MAJOR GENERAL R. MORRIS COPELAND - MANUSCRIPT DOCUMENT SIGNED 03/16/1862 - HFSID 28008

R. MORRIS COPELAND
1862 orders to Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, signed by Copeland, regarding the rebuilding and defenses of Manassas, dated four months before the Second Battle of Manassas
Manuscript document signed "R. Morris Copeland". With "Copy" written in unknown hand in brown ink at upper right corner of first page. 3 pages (1 sheet folded, front and verso), 7½x9¾. Headquarters, Army of the Potomac, March 16, 1862. Orders to Maj. General N. P. Banks (probably Nathaniel P, Banks) from Maj. General George B. McClellan to rebuild the Manassas Gap Railway at Manassas and then entrench at where the railway crossed the Shenandoah. These rare orders were issued four months before the Battle of Bull Run Bridge and the Second Battle of Manassas, better known as the Second Battle of Bull Run, which resulted in the destruction of a Union supply depot in Manassas and two Confederate victories. The Shenandoah campaign, under the command of Manassas, once known as Manassas Gap and then Manassas Junction, was of strategic importance during the Civil War, as it was only 35 miles from Washington, DC and the junction of several railroads. Morris was an assistant adjutant general and Major of Volunteers, as well as a member of Gen. Nathaniel Bank's staff. He was removed from Bank's staff and honorably discharged after revealing embarrassing details about the Shenandoah Valley campaigns. He fought his discharge, and was reinstated in 1870. Copeland apparently tried to raise black troops for the Union army along with Col. Robert Shaw, subject of the movie Glory. Lightly toned. Random ink stains. Page has been folded horizontally three times and unfolded. Pinholes along spine of letter at folds. Otherwise in fine condition.