Description:

UNION GENERALS DEFEND THEIR REGIMENT'S REPUTATION
WILLIAM T. H. BROOKS (1821-1870) Union major general wounded at Antietam, and fought with distinction in the Petersburg campaign. A.E.S. on the verso of an A.L.S. of Henry James, a surgeon of Brooks' brigade and in charge of a Gettysburg battlefield hospital, 2pp. 8vo., 'Camp Griffin', Jan. 10.1862, in which James has penned a defensive response to an A.L.S. of L. B. Haven, surgeon in the 3rd Vermont Infantry. In part: ‘…Your requesting a report of the cause, in my opinion, of the remarkable [underlined] increase of sickness in our Regiment, is just received. In reply I have to say that, on the 7th, our men went on a foraging expedition on which occasion they marched some twelve or fourteen miles. On the 8th day they were sent-off on picket-duty. The night of the 8th was very rainy so that those on the reserve were unable to sleep. Many of the men in consequence came back completely exhausted, others were foot-sore, lame, or had colds, and were excused from Brigade drill, it not being safe…to drill all the afternoon in the deep mud. This will account for the ‘remarkable increase'…In my opinion, as a medical officer, much sickness could be prevented [underlined], by having as a rule, those men who have been on picket duty, excused from all drills the next day…'. On verso, Brooks also repudiates the surgeon's observation, angrily adding: ‘…There would be much sickness saved if the war was over…and it is not becoming a surgeon to [accuse] inefficiency…'. Beneath this, Assistant Adjutant General THEODORE READ writes a very rare A.E.S., in part: ‘…In forwarding the above through you I am directed by Gen. Brooks to inquire whether the order in regard to providing shoes for your Regiment has been complied with…'. Read (1835-1865) commanded a regiment to destroy the railroad during Lee's retreat to Appomattox, where he was killed in action at High Bridge. With the originating letter of this correspondence by L. B. Haven, and in very good condition. A nice pairing of signatures!

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January 18, 2024 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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