Official Records: VOL XXV PART 1
P. 1: Jan 26, 1863: Brig Gen Griffin “temporarily in command of V Corps.”
Feb 1, 1863: Maj Gen George Sykes temporarily in command of V Corps.
Feb 5, 1863: Grand divisions abolished, George G. Meade given V Corps.
p. 163: Order of Battle Chancellorsville Campaign V Corps. Meade. 1st Div: Griffin
p. 180 Chancellorsville May 1 – 3, 1863 casualties
Griffin’s 1st Div: Killed: 1/16; wounded 4/104; Captured/mission -/13: 138 aggregate
No. 168 Rep. of Maj Gen George G. Meade – US Army commanding V Corps.. Camp near Falmouth May 12, 1863 p. 505:April 29: 1st and 2nd Divs (Sykes and Griffin) crossed the Rappahannock as soon as the XII Corps had cleared the bridge, which was about 11am, and marched to Ely’s Ford, on the Rapidan.
p. 506: the two divisions forded the Rapidan “notwithstanding it was 3 feet deep, with a very rapid current. Both divisions were bivouacked on the right bank of the Rapidan by midnight.”
Aprli 30: Meade ordered Sykes forward to US Ford, holding Griffin to await developments. The Meade “pushed Griffin on to Chancellorsville, which place he occupied at about 11 a.m., and where I was rejoined by Sykes about 1 p.m.” Sent Devin with cavalry, who reported driving in enemy’s pickets at the Banks Ford Road. “I immediately directed General Griffin to advance a brigade to support the cavalry, and, if practicable, to drive in the infantry and uncover Banks’ Ford. About an hour afterward, Griffin reported to me that he was with his brigade in the presence of a superior force of the enemy, and that he would require support if he had to maintain his position. I then ascertained, to my surprise, that the cavalry, instead of going down the Banks’ Ford road, as they reported and me to be believe, had gone
p. 507 down the old Richmond turnpike… Upon referring to Maj Gen Slocum (who had arrived and assumed command) the question of withdrawing or supporting Griffin, it was determined to withdraw him, which was accordingly done, and both divisions were bivouacked in line of battle, the right resting on Chancellorsville and the left extending in a northeast direction toward the river.”
May 1: Sykes ordered to advance on old Richmond turnpike until after crossing Mott’s Run, when he was to move to the left, deploy, and open communication with Griffin on his left and Slocum on his right, and, when all were in position to advance simultaneously against the enemy, supposed to be in position from the Plank road to the river. Griffin was ordered to move down the River or Mott road until in the presence of the enemy, when he was to deploy, his left resting on the river and his right extending toward Sykes. Humphreys was ordered to follow Griffin, to be held in reserve to re-enforce Griffin or Sykes as the exigencies might require.” Sykes encountered enemy and was ordered to return to Chancellorsville. “In the meantime the column of Griffin and Humphreys proceeded on the River road, and had reached Decker’s house, within view of Banks’ Ford, without any opposition from the enemy, when the order of recall was received, and the column returned to Chancellorsville.” “General Griffin was halted on his return march, owing to the advance of the enemy on the withdrawal of Sykes. Griffin formed on the left of Hancock, who had come up to relieve Sykes.” “In this position the troops bivouacked for the night, but before daylight Griffin and Sykes were withdrawn and took up a positon on the Mineral Spring road, connecting on the left with Humphreys and on the right with French of Couch’s corps.
May 2: occupied in strengthening this positon by the construction of rifle-pits, abates, etc.
During night and early May 3, corps moved by order of commanding general “to occupy the road [p. 508] from Chandler’s house (white house) to Ely’s Ford, the left resting at Chandlers, and the right extending to connect with the First Corps. General Reynolds, Griffin’s division, occupied the left of this line and Sykes the right, Humphreys in reserve.”
May 3 with “enemy pressing vigorously in the direction of Chancellorsville”… Meade withdrew corps to shorter lines
May 4: remained quiet in our lines, strengthening them by rifle pits and abates. “About 3 pm Griffin sent out a brigade (McQuade’s) from his front to feel for the enemy, who, after advancing some half mile, driving the enemy’s pickets and skirmishers, came upon the main body in force, drawn up in line of battle. As the object of the reconnaissance was accomplished by obtaining this information, the brigade was withdrawn to our lines.
May 5: occupied in awaiting and expecting an attack. V designated as rear guard for army withdrawal across Rappahannock. Humphrey and Sykes put in motion, “followed by Griffin, who kept constantly a brigade deployed in line of battle, to cover the rear.
