I have been thinking about Gen. Abram Duryee, commanding 1st brigade, Second Division, First Corps. His was the first Union brigade engaged on the morning of Sept. 17, aside from the PA Reserves skirmishers. Up to this point his record was solid. He’d raised and led the Fifth New York Infantry, Duryee’s Zouaves. He led them at Big bethel, and was promoted to Brig. Gen. to rank from Aug. 31, 1861. After assigned to training recruits, he asked if he could be assigned to active service. He led a brigade in Ricketts’ Division at Second Manassas, South Mountain, and Antietam, and was wounded several times. Everything seems fine, right? But Carman sort of takes a “shot” at him in his manuscript, said Duryee, after 30 minutes of combat, without orders, ordered his brigade to retreat. Sources for this are scarce, but an undated detailed notation of events from H.J. Sheafer, 107 PA Inf. (Gould papers) which referring to the retreat of his brigade, stated “when they went back they kept up no organization & Duryee saw nothing of them until the next day.” Another source, George Kimball, 12 MA of Hartsuff’s brigade, remembered falling back from the battle line and “About a half mile farther to the rear met General Duryee, alone — mounted. He asked in a tone denoting deep feeling, if we had seen his brigade, they were ‘all cut up.’ We told him ‘no’ and Lieutenant made a remark more sarcastic than complimentary.” So what gives? Was Duryee failing here? Any other evidence? Here is another piece of evidence: When he returned from a 30 day leave Duryee found his brigade broken up, a new Corps commander, John Reynolds, and Gibbon, junior in rank to him, commanding the division. Duryee resigned and went home.
There has to be more to this story. Any thoughts????
The Maryland Campaign of September 1862, Volume II: Antietam
6 x 9, 16 photos, 63 maps hardback, 696 pages
Read the book description, an interview with the editor, and more
———————————————————————
The Maryland Campaign of September 1862, Volume I: South Mountain
6x9, 12 black and white photos, 19 black and white maps, notes, bibliography, index, hardcover, 576 pages
Read the book description, an interview with the editor, and more
18 Comments
Tom,
I have been interested in Duryee as well and have been studying the New York regiments in his command. Do you think this may have been a West Point thing? McClellan replacing Banks with Mansfield at the corps level is an example of this. McClellan was still in command that Duryee returned (I think) and knew Gibbon well. They were just one graduating class apart at West Point. Still, Carmen’s comments and the additional information you provide here may indicate some kind of breakdown on Duryee’s part. Perhaps Reynolds and McClellan saw this as an ample justification for moving Gibbon up. See you Saturday at the SHAF work day.
Regards
Jim
I can offer no help but sure hope you figure this one out!
Jim,
It may indeed be a West Point thing, Lord knows McClellan was known for that, but he also promoted good fighters, even if he didn’t like them, or they weren’t regulars, Kearney for example. Having just read the manuscript of Brian pohanka’s history of the Duryee Zouaves, (which is FANTASTIC) I find nothing in there to reproach Duryee. So maybe there is something in the conduct of Sept. 17 that we don’t know???
Tom,
I’ve thought long about your post and how to comment on it. Men (and women) react differently to close combat. The same individual can even react differently at different times. It is not uncommon for a veteran NCO or officer to suddenly reach a “tipping” point that ones senses and sensibilities have been crossed. It isn’t that the individual is a coward, but his psychological limit has been reached. For many highly trained and prepared individuals this tipping point can seem virtually endless. One book, “Men Against Fire” by SLA Marshall addressed the subject (although much of Marshall’s research is now in question). I don’t think anyone should be surprised to see an officer suddenly “lose it.” My surprise is the difference in how Carmen handle the situation with COL William Christian next door.
Ron,
As usual a very thoughtful response, and I hae used that same line of reasoning to explain Christian.
Thanks.
I wonder if it was because his brigade was unsupported for that 1/2 hour. I understand both Hartsuff’s brigade and Christian’s brigade were delayed, in advancing to support Duryee in the cornfield. Both brigades for different reasons. Hartsuff being wounded while doing reconnaissance, and Christian departing because of the shells. Perhaps the strain of being isolated at the front for a 1/2 hour was reason enough for Duryee to fall back. They could have been out of ammunition (?) Hartsuff’s Brigade made a stand in the cornfield between 6:20 and 7 and by then they were out of ammuntion.
Could this be a factor ?
