Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for gallantry at Gettysburg!

(1837-92) A native of Waterbury, Vermont, he enlisted on Oct. 14, 1861, in the 1st Vermont Cavalry, a regiment he would ultimately command as it's colonel. He saw active service in the 1862 Shenandoah Valley campaign, at 2nd Bull Run, Gettysburg, the Richmond Raid, Winchester, Cedar Creek, Petersburg and Appomattox to name a few places. He was captured on Mar. 17, 1863; was wounded on July 6, 1863, at Hagerstown, Md.; and wounded on Sept. 13, 1863, at Culpepper, Va. His promotions are as follows: captain, Nov. 18, 1861; major, Oct. 30, 1862; colonel, June 4, 1864; brigadier general, Feb. 22, 1865; major general, Mar. 13, 1865. During the battle of Gettysburg, on the afternoon of July 3, 1863, General Kilpatrick ordered General Farnsworth to charge on the right flank of the enemy in front of both Round Tops, and designated Major William Wells to lead the Second Battalion of the 1st Vermont Cavalry in the attack. The charge was made with Wells at the head of his brave Vermonters with General Farnsworth riding by his side. At the outset, the Union forces suffered a severe loss. General Farnsworth was struck by a ball and instantly killed. There was no interruption in the attack however. The death of the gallant general only served to stimulate Major Wells and his men to still more determined action. With disregard to a most galling fire the major led his batallion over the stone wall against the superior hostile force and drove the foe in all directions. He followed in pursuit, cleared another wall and dashed across a field swept by the Rebel batteries, piercing the enemy's second line. A fresh regiment of Rebels, sent from the right to intercept some retreating Union troops, was encountered on a little hill. There was a desperate fight for the possession of the hill, and Major Wells carried it, and took the greater part of the Rebel regiment prisoners. It was a superb charge, crowned with brilliant success, and showed Major Wells to be a most dashing cavalry officer. [source: Deeds of Valor]. His gallantry at Gettysburg earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor!

Document Signed: 8 1/8 x 2 3/4, imprinted bank check, filled out and signed by Wells in ink. Burlington, Vt., 28 February 1874. Merchants National Bank of Burlington. Pay to Abner S. Fonda, $77.80. Signed, Wm. Wells, Collector. Endorsements on the reverse. Typical cut cancellation which does not affect the autograph. Very fine.