Two Paragraph version of the Order, Written by A.P. Mason
The two paragraph version of the order, written in A.P. Mason's hand, is in the possession of the National Archives. It, along with Chilton's letterbook copy (ten paragraphs) was held by the Adjutant General's office in Richmond until Petersburg fell. At that point the Adjutant General, Samuel Cooper, had these documents along with his entire office files placed in a wagon train and sent to
Goldsboro NC where they were captured by Sherman advancing from South Carolina.
Back of paper above Source of Command Directive
Collected by Joseph Ryan from the National Archives
About the author: Joe Ryan is a Los Angeles trial lawyer who has traveled the route of the Army of Northern Virginia, from Richmond to Gettysburg several times.