Brad,
Certainly that is a possibility, but he wrote no report. The only report from his brigade is from the 107th NY, and they don’t mention running out of ammo. He was commended by Ricketts, and he submitted a list of people in the brigade deserving commendation, so I don’t see much of a clue there. It is just perplexing. BTW, the officer from the 107th wrote they were in action 3/4 of an hour, which I doubt. Usually Carman has reason for his comments, so I think he knew something more, but where he got it remains unknown.
I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me
tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something which not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy I came across this in my search
for something concerning this.
Thank you. I don’t post very often, usually too busy working on more research, and I appreciate your kind words. I’ll try to post more stuff soon.
Excellent web site you have here.. It’s difficult to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
Abram Duryee is my 3rd great grandfather, and I grew up with all his scrapbooks on the Civil War, the family stories, and so on. While of course the family stories favor a certain telling, which is that, after taking time off, it was a surprise that Abram was replaced and by a West Point graduate, a person younger than himself, and less experienced. There was always a feeling that there was a West Point connection there that had been favored. For more history than this, I really must direct you to Davenport’s book which I will include a link to below:
http://www.amazon.com/Camp-Field-Fifth-Volunteer-Infantry/dp/0913419052/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387450515&sr=1–2-spell&keywords=brian+pohenka%2C+duryee
This has been, in our family, the book that my grandfather Melville Duryee had felt was the best guide to Abram Duryee and his troop’s experience in the Civil War. That being said, I must *always* defer to Brian Pohenka’s works in every regard though for any particulars of battles, and Brian does do the introduction for the Davenport book. He is the real historian of Abram Duryee’s legacy. I would encourage you to refer to Brian’s work for any further information.
My information and stance are of course more personal, which I suppose gives an interesting take on the man, but not his battles as I am not a Civil War historian. I think it safe to say that Abram was a proud man, and that his commitment to the cause can never be in question. What happened there, in that moment of battle, of what must have been utter confusion all of the time, could be lost to living memory. The war left him terribly depleted as he had committed all his money to it. That kind of commitment is so rare. I can’t imagine that, after taking such physical and personal risks that there wouldn’t be quite a good reason for this action. I’m sure that Brian would have more to say on that subject. I bow to his expert knowledge.
We are all very proud of Abram in the family for we can, all of us, only imagine the horrors of war that were on every side of him. He bravely bore them for his country with honor. What private horrors he suffered we never knew. His scrapbooks are filled with newspaper reports only, and very few personal remarks.
Hilary,
Thank you for writing, and it is great that you have shared information about your ancestor. Gen. Duryee was indeed incensed when command of his brigade went to someone else, and it may well be that the prejudice against non-professional officers worked against him. Although some members wrote about not seeing him in the fight, there is no doubt that he was there and actively engaged in it.
I am quite familiar with Davenport’s book, and Brian Pohanka. I have been an off-and-on member of the 5th NY for many years, and counted Brian as one of my most rtreasured friends until his passing in 2005. In fact, it was Brian, among others, who encouraged me to tackle the Carman manuscript, and barely a day goes by that I do not think of him and his contributions to American historical research.
Tom Clemens
Tom,
I was so terribly saddened the day our family learned of Brian’s passing. What a great man! I can only wish I had corresponded more with him about Abram. However, I was very young, and had little interest in the Civil War. I was too busy growing up I guess! Now that I’m older I certainly do wish I could ask him some questions I have now. God bless him for all his hard work. He and my mother wrote back and forth quite a lot.
I wondered what Abram meant when he said, “All cut up”? His men were wounded perhaps or dispersed? I suppose that, seeing him still mounted on his horse some assumed he had not been fully engaged in battle? He was wounded, and there are government records attesting to this. Also, I can’t help but think that, if he had made a gross miscalculation wouldn’t he have been more formally penalized in some way by the military? What a day of battle that must have been, how easily it would have been to be confused. Another source I saw reported that Abram had received a report to retreat, but that he did not, “…bother to verify it.” Could he have verified it if he wanted to I wonder? Maybe his men were so wounded that the only thing left to do was to retreat? I suppose even a general can make mistakes in the heat of battle. I can’t help but wonder if he was rather personally disliked by more than a few people, and perhaps one might be glad to see confusion where there once was only pride. So, seeing him confused might have gladdened the hearts of some who were not so friendly towards him, inclining them to think the worst. I have no idea. I have been told that he was well known as being prideful and pompous. You can see that I am not an expert in this field of study. My expertise is in fact in children’s literature, so I’m very left behind!
