Document signed on behalf of Brig. Gen. Israel Vogdes, commander of the Third Division, X Corps. Folly Island, South Carolina, 22 August 1863. 2 pages, 3 7/8 x 4 7/8 in.

A countersign issued from the headquarters of Davis’s Brigade in the name of Brig. Gen. Israel Vogdes to Major Christopher R. MacDonald of the 47th New York. Countersigns functioned as passwords exchanged between sentries to verify identity and prevent unauthorized passage; the phrase designated here was “Song Island.”

Vogdes (1816–1889) began his Civil War service as a captain at Fort Monroe. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to major and took part in an expedition to Florida aimed at suppressing the rebellion there; during the campaign, however, he was captured at the Battle of Santa Rosa Island and held as a prisoner of war. After being exchanged, he was promoted to brigadier general and assigned to the X Corps on 29 November 1862. On 1 August 1863, he was further promoted to colonel in the Regular Army and assumed command of the forces on Folly Island, where this countersign was issued. Vogdes concluded the war in command of the defenses of Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia.

At age 31, MacDonald (ca. 1830–?) enlisted as a first lieutenant in Company D of the 47th New York; by the end of that year, he had been promoted to captain. On 27 July 1863, he was promoted to major and transferred to the Field and Staff of the 47th New York, in which capacity he served until mustering out in 1865. During his tenure on the regiment’s Field and Staff, he was further promoted to lieutenant colonel and then colonel, the latter rank he held through the end of the war.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]

Slightly worn at folds.