Fine large color lithograph document filled in by hand, issued to George W. Thomas, of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, mustered into the service at Pittsburg with Company D, 5th Regiment Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery Volunteers. The details of service, written in ink, are of especial interest. In this document, Private Thomas guards the forts in Washington DC, north of the Potomac River, covered the construction trains, opened up Manassas Gap Railroad, engaged Mosby's command at Salem Va on October 8, 1864, built stockades and block houses throughout Virginia until Spring of 1865, "thence moved to Bull Run battlefield and engaged in burying two thousand dead that had lain on the field since the battle, April 3, 1862." Its hard not to wonder if that last horrific task may have led to his honorable discharge in June of 1865. The certificate with colorful vignettes and the names of his late wife and his six children in the dedication. Such documents were printed in the late 19th C. and issued into the early 20th C. to veterans and / or their surviving families, to honor their service. This certificate presented on April 15, 1905.Frame, approx. 27" x 32"Sight, approx. 21" x 26"