CIVIL WAR 66TH ILLINOIS INFANTRY POW CERTIFICATE BIRGE'S WESTERN SHARPSHOOTERS

Civil War Illinois State Association of Union Prisoners of War Life Membership certificate issued to Peter L. Edwards in 1881. The certificate records that he was taken prisoner August 1863 near Corinth and confined for 9 months in military prisons at Mobile, Alabama, Atlanta, Georgia, and Belle Isle, Virginia. He was exchanged in May 1864 at St. Louis, Missouri. Peter L. Edwards was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky ca. 1835. As a resident of St. Louis he enlisted in September 1861 at Benton Barracks as a Corporal in Co. A of the 66th Illinois Volunteer Infantry - Birge's Western Sharpshooters. Records indicate that he was slightly wounded in the leg. He mustered out of the 66th Illinois in October 1864. In February 1865 he enlisted in the 152nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry at Camp Butler. He died in 1916 at Iola, Kansas and is buried in Independence, Kansas. The 66th Illinois fought at Mt. Zion, Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Atlanta Campaign, and Bentonville. The certificate measures 16.75" x 13.5" and features a beautiful patriotic eagle motif and is in excellent condition. The handwriting is very legible with no fading. The 66th Illinois Infantry was the Midwest's version of Berdan's Sharpshooters. The regiment was composed of recruits from Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and even one recruit from New York City. From the time of its inception until November 1861, the regiment was known as Birge's Western Sharp Shooters after their Colonel Henry Birge. Upon his departure in late 1861 the regiment was designated as the 14th Missouri Infantry. It retained this designation until the late fall of 1862 when the regiment was turned over to the state of Illinois and was renamed the 66th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In order to join, a recruit had to pass a difficult shooting test. The regiment was originally armed with Dimick rifles although many members eventually purchased and used Henry Rifles. In-house shipping is available. Pickup is Monday, April 29th from 11 am to 3 pm in Carroll, Ohio 43112 or we will provide in-house shipping for this item. Once packed up we will send you an invoice for shipping & handling. Shipping questions: shipping@burnsbid.com Sales tax will be collected on all bidders. If tax exempt, make sure your certification is submitted with Proxibid.