George B. 1862 McClellan Civil War Field Order—Rush’s Lancers to Fortress Monroe, August 20, 1862
An original Civil War military order signed “G. B. McClellan, Maj. Genl.” at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, on August 20, 1862. Addressed to Major General Erasmus D. Keyes, commander of the IV Corps, McClellan directs:
“Send all you have of Rushes Cavalry by land to Ft Monroe.”
The order was written during the critical withdrawal of McClellan’s Army of the Potomac from the Virginia Peninsula. Following the unsuccessful advance on Richmond and the Seven Days Battles, McClellan’s army was being transferred through Fortress Monroe to reinforce Union forces threatened by Robert E. Lee’s movement into northern Virginia.
“Rush’s Cavalry” was the celebrated 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Richard H. Rush and popularly known as Rush’s Lancers. Distinguished by their unusual nine-foot lances, the regiment became one of the most recognizable cavalry organizations in the Army of the Potomac.
The reverse retains an early docket identifying McClellan, the date, and the contents as a “Tel. Dispatch” ordering Rush’s Cavalry to be sent by land to Fortress Monroe.
A highly desirable McClellan wartime document connecting three important elements of the Civil War’s Eastern Theater: the Army of the Potomac, the evacuation of the Peninsula, and the famed Rush’s Lancers.
The sheet exhibits original folds, expected age toning, minor marginal wear, scattered handling marks, and localized ink erosion in the docket area. The military order and McClellan’s signature remain clear and well preserved.
More info...
It is addressed to Major General Erasmus D. Keyes, commander of the Union Army’s IV Corps, and orders the movement of Rush’s Cavalry, better known as Rush’s Lancers—the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Transcription
Fortress Monroe 20th
Genl Keyes
Send all you have of
Rushes Cavalry by land
to Ft MonroeG. B. McClellan
Maj. Genl.
The reverse bears an early docket:
Fort Monroe
Aug 20/62
G. B. McClellan
Maj. Genl.Tel. Dispatch
order, Rushes Cav[alry]
to be sent by land
to Ft Monroe
Historical significance
The order was issued during the withdrawal of McClellan’s Army of the Potomac from the Virginia Peninsula. Following the failure of the Peninsula Campaign and the Seven Days Battles, the army was being transported from Harrison’s Landing through Fortress Monroe to reinforce Union forces confronting Robert E. Lee in northern Virginia.
McClellan ordered General Keyes to send the available men of Rush’s Cavalry overland to Fortress Monroe as part of this hurried redeployment.
“Rush’s Cavalry” was the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, organized by Colonel Richard H. Rush. The regiment became famous as Rush’s Lancers because its soldiers initially carried nine-foot-long Austrian-style lances. It served with the Army of the Potomac in many of the principal campaigns of the Eastern Theater.
The document is especially desirable because it combines:
- McClellan’s wartime signature and rank
- A dated operational order from Fortress Monroe
- Association with General Erasmus D. Keyes
- Direct mention of the celebrated Rush’s Lancers
- Clear Peninsula Campaign and Army of the Potomac context
The signature and text appear consistent with an authentic wartime McClellan order, although a definitive statement should depend upon examination in person or established provenance.
Condition
Overall good Civil War manuscript condition. The sheet retains strong, readable writing and a bold McClellan signature. It has intersecting mailing or filing folds, scattered toning and handling marks, minor marginal irregularities, and some ink erosion or paper disturbance where the old docket was crossed out. Later cataloging notations appear on the reverse. No major loss affects the principal order or signature.
An original Civil War military order signed “G. B. McClellan, Maj. Genl.” at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, on August 20, 1862. Addressed to Major General Erasmus D. Keyes, commander of the IV Corps, McClellan directs:
“Send all you have of Rushes Cavalry by land to Ft Monroe.”
The order was written during the critical withdrawal of McClellan’s Army of the Potomac from the Virginia Peninsula. Following the unsuccessful advance on Richmond and the Seven Days Battles, McClellan’s army was being transferred through Fortress Monroe to reinforce Union forces threatened by Robert E. Lee’s movement into northern Virginia.
“Rush’s Cavalry” was the celebrated 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Richard H. Rush and popularly known as Rush’s Lancers. Distinguished by their unusual nine-foot lances, the regiment became one of the most recognizable cavalry organizations in the Army of the Potomac.
The reverse retains an early docket identifying McClellan, the date, and the contents as a “Tel. Dispatch” ordering Rush’s Cavalry to be sent by land to Fortress Monroe.
A highly desirable McClellan wartime document connecting three important elements of the Civil War’s Eastern Theater: the Army of the Potomac, the evacuation of the Peninsula, and the famed Rush’s Lancers.
The sheet exhibits original folds, expected age toning, minor marginal wear, scattered handling marks, and localized ink erosion in the docket area. The military order and McClellan’s signature remain clear and well preserved.
More info...
It is addressed to Major General Erasmus D. Keyes, commander of the Union Army’s IV Corps, and orders the movement of Rush’s Cavalry, better known as Rush’s Lancers—the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Transcription
Fortress Monroe 20th
Genl Keyes
Send all you have of
Rushes Cavalry by land
to Ft MonroeG. B. McClellan
Maj. Genl.
The reverse bears an early docket:
Fort Monroe
Aug 20/62
G. B. McClellan
Maj. Genl.Tel. Dispatch
order, Rushes Cav[alry]
to be sent by land
to Ft Monroe
Historical significance
The order was issued during the withdrawal of McClellan’s Army of the Potomac from the Virginia Peninsula. Following the failure of the Peninsula Campaign and the Seven Days Battles, the army was being transported from Harrison’s Landing through Fortress Monroe to reinforce Union forces confronting Robert E. Lee in northern Virginia.
McClellan ordered General Keyes to send the available men of Rush’s Cavalry overland to Fortress Monroe as part of this hurried redeployment.
“Rush’s Cavalry” was the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, organized by Colonel Richard H. Rush. The regiment became famous as Rush’s Lancers because its soldiers initially carried nine-foot-long Austrian-style lances. It served with the Army of the Potomac in many of the principal campaigns of the Eastern Theater.
The document is especially desirable because it combines:
- McClellan’s wartime signature and rank
- A dated operational order from Fortress Monroe
- Association with General Erasmus D. Keyes
- Direct mention of the celebrated Rush’s Lancers
- Clear Peninsula Campaign and Army of the Potomac context
The signature and text appear consistent with an authentic wartime McClellan order, although a definitive statement should depend upon examination in person or established provenance.
Condition
Overall good Civil War manuscript condition. The sheet retains strong, readable writing and a bold McClellan signature. It has intersecting mailing or filing folds, scattered toning and handling marks, minor marginal irregularities, and some ink erosion or paper disturbance where the old docket was crossed out. Later cataloging notations appear on the reverse. No major loss affects the principal order or signature.
