2004-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004
Group of three Autograph Letters Signed, by John Simpson Crocker (1820-1890) Colonel 93rd New York Infantry, POW at Yorktown, brevetted Brigadier General March 13, 1865, these letters are written between October and December, 1862, 11p. total quarto, on “93d Regiment N.Y.S.V. ‘Morgan Rifles’ stationary, one with cover addressed to his wife on printed ‘Morgan Rifles” envelope, content includes: “[10/28/1862 H.Q. Guard Army of the Potomac, Berlin, Maryland] If you could see the busy scene of an Army of hundreds of thousands in motion. They cross at Harper’s Ferry and at this place, day & night, one constant stream of soldiers and teams is moving over the river into Dixie...[on Genl. McClellan] they are abusing the best general in the country & the only one taht the Army dare confide in to lead them. If the North desire to bring ruin swift & sure upon themselves...let them continue to abuse Genl. McClellan...while they root out the Fremonts & McDowells...[11/11/1862 Head Quarters Army of the Potomac, Warrenton, Va] Yesterday was a sad day for our army. Our brave leader was withdrawn. Everywhere he went the same tokens of grief & disappointment were met...as the General was riding off from the reveiw, the soldiers with loud voices called upon him to come back...Genl. McClellan returned to these Head Quarters very much affected. He remained over night & left at 10 this A.M. At Eleven...I rec’d orders to call out my Regt. at once to participate in the reception of Genl. Burnside at Head Quarters (Army of the Potomac)...The Genl. with uncovered head and speaking a word to the commandants as he passed. He is rather a tall man sufficeintly dignified, but a very social & pleasant officer, well proportioned sparkling eyes, dark complexion, fine features and a great favorite with the troops. There is no other General in the Army that this part of the Army would prefer to Genl. Burnside expecting always Genl. McClellan....Yesterday the old familiar sound of the loud mouthed cannon was brought to our ears again. A sharp engagement took place about five miles distant in which our troops were roughly handled & driven, in the forennon but we drove the Rebels in turn in the afternoon. Today the fighting was renewed. It was at one time determined to move our camp further to the rear, but large reinforcements were sent out in the direction of the fight and drove back still farther the Enemy,...I have been officially notified that my Regt. would remain at present at Head Quarters as Head Quarters Guard, the same as under Genl. McClellan...My Regt has lost two loads of baggage it fell into the hands of Stuarts Cavalry after we left Berlin....We have just heard that Genl. Fitz John Porter & Genl. Franklin have been relieved from command...[HD.Qrs. Guard Army of the Potomac, near Fredericksburg, Va. 12/17/1862] The authorities at Washington ordered Genl. Burnside to fight the enemy even if he got whipt. The Genl. fought but he did not get whipt - he got pretty badly squeezed tho. The flank movement...has been stopped, nothing more is to be done at present. My regt. lost 4 men, Genl. Burnside withdrew the Army from the other side of the river most admirably. We all feared for the safety of the Army in its exposed position...if the enemy had known, they could have made such havoc as it was, we lost about 300 in evacuating the town...Genl. Burnside telegraphed the President that he was going to order the troops back to this side...The President telegraphed back to him not to do it, but when the President’s telegram arrived the troops were coming over and the Genl. telegraphed back to the President that the order was being executed & he considered it a military necessity in order to save the Army...” All Fine.
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