2006-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2006
Archive of hundreds of documents and letters pertaining to Major Walter Thorn (1844-1920) of the 116th United States Colored Troops who received the Congressional Medal of Honor during the closing days of the Civil War. Second Lieutenant Walter Thorn was a commander of the 116th U.S. Colored Infantry during an engagement with Confederate forces at Dutch Gap Canal, Virginia, on January 1, 1865. After the fuse to the mined bulkhead had been lit, Second Lieutenant Thorn, learning that the picket guard had not been withdrawn, mounted the bulkhead and at great personal peril warned the guard of its danger. This enormous grouping includes dozens of documents and letters pertaining to his service in the United States Colored Infantry as well as to the Medal of Honor (and on Medal of Honor Legion stationary) as Walter Thorn was commander of the Medal of Honor Legion during the early 1900's. Several of these documents deal with a dispute between Walter Thorn and his unit and Confederates Veterans for whom he still held a grudge and an aborted march the two were supposed to have. A sampling of the document and letters included: Medal of Honor Certificate, 1p. quarto, issued to Walter Thorn, May 23, 1916, and states that as a member of the 116th U.S. Colored Infantry, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for "most distinguished gallantry in action at Dutch Gap Canal, Va., January 1, 1865..." Fine....plus; Partly-printed Document Signed by General Lorenzo Thomas, 1p. quarto, Louisville, Kentucky, July 7, 1864, and reads "You are hereby informed that the President of the United States has appointed you Second Lieutenant in the 116th Regiment United States Colored Infantry in the service of the United States...' Fine...plus; Provisional Commission, 1p. large folio, March 23, 1865, signed by Major General Ord and Major H.B. Scott, being a commission for Walter Thorn as 1st Lt. 116th U.S. Colored Troops. VG...plus; Retained Copy of Typed Letter by Thomas P. O Reilly, Major 116th United States Colored Troops, 3p. quarto, December 29, 1897, New York City, addressed to the Secretary of War, and reads in part: "...During the months of November and December, 1864, and January, 1865, I was directly in command of the U.S. Troops detailed for duty at Dutch Gap, Va., and among others, Lieutenant Walter Thorn of the 116th Regt., U.S.C.I., was also on duty there under my command. The place and time gave abundant opportunity for testing soldierly qualities and Lieutenant Thorn frequently distinguished himself, but more particularly at the time and in the manner hereinafter narrated. For a proper understanding of the situation it seems necessary to explain that because of the almost continuous (day and night) shell fire from the enemy, it was necessary to sleep in holes dug into the face of the river bank, and even these at times were made untenable by attacks from the enemies' pickets and sharpshooters. For the purpose of relieving us from this latter danger and annoyance I determined to make an effort to dislodge these pickets and drive them from the sort of peninsula, know to us as Farrow's Island, by a night attack. With this object in view Lieut. Thorn was placed in command of a skirmish line in advance of the main body which I personally commanded. The enemy was posted in a clump of woods to reach which it was necessary to cross a clearing fully exposed to their fire. As they crossed this opening and approached the wood our men, appreciating their disadvantage and peril in advancing over open ground on an ambushed enemy, gradually slackened their pace and hesitated until they were almost at a halt; realizing how disastrous a panic would prove at this time, and that something must be done to avoid it, Lieutenant Thorn jumped to the front, calling on his men to follow: - the effect was electrical - with rush and cry the woods were reached and after a short, sharp fight, the enemy's pickets were driven back under protection of the 'Howlett House' batteries where we always afterwards kept them. There is no doubt but that Lieut. Thorn's gallant example and prompt action at a critical moment on this occasion, had the effect of disconcerting the enemy's fire and thereby saving many lives. I made a report of this engagement at the time to Headquarters, Army of the James, and an account of it was published in the New York Herald. Another incident to which I desire to call special attention, was as follows: On the morning of the day on which the mined Bulkhead at Dutch Gap Canal was to be blown up (January 1st, 1865, I believe) the troops stationed there were moved to a place of safety a few hundred yards down the river where also Genl. B.F. Butler and his staff were gathered. After the fuse to the mined Bulkhead had been lit, General B.C. Ludlow (a member of General Butler's staff) rode hurriedly up to where Lieut. Thorn and myself were standing and excitedly inquired if our picket guard on the side of the river opposite the Bulkhead, had been withdrawn, and being answered in the negative expressed great fear that they would 'all