A scarce war-date Confederate commissary document boldly signed in pencil by Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early (1816–1894), one of the most colorful and combative figures of the Army of Northern Virginia. This single-page, partly-printed "Provision Return" (Form 13) is a ration requisition for a company of the 31st Regiment, Virginia Volunteers, dated at camp on August 4, 1862, accounting for 214 men — including ten waggoneers and two ambulance drivers — and carrying Early's large, bold signature as commanding officer.

The piece holds real campaign significance. In the summer of 1862, the 31st Virginia served in Early's own brigade (Ewell's Division, Jackson's Command), so this return reflects Early administering the very troops he would lead into the Second Manassas Campaign just weeks later. Having risen from colonel of the 24th Virginia to brigade command, Early served under Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley, fought through Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg, and in 1864 took independent command of the Confederate Army of the Valley. In that capacity he mounted the South's last invasion of the North — threatening Washington, D.C. at Fort Stevens and ordering the burning of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania in retaliation for Federal destruction in the Valley.

The verso retains period pencil tabulations of the ration figures along with a contemporary receipt notation in a second hand, documenting the issue. Approximately 8 x 10 inches, with the expected period folds; the bold signature is clear and well-placed. Very Fine — a desirable and genuinely scarce war-date requisition signed by a major Confederate general at a pivotal moment in the 1862 campaigns.  [ss][ph:L]

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