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The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Lost Orders of Antietam (9/13/1862)- Sep. 14th, 2003
http://bhere.com/plugugly/lost/story.html ^

Posted on 09/14/2003 12:00:49 AM PDT by SAMWolf



Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.


...................................................................................... ...........................................

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

Our Mission:

The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

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The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer.

If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions.

We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.

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THE LOST ORDER MYSTERY

On September 13, 1862, Robert E. Lee's Special Orders 191 was in Union hands. It detailed the detachments and orders of march of his Army of Northern Virginia which had disappeared behind the Blue Ridge Mountains during its invasion of the North. With this intelligence, the hesitant George McClellan was able to make an immediate and concentrated strike at Lee's scattered army that culminated in the the Battle of Antietam four days later. This battle ended Lee's first invasion of the North and, probably, sealed the fate of the Southern cause.


General Robert E. Lee


The circumstances how this order, possibly the most pivotal document in United States history, came into Union hands was, and still is, cloaked in mystery.

When and where did the Union obtain Special Orders 191?


Around noon on the 13th of September 1862 the XII Corps, 1st division of General Alpheus Williams bivouacked about a mile southeast of Frederick, Maryland. Williams' command had recently marched out of Washington in search of the invading rebel army which had passed through Frederick and then disappeared behind a cavalry screen and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The official story states that while the division was encamping on a former Confederate campground, a Private Barton Mitchell of the 27th Indiana, while chatting with a Sgt. John Bloss, was said to have found an envelope containing three cigars wrapped in a piece of paper.



Upon observing the paper, he noticed that it appeared to be an enemy order and took it his Captain Peter Kop, who in turn conveyed to the Regiment's Col. Silas Colgrove. Colgrove took the order to General Williams.

There it was determined to be a bona fide document by Capt. Samuel Pittman, Williams' adjutant, on the basis of his ability to verify the signature of the order's signer, Col. Robert Hall Chilton, AAG to Lee. Chilton, it turned out, had been stationed in the prewar Army at Detroit, home of both Pittman and Williams, and had known Pittman, and probably Williams. The circumstances of this relationship is cited variously as that of a friend, military colleague, and simply as knowing each other. The most interesting assertion is that Pittman has been a teller at a bank where Chilton had kept an account and therefore knew the signature.

The order ascertained, Williams hastily sent it to McClellan, with a cover letter, the only contemporary document referring to the discovery of the "Lost Dispatch", also called the "Lost Order". McClellan was to wire the President on the same day declaring, "I have all the plans of the rebels..."

When did the Confederates realize that the order was in the Union's possession?


Versions of the answer to this question range from as soon as the evening of the 13th to months later when stories of its discovery were published in the Northern press. Good arguments are made for both early and late realizations.

How could such an important order get lost?


As the order was addressed to General D.H. Hill, he became the goat since it was concluded that the order must have been carelessly used by one of his staff officers to wrap his cigars which then fell from his pocket and became lost. The order, issued on the 9th of September following a conference among Lee, Jackson and Longstreet, seemingly would have to have lain on the ground for 48 to 72 hours as Hill's forces, which formed the rear guard screen of Lee's movement behind the Blue Ridge, left the vicinity of Frederick on September 10th.


General George McClellan


In post-war statements, General D.H. Hill vehemently denied that the order reached anyone in his command with authority to sign for it, that is, him or his AAG Col. Ratchford. He pointed out that he had received the same orders in the handwriting of his immediate superior, Gen. Jackson, and even retained that order which now resides in the North Carolina Historical Museum. He also supplied an affidavit from his AAG, Col. Ratchford affirming that no other order came to them and then suggested that the order may have been passed on by treachery.

The writer of the order, Lee's AG. Col. Robert Hall Chilton, stated that he "kept no operational log or journal that would prove that his courier returned with the required evidence of delivery." In letter to Jefferson Davis in 1874, he blandly said that, "That omission to deliver in his [the courier's] case so important an order [would] have been recollected as entailing the duty to advise its loss, to guard against consequences, and to act as required... But I could not of course say positively that I had sent any particular courier to him [D.H. Hill] after such a lapse of time."

