Signed by the colonel and adjutant of the regiment

14 1/2 x 9 3/4, on vellum, filled out in ink, with vignette of a spread winged eagle with American shield.

The Commanding Officer Of The Fifth Regiment Of Maryland Vol. Infty. To all who shall see these presents, greeting: Know Ye, That reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and abilities of Walter Waggner, I do hereby appoint him Sergeant in Company "I" of the Fifth Regiment of Md. Vols. Infty. in the service of the United States to rank as such from the 23 day of April one thousand eight hundred and 63. He is therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Sergeant by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging, And I do strictly charge and require all Non Commissioned Officers and Soldier under his command to be obedient to his orders as Sergeant. And he is to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as he shall receive from me or the future Commanding Officer of the Regiment or other Superior Officers and Non Commissioned Officers set over him according to the rules and discipline of War. This Warrant to continue in force during the pleasure of the Commanding Officer of the Regiment for the time being.

Given under my hand at the Head Quarters of the Regiment at Point of Rocks, Md., this Twenty Third day of April in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Sixty Three.

By the Commanding Officer, Col. Wm. Louis Schley, Commanding the Regiment

John B. Wilson, Adjutant of the Regiment

Light age toning and wear. Very scarce, and from a desirable Maryland Civil War regiment. Maryland items from the Civil War are very hard to find.

Walter S. Waggner, served in the 5th Maryland Infantry, from October 8, 1861, to October 7, 1864.

William Louis Schley, was commissioned colonel of the 5th Maryland Infantry on September 4, 1861, and was mustered out of the service on October 6, 1864.

John B. Wilson, was mustered into Co. A, 5th Maryland Infantry, with rank of sergeant, on September 12, 1861. He was promoted to 2nd lieutenant, January 28, 1863; 1st lieutenant, April 20, 1863; was captured on June 15, 1863, at the battle of Winchester, Va., and confined in a Confederate prison at Macon, Ga.; mustered out of the service, on September 18, 1864.

5th Maryland Infantry Regiment

Attached to the main body of the Army of the Potomac as part of the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Army Corps, the 5th Maryland Infantry fought with that command in the battle of Antietam, being on that part of the field known as the "Bloody Lane," where the regiment lost 39 killed and 109 wounded. Some idea of the severity of this part of the battle may be gained from the fact that the commanding officers were all wounded and carried from the field. The battle honors of the regiment include Antietam, Charlestown, Winchester, the siege of Petersburg, the assault on the Confederate works at Petersburg during the mine explosion which became known as the "Battle of the Crater," the Second Battle of Fair Oaks, and the occupation of Richmond. The 5th Maryland Infantry were the equal of any regiment in the Union army for bravery and devotion to duty. During their service they lost 64 killed, while 97 died of wounds and disease. [Source: The Union Army, Vol. 2].