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General Briggs Letter

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BRIGGS, Henry Shaw (1824-1887) Union brigadier general who as colonel of the 10th Massachusetts Infantry was wounded in both legs at Fair Oaks, in May 1862. Autograph Letter by Henry Briggs, 9. quarto, Camp Chan, Virginia, September 14, 1862, addressed to his wife, and reads in part: "...Howland who came over this mornign says he heard heavy firing...soon after day break...I thought this morning that i was pretty nearly settled, with plenty of tents and three first rate regiments on the prospect of another soon to be added to complete my Brigade. I have been for a couple of days though in the same predictmanet that I was while commanding a brigade at Warwick - a conflict of authority between superior officers, Gen Casey claims command a one of the Provisional Brigades; while Gen. Whipple commanding the Defences South west of the Potoamc announced that he has command of all the troops in theis position. So I have made morning reports and obeyance orders of both, acting upon the military rule that the last order from a superior is law, altho it may be in direct conflict with one lately received from another superior....over came an order from Gen. Casey directing two regts. (the 39th Mass and 10th Ver.) to march across the aquaduct bridge to quell the river from Seneca Creek to Contraels Ferry. As this was in direct conflict with the orders of Gen. Whipple I at once proceeded to notify the regiments and then to report Gen. Casey’s orders to Gen. Whipple...I am sorry to lose them though...I don’t know what is meant by ‘provisional brigade’ is one from which regts are to be taken for any body who wants them..." More. VG.

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