Description
Signed orders by Adjutant M. Edgar Richards dated August 17, 1863 from 2nd Brigade Headquarters requesting privates George Pierson and Sylvester Boswick of the 121st New York Infantry serve as guards at the home of a Mr. Edmonds by order of General Bartlett. M. Edgar Richards of Pottsville, Pennsylvania initially served in 1861 as a 90-day private in the 25th Pennsylvania Volunteers. In September 1861 Richards mustered into Colonel Henry Cake’s 96th Pennsylvania Infantry as an Adjutant and would be affiliated with that hard fighting regiment until mustering out on October 21, 1864. His greatest wartime role, however, would be serving as Aide-de-Camp to General Bartlett, beginning in mid June, 1862, who commanded the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Division of the Army of the Potomac’s 5th Corps. Both Pierson and Boswick would survive the war. The hard fighting 96th would see action in no less than 25 engagements! Written in nice legible bold ink.
