Details
[CIVIL WAR, ANTIETAM]. DEVIN, THOMAS CASIMER, Major-General. Autograph letter signed ("Tho. C. Devin, Col." on page 7 and with initials at end) to an unnamed Major in his regiment), "Mouth of Antietam," 30 September 1862. 16 pages, 8vo, closely written on patriotic stationery with red and blue borders on rectos. In fine condition.
ANTIETAM: A GENERAL'S SIXTEEN-PAGE ACCOUNT, A WEEK AFTERWARDS, OF THE BLOODIEST ONE-DAY BATTLE IN AMERICAN HISTORY
An vivid, detailed account of early phases of the carnage at Antietam Creek, written only 13 days after the event. Devin, a Union cavalry commander, reports on the battle (in which his detachment opened the day's action!), a turning point in the Civil War and the bloodiest one-day battle in American history. At the time of the Antietam campaign, the New York-born Devin (1822-1878) was colonel of the 6th New York Cavalry. The first 6 1/2 pages of his lengthy letter concern regimental affairs (rank and promotion), while the final 9 1/2 pages detail the events from his regiment's crossing of the Rappahannock River on 18 August 1862 through the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg) on 17 September.
"...Next day [15 September] we were the first to cross the mountains [through Turner's Gap] by [Major-General Fitz John] Porter's orders to whom I had been sent by [Major-General Ambrose E.] Burnside. In company with Gibson's light battery I advanced Porter down and found [Major-General Joseph] Hooker had come around on the right and had just brought the enemy to bay behind the Antietam [Creek]. We bivouacked on the field that night and Porter sent me word that I must ascertain whether the enemy were yet in front before day light." To do this they crossed the infamous stone bridge ["Burnside's Bridge" the focus of intense fighting two days later]: "I sent Easton and 20 men out at 3AM [on 16 September] and [he] was fired into by a company of our own infantry while crossing the bridge...but they were so scared they never hit a man. At 8AM [on 16 September] I started in person with troops L and M to go as far as they would let me...." Rebel sharpshooters opened fire "from the Orchard on our right....I was dismounted and the fire was so close and hot that I thought I would never get my horse away....[I] wheeled my sections about and commenced to retire. As we turned off the bridge...we came in range of the Battery and they commenced shelling us....'The first man that trots I'll shoot,'" he yelled, and they "marched off as steady as on parade. With solid shot and shell tearing up the ground around them....Just after we halted solid shot passed through the neck of Van Buren's horse - killing him ..Our guns commenced answering and kept it up all day...Now is that not a record...last in retreat and first in advance...." An exceptional narrative letter of an officer and combatant.
ANTIETAM: A GENERAL'S SIXTEEN-PAGE ACCOUNT, A WEEK AFTERWARDS, OF THE BLOODIEST ONE-DAY BATTLE IN AMERICAN HISTORY
An vivid, detailed account of early phases of the carnage at Antietam Creek, written only 13 days after the event. Devin, a Union cavalry commander, reports on the battle (in which his detachment opened the day's action!), a turning point in the Civil War and the bloodiest one-day battle in American history. At the time of the Antietam campaign, the New York-born Devin (1822-1878) was colonel of the 6th New York Cavalry. The first 6 1/2 pages of his lengthy letter concern regimental affairs (rank and promotion), while the final 9 1/2 pages detail the events from his regiment's crossing of the Rappahannock River on 18 August 1862 through the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg) on 17 September.
"...Next day [15 September] we were the first to cross the mountains [through Turner's Gap] by [Major-General Fitz John] Porter's orders to whom I had been sent by [Major-General Ambrose E.] Burnside. In company with Gibson's light battery I advanced Porter down and found [Major-General Joseph] Hooker had come around on the right and had just brought the enemy to bay behind the Antietam [Creek]. We bivouacked on the field that night and Porter sent me word that I must ascertain whether the enemy were yet in front before day light." To do this they crossed the infamous stone bridge ["Burnside's Bridge" the focus of intense fighting two days later]: "I sent Easton and 20 men out at 3AM [on 16 September] and [he] was fired into by a company of our own infantry while crossing the bridge...but they were so scared they never hit a man. At 8AM [on 16 September] I started in person with troops L and M to go as far as they would let me...." Rebel sharpshooters opened fire "from the Orchard on our right....I was dismounted and the fire was so close and hot that I thought I would never get my horse away....[I] wheeled my sections about and commenced to retire. As we turned off the bridge...we came in range of the Battery and they commenced shelling us....'The first man that trots I'll shoot,'" he yelled, and they "marched off as steady as on parade. With solid shot and shell tearing up the ground around them....Just after we halted solid shot passed through the neck of Van Buren's horse - killing him ..Our guns commenced answering and kept it up all day...Now is that not a record...last in retreat and first in advance...." An exceptional narrative letter of an officer and combatant.