1864 Confederate Pay Voucher for 2nd Lt. Thomas Hatcher, 22nd VA Battalion

Description

1864 Confederate Pay Voucher – 2nd Lieut. Thomas Hatcher, 22nd VA Battalion Offered for your consideration is a partly-printed form detailing the amount of pay due to an officer in the 22 nd Virginia Infantry Battalion for three months in early 1864. Issued by “ THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, / To Thos Hatcher 2 nd Lieut ”, the upper portion of this document describes “ ON WHAT ACCOUNT ” the pay would be drawn, as well as the “ COMMENCEMENT AND EXPIRATION ” period, the “ TERM OF SERVICE CHARGED ”, the “ PAY PER MONTH ”, the “ AMOUNT ” due, and any “ REMARKS ” that would influence the payment. It is interesting to note that according to this document, this officer received a promotion on March 11, 1864, and therefore was paid on two different pay scales, one “… as 2 nd Lieut …” and another “… as 1 st Lieut …”. This is followed by a printed paragraph which states (in part) that “ I hereby certify that the foregoing account is accurate and just; that I have not been absent, without leave, during any part of the time charged for; that I have not received pay, forage, or received money in lieu of any part thereof … that the horses were actually kept in service … that for the whole of the time charged for my staff appointment, I actually held the appointment … that I have been a commissioned officer for the number of years stated … that I am not in arrears with the Confederate States on any account whatsoever; and that the last payment I received was from Capt J L Powers A. Q. M and to the 31 st day of January 18 64 . ”. A further statement certifies that “ I, at the same time, acknowledge that I have received of Capt J L Powers A. Q. M. this 9 th day of July 18 64 , the sum of Two hundred & fifty nine 66 /100 Dollars, being the amount in full of said account. ”. This is followed by the signature of “ Thos. Hatcher 1 st Lt / Co D, 22 nd Va Batt ”, indicating that he had received his pay. The back of the document bears a partly-printed recapitulation of the principal contents including when paid, to whom pay was issued, the term for the payment, and the total amount (this was done so that the document would not have to be unfolded when stored). It is interesting to note that approximately five months had passed since Hatcher had been paid – imagine his family at home waiting for some form of financial support to purchase the necessities of life. It was difficult for those left at home to budget their soldier’s pay, especially with inflation beginning to undermine the Southern economy. A great addition to any military or financial collection centering on that turbulent time. Executed on poor quality paper. Worthy of further research. Cursory research indicates that Thomas W. Hatcher was born in Virginia on May 19, 1832. He married Willantine Wirt Walker in 1856, with 11 children produced from this union. Hatcher apparently enlisted in Company B, 4 th Virginia Cavalry at the outbreak of the Civil War. He was later elected second lieutenant of Company A, 22 nd Virginia Infantry Battalion, where he served for one year before being promoted to first lieutenant of that unit’s Company D. He commanded the company until the close of the war, as his captain had previously been captured. Thomas W. Hatcher died on October 1, 1903 in Richmond, Virginia, and was buried in that city’s Hollywood Cemetery. The 22 nd Virginia Infantry Battalion was organized in May, 1862, and participated in the battles of Mechanicsville, Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, Antietam, and Chancellorsville. They also fought at the battles of Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Pegram’s Farm, Sayler’s Creek, and Appomattox Court House. The presently offered document exhibits signs of expected period use, followed by years of less than ideal storage (though due to the type of paper used, it is difficult to know how much is wear and how much is due to late war production). Toning is noted across the entire surface, slightly more pronounced at the edges and along the storage folds. It is difficult to determine the amount of actual toning, as the paper stock used appears to have been light to medium brown (a little lighter than a modern lunch bag). Numerous small spots/stains can be found scattered throughout the piece, though whether this is due to the paper of poor handling/storage is unknown to the seller. Due to the type of paper, the two vertical storage folds (located to the left and right of center) have adversely affected the integrity of the paper. This has caused separations at the top and bottom of each fold, currently strengthened on the back with pieces of archival tape. The edges are slightly irregular and ragged, with a small piece of the lower left corner being missing. The contrast is average for the time, with some lack of definition among the printed letters (this is due to lack of ink and poor quality paper). The manuscript additions are all legible, though the Hatcher’s signature, rank, and unit are very poorly executed. This piece measures approximately 8 x 10¾ inches. If you have any additional questions regarding the condition of this item, please ask before purchasing. A charge of $5.95 will be added to the winning bid for postage and insurance. A $5.00 charge will be added to any item picked up in person at our physical location. If you have any questions concerning 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, 2 nd 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 Collectibles Shreveport, LA