War Date Document Signed

Report of the shooting death of a negro servant while General Couch's troops were guarding the property of a Virginian!

(1822-97) Born on a farm in Putnam County, New York, he graduated in the West Point class of 1846, along with George B. McClellan, Stonewall Jackson, and 46 other graduates who fought in the Civil War including 19 who became full generals for either the Union or Confederate armies. Couch fought in the Mexican War and was brevetted to 1st lieutenant for gallantry at the Battle of Buena Vista. He next participated in the Seminole Indian Wars of 1849-50. On June 15, 1861, shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War, Couch was appointed Colonel of the 7th Massachusetts Infantry, and he was promoted to brigadier general on August 9, 1861. He compiled a distinguished record in the 1862 Virginia Peninsular campaign as a division commander in the 4th Corps, serving at Yorktown and Williamsburg, and during the Battle of Seven Pines, Oak Grove, and Malvern Hill during the Seven Days battles. He was promoted to major general on July 4, 1862. He then commanded his division at Antietam, and the 2nd Corps at Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. Couch commanded the Department of the Susquehanna during the Gettysburg Campaign in 1863, and later was transferred to the western army commanding a division of the 22nd Army Corps with distinction in the Franklin & Nashville, Tennessee campaign, and in the 1865 Carolina's campaign. Couch returned to civilian life in Taunton, Mass., after the war, where he ran unsuccessfully as a Democratic candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in 1865. Couch moved to Connecticut in 1871, where he served as the Quartermaster General, and then Adjutant General, for the state militia. He joined the Aztec Club of 1847 by the right given him for his Mexican War service, and he also joined the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. He died in Norwalk, Connecticut, on February 12, 1897, at the age of 74, and was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Taunton, Mass.

1862 War Date Document Signed: 7 3/4 x 10, in ink.

Hd. Qrs., Couch’s Division

Aug. 21, 1862

Capt. C.C. Suydam

Assist. Adjt, Gen.

Hd. Qrs. 4th Corps


Sir:

I have the honor to state that while my Division lay near Lebanon Church, on the 19th inst., a black man employed as servant to one of the officers of the 102d Penna. Vol., was shot dead by the accidental discharge of a carbine in the hands of one of my Sentinels placed over the property of a Mr. Bryan, living in that vicinity, and having a safe guard from Gen. Van Allen.

I am Sir,

Your obt. Servant,

D.N. Couch

Major General

Commanding

Very bold and neatly written, with a nice large signature, "D.N. Couch," above his rank of Major General Commanding. The letter sheet shows some minor age toning and wear. Very fine. The content of this letter is extremely scarce as it reports the death of a black servant of a Union officer who was shot and killed by fire coming from the carbine of one of the Sentries of General Couch's Division as he was safe guarding the property of a Virginian!

Docket on the reverse: Hd. Qrs. Couch's Div., Aug. 22, 1862. D.N. Couch, Maj. Gen. Reports accident which occurred near his Hd. Qrs. of the 19th inst.

WBTS Trivia: The recipient of this document was Charles Crooke Suydam, Assistant Adjutant General, Hd. Qrs., 4th Corps. Suydam was 25 years old, when he enlisted at New York City, on September 27, 1861, and was commissioned a 1st lieutenant, in Co. L, 5th New York Cavalry. He was promoted to the U.S. Volunteers Adjutant General Depart, on March 6. 1862. He later served in the Field and Staff of the 3rd New Jersey Cavalry, until his resignation on November 15, 1864. He ended his Union Army service with the rank of lieutenant colonel.