Suspicions: The Real Story of Special Orders 191?


In all the accounts that I have read about this extraordinary event, I have yet to read of any attempt to analyze this occurrence from the viewpoint that treachery was involved. In particular, I wondered why the signatory of the order, Chilton, has never been scrutinized in the manner. Perhaps, lack of hard evidence and the obscurity of time and the chaos that immediately followed the order's discovery made the task too daunting.

From what is known, the order was only seen by Pvt. Barton, Sgt. Bloss, Captain Kop, Col. Colgrove, Capt. Pittman, Gen. Williams, Gen. McClellan on the Union side and only by Col. Chilton on the Confederate side. If treachery was involved, then attention needs to be turned to Col. Chilton.



I found it a remarkable coincidence that of all the hands into which the order could fall, if it was lost, was into the hands of prewar acquaintances from Detroit capable of verifying his signature. I also found Chilton's memory loss, stated above, dissembling at the least. Certainly there must have been much speculation and inquiry among the Confederate officer corps when the fact of the order's discovery became verified in the Northern Press. Also curious is his lack of a log or journal of receipts, especially for an order of such gravity.

In those days where command structure relied on staff officers and couriers, the written or spoken words, of an AG necessarily carried with it the voice of the commander who could not be every at once. Had Chilton decided to be treacherous, he would have been in an ideal position to duplicate just such a order and then manage to obscure the fact that there had been no receipt for it.

The Confederates, who occupied Frederick and environs from the 4th to the 10th of September, mingled freely with the public in that generally pro Union region, most famously at the cavalry ball put on by Jeb Stuart at nearby Urbana on the night between the 8th and 9th. If Chilton was bent on passing this order to his Detroit acquaintances, who could vouch for his signature, one could speculate that he passed the order through a civilian in Frederick. That agent could have passed it directly to Williams or Pittman who then could have surreptitiously dropped in the camp thus providing cover for Chilton and directing the blame on D.H. Hill, who Chilton could have known would be receiving the same order through Jackson.

Chilton's Blemished Record: Beyond the Lost Order




If Chilton did pass the order to the Union, was it an act that could be negated by his service record? Was it an isolated incident or part of a larger pattern of Union collaboration?

To answer this question, I began by seeking out all references to Chilton, in William Southall Freeman's monumental study of the Southern command, Lee's Lieutenants. What I found was unflattering to say the least. In every major instance where he is mentioned his actions are counterproductive to the Southern cause. In no instance is he cited for a productive act or brilliant action. His role reads like a comedy of errors, grave errors, such that one wonders why Lee kept him around as long as he did and whether Special Order 191 was really "lost".

Thanks to FReeper Reo for the research and suggesting this thread



TOPICS: VetsCoR
KEYWORDS: 18620913; antietam; civilwar; freeperfoxhole; georgemcclellan; greatestpresident; robertelee; sharpsburg; thecivilwar; veterans; warbetweenstates
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To: SAMWolf
Good read this morning, thanks SAM.

Spurred on by your thread, I headed out to surf the net.

I see that also mentioned as a suspect is a Henry Kyd Douglas along with Chilton.

What caught my eye this morning though was one of the supposed "founders" of the lost dispatch. He went on after the war to become president of Oregon State University.

So kind of like Valin's "Cliff Clavin, little known facts" I thought I'd share this tidbit with you for some Oregon history

An original copy was lost and then later found by soldiers of the 27th Indiana. One of the soldiers was First Sergeant John M. Bloss Link to story

Exerpt;

With little dissent, history has anointed Corporal (not Private as some have written) Mitchell as the finder of the Lost Order, and Bloss as a bystander. Vance and Hostetter are not mentioned. But because Bloss, Mitchell and Vance each played a role in seeing, retrieving, and forwarding the Lost Order, each must be credited as a finder. Who first saw the package is forever arguable and of little consequence to either the outcome, Lee's defeat at Antietam, or one of the most intriguing mysteries of the war, who lost it. To slight any of them would levy an historic disservice, but if one is allowed to be the most important finder, it would have to be Bloss.....

