Senate House State Historic Site

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Military Pass. General George H. Sharpe, a native of Kingston, had a distinguished career with the Union Army. Early in the Civil War he served as an officer in the 120th New York Volunteers. Later, he helped found and supervise the Bureau of Military Intelligence, which provided information about Confederate strengths, weaknesses, and strategies. Sharpe witnessed the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. General Robert E. Lee wrote and gave this military pass to Sharpe so that he and his entourage could travel safely behind the Confederate lines. The pass was issued two days after the surrender, when news from Appomattox may not yet have reached all Confederate troops.

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Military Pass. General George H. Sharpe, a native of Kingston, had a distinguished career with the Union Army. Early in the Civil War he served as an officer in the 120th New York Volunteers. Later, he helped found and supervise the Bureau of Military Intelligence, which provided information about Confederate strengths, weaknesses, and strategies. Sharpe witnessed the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. General Robert E. Lee wrote and gave this military pass to Sharpe so that he and his entourage could travel safely behind the Confederate lines. The pass was issued two days after the surrender, when news from Appomattox may not yet have reached all Confederate troops.