US Civil War Order, Signed Major-General John M. Schofield, 1865

Original period manufacture. Wartime signed document requesting an officer to report for duty. Signed JM Schofield, Maj.General Comdg. John McAllister Schofield 1831-1906, West Point Class of 1853. He held major commands during the Civil War, was Secretary of War 1868-69 under Andrew Johnson, and Commanding General of the Army 1888-1895. His brother, George W. Schofield, was also an army officer, breveted to Brigadier General in 1865. He also remained in the army postwar and was noted for his modification of the .45 Smith & Wesson break top revolver, which allowed the pistol to be unloaded with one hand. Sadly, he died by his own hand at Fort Apache Arizona shortly before Christmas 1882.