Description:

HENRY HALLECK
(1815 - 1872) Union major general who was Lincoln's General in Chief and advisor. He proved to be an effective administrator during the war. Extremely fine content war-date A.D.S. "H. W. Halleck" 3pp. 4to., [n.p., n.d., but likely early 1863] being his prepared answer to a question from Benjamin F. Wade's Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War in their investigation into the Confederate capture of Harper's Ferry on September 15, 1862. Halleck responds to the Committee, in full: "Ans. I think Genl. McClellan left Washington and established his Head Qrs at Rockville on the 7th of Sept. He had been directed some days before by the President to take the field against the enemy in Maryland. Most of his forces had preceded him, and on the 8th were encamped near Rockville, at Poolsville, Offert's [?] cross roads, and on the road from Leesboro to Brookville. Burnside's forces moved along the latter road on the 8th., and entered Fredrick City I think, on the afternoon or night of the 12th. Genl McClellan's Head Qrs. were there on the morning of the 13th. The battle of South Mountain was fought on the 14th and that of Antietam on the 17th. A part of the army crossed the Monacacy below Frederick City, & was reported on the 13th to be near Jeffersonville & Centreville, about twelve miles from Harper's Ferry. The corps of Sumner & Franklin were within about twenty miles of Harpers Ferry on the 12th., the battle of South Mountain was fought on the 14th about 10 or 12 miles distant, and that of Antietam on the 17th about 12 miles distant from Harper's Ferry. The above distances are taken from maps and the dates from telegrams & reports of Scouts. They may not [be] absolutely correct. The distance marched between the 8th and 14th was different for different corps, averaging about six miles per day. It is not easy to answer the latter part of the question by the commission without a full knowledge of the position and forces of the enemy. Genl. McClellan has not made any report of his operations in Maryland nor have I seen any report of his subordinate officers. But judging from all the information I could obtain from scouts, spies, deserters, I am of [the] opinion that it was possible for Genl. McClellan to have relieved and protected Harper's Ferry, and that he should have done so." Stonewall Jackson captured Harper's Ferry after a short fight on the 15th of September capturing 12,000 prisoners, 13,000 small arms and 73 artillery pieces. It was the largest surrender of Federal forces during the war. The Confederates abandoned the town on the 15th to join Lee at Antietam. Usual folds, else very fine condition.

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June 3, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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