Books and Manuscripts

(Washington, D.C.), April 9, 1864. One sheet, 8 1/8 x 5 in. (206 x 127 mm). Autograph note on the verso of a letter, signed by Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, instructing Judge Advocate General Joseph Holt to report on the matter of a deserting Union soldier: "Judge Advocate Gen=eral please examine & report. A. Lincoln April 9. 1864." On the recto is a manuscript letter in a secretarial hand, signed by Provost Marshal, Lieutenant Horace L. Pike, at Fort Columbus, New York, notifying the command of Company K (likely Capt. Ferdinand Levy) of the Independent Battalion of New York Volunteer Infantry--"Les Enfents Perdu"--about the attempted desertion of Private August Peré; dated June 4, 1863. Creasing from original folds, small separations along same; short closed tear through "Marshal" on recto, small open tear at top of same.

The Independent Battalion of the New York Volunteer Infantry was active from April of 1862 through January of 1864, and saw combat mostly in the Carolinas before its personnel were transferred to other regiments.