......Bloss was the best educated, most credible, and most apt to recognize their fortuitous coup. Seeing the envelope, the initial action, was pure chance. Picking it up and examining it, the next step, was logical, but really the inquisitiveness of bored soldiers. Reporting it up the chain of command, however, was the product of intelligence and initiative. Bloss was the regiment's only college graduate (Hanover) and eventually its most successful survivor. He rose from sergeant to captain and commanded Company F in 1864. Wounded at Winchester, Antietam, Chancellorsville and Resaca, he completed his term and was mustered out in October 1864. A career educator, he was a teacher, principal, Evansville superintendent of schools, Indiana State superintendent, and president of Oregon State University.

Short bio of Bloss

21 posted on 09/14/2003 6:31:45 AM PDT by snippy_about_it (Pray for our troops)
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To: manna
Good morning manna.
22 posted on 09/14/2003 6:32:12 AM PDT by snippy_about_it (Pray for our troops)
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To: The Mayor
Good morning Mayor and thanks for the coffee and the Paine quote .

23 posted on 09/14/2003 6:33:28 AM PDT by snippy_about_it (Pray for our troops)
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To: stand watie
You read "Guns of the South"? Not so much an alternate history as it is science fiction but a fun read.
24 posted on 09/14/2003 7:07:56 AM PDT by SAMWolf (The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: E.G.C.
Good morning E.G.C. Turning into a nice day here.
25 posted on 09/14/2003 7:08:53 AM PDT by SAMWolf (The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: manna
Good Morning manna.
26 posted on 09/14/2003 7:09:32 AM PDT by SAMWolf (The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: The Mayor
Morning Mayor. Thansk for the coffee and the great quote today. It applies today as well as it did long ago.
27 posted on 09/14/2003 7:10:40 AM PDT by SAMWolf (The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: Valin
1965 "F-Troop" premiers

F Troop just was more proof that American television could make fun of anything.

28 posted on 09/14/2003 7:15:26 AM PDT by SAMWolf (The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: snippy_about_it
Great job at uncovering "the rest of the story". Mostly the stories on the Lost Orders concentrate on who "lost' them. Thanks for the who "found" them story.
29 posted on 09/14/2003 7:20:28 AM PDT by SAMWolf (The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: snippy_about_it
Navy Heritage



I would speak to you of legacy, of heritage, of lore...

Of Bosn's pipes, and Seaman's stripes, and far exotic shores

Of cannon's blaze, and battle's haze 'cross sunset's brilliant hues

Of Jones' creed, and Perry's deeds and jackets dyed of blue

Of Decatur's triumphs at Tripoli, of Farragut's daring raid,

Of Gridley's bidding his Commodore's will on the Galleons of Manila Bay

Of Peary beneath the Northern Lights to stake his country's claim

Of Byrd's enduring Antarctica...of memories of the Maine

Of days that live in infamy, of the daunting sixth of June

Of boys who too soon became men, of men who died too soon

Of Corpsmen on a mountaintop, of Tarawa's crimson sand,

Of Kamikazes vicious toll to save a conquered land

Of Nautilus' historic jaunt beneath a sea of ice,

Of Thresher and her lesser fate...her grand and awful price

Of Mekong Delta's deadly plains and they who bear the scars...

Of men who dared to dream of flight - and danced amongst the stars

Of those who reigned a righteous storm across a desert's face,

Of ships called Stark and Iowa...of courage tinged with grace,

Of Cole, who answered duty's call to disregard her fears,

Of Ensigns shred to staunch the flow of blood and sweat and tears...

I would speak to you of legacy, of heritage, of lore,

But speak to you of destiny - and greatness yet in store

HM3 Daniel L. Henry

I found this for Bentfeather's Dragon Flies Lair Thread but I liked it so much I thought I'd post it at the Foxhole too.
30 posted on 09/14/2003 7:36:15 AM PDT by SAMWolf (The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: SAMWolf
Sam I love it. Brought me to tears. I think I'll send this to our Tarawa friends.
31 posted on 09/14/2003 7:51:11 AM PDT by snippy_about_it (Pray for our troops)
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To: SAMWolf
EEEEk!
You'll need to top off soon if you want to remain in 'fighting trim'.
(Or be able to sleep tonight..)

