Description
Civil War discharge for private William Godfrey of the 9th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. An English native, Godfrey would muster with Company G in September, 1861. In January of 1864, he would re-enlist and serve until his discharge in July, 1865 at Greensboro, North Carolina. Known as the “Jersey Muskrats”, the regiment would take part in the Burnside Expedition into North Carolina. They remained in North Carolina with the occupation force until early 1864 when the first enlistment was up. In January 1864 the regiment went back to New Jersey where more than 50% of those whose three-year term was about to expire reenlisted. This allowed the regiment to add “Veteran” to the name, a mark of distinction for the men. Those who reenlisted for three more years were given a 30-day veteran furlough. The regiment then moved into Virginia and took part in the Siege of Vicksburg. The 9th was then transferred back to North Carolina for garrison duty for the remainder of the war, but not before taking part in more than a half dozen battles. The cabinet card does have a small tear in the upper right hand corner.
