Sold – The Antietam Campaign and Early Service

The Antietam Campaign Official Reports: These were prepared in duplicate (or sometimes more) by commanders, the text invariably being in the hand of an aide. The originals, signed by the colonels or generals, were filed with the adjutant’s office and appear in the Official Records; the retained copies were often both prepared and signed by the aides. Ewing filed some, plus he received copies of some from fellow officers when he was mentioned. These copies he kept even after the war ended. On September 14, 1862, just after the Battle of South Mountain, Ewing reported from the field on the experience and performance of his command, relating the numerous charges made into the face of the enemy and the successful result. On the 20th, Ewing’s colleague Col. E.P. Scammon filed a report on the same battle, mentioning Ewing, and provided Ewing with a copy; Ewing docketed it on the verso. On the 22nd, Scammon filed a report on Antietam that enclosed a copy of Ewing’s report. Scammon praised Ewing’s courage and detailed how his men had resisted a numerically superior enemy. On the 28th, Gen. J.D. Cox issued Special Order No. 8 listing the men from his command who were “honorably mentioned in the official reports of the engagement of the 17th instant…” Ewing was listed and praised for “energy and skillful bravery.” He received a copy and docketed it as referring to Antietam.

Ewing’s Personal Holograph Note Book: A 4 by 12 inch note book, comprising pages marked 9-20, all in Ewing’s hand and in his purple ink, which though undated was kept during his time in West Virginia early in the war. In it, he lists those to whom he issued passes through his lines, or otherwise dealt with, giving their names, address information, and occasionally making some germane notations. Once when “6 small sick children” came in, he ordered the asst. surgeon “out with medicine and food.” After seeing some refugees, he wrote “Fear God and keep the commandments, for this is all man.” He also made note of those to whom he issued oaths of allegiance to the United States, prisoners (one was released because there were no grounds for his arrest), and spies (the evidence against Sam Foster was not good enough for him to act, so he sent Foster on to Charleston). He ordered protection for the family of a man who denounced the rebels, and when an elderly farmer comes to him with a tale that some Union soldiers stole property from him, Ewing busted those officers back to the ranks. When he sent a prisoner to Charleston, and the prisoner proclaimed his innocence and said he would see Ewing on Judgment Day, Ewing replied he would be glad to see him there. When a gangleader struck a boy’s head with a stone for voting, Ewing noted that if caught he would be shot. And Ewing mentioned meeting Charles L. Clay, cousin of Henry Clay.

Telegrams From General Rosecrans: There are two telegrams from Gen. William S. Rosecrans, one on U.S. Military Telegraph letterhead and one on commercial telegraph paper, from February 5 and February 6, 1862, respectively. Rosecrans asked for Ewing’s help in procuring rifles from Gen. McClellan, as he wanted to send the regiment “immediately towards Dixie.” In the later telegram, he stressed that he wanted Sharps carbines but would settle for Enfields if necessary. (pictured above)

Roster of Physicians Serving With the Army: There is a large format three page “Roster of Medical Officers of the 4th Division, 15th Army Corps, January 1864.” For each of the 36 persons listed, there is a statement of rank (whether surgeon or asst. surgeon), regiment, date of commission, date of muster, age, residence, and remarks. We learn that the physicians were all from the midwest and serving midwestern units, and that they were aged 28-51, with a plurality in their 30s. The remarks are interesting, stating such facts as “Left with the wounded at Chattanooga,” “Sent north on hospital boat,”?“Detailed for duty in hospital Iuka…by order of Genl. Sherman.” General Grant also was active in requesting the presence of these physicians, who were detached as needed elsewhere after battles and during outbreaks of illness. This is the first such document we have seen, and was prepared for the Surgeon-in-Chief.