signed
by Medal of Honor, Muster Roll
Rare original Civil War muster-out roll for 1st Lieutenant Orson Foot of the 60th New York Volunteer Infantry, dated June 8, 1863, at Aquia Creek, Virginia. The document is signed by Captain Moses Veale, the mustering officer who would later receive the Medal of Honor for gallantry at the Third Battle of Petersburg on April 2, 1865. One sheet that measures 32" x 11" when unfolded.
Foot's muster roll is signed by Captain Moses Veale, the mustering officer who would later receive the Medal of Honor for gallantry at the Third Battle of Petersburg on April 2, 1865. The roll also includes the certification: "I certify, on honor, that I have at Aquia Creek, on this eighth day of June, 1863, carefully examined this Roll, and, as far as practicable, caused the allowances, stoppages, and remarks to be justly and properly stated; and mustered the said Orson Foot for discharge; and I hereby honorably discharge [him] from the service of the United States." Veale’s own military career was marked by extraordinary bravery, particularly during the Battle of Wauhatchie, Tennessee, on October 28, 1863. During this nighttime engagement, Union forces under General J.W. Geary faced an attack from General Longstreet’s division of the Confederate Army. Veale, then a captain in the 109th Pennsylvania Infantry, was instrumental in holding the Union position. Despite being struck four times by enemy bullets and having his horse shot from under him, he refused to leave his post, continuing to direct fire and maintain order amidst the chaos. As recorded in contemporary reports, "General Geary speaks of his coolness, zeal, judgment and courage in the most flattering expressions." The battle was fought under extreme conditions, with soldiers relying on the flashes of gunfire to locate their enemies. Confederate troops repeatedly attempted to overrun the Union battery, shouting, "Pick off the artillerist!" Yet, Veale and his men held their ground, even as officers around him fell, including General Geary’s own son, Lieutenant E.R. Geary. "The men and horses fell so rapidly that only two guns could be worked after the attack," but still, the defenders repelled wave after wave. Veale’s leadership proved decisive, as "the enemy, realizing their numerical strength availed them nothing as against such bravery and valor, retired and left the victors of that bloody night."
This document marks Foot’s discharge from his position as 1st Lieutenant so that he could accept a commission as Captain. Foot was no slouch with regard to battlefield bravery either, as this muster was issued just weeks before he and his men would fight at the Battle of Gettysburg. He would go on to serve until he was discharged for wounds received at Atlanta, Georgia, in 1864. The muster roll provides a detailed record of Foot’s military service, listing his enrollment at Ogdensburg, New York, on September 16, 1861. The document records his rank as 1st Lieutenant and details his unit’s movements and organizational structure. Under the “Remarks” section, it notes that Foot was "mustered out by Capt. McCabe 109 Reg P.V. Comd of Muster 2 Div 12 A.C. to accept Commission of Captain." Additional notes reference the administrative processes related to his discharge, including that "the Muster out by Capt. Ireland 15" was declared and pay disbursement was "paid by Dept. Gen. A.G.O." As an artifact, this muster roll reflects a crucial transition in Foot’s military career, documenting his movement between ranks at a critical juncture in the Civil War. It provides insight into the administrative processes of the Union Army and serves as an important piece of provenance connecting both Foot’s service and Veale’s role as a mustering officer. Some age & ink stains, edgewear, overall good condition. A rare and historically significant document tied to the service of a distinguished Civil War officer. (Inventory #: 21594)
Foot's muster roll is signed by Captain Moses Veale, the mustering officer who would later receive the Medal of Honor for gallantry at the Third Battle of Petersburg on April 2, 1865. The roll also includes the certification: "I certify, on honor, that I have at Aquia Creek, on this eighth day of June, 1863, carefully examined this Roll, and, as far as practicable, caused the allowances, stoppages, and remarks to be justly and properly stated; and mustered the said Orson Foot for discharge; and I hereby honorably discharge [him] from the service of the United States." Veale’s own military career was marked by extraordinary bravery, particularly during the Battle of Wauhatchie, Tennessee, on October 28, 1863. During this nighttime engagement, Union forces under General J.W. Geary faced an attack from General Longstreet’s division of the Confederate Army. Veale, then a captain in the 109th Pennsylvania Infantry, was instrumental in holding the Union position. Despite being struck four times by enemy bullets and having his horse shot from under him, he refused to leave his post, continuing to direct fire and maintain order amidst the chaos. As recorded in contemporary reports, "General Geary speaks of his coolness, zeal, judgment and courage in the most flattering expressions." The battle was fought under extreme conditions, with soldiers relying on the flashes of gunfire to locate their enemies. Confederate troops repeatedly attempted to overrun the Union battery, shouting, "Pick off the artillerist!" Yet, Veale and his men held their ground, even as officers around him fell, including General Geary’s own son, Lieutenant E.R. Geary. "The men and horses fell so rapidly that only two guns could be worked after the attack," but still, the defenders repelled wave after wave. Veale’s leadership proved decisive, as "the enemy, realizing their numerical strength availed them nothing as against such bravery and valor, retired and left the victors of that bloody night."
This document marks Foot’s discharge from his position as 1st Lieutenant so that he could accept a commission as Captain. Foot was no slouch with regard to battlefield bravery either, as this muster was issued just weeks before he and his men would fight at the Battle of Gettysburg. He would go on to serve until he was discharged for wounds received at Atlanta, Georgia, in 1864. The muster roll provides a detailed record of Foot’s military service, listing his enrollment at Ogdensburg, New York, on September 16, 1861. The document records his rank as 1st Lieutenant and details his unit’s movements and organizational structure. Under the “Remarks” section, it notes that Foot was "mustered out by Capt. McCabe 109 Reg P.V. Comd of Muster 2 Div 12 A.C. to accept Commission of Captain." Additional notes reference the administrative processes related to his discharge, including that "the Muster out by Capt. Ireland 15" was declared and pay disbursement was "paid by Dept. Gen. A.G.O." As an artifact, this muster roll reflects a crucial transition in Foot’s military career, documenting his movement between ranks at a critical juncture in the Civil War. It provides insight into the administrative processes of the Union Army and serves as an important piece of provenance connecting both Foot’s service and Veale’s role as a mustering officer. Some age & ink stains, edgewear, overall good condition. A rare and historically significant document tied to the service of a distinguished Civil War officer. (Inventory #: 21594)
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