Please pardon all the wanderings of my thoughts. I guess I would like to understand that incident as well, and I have much less knowledge than you or Brian.
In any case, here we are at the Christmas season in our own time. I wish you a Merry Christmas or a Happy Holiday season with friends and family!
Hilary
P.S. The prideful and pompous bit was told to me by a woman who greeted me when I was ten and visiting the Antietam museum. I was told to sign the guest registry, and while doing so, she learned who it was that I was related to. Then she began to lecture me on how disliked Gen. Duryee was, how many thought him to be vain and pompous, at which point the family who had brought me on the trip pulled me aside. The grown ups had a nice little argument, but I was not allowed to hear any of it. I suppose some of it must be true, but do you really need to tell a ten-year-old that?
Even though I am sure that I am distantly related to Abram (since Duryee is not an overly common name), I honestly had never even heard of him before a few years ago. I really would like to know how I could find out more about his family tree to see how/if I fit in somewhere. Any suggestions?
Hello Abigail. I am not an authority on Abram Duryee, but I found this in my friend Brian Pohanka’s book on the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry, Duryee’s Zouaves, a regiment he created. “Abram Duryee was descended from Joost Durie and and his wife, Magdalena Lefevre, who arrived in New York aboard the ship Gilded Otter in 1675. Pages 1–4 of Brian’s book, Vortex of Hell, History of the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry, has much about Abram, and he is mentioned often throughout the book. It is published by Schroeder Publications in 2012. You might also try Ancetry.com. Thanks for your inquiry.
I have been preparing a short biography of Abram’s life as part of a genealogical study of his maternal Dean family. This has been a work in progress over the past 35 years. I have read various Civil War works referenced above and others in order to prepare an accurate survey of his role in the war as well as in pre-Civil War “militia” activities in New York City. I have been arriving at the general conclusion that the “prideful and pompous” description provided here was a logical “biographical” explanation for some of his actions in the city prior to the war and for this particular development in his military career. I am by no means a Civil War expert or researcher but am eager along with the other family researchers here to understand the nature of the man.
It seems that Duryee’s take on the battle and the subsequent snubbing upon his return from leave is outlined in Franklin B. Hough’s book: History of Duryee’s Brigade, During the Campaign in Virginia under Gen. Pope, and in Maryland under Gen. McClellan in the summer and autumn of 1862, published in 1864. It is clear that the piece was written at the request of Abram and with his support. On pages 127–8 the author describes the general’s various appeals to regain his command of the brigade. “On the 14th [of November, 1862], the Division was reviewed by General Gibbon, and on the evening of that day, he caused a letter to be read to the officers of the First Brigade in which from observations made in a camp laid out at midnight, and from appearances due to recent service, he saw fit to draw conclusions deemed by every one unjust and insulting. This was followed on the 16th, by a reorganization of the Division, which broke up many pleasant associations, and change the relative seniority of regimental commanders, from which they would have otherwise enjoyed.” It appears Generals Burnside and Reynolds, not McClellan were in the mix for the change in command and reorganization.
There are many references to Duryee’s absenteeism early in his Zouaves days as well as leaves of absence during his Brigade command, likely for returns to New York City, one would guess, for oversight of his successful lumber business there. His loss of command might be attributable to factors other than those based on his performance on the battlefield.
It is interesting to contrast these two appraisals of Duryee’s personal character, both quoted in “Vortex of Hell” by Brian Pohanka:
”…a fancy man…A very showy uniform (that) would never touch a spade or pick, in fact what one would call a Ladys man.“
and
“He was a leader of men, who commanded not by fear, but by kindness, and there was not in his command a man who did not love the father of the famous regiment.“
I would like to correspond with those interested in the family genealogy.
Bob Felch rdfelch@gmail.com
Hello Bob, and thanks for your thoughtful statement. Duryee’s performance at Antietam is something of an enigma. I will go through some letters when I return, but some suggest he lost contact with the brigade, others mention him rallying troops from a repulse. Give me a couple weeks and if you do not hear from me write again please. I look forward to hearing more of your assessment of him. Brian Pohanka was a good friend, and I was about to refer you to his book when you mentioned it. I will also see what his collaborator and editorial executor has to say on the topic.