VOL XIX PART 1 Official Records
pp. 67-68 morning of Sept. 19, 1862: “General Porter, commanding the Fifth Corps, ordered a detachment from Griffin’s and Barnes’ brigades, under General Griffin, to cross the river at dark and carry the enemy’s batteries. This was gallantly done under the fire of the enemy. Several guns, caissons, etc., were taken, and their supports driven back half a mile.”
Organization of the AOP, McClellan commanding Sept. 14-17, 1862:
p. 174 V Corps (Porter)
1st Div (Morrell)
2nd Brigade – BG Griffin: 2DC Col. Charles Alexander; 9MA Col. Patrick R. Guiney; 32MA Col. Francis J. Parker; 4MI Col. Jonathan W. Childs; 14NY Col. James McQuade; 62PA Col. James B Sweitzer
No. 84 Rep. of Maj Gen. Fitz-John Porter, UA Army,
[HQ V Corps, Camp near Sharpsburg MD Oct. 10, 1862]
p. 339-40: “While these were driving from their guns the cannoneers and horses, and silencing the fire of the infantry, an attacking party from Griffin’s and Barnes’ brigades, composed of the 4MI and parts of the 118PA and 18 & 22MA, volunteers for the occasion, was formed under the immediate direction of General Griffin, and moved across the river in face of a warm fire from the enemy’s infantry. Through some misunderstanding, an order for Sykes to move over a similar party did not reach him….. Darkness concealed the movements of the enemy and enabled them to remove a portion of their artillery before our attacking party scaled the heights. The result of the day’s action was the capture of 5 pieces, 2 caissons, 2 caisson bodies, 2 forges, and some 400 stand of arms; also 1 battle-flag. Our loss was small in numbers. Some excellent officers and men were killed and wounded. The party was recalled during the night, and the whole command bivouacked within reach of the fords.”
“I am pleased to be able to state that Company D (Griffin’s) Fifth Artillery, regained one of its guns lost at the first battle of Bull Run, and will retain it with the permission of the major-general commanding.”
p. 349 Report No. 90.
Report of Brig. Gen. Charles Griffin, U. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade, First Division, of operations September 17-27, including skirmish at Blackford’s or Boteler’s Ford.
Headquarters Second Brigade,
October 6, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the Second Brigade, in compliance with the above order:
On the 17th the brigade was not in action. About 4 p. m. an order was received from Major-General Porter to move to the support of General Franklin’s command. The brigade moved about half a mile to the right, where it was halted, together with the Third Brigade, same division, by General McClellan, with directions to remain there until further orders, and returned to the position occupied in the morning, just before sunset, by direction of the general commanding, and encamped for the night.
On the morning of the 18th the brigade moved and occupied a position in rear of General Burnside’s forces, where it remained until the morning of the 19th, when it took up its march in the direction of Shepherdstown, arriving in position near that place about 1 o’clock p. m. The enemy occupying the opposite side of the river with artillery and sharpshooters, the Fourth Michigan Regiment was moved forward as skirmishers and to drive the enemy from the banks. Our artillery, having been massed, opened a sharp fire on the enemy’s guns, causing him to abandon them. By direction of Major-General Porter, the Fourth Michigan was ordered to cross the river and take them. This [p.350] duty was handsomely performed, the regiment, about 300 strong, fording the river (some 300 yards in width and 3 feet in depth) in face of the enemy’s infantry fire, and forming on the opposite side, advancing and delivering its fire with such effect and determination as to cause the brigade opposing it to fall back in great confusion.
It was now getting quite dark, and the regiment only succeeded in finding two pieces of artillery and several caissons, or parts of caissons. After remaining on the opposite bank some two or three hours it was recalled. The regiment lost 1 man killed (Corpl. John Gordon) and 7 men wounded.
The next morning (the 20th), as soon as it was light enough to see, the Fourth Michigan and Sixty-second Pennsylvania crossed the river with some horses from Battery D, Fifth Artillery, commanded by First Lieutenant Hazlett, and brought back three guns, several caissons, and one battle-flag, picked up on the field, returning to camp about 8 o’clock a. m. On the 21st, 23d, and 24th two more pieces, several caissons, and two forges were brought into camp from the other side of the river, the enemy having been compelled to leave them here and there through the woods, in the fields, and along the roads, and some 300 stand of small-arms.
On the 27th, four regiments of the brigade, not far from 2,000 strong, crossed the river as guard to three mule teams, for the purpose of obtaining hay, by order of Major-General Morell, commanding division, but nothing of importance occurred, the command returning in the afternoon, having succeeded in safely escorting the three wagons back with small loads of hay.
