Description:

(1827 – 1897) Union brigadier general who led at Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge Dalton and New Hope Church where he was severely wounded. Fine content A.L.S. on his personal letterhead, 11pp. 4to., St. Paul, Minnesota, May 10, 1882, to Gen. Henry M. Cist, defending himself and his men against accusations of ‘disorder'. In part: ‘...I have read your contribution to the history of the rebellion with surprise and mortification...I had expected a well written, truthful narrative, but I am sadly disappointed...you have unsparingly interwoven the absurd stories of the irresponsible camp-followers and disappointed military men into your $600 narrative of the campaigns of the Army of the Cumberland...It is evident that you are ignorant of the position I held at Stone River, on the day previous to the battle...At dark an old cotton field laid between my command and McCook's advance, I was placed in camp in the rear of the centre...the Brigade Commander on the right of Davis's Division became nervous in regard to the safety of his right and I was advised to send a brigade to take post on his right flank...I regarded my position then, and do now the best possible. Baldwin's Brigade was in the woods and before him was an open field over which the enemy would have to pass, exposed to the fire of his entire line...A battle was certain...You say that my Head Quarters were a mile and a half from my command. This is not true...Why would you attempt to saddle upon me the mistake of the Battery Commander, committed under the very eye of his Brigade Commander?...neither of my Brigade Commanders called their regimental commanders together and explained to them the intentions I had communicated to them...their failure was inexcusable...On the morning of the battle...Millich...while talking to me the first gun was fired...The attack was so sudden that his command was driven back at once...Millich was captured...I turned to the right and joined Baldwin's Brigade where I thought to reform my line...Gen Davis says in his report that if I had held my position he could have held his...35,000 men were hurled against my division...and yet I have been held responsible for our defeat by such overwhelming numbers...the night before the battle the movement of the enemy was evident. I reported it to McCook and he sent a staff officer to report it to Rosecrans. I expected...that Thomas...would be sent over to reinforce us...no one...could be so stupid and ignorant as not to be able to predict the final result. Gen. Rosecrans...said to me ‘General, I am satisfied that you did all in your power.'...you were not on the ground...we drove the enemy a mile and a half capturing nine pieces of artillery...why did you not mention this capture? My Division was not in disorder...the battle of Chickamauga I was better pleased with the achievements of my command than in any other battle...It is my intention to review your work thoroughly and critically and I shall bring to light some facts which have not yet been published...' Signed at the conclusion. Fine condition.

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January 26, 2023 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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