It is truly odd that SO 191 ended up 'missing' so to speak.
I haven't dredged the rest of the thread yet, but it would be interesting to see if there indeed was a copy of the order made and if there was one received while a copy left the camp.
But I doubt that such an inquiry can be checked this far after the fact, and it sdeems to have escaped them at the time to look.
Wasn't it SOP to burn orders after receipt of them?
32 posted on 09/14/2003 12:16:32 PM PDT by Darksheare (One bad night of waking up somewhere new to me, and I'm forever labeled.)
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To: Darksheare
No sure what SOP was, but it appears that there was no "logging" of receipt of the order.
33 posted on 09/14/2003 12:26:50 PM PDT by SAMWolf (The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: SAMWolf
That is truly strange.
Seems SOP was not followed as it should have been.
Hmm...
34 posted on 09/14/2003 12:29:11 PM PDT by Darksheare (One bad night of waking up somewhere new to me, and I'm forever labeled.)
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To: SAMWolf; snippy_about_it; AntiJen; MistyCA; SpookBrat; PhilDragoo; All
Afternoon everyone! Good to see you all.

Blessed are they who give
without expecting even thanks in return,
for they shall be abundantly rewarded.

Blessed are they who translate
every good thing they know into action,
for ever higher truths shall be revealed unto them.

Blessed are they who do God's will
without asking to see results,
for great shall be their recompense.

Blessed are they who love and trust their fellow beings,
for they shall reach the good in people and
receive a loving response.

Blessed are they who have seen reality, for they know
that not the garment of clay but that which activates
the garment of clay is real and indestructible.

Blessed are they who see the change we call death
as a liberation from the limitation of this earth-life,
for they shall rejoice with their loved ones
who make the glorious transition.

Blessed are they who after dedicating their lives
and thereby receiving a blessing, have the courage and faith
to surmount the difficulties of the path ahead,
for they shall receive a second blessing.

Blessed are they who advance toward the spiritual path
without the selfish motive of seeking inner peace,
for they shall find it.

Blessed are they who instead of trying to
batter down the gates of the kingdom of heaven
approach them humbly and lovingly and purified,
for they shall pass right through.

- Mildred Norman

35 posted on 09/14/2003 2:25:10 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul (There aren't enough conservatives in CA to vote for Tom and still have him to win. That's a fact)
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To: Victoria Delsoul
Good afternoon Victoria. Thanks for the prayer.
36 posted on 09/14/2003 2:28:24 PM PDT by snippy_about_it (Pray for our troops)
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To: snippy_about_it
Hi Snippy. You're welcome.
37 posted on 09/14/2003 2:40:46 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul (There aren't enough conservatives in CA to vote for Tom and still have him to win. That's a fact)
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To: Victoria Delsoul
Good Afternoon Victoria. Thanks for posting the Sunday prayer for us.
38 posted on 09/14/2003 2:47:42 PM PDT by SAMWolf (The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: SAMWolf
Hi Sam. You're welcome.
39 posted on 09/14/2003 3:05:18 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul (There aren't enough conservatives in CA to vote for Tom and still have him to win. That's a fact)
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To: snippy_about_it; SAMWolf; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; LaDivaLoca; LindaSOG; MoJo2001; bentfeather; ...
Good Evening, Troops. Sarge is pulling another all-nighter at the Ops Center tonight, headed home around 0700 tomorrow.

Isabell has our attention, to say the least.

We've got heavy weather moving across Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan at this hour, in a three-state watch zone.

And I'm following the exploits of my fellow Guardsmen in a dozen places across the pond.

Save some of this for me!

40 posted on 09/14/2003 5:04:56 PM PDT by Old Sarge (Serving You... on Operation Noble Eagle!)
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