Archive Pertaining to Brigadier General Joseph J. Bartlett's Aide-de-Camp. Adjutant M. Edgar Richards of Pottsville, Pennsyl...

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Archive Pertaining to Brigadier General Joseph J. Bartlett's Aide-de-Camp. Adjutant M. Edgar Richards of Pottsville, Pennsylvania initially served in 1861 as a 90-day private in the 25th Pennsylvania Volunteers. In September 1861 Richards mustered into Colonel Henry Cake's 96th Pennsylvania Infantry as an Adjutant and would be affiliated with that hard fighting regiment until mustering out on October 21, 1864. His greatest wartime role, however, would be as Aide-de-Camp to General Bartlett who commanded the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Division of the Army of the Potomac's 5th Corps. This extensive grouping includes the following items:
(1) 12 Autograph Letters Signed, approximately 30 pages, 7.5" x 9" or smaller, variously in pen and pencil, mostly Virginia locations, 1862 - 1864, to various family members in Pottsville. Eight letters retain their postal covers. A sampling of Richards' excellent prose is in the following excerpt from an April 30, 1863 letter: "Our division crossed the river in boats yesterday morning, just below Fredericksburg, at the same place we crossed in last December. We lost only 2 killed and 5 or 6 wounded - we drove the rebs from their rifle pits. They only stopped to fire one volley - they gave us one volley - we gave one back and then 'pitched into them with the bayonet'...". The content of these letters is splendid as regards both troop movements and Richards' personal duties attending to the needs of his superiors. Overall fine condition.
(2) Black mourning rosette with ribbon and American flag, 4" diameter, likely used as an armband, but for whom? This badge could be in honor of President Lincoln or may date from Richards' own funeral in 1876. Fine condition.
(3) Two Federal infantry 2nd Lieutenant's shoulder straps, no maker's mark, light blue cloth bordered by gold bullion. Some wear and fading. Good condition.
(4) Leather wallet, 3" x 5.5" closed, containing ephemera from Richards' postwar life as a Pottsville attorney. Included are several calling cards and an invitation to Richards' funeral. Fine condition.
(5) Seven war date manuscript receipts and what appears to be a manuscript camp plan. All half-sheet or smaller. Toned paper, smoothed folds. Fine condition.
(6) Six pieces of official correspondence and General Orders imprints. Fine condition.
(7) Two CDVs depicting Colonel Henry Lutz Cake of the 96th Pennsylvania. One has a blank back with penciled identification; the other carries a Brady backmark. Good and very good condition respectively.
(8) Red, white and blue fabric lapel ribbon, 5" x 5". An accompanying note explains the item as "Breastknot worn during the war of 1861 by John Richards". Fine condition.
(9) Confederate calling card upon which are two crossed First National flags over a serpent and the words, "Don't Tread on Me / We Know Our Rights". Richard used the back of this Southern imprint for notes. Soiled, good condition.
Several U. S. Sanitary Commission imprints and a manuscript song, "Marching Along".