Benjamin, Judah Philip (1811-1884) to Louis Janin
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01697 Author/Creator: Benjamin, Judah Philip (1811-1884) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 November 1862 Pagination: 2 p. ; 26 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Informs his friend Janin, who is in Paris, of the death of his son Eugene Janin at the battle of Antietam. "He fell in the battle of Sharpsburg...doing his duty to his country in the front ranks...He was wounded so severely...it was found impossible to convey him and he was left...with not a hope of recovery." Eugene is buried "with numbers of the other victims to the Carnage now which the insensate ferocity of the accursed and demoniac Yankees now wage against us." Written on "Confederate States of America, Department of State," stationary. Military records indicate that Janin was actually killed on 31 August 1862 at the battle of Second Bull Run, not Antietam.
Judah P. Benjamin was the Confederate Secretary of State. Previously served as United States Senator from Louisiana.
Louis Janin was a lawyer from Louisiana.
Eugene Janin was a lieutenant from Louisiana in the Confederate Army.
Confederate States of America,
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Richmond [struck: Montgomery] 3d November 1862
My dear Janin,
I scarcely know in what language to convey to you the sad intelligence which you ask of me in your letter of 3d August. I was not aware that you were in Europe and consequently ignorant of the fearful loss of your son. Poor Eugene! He fell in the battle of Sharpsburg, (or Antietam) doing his duty to his country in the front ranks of the army. He was wounded so severely that when General Lee withdrew the army from Maryland into Virginia, it was found impossible to convey him and he was left to the charge of the enemy's surgeons, but with not a hope of recovery. He lived but a day or two and is buried on the Soil of Maryland with numbers of the other victims to the savage war which the insensate ferocity of the accursed and demoniac Yankees now wages against us.
I got these details from one of his comrades whose name I do not know, but who told me in answer to my pressing inquiries what I have communicated. I have no doubt [2] of their being substantially correct. Of his fall and death there is no doubt, and I can only join my regrets to the bitter grief of yourself and his poor mother.
Ever truly yours
J. P. Benjamin
Louis Janin Esq
Care Eugene Rochereau
11 Rue Louis Le Grand
a Paris
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