5 1/2 x 8 1/2, imprint, with vignette of a spread winged eagle on a shield with the motto, National Union, State Sovereignty. Includes a handwritten A.N.S. at the bottom of the document by Adjutant General Hiram Hilliard who also signed the document in print.

General Headquarters, State of Illinois,
Adjutant General's Office,
Springfield, July 20, 1877

General Order
No. 5

I. Notice is hereby given to the present organized companies of the Illinois National Guard, that their Muster Rolls and Enlistment Blanks as required by law, must be forwarded to the Adjutant General's office on or before the 1st day of September proximo.

II. This order is rendered necessary for the reason that a General Inspection is about to be ordered by Gen. Wm. E. Strong, Inspector General, to take place in the month of September, and the Commander-in-Chief is desirous of completing the organization of the forces of the State prior to the above date.

III. Commanding officers of Brigades, Regiments, or Companies, are notified that no excuse will be received for a non-compliance with this order. The arms of all old companies not complying will be ordered in and the commissions of the officers revoked.

By order of the Commander-in-Chief,
H. HILLIARD
Adjutant General

Handwritten in a bold pencil hand by Hilliard at the bottom of the document is the following note: "Colonel I am holding on to your resignation. I believe you had better reconsider. Hilliard."

Very minor edge chipping to the bottom and left edge of the paper which does not affect any of the content.

Hiram Hilliard was a resident of Chicago, Illinois, when he enlisted on January 23, 1864, and was commissioned major in the field and staff of the 17th Illinois Cavalry. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on October 30, 1865; and mustered out of the service on December 15, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kansas. After the war he had a prominent career as an officer in the Illinois National Guard.