February 14, 1863 (Saturday): Humprheys Recognized

General Andrew A. Humphreys

NEW YORK, February 14, 1863-11 a.m.
His Excellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
President of the United States:
     General Humphreys is the general that behaved so gallantly at Fredericksburg, and when I spoke to you of him said he ought to be rewarded by promotion to rank of major-general, and I hope it will be done. He is attached to the Third Army Corps. I also would respectfully request that Colonel R. B. Potter, Fifty-first New York Regiment, be promoted to brigadier-general.


    A. E. BURNSIDE,
    Major-General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 21, Part 1, Page 1006.

Although Burnside had been forced to relinquish command of the Army of the Potomac, he was still in good standing with the administration.  Humphrey's division had advanced furthest at Fredericksburg.  A man of courtly manners, as he prepared to lead his troops to the stone wall, he told his staff "Young gentlemen, I intend to lead this assault; I presume, of course, you will wish to ride with me?'"  His recommendation for promotion of Humphrey would ultimately be accepted (July 1863) and he served most of 63' and 64' as Grant's Chief of Staff after he came east.