This is a medical furlough document issued to Pvt. John Cheney, Company F, on or about August 10, 1863, when he was convalescing in Van Buren Hospital at Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, a few miles above Vicksburg. Cheney had become sick with fever sometime earlier, probably while the 16th OVI was occupying Vicksburg after its surrender on July 4, 1863. A doctor issued the furlough to send Cheney home to Ohio in hopes he would recover and return to the regiment. As shown on the furlough, Cheney was due back to the regiment on September 20, however, he would die at home in Richwood, Ohio, on September 8. It is assumed he died of the disease he was fighting as no other records of his death have been found.