American Historical Ephemera and Photography

Washington, DC. 10 September 1866. With stamped countersignature of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Document confers upon George M. Randall the the rank of captain by brevet to rank from 17 September 1862 "for gallant and meritorious services at the battle of Antietam, Maryland." -- Washington, DC. 17 June 1868. With stamped countersignature of Secretary of War John McAllister Schofield. Document confers upon William Fisher the rank of major by brevet to rank from 13 March 1865 "for gallant and meritorious conduct at the battle of Cedar Mountain, Virginia, August 9 1862.' -- Together, 2 military commissions, each 15 3/4 x 20 in., creased along folds. Some holes along central crease and edge loss with minor toning to first, significant toning to second.

George Morton Randall enlisted as a private on 20 April 1861 and mustered into Company A of the 4th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment that same day. 6 months later, he was commissioned into the 4th Infantry, US Army as a 2nd lieutenant. He served in this capacity during the Siege of Yorktown and at Gaines' Mill, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, and Fredericksburg. After Antietam, he was breveted a captain and promoted to first lieutenant in November of 1862. He was commissioned a major in the 14th New York Heavy Artillery in August of 1864, and was eventually promoted to lieutenant colonel at the end of the war. He went on to serve with the 23rd Infantry in the west for more than 20 years, earning brevets to lieutenant colonel and colonel for "actions against Indians" at Turret Mount, Diamond Butte, and near Pinal, Arizona in 1873 and 1874. He also served with General Crook in the 1876 Powder River Expedition, and commanded Fort Reno from 1879-1880. He continued his military career beyond his service with the 23rd, returning to the 4th Infantry, US, and later serving with the 8th Infantry, US. He was promoted through the ranks, ultimately to major general, and finally retired on 8 October 1905.