Clipped signature reads:

G. F. SHEPLEY

COL. 12 REGT. ME. VOLS.

Clipping meas. approx. 3.75 x 1.50 inches.

With the clipping is a period CDV sized engraving of Shepley in uniform with a facsimile of his signature at bottom.

The 12^th Maine was raised in November of 1861. The regiment served in the Department of the Gulf, Army of the James and Army of the Shenandoah. It was engaged at the siege of Port Hudson, Winchester and Cedar Creek. During its service the regiment lost 5 officers and 286 men killed, died of wounds and disease plus many others wounded and recovered. The regiment was mustered out on April 18, 1866.

Born on January 1, 1819, in Saco, Maine, Shepley attended Harvard University, received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1837 from Dartmouth College and read law in 1839. He entered private practice in Bangor, Maine from 1839 to 1844 and continued private practice in Portland, Maine from 1844 to 1861. He also served as the United States Attorney for the District of Maine from 1848 to 1849 and from 1853 to 1861.

Shepley was commissioned a Colonel of the 12th Maine Infantry on November 16, 1861. He was assigned to the Department of the Gulf, commanding a brigade during the New Orleans campaign from April 18, 1862, to May 1, 1862. He also served as military governor of New Orleans, Louisiana from May 1862 to July 1862, and then served as military governor of the Union-occupied parishes of Louisiana until March 1864. He was appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers on July 18, 1862 and briefly headed a district in Virginia and then served as chief of staff of 25^th Corps, in the Army of the James. He then served as military governor of Richmond, Virginia from April 3, 1865, to July 1, 1865, when he resigned his military commission to return to private practice.

Shepley resumed his private practice of the law in Portland, Maine from 1865 to 1866. He was a member of the Maine House of Representatives from 1866 to 1867 and afterward he again resumed private practice in Portland from 1867 to 1869.

Shepley was nominated by President Ulysses S. Grant on December 8, 1869, to the United States Circuit Courts for the First Circuit. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 22, 1869, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on July 20, 1878, due to his death in Portland.

He was interred at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland.    [AD] [ph:L]

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