Official Records VOL XII, Part 2
No. 1 Rep of MG John Pope, US Army of operations of Army of VA June 26-Aug. 2, 1862
p. 15: “One, at least, of his brigades, under General Griffin, got around to Centreville and remained there during the whole of the next day’s battle without coming on the field, though in full view of it, while General Griffin himself spent the day in making ill-natured strictures upon the general commanding (see paper marked D) the action in the presence of a promiscuous assemblage.”
p. 18 [Inclosure D]
Speed Butler, Colonel and Aide de Camp – Ball’s Cross-Roads, Va Sept. 3, 1862
“Was ordered to Centreville by MG Pope on Saturday August 30. General Griffin arrived there with his command at 11 o’clock , coming from the direction of Manassas Junction. He moved his brigade to the north of the town, halted it ,and came to General Pope’s headquarters, where he remained one hour, conversing with Lieutenant-Colonel Myers and myself. During this conversation Lt Col Myers asked him several times why his (General Griffin’s) brigade was not in the fight. General Griffin replied, ‘Never mind; I do not care.” He said that he was tired of being commanded by staff officers, and asked what Pope had ever done that he should be made a major-general. Also spoke disrespectfully and sneeringly of other superior officers; said that he heard that morning that General McClellan was to take command; hope that it was true. He then rode toward his command, and about two hours after sent an officer to ask whether he could get shoes for his men.”
p. 48 “General Sturgis arrived at Warrenton Junction on the 26th of August with Piatt’s brigade, of his division, the only portion of that division which ever joined me. This brigade was temporarily attached to the army corps of Fitz John Porter, and, although misled in consequence of orders to follow Griffin’s brigade, of Porter’s corps, which, for some unexplained reason, strayed from its corps to Centreville on the 30th of August, was led forward from that place by Generals Sturgis and Piatt as soon as it was discovered that Griffin did not intend to go forward to the field of battle, and reported to me late in the afternoon of that day. … [Sturgis and Piatt] deserve especial mention for the soldierly feeling which induced them, after [p. 49] being thus misled and with the bad example of Griffin before their eyes, to push forward with such zeal and alacrity to the field of battle…”
p. 259 Casualities Aug 16 – Sept. 2: Griffin’s 2nd brigade none. 9MA; 32MA, 14NY, 62PA, 4MI
No. 87: Rep of Capt Augustus P. Martin, Batt C, MA Lights Art, 1st Div, of operations Aug 15- Sept. 20 [Camp near Sharpsburg, MD Oct. 4, 1862]
p. 466 “On the morning of the 30th I was ordered by Major-General Morell to remain with General Griffins’ brigade as rear guard. Marched about 5’oclock am with General Griffin’s brigade to Centreville, where we arrived about noon. Went into camp, and remained until about 5 o’clock in the afternoon, which I recevied orders to proceed with General Griffin’s brigade to Manassas, where an engagement was then going on, but did not arrive in season to be of any service, and was ordered by General Griffin to turn about and return to camp near Centreville.”
On Sept. 7: reported to Griffin: “Marched on the morning of the 12th day of September, via Washington DC, Rockville, Md., and Frederick, to the Antietam, where we halted on the afternoon of the 16th of September. On the the morning of the 17th took position in the reserve with the division during the action of that day.”
Report of the Board of Army Officers in the case of Fitz John Porter, NYC March 19, 1879
p. 522: “When the two generals had started to take that ride to the right Morell’s troops had been ordered to follow them, and Griffin’s brigade had led off after its pickets had been called in. After McDowell took his departure this movement was continued for some time and until Griffin has crossed the railroad and reached a point near half way across the belt of woods and where the forest became dense. There the movement was arrested. This movement might have been an attempt to stretch out Morrell’s line through the woods so as to connect with King’s on the right or a completion of the deployment for an attack upon the enemy front…… Presently Griffin was withdrawn to the south side of the railroad. The enemy’s artillery opened on his troops during this latter movement and was replied to by one of Morell’s batteries, but few shots being fired on either side.”
VOL XII PART 3
p. 587 Order of Battle: Aug 16-31, 1862- V Corps 1st Div: Morell; 2nd Brig: Griffin – 9MA; 32MA; 4MI; 14NY, 62PA
p. 605: Butterfield (Aquila, VA, Aug, 20, 1862 11:35AM) to Burnside: “Griffin’s brigade all here; Porter’s gone up to Falmouth; balance on the way up here in transports. Tyler’s heavy batteries in the stream waiting to land after Griffin passes.”
p. 621-22: Fred Locke (HQ V Corps, Falmouth VA, Aug. 22, 1862) to Morell: Troops near you which you have “to control, support, or be united with, are located as follows…. At Barnett’s Ford, an important crossing to be held, are Griffin’s brigade, 6NY and Brodhead’s Michigan Cavalry, and a section of artillery…..The major-general commanding directs you to place your command in a position to re-enforce Griffin if pressed, and at the same time, if found necessary, to be able to move to the support of Generals Reno and Reynolds.”
p. 639 Porter to Morell Aug. 23, 1862 rec’d 10:30am: “Move on at once to Kelly’s Ford and occupy and hold it. Relieve Griffin when Sykes gets up to him. If you are called upon to go to Rappahannock Station move up the support of the army there. Your artillery is on the road to you. Sykes will move up this morning and relieve Griffin.”
