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DS, one lightly-lined page, endorsed on the reverse by several officers including James C. Rice (signing 'J. C. Rice') and Lysander Cutler (signing 'L. Cutler'), 8 x 10, March 23, 1864. Lieutenant William H. Tigney requests leave. In full: 'The undersigned would respectfully solicit a leave of absence for the term of (10) ten days for the purpose of visiting Brooklyn, N.Y. to attend to important business requiring his personal attention. Hoping the above will meet with your approval.' In fine condition, with light toning along two fold lines and show-through on opposing sides.
Cutler and Rice served with distinction throughout the Civil War. For his part, Cutler, a colonel of the 6th Wisconsin Infantry—the Iron Brigade—participated in the Second Battle of Bull Run as well as at Gettysburg before battlefield wounds forced his retirement from field action six months after endorsing this request. Rice, a colonel in the 44th New York Infantry, also saw action at Bull Run, as well as Chancellorsville and Gettysburg—the last campaign earning him a promotion to brigadier general. The promotion was short-lived, however, as his leg was shattered by a rifle ball in May at Spotsylvania, leading to the amputation of his limb and soon dying from the wounds. Tigney, the author of this request for a furlough, faired better than his superior and discharged less than three months after filing this request. This document was prepared on 14th Brooklyn Infantry paper—a regiment considered one of the most gallant of the war. RRAuction COA.
