UNION GENERAL JAMES SHIELDS (1806-1879) SIGNED PASS FOR PAGE CO., VIRGINIA CONFEDERATE SOLDIER'S DEFECTION, ink manuscript, issued during Shields' occupation of Luray and Page Co., written from Columbia Bridge, VA, June 4th, 1862, "The bearer Stanton Hoffman (Huffman) a native of Page County, Va. has taken the oath of allegiance to the Govt of the United States, and is a loyal citizen. His life would be taken if he remained here after our army passes, he, therefore, desires to go to the state of Ills or Indiana and make his residence there. This is to show that he has a liberty from me to pass from this place to any part of Ills or Indiana he may choose to reside in, and to request all loyal citizens to aid and further him in effecting this object. (Signed) Jas Shields / Maj Genl / ? Division." 10 3/4" x 10". 
Catalogue Note: General Shields is noteworthy for handing Stonewall Jackson, his only defeat in the Shenandoah Valley, at Kernstown on March 22, 1862. The present pass for Stanton Huffman was written while Shield's troops occupied Luray and Page Co. only five days before Jackson defeated him at Port Republic.
Stanton H. Huffman (1841-1907) was born in Page Co., VA, to Simon LeGrande Huffman and Mary A. Kindel Huffman. On June 1, 1861, "under force of circumstance," he enlisted in the Page Grays, Co. H, 33rd Regiment, Virginia Infantry. He was listed as a deserter on May 30, 1862, four days before Shields wrote his pass. Huffman's journey to the north was successful, and he served in Co. G, 40th Regiment, Indiana Infantry, for the remainder of the War. He lived the remainder of his life in Indiana as a carpenter, contractor, and farmer. 

Good overall condition with expected fold creases, several short tears, and tiny holes. Laid on later paper.