This small 4 x 7 inch document is the form that field officers used to communicate – sending information and battle directives to other officers. This particular “order form” is significant because Union General Francis C. Barlow, who was made famous from the GORDON-BARLOW INCIDENT AT GETTYSBURG, fills out this memo all in his own hand and sends it to Lt. Col. Francis A. Walker. Walker was wounded at Chancellorsville, captured at Ream’s Station and sent to Libby Prison. He was famous after the war also, becoming President of M.I.T. and a famous author!
“Head-Quarters, 1st Div. 2nd Corps.
May 26, 1864 10 p.m.
To Lt. Walker:
Col, I have the honor to report that no batteries of artillery have
yet reported to me and I have not been informed as to what batteries have
been assigned to this Div. I am making my arrangements in accordance of
orders received and affairs are progressing favorably.
Respectfully,
Francis C. Barlow
Brig. Gen. Comdy.
P.S. I am ignorant of the position of all artillery except Browns Battery,
which is on my line… F.C.B.
On the top of the document, written in the opposite direction, is written:
“Hd. Qtrs. 2nd Art. May 26, Respt. referred to Col. Tidball, Chief of Artillery
by order of Maj. Gen. Hancock, Wm. R. Davis, A. A. G.”
Notes from generals written in the field are very rare, plus, this one is from one of the most desirable union generals!
#G49 - Price $895