Nothing save the usual guard and picket duty occurred from this date up to the period calling for the operations of the Second Brigade.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHAS. GRIFFIN,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Second Brigade.
Maj. Francis S. Earle,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Morell’s Division.
VOL XIX PART 2 Official Records
p. 86: Col. CM Alexander DC Vols commanding Griffin’s brigade Oct. 16, 1862 on reconnaissance
p. 188 Spec Order No. 223 HQ of the Army, Adjt. Gen’s Office, Washington Sept. 5, 1862
“Major-Generals Fitz John Porter and William B. Franklin and Brig. Gen. Charles Griffin are relieved from their respective commands until the charges against them can be investigated by a court of inquiry.” MG Pope will report to Secy of War as a witness on a court of inquiry. By command of MG Halleck. E.D. Townsend AAG
p. 197: FJ Porter [Hall’s Hill Va] to BG S. Williams Sept. 6, 1862:
Morrell’s Division: Artillery & Sharpshooters: 30 off/826 enlisted; brigades – Martindale 1100, Butterfield 1000, Piatt 58/1457; Griffin 1700; Sykes Division: 168/3652
p. 241: Letter FJ Porter to McClellan, Rockville. Sept. 10, 1862 9am, received 10:50am
“General Griffin , from Upton’s Hill, reports that on Monday night the enemy had only two mounted pickets at Dranesville and no force at Fairfax Court-House, and believes there are none there now; pickets were not disturbed last night. Griffin and Kilpatrick have both sent reliable parties to Fairfax Court-House and Dranesville, and hope to get reliable information to-day.”
p. 259:
FJ Porter to Griffin: Arlington, Sept. 11, 1862 9:15pm
“Send out hour notice at once to all your regiments that they will be required to march tomorrow morning. The hour will be given as soon as possible. Three days’ rations in haversacks.
FJ Porter to Griffin: Arlington Sept. 11, 1862 10:10pm
“Have your command at Fort Corcoran at 7:45AM tomorrow, ready to fall into column. Fill your haversacks and canteens, and take as much provision as possible in wagons. Acknowledge.”
p. 439:
MAC to Halleck, Oct. 17, 1862 9:15pm. “General Porter leaves for Washington tomorrow. Generals Butterfield and Griffin are also absent attending a court of inquiry in Washington. Their corps will suffer from the absence of so many general officers. I should, therefore, be glad to have their evidence taken as soon as practicable, that they may return.”
p. 440 RB Marcy, Chief of Staff, to FJ Porter: HQ AOP Oct. 17, 1862 10am
MAC “will endeavor to have Generals Butterfield and Griffin ordered back as soon as possible.”
VOLUME LI Part 2
p. 905; Porter HQ V Corps , near Sandy Hook, Oct. 31, 1862 to S. Williams
Griffin is commanding Butterfield’s division, in rear of Sykes, will camp near him (near Harpers Ferry)
Porter HQ V 10/31/62 to Marcy COS HQ AOP
“Humphreys and Griffin will be over the river and about three miles up the valley by sundown.”
p. 947
GO No. 1 HQ 1D V Corps Nov. 16, 1862
Griffin assumes command of the First Division. Col. Sweitzer 62PA assumes command of 2B. Following staff officers announced: Capt. CB Mervine, AAG; Capt AC Weeden, acting asst QM; 1Lt CH Ross, aide-de-camp; 1Lt TC Case aide-de-camp.
p. 948
Perkins Asst AAG HQ V Corps AOP Encamped at Warrenton Junction Nov. 17, 1862
Griffin camps about two miles below here on Elk Run road crossing.
Butterfield HQ V Corps AOP Nov. 17, 1862 to Griffin, commanding 2nd Division
Inclosing rough tracing from McDowell map, showing where to camp tomorrow night.
p. 950
Headquarters Fifth Army Corps, Near Mrs. Henry’s House, November 22, 1862. Brigadier-General Griffin :
General: General Sykes is camped near Wallis’ house, about three miles from your camp, at Hartwood. He will move at 7.30 a. m. sharp, he writes. Have directed him to move at 7 if possible—that is, if Whipple is out of his way. Captain Tucker reports that you would move at daybreak. I fear you will be delayed by the occupation of the road in advance of you, starting at so early an hour. There is no haste necessary in your getting here other than that involved in the supply question, and you are supplied to the 26th. Take it comfortably and make your camp here in fair time, which you will be able to do starting at same time with Sykes. Longstreet is said to be at Fredericksburg with guns in position. Our pontoon train at Dumfries coming by land. Boads bad to Belle Plain. The supply question most difficult one put at present. Graze your animals all you can and keep a sharp lookout for forage.
Yours, BUTTERFIELD.
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