Original period manufacture. Original document issued to Edgar Brooks, a Musician in Company I, 7th Illinois Infantry on June 2nd 1865. He joined the 7th in June of 1862. During his time of service during the War, the 7th Illinois Infantry saw considerable combat service, Battle of Corinth, Iuka, mustered in as Veterans, January 1864, Etowah River, Defence of Allatoona Pass, March to the Sea, Siege of Savannah, Battle of Bentonville, Surrender of Johnston's Army, Grand Review in Washington. In the later years of the war the 7th Illinois received an issue of Henry rifles, used with telling effect during the Defence of Allatoona Pass. 'As a little retrospect it will not be improper to say that the Seventh Infantry takes great pride in the fact that it was the first organized regiment from this State mustered into the United States service in the war that was waged to save the Union, and the first to return to the capital of the State and re-enlist as veterans, as well as being the only regiment in the whole army that purchased its own guns - the Henry rifles, 16 shooters - paying $50 each for them out of their meager pay of $13 per month, thereby increasing their effective force five-fold. Colonel Rowett, who commanded the Seventh the last four hours of the battle of Allatoona, where Sherman had stored millions of rations, while according to all the highest meed of praise for gallant conduct and stubborn courage, insists that without the aid of the 16-shooters, French's 6000 rebels would have overwhelmed the gallant 1500 of 'The Pass.' Colonel Rowett was promoted to Brevet Brigadier General on recommenda-tion of General Sherman, for gallant conduct in this battle'. Note that the photo of the color guard is NOT included with the document, only for reference.