be killed'; - hearing this Lieut. Thorn started on a run, and disregarding Genl. Ludlow's call that 'it was too late', mounted the Bulkehead and by call and gesture warned the guard of its danger and ordered it out of harm's way. The sequel proved that only a portion of the large quantity of powder (more than was used in the mine at Petersburg, we were told) was ignited, and the explosion was therefore a comparatively mild one, but that does not detract in the slightest from the credit due Lieut. Thorn's voluntary act and extremely hazardous risk in mounting the Bulkhead, with a full knowledge of the fact that the fuse had been lighted and the powder under him liable to explode at any moment and hurl him into eternity, in fact I regard it as deliberate an act of self-sacrifice and valor as could possibly have been performed in our own or any other army, and as entitling him to every possible honor and distinction, among which I regard the Medal of Honor for which I cordially recommend him...." Fine....plus; Special Orders No. 262 issued to Thorn at Dutch Gap, 1p. quarto, September 23, 1864, reads in part: "...The laborers and teamsters now in the employ of Col. Abbot who have refused to do further duty on the plea that they wish higher wages will at once, be sent under guard to report to the artillery officer in charge of the guns at Dutch gap to be by him employed in digging for the fortifications now being built there..." VG...plus; Autograph Letter Signed, "W.W. Woodward Col. Comdg Regmt" 1p. quarto, November 5, 1864, Head Quarters 116th U.S. C. Infantry, addressed to Brig. Genl. Ludlow at Dutch Gap, and reads in part: "... Brig Genl. Birney commanding 3rd Division 10th Army Corps requests me to inform you that owing to the return of this Regmt. of the Detachments of Comps. D,E, G & H, he thinks best to send one full company to Dutch Gap. And in compliance with those instructions I send you Comp C. with (90) ninety effective men and desire that you return to the Regmt. the Detachment now on duty under your orders so that the companies may be concentrated and thoroughly organized. I send in charge of the detachment Capt. Reilly & Lieut Thorn to relieve the (3) three officers now on duty there..." VG...plus; Autograph Letter Signed, "Thos. J. Strong, Lt. Col." 16th New York Heavy Artillery, (later Brvt. Brig. Genl.) 1p. octavo, Dutch Gap, December 10, 1864, addressed to Thorn, in part: "...all the officers except that on picket...to hold themselves in readiness to march at short notice with the troops...at 1/2 an hours notice with one days rations & 60 rounds of ammunition..." VG...plus; Autograph Document Signed, "Thos. P. Reilly" 1p. quarto, Head Quarters, U.S. Forces, Dutch Gap, Virginia, December 12, 1864, addressed to Walter Thorn, being General Order No. 1, it reads "Capt. J.J. Hatlinger 36th U.S.C.T., having been relieved from duty at this Post by order from Head Quarters Dept. of Va & NC Army of the James the undersigned by virtue of seniority hereby assume command of the Forces at this Station....2nd Lieut Walter Thorn 116th U.S.C Inf..." VG...plus; Manuscript Document Signed "Thos P. Reilly Capt. 116th U.S.C. Inf" 1p. quarto, Dutch Gap Canal, December 14, 1864, being a morning report for the 116th and 118th United States Colored Troops, stating 268 men are fit for duty. VG...plus; Manuscript Document Signed, "Horace P. Mitchell" Lt. 3rd Penn. Heavy Artillery, 1p. octavo, December 19, 1864, and reads "Permission is hereby granted Lieut Walter Thorn 116 USCT to express north one box containing Rebel shells from Dutch Gap..." VG...plus; Autograph Document Signed, "J.E. Spalding" 2nd Lt. 116th USCT, 1p. quarto, March 25, 1865, being Special Orders No. 33 in part "2d Lieut Walter Thorn 116th U.S.C.T. having received an appointment as 1st Lieutenant 116th USC Inf is hereby assigned to Co. 'K' and will enter upon the discharge of his duties at once..." VG...plus; Partly-printed Document Signed, 1p. oblong folio, March 25, 1865, being a Muster In Roll for Walter Thorn as 1st Lieutenant of the 116th USCT. Fine...plus; Manuscript Document Signed, "Albert Jones Lieut Col. 31st U.S.C.T. President Post Council" and approved by "Henry C. Ward Col. Commdg Post" 1p. quarto, Head Quarters 31st U.S.C.T., Roma, Texas, October 10, 1865, being orders for Thorn to "turn over Post Funds in his possession to the Commanding Officer 31st U.S.C.T. $108.20 TO the Commanding Officer 116th U.SC.I $141.80...." Fine....plus; Official Copy of War Department letter sent to Major General Phil Sheridan, 2-1/2p. quarto, October 14, 1865, and reads in most part: "...I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt thro you of a letter of James E. Slaughter, late Brig Genl., C.S.A. dated Matamoras, August 20, 1865, and addressed to Maj. Genl. Steele Comdg. at Brownsville, Texas. Your endorsement thereon, that, unless otherwise ordered, Genl. Slaughter as well as all other Officers and men lately of the so-called C.S.A. who violated the terms of surrender between Genl. Canby and the Commanding Officer of the so-called Confederate forces in the Trans-Mississippi Department, by leaving the United