John C. Mottice, father of Grant Mottice, was discharged from the Ohio Volunteers of the Federal Army and given a certificate recognizing that honor on December 15, 1864.
His certificate of service, shown here (the original, not a copy), indicates that he served as a Private in the 162nd Regiment of the Ohio Volunteers.
The body of the document reads:
"The term of One Hundred Days, for which the National Guard of Ohio volunteered, having expired, the President directs an Official Acknowledgement to be made of their Patriotic and Valuable Services during the recent campaigns. The term of service of their enlistment was short, but distinguished by memorable events. In the Valley of the Shenandoah, on the Peninsula, in the Operations of the James River, around Petersburg and Richmond, in the Battle of Monocacy, and in the Intrenchments of Washington, and in other important service, the National Guard of Ohio performed with alacrity the duty of Patriotic Volunteers, for which they are entitled to, and are hereby tendered, throught the Governor of their State, the National Thanks.
"The Secretary of War is directed to transmit a copy of this Order to the Governor of Ohio, and to cause a Certificate of their Honorable Service to be delivered to the Officers and Solders of the Ohio National Guard who recently served in the Military Force of the United States as Volunteers for One Hundred Days."
Stamped signatures of President Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton are at the bottom of the certificate. The initials "WRM" are at the bottom left, probably indicating the name of the person who filled out the certificate. At the upper left corner is the number "N:27924" which was registered with or by the Assistant Adjutant General.
It is interesting to note the timing of John's service in the war. His discharge was a little more than 2 years after he was married and a year after his first child, William, was born. In mid 1864, when his term began, the war was still in doubt. For him to leave his new wife and year-old son to fight for his country certainly indicates a strong call to duty.