Civil War-dated endorsement signature, “R. E. Lee,” penned on the reverse of a manuscript document headed “Charges and Specifications preferred against Captain John McFarland, Company ‘F’ of the 6th Battalion of Virginia Cavalry,” three pages, 7.75 x 12.5, April 29, 1864. Presented for a potential court-martial, the document extends three charges to McFarland: “Knowingly receiving and entertaining deserters from another Company,” soldiers Private Orville Anderson and Sergeant Charles W. Powers, “Not confining deserters from other commands after discovering them to be deserters and not giving notice to the command in which they last served,” and “Conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline.” Lee endorses the document on the reverse, with a secretarial hand adding, “Res: forwarded and trial in Richmond Va recommended. The accused is said to be in Genl Breckinrdige’s command. Some of the witnesses are in this army & if tried in Richmond the suspicion of prejudice will less likely arise.” Also adding endorsements to the reverse are Brigadier General George H. Steuart, Major General Edward Johnson, and Lieutenant General Richard S. Ewell, a decidedly rare trio of senior commanders. In fine condition.
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