p. 640 “ Falmouth Aug. 23, 1862, rec’d Aug. 24 12:45pm. “Go to Kelly’s Ford and hold it. Griffin will join you after being relieved by Sykes.”
p. 651 Porter to Morell and Sykes, Falmouth Aug. 24, 1862: “Direct Griffin the ground or woods at Barnett’s so that a small force, with artillery, can hold it.”
p. 661 Porter (near Morrisville Aug. 25, 1862 11:45am) to Burnside: “Morell is near Morrisville, with Griffin at Barnett’s. Sykes 2 miles to the rear, with Warren at Barnett’s, to take Griffin’s place when he goes to Kelly’s.”
“ Deep Creek (rec’d Aug. 25, 1862): “I have decided to leave Griffin at Barnett’s for a day longer, the remainder of Morell to Kelly’s, and to-morrow, depending on information I get from a party I have sent to Rappahannock Station, to push Sykes there or halt him in supporting distance of Morell, ready to push on the Rappahannock Station.”
p. 674: Porter (from Advance, Six Miles from Bealeton) to Parke rec’d Aug. 26, 1862
Griffin is at Bealeton. Morell with two divisions at Barnett’s.
Porter (Bealeton Station Aug. 26, 1862 2:30PM) to McClellan and Burnside: Morell with two division at Kelly’s, Griffin at Barnett’s
p. 703: Locke (HQ V Corps) to Morell Aug. 27, 1862: Pass through Bealeton and Fayetteville and join commanding general in vicinity of Warrenton. “If Griffin cannot get all the way up to-day let him stop at Bealeton.”
p. 714 Col. Devin (Barnett’s Ford Aug. 27, 1862 10:45pm) to Burnside Aug. 27, 1862
“also stores turned over to me by General Griffin at this post.”
p. 733: GK Warren to Sykes Aug. 29, 1862 5:45pm: “ I received and order from Mr. Cutting to advance and support Morell. I faced about and did so. I soon met Griffin’s brigade withdrawing, by order of General Morell, who was not pushed out, but retiring. I faced about and marched about 200 yards or so. I met then an orderly from General Porter to General Morell, saying he must push on and press the enemy; that all was going well for us and he was returning. Griffin then faced about; and I am following him to support General Morell, as ordered.”
p. 734 Morell to Porter (undated) “I can move everything out of sight except Hazlett’s battery. Griffin is supporting it, and is on its right, principally in the pine bushes.”
p. 795: Sept. 1, 1862: present for duty: V Corps, 1Division , 2nd Brigade: 14NY 16/284; 4MI 14/274; 9MA 20/359; 62PA 22/413; 32MA 12/303: total: 84/1633 – 1,717
p. 820: Halleck to Pope Oct. 10, 1862: “Again, you complain that Porter and Griffin have not been tried on your charges against them. You know that a court was orderd for their trial and that it was suspended because all officers were required in the field. A new court has been ordered, and they are to be tried, and the grounds of your charged to be fully investigated.”
p. 821: Pope (Saint Paul) to Halleck Oct. 20, 1862: “Why are McClellan, Porter, and Griffin retained in high commands with such charges of treachery and baseness hanging over them? Do you not believe these charges are true? Are they not substantiated to your satisfaction by the papers attached to the report containing them?…. You assume that I confine my charges to Porter and Griffin. My report tells another story. The greatest criminal is McClellan, and my charge is direct and plain against him.”
p. 956 Griffin (Barnett’s Ford) Aug. 25, 1862 11:30am to Porter:
“Your note does not state for what length of time it is intended to hold this ford, which would decide the preparations necessary to hold the point. A thousand men and a battery of six pieces could hold the place against great odds, and a smaller party a shorter period. I would not think of leaving less than 500 infantry and a battery, with cavalry sufficient to patrol the roads in all directions, say 300 or 400. In any event, cavalry will be required. Is it intended for me or Colonel Warren to prepare the ground, or the officer left in command? Indeed, the preparations must depend on the party to be left and the time necessary to hold the ford. P.S. Please have in mind that the river is fordable for foot and horse most anywhere.”
p. 956-7: Griffin to Porter Aug. 26, 1862 am
“A wagon from Warrenton Junction yesterday. Left there at 10 o’clock. Reports General Reynolds at that place with his command. The sergeant knows nothing of Pope nor anything new. River fordable at this place. One thing certain, no Confederates on either side of the river yesterday. Rations out to-day.”
VOLUME LI Part 2
p. 761 SO No. 118; HQ V Corps , Deep Creek, VA Aug. 25, 1862 (Locke by order of Porter)
“Morell’s division will march at 5 a.m. to-morrow to vicinity of Kelly’s Ford and camp under cover from the enemy’s fire on opposite banks of Rappahannock. Griffin’s brigade and one battery will remain for the present at Barnett’s Ford.
p. 881 SO 124 HQ V Corps Arlington House VA Sept. 9, 1862
2DC vols , Col. Alexander, assigned to Griffin’s brigade
No comments:
Post a Comment