8 1/4 x 10, imprinted document filled out in ink.

Headquarters Department of Massachusetts,
Grand Army of the Republic,
657 Washington Street, Room 18

Boston, May 23, 1892

Special Order
No. 15

In accordance with Chap. II, Section 3, Rules and Regulations, a dispensation is hereby granted to Gettysburg Post No. 191, G.A.R. of Boston to enable the Investigating Committee that may be appointed at the next regular meeting of the Post to report upon applications for membership that may be referred to them at the same meeting.

By Command of,
James K. Churchill
Department Commander

H.O. Moore
Assistant Adjutant General

Light age toning and wear. Minor mounting remnants at the top edge of the reverse of the document.

James K. Churchill, was a 24 year old resident of Charlestown, Mass., when he enlisted on April 19, 1861, as a private, and was mustered into Co. K, 5th Mass. Inf., a 90 day unit. He was mustered out of the regiment on July 31, 1861. On July 20, 1864, he re-enlisted and was mustered into Co. H, 5th Massachusetts Infantry, was promoted to sergeant date unknown, and mustered out of service, November 16, 1864. He was a member of George H. Ward, GAR Post #10, Worcester, Mass., and held rank of Dept. Commander of Massachusetts. He died on December 6, 1912.

The 5th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, known as the "Minute Men," were ordered to report for active duty and to proceed to Washington by Special Order No. 35, issued by the Adjutant General of Massachusetts, April 19, 1861. On Sunday, April 21, the 5th entrained for Washington, where on May 1st, its members were mustered into the service of the United States Army. For nearly four weeks it remained in the city of Washington, then on May 25th it was transferred to Virginia where it remained in camp near Alexandria until it marched toward Bull Run, forming a part of General William B. Franklin's Brigade, General Samuel P. Heintzelman's Division, of General Irvin McDowell's Army. It was one of the three Massachusetts regiments that fought in the battle of 1st Bull Run, Va., on July 21, 1861, where it lost nine men killed, two wounded, and twenty three taken prisoner. After this engagement the regiment remained in Washington until the latter part of the month when it was sent back to Boston where it was mustered out of the service on July 31st.

Hubert O. Moore, was an 18 year old painter and resident of Lowell, Mass., when he enlisted on August 2, 1862, as a musician, and was mustered into Co. E, 36th Mass. Inf. He was mustered out of service on June 8, 1865. He was a member of General Frederick W. Lander GAR Post #5, in Lynn, Mass., and was the commander of Post #5. He died on March 13, 1912.

The 36th Massachusetts Infantry saw action at Jackson, Miss., Blue Springs, Tenn., Campbell's Station, Tenn., where they had 3 men killed, 16 wounded, and 4 captured, Knoxville, Tenn., the Wilderness, Va. where they had 10 men killed, 46 wounded, and 1 taken prisoner, Spotsylvania, Va., with 24 men killed, 46 wounded, and 3 captured, North Anna, Va., Cold Harbor, Va., where the regiment had 6 men killed, and 46 wounded, Petersburg, Va., with 10 men killed, and 46 wounded, and at Poplar Springs Church, Va., their casualties numbered 2 men killed, 20 wounded, and 16 taken prisoner.

Source: Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors & Marines in the Civil War