John P. Little

Company I, 137th Illinois Volunteer Infantry

Certificate of Thanks

signed by Abraham Lincoln


Below is an image of the Certificate of thanks that was given by my g-g-g-grandfather, Private John P. Little. As you can see, the certificate is actually signed by Abraham Lincoln. The 137th was assigned to do picket duty on Hornando Road, south of Memphis. As they were approaching the end of their tour, Memphis was attacked in a dairing raid by Confederate General Forrester. During that raid, the 137th was overrun and my ancestor was among the soldiers taken prisoner. He spent the remainder of the war in prison and was not released until the armistace was signed in May of 1865.

Many thanks to Donald Fowler who donated this information.



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