Wisconsin Allotment Fund Receipt – Soldier in 31st Wisconsin

Description: Wisconsin Allotment Fund Receipt – Soldier in 31st Wisconsin Offered for your consideration is an interesting document allotting a portion of a soldier’s pay to another individual. Throughout the Civil War, several states set up a form of payroll deduction so that soldiers could set aside a portion of their pay to support those that they had left behind. These funds were usually paid into the state’s treasury for later disbursement and were generally known as the Allotment Fund. One of these states was Wisconsin, and the presently offered document is physical proof of this system. It is headlined “STATE OF WISCONSIN, STATE TREASURER’S OFFICE” and was issued from “Madison” on “Aug 6 1864”. The financial obligation states that there was “RECEIVED from SAMUEL D. HASTINGS, State Treasurer, Sixty Four Dollars, it being the amount of money allotted to me by Thomas Davis of Company E, 31 Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers Inf for the months To June 30 1864”, followed by the signature of “John C. Davis”. Below this, in smaller type, is a printed statement reading “I am personally acquainted with Jno. C. Davis who signs the above receipt, and know the signature to be genuine”, guaranteed by the signature of “R. H. Tronsdale” in his capacity as “Justice of the Peace”. A notation, printed just above the lower border, states that “The above Certificate must be signed by a Justice of the Peace or a Notary Public”, a stipulation that was obviously followed on this particular document. Outside the lower border is a handwritten notation reading “Fayette”, the county that Davis was from. A rectangular box, with floral designs at each corner, appears along the left hand edge, inside of which is printed “ALLOTMENT FUND”. A dark blue two cent internal revenue stamp is affixed at the top center of the piece, with the notation “JCD” and the date “8/6/64” written across the face. One handwritten checkmark at the upper right is mentioned for accuracy. No printing was ever done on the verso, and, since this piece was signed on the front, there was no need to endorse the back. The first six companies of the 31st Wisconsin Infantry were mustered in October 9, 1862, with the remaining companies being mustered in December 24, 1862. The regiment performed guard duty at various posts until mid-July, 1864, after which it was transferred to the army in the field outside of Atlanta, Georgia. They participated in the siege and subsequent occupation of Atlanta. From November 15th through December 10th they formed part of William T. Sherman’s March to the Sea, culminating in the siege of Savannah from December 10th to the 21st. They subsequently joined in the campaign in the Carolinas from January through April, 1865, participating in the battle of Bentonville, the occupation of Goldsboro, the advance on and occupation of Raleigh, and the surrender of Johnson’s army at the Bennett Place. They marched to Washington, D. C. via Richmond, Virginia, arriving in time for the Grand Review on May 24, 1865. Since they were mustered in earlier, the first six companies were mustered out on June 20th, with the remaining men being released on July 8, 1865. During its term of service, the 31st Wisconsin had 23 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, while 3 officers and 86 enlisted men died of disease. Thomas Davis, the soldier mentioned on the document, enlisted as a private in Company E on August 20, 1862 and was mustered out on June 20, 1865. As noted on the document, Davis was credited to Fayette, a small town in Lafayette County. The presently offered piece exhibits two harsh vertical folds, more or less dividing the document into thirds, with several lighter ones emanating from the lower part of each. A third fold, not quite as hard as the others, appears near the left end of the piece (in the wide blank area). A small punch-out cancellation can be seen just to the right of center indicating that the state paid this certificate. Light toning is visible across the entire surface, with some slightly darker areas near the edges. A small tear, neatly repaired with mending tape, is present in the lower left corner. Overall dimensions are approximately 3.5 x 8.5 inches. An interesting crossover between the men at the front and those left waiting at home. A $5.95 charge will be added to the winning bid for postage and insurance. If you have any questions regarding this item, please ask before purchasing. Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2nd Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows. American Coins and CollectiblesShreveport, LA

Price: 39 USD

Location: Shreveport, Louisiana

End Time: 2025-01-03T20:09:03.000Z

Shipping Cost: 5.95 USD