A desirable Reconstruction-era partly-printed document boldly signed by George Gordon Meade, the victor of Gettysburg, in his postwar capacity as Major General, U.S.A., commanding the Department of the South. Captioned "ABSTRACT OF PAYMENTS made by J.W. Nicholls, Paymaster," the ledger records a long sequence of disbursements (voucher nos. 838–879) dated February 26–28, 1869, for the "First Registration" of voters across North Carolina precincts during the height of Congressional Reconstruction.

The entries read like a roll call of the Piedmont and Cape Fear country—Mecklenburg County precincts including Long Creek, Steel Creek, Charlotte, Harrisburg, and Prospect; Person County sites such as Roxboro, Mt. Tirzah, Holloways, and Bushy Fork; and Robeson County locales including Philadelphus, Lumberton, Red Banks, and McPhaul's Mills—each tied to the federal machinery established to register voters, including freedmen, under the Reconstruction Acts. The final entries name clerks of the Bureau of Civil Affairs and Disbursing Office.

At the foot of the sheet, Meade has reviewed and authorized the entire accounting in a strong ink hand: "Examined & Approved. Geo. G. Meade, Maj. General, U.S.A., Comdg. Dept. of the South." A genuine signed example marrying one of the war's most consequential commanders to the contentious civil-administration work of Reconstruction in the Carolinas.

Condition: Lined ledger sheet with original fold lines, light toning, and clean, fully legible content. The Meade signature is dark and unobstructed.

Measurements: 16½ x 10 inches.  [ss][ph:L]

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