- More
Historic George G. Meade Handwritten and Signed Orders to General Horatio Wright during the Battle of Cold Harbor, one of th...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Description
General Meade Issues Orders to General Wright at Cold Harbor
Historic George G. Meade Handwritten and Signed Orders to General Horatio Wright during the Battle of Cold Harbor, one of the bloodiest of the war. Two pages, 5" x 8", signed twice ("Geo.G. Meade" and "G G M") on "Head-Quarters, Army of the Potomac" letterhead, 8:15, June 4, 1864. This important manuscript reads in full: "Maj Genl Wright- Your dispatch reporting you are in advance of the 18th Corps has been sent to Gen. Smith [William F. "Baldy" Smith] who is under the impression he is in advance of you. Smith and Hancock [Major General Winfield Scott Hancock] are both ordered to push forward - There is not the slightest idea that the 6th Corps is not doing what it always has done early and well. It is a question of judgement as to the timing of assaults which between the three corps may involve delay and failure- Geo. G. Meade Maj Gen [signed] Push on & when you think it time to stop report- GGM [signed]". This order was issued at Cold Harbor early on the morning after the June 3rd onslaught in which the ensconced Confederate Army under the personal command of General Lee decimated the federal forces. The most intense carnage of the entire war had resulted in an estimated 6,000-7,000 federal casualties alone in just a few minutes.This battle is known as one of the bloodiest and most lopsided battles in American history. C.S.A. General Robert E. Lee's experienced troops were entrenched in fortifications; thousands of Union solders, many raw recruits, were slaughtered in an ill-advised, poorly planned frontal assault. General Meade was ostensibly in charge but under the supervision of General Ulysses S. Grant who would later write about this battle: "I have always regretted that the last assault at Cold Harbor was ever made...At Cold Harbor no advantage whatever was gained to compensate for the heavy loss we sustained." Meade, who was lax in the supervision of his corps commanders and who failed to perform reconnaissance before the frontal attack would, inexplicably, write to his wife immediately after the attack and express pride that it was he who ordered the attack.
It was an impossible situation when Meade half-heartedly wrote these orders. As the three corps (Wright's 6th, Smith's 18th, and Hancock's 2nd) had advanced, Smith on the right and Hancock on the left both strayed outwardly leaving Wright's flanks exposed to the Confederate enfilade. By June 4th, it was futile to give orders to resume action. The damage had been done. The battle would last until June 12th with no more large-scale attacks but with many, many more deaths- a total of 10,000-13,000 Union soldiers gave their lives on this bloody Virginia battlefield. This engagement gave rise to anti-war sentiment in the North and Grant was called a "fumbling butcher" for his poor decision-making. But it did serve Grant's purpose. Cold Harbor was the final victory for Lee's army. He was trapped and would spend the balance of the war defending Richmond. The end of the Confederacy was in sight.
Battlefield orders from a battle as important and historic as this one are usually only found in museums. Don't let this opportunity pass you by to own a piece of history.
Auction Info
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $9) per lot.
Calculate Standard Domestic Shipping Sales Tax information
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Floor auctions
Open for bidding: (View All)Fine Art
Ends on 03/04/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/04/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Ends on 03/05/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/08/2021
Photography
Ends on 03/10/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/11/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 03/11/2021
Fine & Rare Wine
Ends on 03/12/2021
Western & Texas Art
Ends on 03/12/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Ends on 03/13/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/15/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 03/16/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/17/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/17/2021
Nature & Science
Ends on 03/19/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 03/21/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/22/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/24/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 03/25/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Ends on 03/25/2021
Movie Posters
Ends on 03/27/2021
Sports Collectibles
Opens about 03/04/2021
Luxury Real Estate
Opens about 01/22/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 03/08/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 03/12/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/07/2021
Currency
Opens about 03/08/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/17/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 03/19/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 03/18/2021
US Coins
Opens about 03/08/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 02/24/2021
Musical Instruments
Opens about 03/23/2021
Photography
Opens about 03/22/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/23/2021
Photography
Opens about 03/24/2021
Currency
Opens about 03/26/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 03/18/2021
Sports Collectibles
Opens about 04/01/2021
US Coins
Opens about 03/16/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 03/26/2021
Historical
Opens about 03/29/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/21/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/31/2021
US Coins
Opens about 04/02/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 04/01/2021
Currency
Opens about 04/02/2021
US Coins
Opens about 03/22/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/28/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 04/06/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 04/08/2021
Illustration Art
Opens about 04/09/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 04/09/2021
Entertainment
Opens about 04/12/2021
Luxury Accessories
Opens about 04/12/2021
Heritage membership
- Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
- Bid online
- Free Collector newsletter
- Want List with instant e-mail notifications
- Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
winnings
- Cash Advances
- More Bidders
- Trusted Experts
- Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
Learn about consigning with us
Thanks a million for getting approval to sell my Civil War Hospital Death Ledger! You made them AND ME , a nice profit. You are the best!View More Testimonials
HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)
Video tutorial
Getting the most out of search