Correspondence Lot - The Forlorn Hope of the 89th NY Infantry at Fredericksburg

Description: The Forlorn Hope of the 89th NY Infantry at Fredericksburg - Correspondence Lot. Early in the morning of December 11, 1862, an idea was hatched to send 4 pontoon boats of 100 volunteers from the 89th New York Infantry, under the command of Captain Franklin Burt, Co. "K" on a mission. That mission was to cross the Rappahannock River south of the City of Fredericksburg and dislodge the Mississippi riflemen, undercover in buildings along the shore, who were firing upon the Federal engineers engaged in building a pontoon bridge to cross that river. General Burnside offered these men gold medals for their bravery, but unfortunately, these medals never materialized. After the war, Captain Burt, with the help of other officers and men involved in the crossing, attempted for years to get those promised letters and to get the just recognition they were due. This collection of approximately 60 letters and documents, contains the initial letter from Burt to General Burnside, enquiring about the long awaited medals, and Burnsides reply that no medals had not been struck by the War Department. (it is doubtful that the War Department knew anything about them). Many letters, and documents sent from the company officers directly involved in the action, sent Burt upgraded copies of the names of the men who were part of that "forlorn hope." Burt began the enquire for medals in 1868, and many letters and documents begin at the period and go later. Ther are also some wartime documents concerns "remarks and battles of his men," an account of taking a Confederate fort, etc. The efforts to try to obtain the medals and the credit due these men for their river crossing at Fredericksburg, is of paramount importance to the history the 89th New York, and Civil War history as well. This is a list of the items in this important collection:2 bust portrait plates of Capt. BurtCapt. Burt's Jan. 28th, 1868, draft letter to Gen. A.E. BurnsideGen. Burnside's response of March 16, 1868, on Cincinnati and Martinsville RR Co. letterhead w/ coverWar Department, Adjt. Genl's Officer letter from E.D. Townsend, of March 3, 1869, to Capt. Burt, replying that no list of names of those who crossed the Rappahannock was available "owing to the pressure of business at this office the request cannot be complied with."Period document, "List of Officers and men of 89th N.Y.S. Vol Inf. who crossed th Rappahannock...men taken from several of the companies of the 89thWartime "Remarks and Battles - Officer and Enlisted men of Co. K. -5 pagesdocument - At the Battle of Antietam, Md. in regard to the death of a soldier from Co. K.8 letters from company officers, list of names, and correspondence relative to the wardocument, "List of men who crossed the Rappahannock So far known this 29th Nov. 18683 letters regarding the 100 written to Burt in 1869Muster-In Roll, Co. K, (Dickinsin Guards) 89th NY. Capt. Burt, Sept, of 1861, tears in folds, staining1869 article of witness (manuscript hold copy) for Henry C.Crooker, who was in every engagement the regt. participated in - Great letter, mentions the "Forlorn Hope" and the promised medals, and more (Transcribed)A lengthy personal history of Frank Burt, birth to a wartime history - Good stuff - Looks like it was done just after the war, in pencil (Transcribed)An article in pencil (circa 1885) about the 89th capturing a Rebel Fort in April of 18631885 letter by G.E. McKeene, confirming that the 89th took the rebel fort Letter from the NY State Historian, Albany, Feb. 26, 1897, to Burt, having rec'd communication with Capt. James Hazley, 89th NYV, with a list of names under his command in one of the boats (See photo of his great comments regarding the 100 men, and Burnside)Some more miscellaneous pieces 8 pieces of paper, Pension manual, etc. relating to the Burt Family, and information about the death of his brother Albert C. Burt, who also served in the 89th 19 pieces - letters by 89th men to Capt. Burt, some regarding names, but mostly reminiscing of their service together in the war - Most letters have covers, Dated from late 70s- 80s, and One rough Muster-In Row. The importance of this grouping lies in the fact that the men of the 89th got very little credit for their early and significant role in the beginning hours of the Battle of Fredericksburg. These men took it to heart, and worked for years to get Gen. Burnside to make good his promise of gold medals. Frank Burt was the man behind that effort, but to no avail. There is a great deal of history here, concerning Fredericksburg, but also the taking of the rebel fort in April of 1863. that may not be found anywhere else pertaining to this "Forlorn Hope."

Price: 1749 USD

Location: Ashburnham, Massachusetts

End Time: 2025-01-17T17:33:37.000Z

Shipping Cost: 18.5 USD