Haviland Gifford served as a Lieutenant in charge of guarding Union General George Gordon Meade and his staff. Provides information he learned about strategy from being in close proximity to high command. Highlights include letter #1, written on 20 June 1863, about opposing strategies of different generals; #3, of 28 July 1863, an eight-page letter concerning the draft and movements of the Army, with mentions of Generals Lee, Grant and Banks; and #4, written 10 September 1863 and containing a long analysis of how to take Richmond. In that letter he also discusses Fort Wagner's hold-out, as well as General Burnside's problems in Tennessee. Also of interest is a letter dated 13 September 1863 about Culpeper; letter #7 of circa October 1863 recounting a conversation with Senator John Minor Botts of Culpeper (who entertained officers of both armies); #8 written 24 October 1863 discussing strategy and with rumors (Grant's army to meet Meade's at Richmond), including his opinion that Meade is "afraid of his own shadow;" and #11 of 14 November 1863, describing the Battle of Kelly's Ford and crossing the Rappahannock.
- GLC#
- GLC04560
- Type
- Header Record
- Date
- June-November 1863
- Author/Creator
- Gifford, Haviland, fl. 1863
- Title
- [Collection of Haviland Gifford, field and staff, 93rd regiment, New York, infantry] [Decimalized .01- .12]
- Place Written
- Various Places
- Pagination
- 12 letters + 11 envelopes
- Primary time period
- Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877
- Sub-Era
- The American Civil War
Showing 12 of 12 records