Colonel Edward Cross signed document.

[History hoarder63]

I recently picked up a rather mundane Union Army document that has an interesting backstory regarding it's author and his famous but sad Gettysburg connection.

The document is a simple hand written note datelined Camp California Feb 15, 1862. It regards payment to a private in company E for making cases for the colors. Not particularly interesting until you get to the signature.

The note was written by and signed Edward Cross Col. Edward Everett Cross was a 31 year old printer from Lancaster New Hampshire. He enlisted on August 27, 1861 as a Colonel in the 5th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Cross was conspicuous during battle as he wore a red bandana on his head. He was wounded at Fair Oaks Va, Antietam Md and Fredericksburg Va.

His story at Gettysburg is well known to students of the battle and basically is as follows…..

Cross was a capable, brave soldier who was respected by his men and superiors. As the Army of the Potomac moved north through Maryland towards Pennsylvania, those soldiers closest to Cross noticed a dramatic change in his demeanor. He is said to have told his closest associates that he would be killed in the next battle. Shortly before arriving at Gettysburg, Cross gave explicit instructions to one of his aides regarding the disposition of his personal gear and letters to his family back in New Hampshire.

On July 2, 1863, he wore a black bandanna rather than a red one. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock saw him and shouted, "Col. Cross, this day will bring you a star!"

"No General," Cross said. "This is my last battle."

Within hours, while leading his men at the Wheatfield, Cross would be mortally wounded by a shot that entered near his belly button and exited near his spine. He died at a field hospital on July 3, 1863.

 

[neyankee61]

I have seen other documents written and signed by Col. Cross. As teacher, I would say his writing is like a drunk chicken stepped in ink and wandered across the paper.

 

[elmira64]

I have seen other documents written and signed by Col. Cross. As teacher, I would say his writing is like a drunk chicken stepped in ink and wandered across the paper

At least you are able to read it.

 

[Cavalier]

That's a pretty special thing to have. Congratulations!

John

 

[scooter748driver]

That's pretty cool! Congratulations

I recently was looking at documents at an auction and saw a document that was about as benign, but it was signed by John Rawlins (I'll leave his history and relationship with Grant for another time) on behalf of General Grant. Sadly by the time I read the description the bidding had ended.

 

[ErnieMac]

Captain Long is Charles H. Long, Company G. After being wounded at Antietam he was subsequently commissioned Lt. Colonel of the 17th New Hampshire Infantry in November 1862. As that regiment was never mustered into service, Long accepted a position as Captain in the 1st New Hampshire Heavy Artillery and would become Colonel of that unit in November 1864.

 

[lelliott19]

I recently picked up a rather mundane Union Army document that has an interesting backstory regarding it's author and his famous but sad Gettysburg connection.

The document is a simple hand written note datelined Camp California Feb 15, 1862. It regards payment to a private in company E for making cases for the colors. Not particularly interesting until you get to the signature.

The note was written by and signed Edward Cross Col. Edward Everett Cross was a 31 year old printer from Lancaster New Hampshire. He enlisted on August 27, 1861 as a Colonel in the 5th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Cross was conspicuous during battle as he wore a red bandana on his head. He was wounded at Fair Oaks Va, Antietam Md and Fredericksburg Va.

His story at Gettysburg is well known to students of the battle and basically is as follows…..

Cross was a capable, brave soldier who was respected by his men and superiors. As the Army of the Potomac moved north through Maryland towards Pennsylvania, those soldiers closest to Cross noticed a dramatic change in his demeanor. He is said to have told his closest associates that he would be killed in the next battle. Shortly before arriving at Gettysburg, Cross gave explicit instructions to one of his aides regarding the disposition of his personal gear and letters to his family back in New Hampshire.

On July 2, 1863, he wore a black bandanna rather than a red one. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock saw him and shouted, "Col. Cross, this day will bring you a star!"

"No General," Cross said. "This is my last battle."

Within hours, while leading his men at the Wheatfield, Cross would be mortally wounded by a shot that entered near his belly button and exited near his spine. He died at a field hospital on July 3, 1863.View attachment 491237

That's a very cool document! Congratulations! Col. Cross is an officer that I admire very much because of the act of kindness he performed at Antietam. I'm kind of fan of those acts of kindness stories and his was one of the best kind - an exhibition of both bravery and compassion.

What would "cases for the colers" look like? A cloth bag that the furled colors went into to protect them? Or were they made of leather like an actual case?

 

[ErnieMac]

That's a very cool document! Congratulations! Col. Cross is an officer that I admire very much because of the act of kindness he performed at Antietam. I'm kind of fan of those acts of kindness stories and his was one of the best kind - an exhibition of both bravery and compassion.

What would "cases for the colers" look like? A cloth bag that the furled colors went into to protect them? Or were they made of leather like an actual case?

I was thinking cloth so the colors could be furled while on the march.

 

[observator]

Captain Long is Charles H. Long, Company G. After being wounded at Antietam he was subsequently commissioned Lt. Colonel of the 17th New Hampshire Infantry in November 1862. As that regiment was never mustered into service, Long accepted a position as Captain in the 1st New Hampshire Heavy Artillery and would become Colonel of that unit in November 1864.

Charles Hatch Long

Lieut. Col. Charles Hatch Long—image while a member of the 17th New Hampshire Infantry. Carte de visite backmark: Photographed by H. O. Bly, 25 Main Street, Hanover, N.H. [Note: a copy of thi…

dmorinsite.wordpress.com

Edward E. Cross - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org