States and entering Mexico with/or without, their arms, then the property of the United States Govt will be arrested and tried by a Military Commission as soon as they enter the Military Division, has been submitted to the Secretary of War and is approved by him..." Fine...plus; Autograph Letter Signed, 1p. quarto, Head Quarters USC Forces, Roma, Texas, October 26, 1865, addressed to Thorn, and reads "I am directed by the Major Commdg to instruct you to punish the two Mexicans who sold whiskey to soldiers as follows. First - Shave their heads and with a board upon their backs with words I sold whiskey to soldiers written both in English and Spanish in large letters marched through the principal streets. Then tie them up by the thumbs for 6 hours each day for three days...at the expiration of the time you will expel them from the United States with instructions to not return..." Good...plus; Autograph Letter Signed, "John P. Conklyn Capt. & Prov. Mar. General Wes. Dis. Texas" 2p. quarto, on Headquarters Western District of Texas lettersheet, November 2, 1865, addressed to Thorn as Provost Marshall in Roma, and reads in part: "...In regard to the suppression of Gambling I have received an order from Lieut General Grant...it positively forbids Gambling in this District, and orders the seizure of all monies and apparatus used in playing games of chance, and moreover that all apparatus thus seized shall be destroyed and the money versed into the Provost Fund....As to the seizure of Cotton you will be very careful to gather up all testimony possible in regard to the ownership of same, before you proceed to confiscation for in case of the claimants afterwards proving lawful ownership of same, it will merely be an expense to the Government and subject yourself and these Head Quarters to censure from the War Department..." VG....plus; Autograph Document Signed, "Walter Thorn 1st Lieut" 1p. folio, Head Quarters U.S.C. Forces, Edinburg, Texas, November 23, 1865, pertaining to the calls of the post...plus; Manuscript Letter Signed by Thorn on behalf of Major Thomas Reilly, 1p. folio, Head Quarters U.S. Forces Edinburg, Texas, December 25, 1865, addressed to General Cortmas, Com'dg Liberal Forces, Reynosa, Mexico, declining an invitation to a ball and "Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and many of them..." VG...plus; Autograph Letter Signed "Thos. P. Reilly" 1-1/4p. quarto, Camp 116th U.S.C. Infantry, Whites Rauche, Texas, August 15, 1866, addressed to Secretary of War Stanton, and reads in part: "...I take pleasure in recommending to you favorable consideration 1st Lt. Walter Thorn 116th U.S.C. Infy. I am thoroughly acquainted with his military history since he joined this Regt in August 1864 and know him to be a most efficient meritorious and gallant young officer of sober and steady habits....He took a very active part in the operations on the famous Dutch gap Canal serving there for a period of two months under a continuous heavy shell fire. In Mr. Wm H. Herians Dispatch to the New York Herald from Hd Qrs Dept of Va & NC Jany 2nd 1865 he is mentioned for gallantry in connection with the successful attack on the enemies position on Farrows Island James River Va. Lieut. T., displayed conspicuous gallantry during the attack on the enemies works before Petersburg Va, April 2, 1865 and throughout the whole of the subsequent campaign terminating with the capture of the Rebel Army of N. Virginia under General R.E. Lee at Appomattox C.H. Va. April 9, 1865...." Fine...plus; Muster Out Roll for Thorn as 2nd Lt. of the 116th U.S. Colored Troops, effective March 24, 1865. VG....plus; Autograph Letter Signed, "W.W. Woodward" 1p. quarto, September 7, 1867, addressed to Thorn, in part: "...as to your conduct during your long connection with my command. I have always regarded...your great efficiency in Tactics and gallantry often shown on the Field of battle is eminently fitting you fro a commission in the Regular Army..." Good...plus; Manuscript Letter Signed, "E.O.C. Ord Brig & Bvt. Major Genl." 1p. quarto, on Headquarters Department of California stationary, San Francisco, November 5, 1869 and reads "It affords me pleasure to testify to Walter Thorns services while in the "Army of the James' under my command,. He was specially commanded for gallantry, and I hope he will long live to enjoy the [?] and peace he helped to win..." VG....plus; Pencil sketch of the Medal of Honor, 1p. octavo, possibly by Thorn. About VG....plus; Medal of Honor Legion annuals...plus; Letter from the Smithsonian Institute thanking Thorn for donating 300 photographs of Medal of Honor winners...plus; Gettysburg 50 year reunion ticket...plus; Retained copies of correspondence with Daniel Sickles...plus; Newspaper clippings and letters of Congratulations and support for Thorn after he refused to march with Confederate soldiers during a reunion...plus; Much More. A most extensive and historical archive related to this Colored Troops officer who was awarded the Medal of Honor because of the love for his Negro soldiers whom he risked his life to save theirs.
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