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Lot 374
[CIVIL WAR]. Archive associated with the 47th New York Volunteers, the "Washington Grays," including content related to the Battle of Cold Harbor and the Army of the James.
Sale 2057 - American Historical Ephemera and Photography
Oct 25, 2024 10:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati

Estimate
$2,000 - 3,000
Lot Description
[CIVIL WAR]. Archive associated with the 47th New York Volunteers, the "Washington Grays," including content related to the Battle of Cold Harbor and the Army of the James.

Approx. 75 items, spanning ca 1862-1866 (bulk 1864), mostly constituting returns and other Union forms, transmittal letters, General Orders, and miscellaneous correspondence primarily of an administrative nature, but with some letters and forms containing interesting content related to engagements, personnel, and other regimental matters during Grant's 1864 Overland Campaign in which the 47th New York were participants. Various places. Documents mostly associated with Captain Charles A. Moore's Co. G.

Collection includes: standard documents associated with reporting on clothing, equipment, ordnance, and supplies, reported on Monthly Returns of Clothing, Camp and Garrison Equipage; Form 52; Form 7 For Issues or Transfers of Ordnance Stores; Quarterly Return of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores, and other manuscript reports. -- A group of 11 General Orders, Special Orders, and Circulars, most issued between May-August 1864. -- 11 pieces of correspondence, ranging from short missives to longer letters. -- Misc. forms including a War Department notice on the "Final Statement" of Private Francis McArdle, Co. G, 47th New York and a notice of reward for the "arrest and delivery at Fort Columbus (N.Y.) of Private Thomas Martin" a deserter from Co. G, 47th New York.

Notable items include: a manuscript "List of Clothing Camp and Garrison Equipage lost at Coal [sic] Harbor Va. on the 1st day of June 64" which also states the circumstances the items were lost being "The Brigade to which my regiment and company belonged were ordered to charge the enemy's works at a distance of 3/4 a mile, the men being exhausted from long marches and excessive heat, many being sun stroked during the day, were compelled to leave their Knapsacks, Haversacks, Canteens, and Shelter tents, etc. on the field before charging...." Also with a "List of Stores lost in action at Coal Harbor Va on the 1st day of June 1864." -- A field order sent to Captain Moore from Headquarters, 2 Brigade, 2nd Div. 10th A.C. on 17 July 1864 at 11:15 PM, stating that "The Lieutenant General telegraphs that he anticipates an attack on some part of our lines to night, or in the morning. You will personally superintend your line to night, and have fully one half of your men awake and very watchfull at 3 o'clock in the morning you will see that every man is under arms. The men must not take off their accoutrements at any time...." -- A letter from Moore to a Provost Marshall stating that Private Patrick Carroll of Co. B, 47th Reg NYS Vols was arrested by his orders and is charged with deserting his company while on picket duty on Little Edisto Island, "also for drunkenness, disorderly conduct, and assault and battery while in camp." -- An Abstract of Expenditures for part of the second quarter of 1864 noting rounds expended in action at May 7 / Chaster Station Va," May 17 at "Dury's Bluff, Va," and June 1 at "Coal Harbor Va." -- And a parent's letter to an officer of the 47th regarding her son who had gone missing, and was potentially in need of placement in an insane asylum.

In April 1864, the 47th was assigned to the Department of Virginia and North Carolina, 10th Army Corps, in the newly created Army of the James which was tasked with advancing on Richmond from the south and cutting Lee's supply line as part of Grant's plan for the Overland Campaign. Captain Charles A. Moore (1828-1918) enlisted with the NY 47th on 8/15/1861 at East New York, NY, as a 33 year old, and was mustered out on 9/10/1864. Prior to the war, he owned a store on Broadway in Manhattan. After the war he returned to New York City.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
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