Signed by an artillery officer severely wounded in the battle of Gettysburg
8 x 4 1/8, imprinted on pink paper, and filled out in ink.
Rooms of County Volunteer Committee
April 15th, 1864
This is to Certify that E.H. Henry has presented William Wansor, an accepted New recruit, who has been enlisted this day into the Military Service of the United States, and is entitled to the premium of Ten Dollars.
To Orison Blunt, Esq., Chairman Co. Vol. Com.
James Davison 2d Lt. U.S.A., Mustering Officer
Excellent.
James Davison, was mustered into Battery B, 1st U.S. Light Artillery as a private on March 22, 1854. He was promoted through the ranks to corporal, sergeant and 1st sergeant before being discharged for promotion on October 22, 1862, when he was commissioned 2nd lieutenant, 5th U.S. Light Artillery. He fought with his regiment in the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., where he earned the brevet of 1st lieutenant for gallantry. Just prior to the battle of Gettysburg, Davison was assigned to serve with Battery B, of the 4th U.S. Light Artillery. On July 1, 1863, the battery commander, Lieutenant Stewart turned the battery over to Davison with instructions to have "Boots and Saddles" sounded as soon as the men had finished their morning tasks, and to have the battery ready to move at a moments notice. The battery had been in position about 200 yards south of the Lutheran Theological Seminary, and at about 3:00 P.M. they were ordered to support the 2nd Division of the 1st Corps. The battery commander gave half of the battery to Lieutenant Davison who placed it between the Chambersburg Pike, and the Railroad Cut. Firing on the 38th North Carolina Infantry Regiment, Davison, "in quick sharp tones, like successive reports of a repeating rifle" gave his orders, "Load, Canister, Double!" There was a hustling of cannoneers, a few thumps of the rammer heads, and then, "Ready! By Piece! Fire at will!" During the battle, Davison was bleeding from two desperate wounds and was so weak that one of the men had to hold him up on his feet, one ankle being totally shattered by a bullet. Davison then ordered his men to form, and gave the command, action left, and by wheeling on the left gun as a pivot, he was able to bring them on a line with the Cashtown Pike, muzzles facing south, with the object being to rake the front of the Rebel line that was closing in on them. There were four men left at one gun when the order was given, two of them with bloody heads, but they stood to their gun when Ordnance Sergeant Mitchell rushed to help them. "This is tough work boys," he shouted as the gun was wheeled around, "but we are good for it." A cannoneer, tugging at the near wheel, shouted back, "If we ain't, where will you find them that is!" James Davison received promotion to brevet captain for his gallantry at Gettysburg. |