May 6: Troops were all crossed by 9am. Ayres withdrew the pickets. Barnes Brigade, Griffin’s division, “was left to take up the bridges and escort the pontoon train to camp. The whole command with the exception of this brigade, reached the old camp near Stoneman’s Switch by 6 p.m.”
To Sykes, Humphreys and Griffin, “ I have to return my thanks for their prompt and hearty support throughout the ten days’ campaign.”
p. 509 “Finally, the conduct of the brigades of Griffin, the one advanced on the 30th [4/30] and the other on the 4th [5/4], proved by their steadiness and coolness that this division only wanted a fair opportunity to show that the laurels acquired in so many previous fields were still fresh and undimmed.”
No. 171: REPORT OF BG James BARNES -1ST Brigade
No. 172: Report of Col. James McQuade, 14NY, commanding 2nd Brigade
p. 517: April 30: “The command was marched rapidly about 3 miles, when an order was received from General Griffin to return to Chancellorsville, where the brigade encamped in the contiguous woods.”
[518] About 4pm on May 4, an order was received from General Griffin for the brigade to advance from the earthworks, for the purpose of reconnoitering the enemy’s position…..The movement was executed under the personal supervision of General Griffin…. The conduct of all the officers and men was worthy of the brigade, which had once been commanded by General Griffin himself.”
No. 175; Rep. of Col Strong Vincent, 83PA May 7, 1863
4/29: Rapidan was swollen by recent rain. We forded. “By General Griffin’s order, I was sent to the front as a picket guard to hold the road to Chancellorsville.”
Official Records Vol. XXV Part 2
p. 21 Organization of the AOP MG Joseph Hooker, commanding Jan 31, 1863
V Corps Sykes; 1st DIv: Griffin; Brigades: Barnes, Sweitzer, Stockton, Artillery: Martin
p. 61 Fred T Locke, AAG HQ V Corps Circular: Feb, 8, 1863: in compliance with instructions from HQ AOP, Griffin “will make the necessary detail from his command and carry out the provisions of the instructions aforesaid. General Griffin will direct the commanding officer of the detail to report to General Woodbury, at headquarters Army of the Potomac, at 4pm today. By command of Major General Meade.” <<< [p. 59] wrt Butterfield HQ AOP to Meade Feb 7, 1863 ordering “detail 1,000 men.. for fatigue duty in the neighborhood of the United States Ford. They will go with arms, shelter-tents, and provisions for five days, three days’ haversacks and two days’ packed or otherwise carried to them during their stay.” Report to Gen Woodbury at this HQ Feb. 8
p. 269 Fred Locke HQ V Corps near Falmouth April 27, 1863, General Order 15: order of movement of division today: Sykes 10am; Griffin 11am, Humphreys 12m. 8 days rations
p. 334: Spec Order No. 102 Fred Locke HQ V Corps Chancellorsville May 1, 1863
Referring to sketch (not found in OR) directing divisions to positions
p. 360: Fred Locke AAG Chancellorsville VA May 2, 1863 10:30am; to Griffin
Couch’s picket officer reports enemy massing troops in front of Hancock and toward the left. Griffin directed by Meade “to be vigilant, and throw out pickets to keep a sharp lookout for any approach on the part of the enemy, and, whenever practicable for them to advance in any force, to throw out detachments, instructed to be careful not to allow themselves to be cut off, but at the same time to endeavor to ascertain if the enemy is in their front, and give timely warning of their approach.”
p. 442: Fred Locke AAG HQ V Corps, Camp near Falmouth Va May 7, 1863, Spec Order 104: Barnes to cover withdrawal of pontoons and batteries from Banks Ford (as well as US Ford) remaining until all is secure. Griffin will relieve Barnes’s command, covering the withdrawal of the pontoon train from Banks’ Ford, if, in his judgment, the exhaustion of General Barnes’ command requires it. As the pontoon train is en route for camp, it will be necessary to send only such force as is requisite for its protection.”
p. 597: S. Williams, AAG to Hooker , Warrenton VA July 28, 1863: “Griffin never made any report of the operations of his division. I will ask him about it at once. He only recently rejoined the army, after an absence of several weeks.”
VOLUME LI Part 2
p. 1014
SO No. _; HQ V Corps April 28, 1863
The order of march for to-morrow, 29th instant, will be as follows: First, Griffin’s division; second, Sykes’ division; third, Humphreys’ division. Brigadier-General Griffin will be prepared to move at 7 a.m. He will send a staff officer at daylight to communicate with Major-General Slocum, in order to ascertain the earliest moment at which the road to Kelly’s Ford will be open. Major-General Sykes will move at 7 a.m. and close up on Griffin’s division.”
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