Item No. 6159357

Very rare war-date orders, including a hand-drawn map of the region south of New Bern, North Carolina, by Frederick Wilhelm von Egloffstein, colonel of the 103rd New York Volunteers, known as the Seward Infantry. Egloffstein was a German-born soldier, cartographer, artist, and explorer. He was topographer on John C. Fremont’s 1853-54 expedition in Utah, and he explored the Grand Canyon in 1857-58, producing exquisite maps made with his own engraving technique. Returning to New York City in 1861, Eggloffstein was elected colonel of the 103rd New York Volunteers. The regiment left the state March 5, 1862, and by March 21 was assigned to General Ambrose E. Burnside’s expedition at New Bern, North Carolina. Having been in the field for only a few weeks, Egloffstein was badly wounded at Houghton’s Mills on April 27, ending his military career. He continued working as a mapmaker and engraver before returning to Germany in 1878, where he passed away in 1885.

These orders are dated April 6, 1862—three weeks before he was wounded. Egloffstein instructs Captain Henry H. Sand [later mortally wounded at Antietam] that he is “appointed commandant of the military post at Evans’ Mill,” a large plantation complex owned by Captain Peter Evans, then in the rebel service. Sand’s orders were to hold Evans’ Mill “at all hazard and to prevent the destruction of both the lumber and flour mill by the enemy.” Egloffstein then lists the locations of several detachments:

Captain Schuckhart has advanced on the Trenton road. Lieutenant Seldeneck marched on the Beaufort road. Lieutenant Schroeders is stationed at the fork of the two above mentioned roads. Lieutenant Sennecke holds the two mills, assisted by Lieutenant Brandt. Lieutenant Stahl occupies the mansion of Captain Evans. Lieutenant Blake will act as my aide and is instructed by me to this end.

The hand-drawn map by Egloffstein shows New Bern and the region south of the Neuse River, including the roads to Beaufort and Trenton, as well as Evans’ Mill and its outposts.

Sand was further ordered to strengthen the indicated positions, to “send out scouting parties” to find quantities of stored corn in the vicinity, to scout 30 miles toward Beaufort and Trenton, and to seize horses “to pursue the cavalry scouts of the rebels effectually.”

As a final instruction, Egloffstein directs Sand to “Try and make prisoner dead or alive of a certain Captain Malette and Captain Evans.”

The orders were written on three pages of a bifold letter sheet measuring 8” x 10”. It features a New York “Excelsior” decoration at upper-left, with the regiment’s letterhead at the upper-right. Light toning. Creased at the original folds. The full transcript follows.

Camp Burnside, New Bern N.C., April 6th 1862

Captain Henry H. Sand
Seward Infantry, 103d Regt N.Y. Vols

Sir,
You are hereby appointed commandant of the military post at Evans Mill. Your orders are to hold that position at all hazard and to prevent the destruction of both the lumber and flour mill by the enemy.

Should you need reinforcement, report at once to this camp by means of mounted orderlies at your disposal.

Captain Schuckhart has advanced on the Trenton road. Lieutenant Seldeneck marched on the Beaufort road. Lieutenant Schroeders is stationed at the fork of the two above mentioned roads. Lieutenant Sennecke holds the two mills, assisted by Lieutenant Brandt. Lieutenant Stahl occupies the mansion of Captain Evans. Lieutenant Blake will act as my aide and is instructed by me to this end.

You will strengthen with your command the above mentioned positions north of the fork of the road. Send out scouting parties in your immediate neighborhood and ascertain the amount of corn stored away in farm houses.

Send a small detachment not exceeding twenty-five men to examine the country between the Beaufort road & the Trenton road.

Should anything of importance be brought for your notice, report to the commander of this camp.

The object of this expedition being to ascertain the position and number of the enemy within a circle of thirty miles in the direction of Beaufort and Trenton, I call your attention to the necessity to procure as many horses in the country of the enemy as you can capture to pursue the cavalry scouts of the rebels effectually.

Try and make prisoner dead or alive of a certain Captain Malette and Captain Evans.

I will follow your command as soon as practicable.

Having provided you with rations & ammunition in obedience to orders from Head Quarters, I detail Lieutenant Gunicker and Lieutenant Haas to assist you.
I have the honor, Sir, to be
Most respectfully
Your obed’t servt
Baron Egloffstein
Colonel, Seward Infantry
103d Regt N.Y.S. Vols