“Captain Griffin was extremely popular with both officers and men. Although prone to correct and point out the errors of others – even of those superior in rank – he never wounded the dignity of those he criticized. His interest in the volunteers and his readiness not only to advise but to find excuses for blunders or breaches of discipline made him a welcome visitor in each of our camps and brought field and company officers to his own. Interested as he was in all that pertained to the welfare of the army, the artillery was his hobby and delight. Soldierly instinct and American versatility, however, asserted themselves, and in many trying places Captain Griffin proved himself to be (also as a general officer) one of the very best infantry commanders.
The Fifth Army Corps, by Willian H. Powell, (New York 1896) p. 19
Letter dated July 9, 1863, South Mountain, Near Boonsboro MD: “Sykes was obstinate when I told him the rebels were in front of McCandless’ brigade; and sure, enough, Hood’s whole division was there, and only luck saved us. Not one man out of a hundred can stand his ‘Stars.” Griffin is an exception: p. 104
Letter dated August 7th, Camp near Fauquier: “General Sykes went to Washington on Tuesday, leaving Griffin in command during his absence. General Humphreys telegraphed Griffin to mass his corps near Beverley Ford, and be prepared to move in either direction. Griffin, naturally enough , supposed we were to have a fight, and started off, and we marched all night. In the morning we were told that Humphreys only meant us to change camp. I think Butterfield would make a better chief of staff than that. The move, however, brought us back to our old camp, which is worth the trouble.” p.112
Letter: December 8,1861 (Minor’s house): “My Dear Mother – I am to go through a round of festivities next week. I am to be groomsman to Captain Griffin, United States Artillery. He is to marry Miss Sallie Carroll on Tuesday. Miss Bessie Fish and the French princes are to be on the ‘staff.’ On Monday, I am to make the acquaintance of the party. Tuesday night, the wedding; Thursday, a ball; and, I suppose, incidental entertainments. I was to ask the Fish’s to Minor’s on Wednesday.” p. 16
Letter: December 14, 1861, Minor’s House. p.18
p 19
Letter dated. Dec. 22, 1861, p.20 :”The Griffins had a very pretty party on the 19th, and there was dancing in the open air till nine o’clock, it was so warm. Last night Colonel Black (Sixty-second Pennsylvania) had a dance and supper, and to-day we dine at Colonel McQuade’s. All the colonels have their wives here, and have built log houses. While out drilling on TuesdayI heard a roar of laughter from the Fourth Michigan, and a man on horseback appeared asking for me, who proved to be Anthony Trollope. I invited him to come to Minor’s this week to stay, and he said he would. The camps are dressed quite gorgeously for Christmas, with bushes, wreaths, and little gar- [p. 21] dens. The Ninth Massachusetts are to open their $1,000 chapel tens on Christmas and have a blowout in the evening.”
Auchmuty serves on Griffin’s staff at Chancellorsville and writes description of battle.
Source: Letters of Richard Tylden Auchmuty, Fifth Corps Army of the Potomac (Privately Published). https://www.electricscotland.com/history/nation/lettersofauchmuty.pdf
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