General Orders No 28

[tsgalloway]

I purchased this original document recently. I thought it was pretty interesting and rather humorous. Major Edward Van Voast was recommended for a desk job and a transfer in these General Orders, but it would seem that he spent the rest of the war with the same unit.


Head Quarters 19th Army Corps X
U.S. Forces Western Louisiana
Franklin Mar 12 1864

General Orders
No 28

Major Edward Van Voast 2nd New York Veteran Cavalry having shown by his conduct during the short time that he has been at this post that he is unfit to command troops; having allowed his men to steal sheep and poultry, is relieved from duty in this command and will report to the Head Quarters Department of the Gulf for duty.

It is respectfully recommended that the duty to which he may be assigned be one not requiring any ability to command men or any knowledge of regulations on General Orders.

By Order Major General Franklin
Wickham Hoffman, A.A.G

[tsgalloway]

Re: General Orders No 28

I did a simple Google Search on this Edward Van Voast and found a host of information! I wish it was like that for all research I do.

Here’s some more info I found at http://www.schenectadyhistory.org/re...eg30.html#0040 :

Van Voast, Edward
Age 22 years. Enrolled April 26, 1861, at Schenectady as second lieutenant to serve two years; mustered in as second lieutenant Co. C, June 1, 1861; first lieutenant May 1, 1862; mustered out with company June 18, 1863, at Albany, N. Y.; subsequent service in Second Veteran Cavalry; commissioned second lieutenant July 4, 1861, with rank from June 1, 1861; vice W. L. Peck, resigned; first lieutenant May 13, 1862, with rank from February 28, 1862; vice M. V. V. Smith, promoted.


Info on Company B: Company B
Stationed at Giesborough Point, District of Columbia, October, 1863.
June 23. - Captain Edward Van Voast took authorization papers to raise company for the Second Veteran Cavalry.
August 25. - The company, ninety-five strong, was mustered and was lettered B. The number of members was increased to 100, but so many were never present at one time.
October 23-25. - The regiment left Saratoga and arrived at Washington October 25.
October 30. - It received the state bounty. It is now encamped at Giesborough Point, District of Columbia.


Also interesting information found online, though untrue:
Dated August 8, 1864 in the Morning Herald. (http://fultonhistory.com/newspaper%2...20-%200274.PDF)
—It is reported that Edward Van Voast, Major of the Second New York cavalry, was killed, several weeks ago, while out on a scout in Louisiana.

[tsgalloway]

Re: General Orders No 28

It sounds like General Franklin was pretty upset by this activity. He may have been trying to make an example of Van Voat. I wonder if any sort of punishment was handed down, as it seems these orders weren't carried out.