Enlistment Papers for Edgar A. Perry [Poe]

Poe joined the Army at the age of 18 in an act of desperation after suffering the strain of surviving on his own for two months without money. This enlistment paper shows that Poe was in Boston when he signed up, that he used a false name, Edgar Perry, and a false age, adding four years to his real age. The paper also described him as being 5 feet 8 inches tall, with brown hair, gray eyes, and a fair complexion. Although Poe did well in the Army and was promoted to the highest rank possible for an enlisted man, he decided to leave the Army 3 1/2 years short of his full enlistment. He was released on April 15, 1829, having obtained the consent of his foster father, and paid a substitute to take his place.