2009-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/31/2009
DUFFIE, Alfred Napoleon Alexander (1835-1880) a French military career man who served in Algiers, Senegal, the Crimea, and fought against the Austrians. In 1859, he was wounded in battle and took a leave of absence to come to America where he married. When war broke out, Duffie resigned his French commission and offered his services to the US Army. He served with the 2nd New York Cavalry and the 1st Rhode Island Calvary. He was made brigadier general for his leadership at Cedar Mountain, 2nd Bull Run, and Kelly's Ford. But soon he came into conflict with his superiors, Benjamin Kelley and Sheridan. He was relieved of his command on October 20, 1864, but in a few days later he was captured by the Confederates and wasn't exchanged until April 1865. After the war he served as U.S. Consul in Cadiz, Spain and died there of tuberculosis in 1880. This grouping consists of eight (8) war-date documents, one 1869 GAR brigadier general's furlough, his 1870 US consul passport, three (3) circa 1870 letters from his wife on U. S. Consulate stationery, three (3) U. S. Consul documents/letters, an 1835 French military appointment for one of Duffie's family members, an 1861 letter by his sister and a packet of nearly twenty (20) documents and letters regarding Duffie's death. WAR DATE DOCUMENTS (8) include: [Camp Palmer, February 7, 1862], 3pg manuscript document to Duffie regarding supplies...PLUS; [Head Quarters, Army of the Potomac, February 12, 1862] manuscript to Duffie assigning him and Colonels Averill and David Mc. Gregg to a panel for the purpose of reviewing Captain Thomas Thornett...PLUS; [Head Quarters, War Department, June 26,1863] partly-printed honorably discharge for Duffie "having been appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers"...PLUS; [War Department, July 1st, 1863] partly-printed announces Duffies arrival in Washington to await further orders...PLUS; [Head-Quarters of the Army, August 14, 1863] partly-printed, Orders Duffie to report to Brig. Gen. B.F. Kelly...PLUS; [Head-Quarters, Department of West Virginia, Clarksburg, Sept. 7, 1863] partly-printed, Orders Duffie to report to Brig. Gen. Scammon for assignment to duty…PLUS; [Philadelphia Inquirer (newspaper), November 2, 1864] incorrectly reporting "The Reported Murder of Gen Duffie," and "The Capture of General Duffie - Has Mosby Hung Him"…PLUS; [War Department, February 25, 1865] partly-printed, "Brigadier General A.N. Duffie, U.S. Volunteers, now a paroled prisoner of War, has permission to proceed to Cincinnati Ohio and there await his exchange…PLUS; [Special Order, War Department, April 1, 1865] printed orders Duffie to report to Maj. Gen. Pope...PLUS; [Special Order, Department of Arkansas, April 29, 1865] printed orders Duffie to report to Gen. Blunt. POSTWAR DOCUMENTS/LETTERS: (28) include: Grand Army of the Republic membership document for Shaw Post, April 26, 1869, partially printed, 8" x 10," fine...PLUS; United States of America passport, Department of State, April 21, 1869, Know Ye the bearer hereof "Alfred N. Duffie Esquire Consul of the United States at Cadiz, Spain is now proceeding hither, accompanied by his family," These are therefore to request all whom it may concern to permit him to pass freely without molestation and be extended to him all such friendly aid and protection as would be extended to Consuls of Foreign Governments...". Signed, seal, ornate document, 14-1/2,' x 21," fine…PLUS; three (3) letters written by Duffie's wife mentioning life in Spain, the general taking his son to review a naval fleet, and of the general being presented with an ornate silver bowl for service…PLUS; numerous documents and letters with some on "Consulate of the United States of America at Cadiz, Spain" letterhead concerning Duffie consul service and subsequent death and more. Overall very good. (28 pieces).
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