg. Capt. J. W. Ames, A. A. A. G., Second Brig., Second Div., Fifth Corps.”

Given the date on the document, it is possible that it was sent to Chamberlain and he had it in his possession at Gettysburg.

William H. Chamberlin was laid to rest in Gettysburg National Cemetery in the US Regulars Plot, Section B, Site 27.

An outstanding historical document for a young man who made the greatest sacrifice for the Union cause at Gettysburg.[LD] [ph:L]

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