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Very Rare, 1863 Civil War Part Printed Pass issued by the Provost Marshal General\'s Office of the Army of the Potomac to the Reverend James Freeman allowing him to travel by \"Rail and Boat\" from the Headquarters to anywhere \"within the lines\". Reverend James Freeman was a Delegate of the United States Christian Commission - an organization created in the aftermath of the First Battle of Bull Run, that furnished supplies, medical services, and religious literature to Union troops during the American Civil War. It combined religious support with social services and recreational activities. It supplied Protestant chaplains and social workers and collaborated with the U.S. Sanitary Commission in providing medical services.
The Pass is dated October 14th, 1863 and measures approx. 7 7/8\" by 5\" and is signed by Captain William W. Beckwith of the 80th Regiment, New York Infantry (formerly the 20th New York Militia) in the capacity of Staff Officer to Provost Marshal Brigadier General Marsena R. Patrick.
The Pass reads in full:
\"Provost Marshal General\'s Office of the Army of the Potomac.
The bearer Rev. Jas. Freeman has permission to pass from these Headquarters to within the lines for the purpose of Del. Christ. Com.. This Pass will expire September 30th.
By command of Brig, General M. R. Patrick,
Provost Marshal General
(signed)W. W. Beckwith
Capt.and A.D.C.
By Rail and Boat\"
The United States Christian Commission was created in response to what the troops suffered in the First Battle of Bull Run. On November 14, 1861, the National Committee of the Young Men\'s Christian Association (YMCA) called a convention which met in New York City. Leaders outlined the work needed to support the soldiers, the design for the United States Christian Commission, whose organization was completed next day. Two of the founding members were Vincent Colyer, who was appalled by the aftermath of the battle of Bull Run, and George Stuart, a well-to-do businessman. The YMCA and Protestant ministers formed the USCC. Its volunteers were called delegates. Some were seminary students but many were just concerned Christians. As civilians on the battlefield, they did not carry weapons. Five thousand volunteer delegates served during the war. They distributed more than $6 million worth of goods and supplies in hospitals, camps, prisons and battlefields. The original plan of the USCC was to help the clergy of the armed services in their daily work, as the chaplaincy program was in its infancy, with only some 30 members, who were quickly overwhelmed by the scale of battles and casualties, and especially by the rapidly increasing number of deaths due to wounds and more so to disease.
John Calhoun Chamberlain, brother of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and Thomas Chamberlain, heroes of Little Round Top, served with the USCC during the Battle of Gettysburg. During the evening of July 2, John assisted at the medical field station set up for his brothers\' regiment, the 20th Maine. John filed a report to the central office, describing the activities of the USCC at Gettysburg. This report is found in Chamberlain\'s Christian Commission diary, kept during the battle of Gettysburg and is recorded in Edinborough Press\' book, Gettysburg and the Christian Commission. Women also participated. A national movement started in May 1864 with a view to organizing a Ladies Christian Commission in each evangelical congregation of the North as an auxiliary to the USCC. Increasing the network of collection, fundraising and support was the way the organization responded to meet a growing demand to serve the soldiers.
The USCC continued to grow. More than three-quarters of the value of what it collected was distributed during 1864 and the four months of 1865. It represented both citizens\' recognition of need and a more efficient organization. The Ladies Christian Commission (LCC) played a critical role in this success. Louisa May Alcott was among many women who worked with the Commission. Others included Georgia McClellan, the sister of Jenny Wade, the only civilian killed during the Battle of Gettysburg, and Sarah Emma Edmonds, who worked as a nurse after serving with the Union Army as a soldier, spy, and as a male nurse under the name \"Franklin Thompson.\"
This interesting, Civil War Pass is in very good condition - intact and complete and quite clean and crisp with central folds, some light edge wear and two short fold separations.
A rare, original, 1863 Civil War Part Printed, Pass issued by the Provost Marshal General\'s Office of the Army of the Potomac to the Reverend James Freeman of the United States Christian Commission and a fantastic addition to any collection!!!
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PLEASE ALSO NOTE: We will be leaving for 14 days (much needed) vacation on the evening of Tuesday November 18th and we will be away until December 3rd. This means that we will be out of the United States when this sale closes on November 24. We will be unable to ship any items until Thursday December 4th at the earliest - If this is a problem for you then PLEASE DO NOT offer ON ITEMS IN THIS WEEK\'S sale. Thanks for your interest in our weekly sales and for your support over the past 16+ years. Although we are significantly cutting back on our offerings in this weeks sale, we plan to continue to offer our usual selection of rare and interesting lots for sale on in the years to come (with some great items in our sales beginning November 21st and November 28th)!!
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