Captain Charles Fenton – 21st Connecticut Infantry Document Lot SOLD

Description

This lot of documents belonged to Captain Charles Fenton, who enlisted on August 7, 1862, as the First Sergeant of Co. “D,” 21st Conn. Infantry.  He rose to the rank of captain in January of 1865, commanding company “F.”  With his regiment, Fenton fought many battles, such as Fredericksburg, , Drury’s Bluff, Bermuda Hundred, Cold Harbor, Bethesda Church, Petersburg Campaign, Chaffin’s Farm, Fair Oaks, and Richmond, where he mustered out in June of 1865,  After the war, he returned to his home at Mansfield, Conn. where he was silk thread and cloth manufacturer.

Nearly all of the documents are from the Occupation of Richmond and the last camp at Columbia, Va, from April 28 to June 16, 1865.

Columbia, Va, was originally a shipping point on the James River for the tobacco trade. The confluence of rivers at this point was a vital military point of control, and for supplying federal troops.  Columbia was central for land transportation between Richmond and Staunton.  Richmond was just about 50 miles to the east.

Contained within this lot are chronologically:

• Special Order No, 25 – HQ 21st Reg. C.V./ Pleasant Valley, Md.  Oct. 20th, 1862.   The orders contain three ares of concern for the Colonel Dutton; 1st, regarding passes and official papers must pass through the adjutant.   2nd,  “….loss of bounty money, packages, bedding, clothing, and other property….” (which “annoyances” had been directed to the colonel will then be distributed to the regimental staff officers, Lt. Col taking the three right companies, the major taking the left three, and the colonel receiving inquiries at the three center companies.   3rd,  Confusions as to the duties of the regimental adjutant, “by certain circles.”  The orders go on to state by U.S. Regulation his other duties as adjt. etc.  Adjutant will give no unauthorized orders to superior orders, is he does he does so at his own peril; same peril applied to any authorized ordered disobeyed.  Signed by C.E. Dutton, for Col. A.H. Dutton,
• Circular from HQ 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 24th Corps, In the field, Va. Dec. 14, 1864.  “Duties of the Commander of a Regiment;  Duties of a Company Commander;  Duties of the 1st Sergeant; By command of Bvt. Brig. Gen. Guy V. Henry.   official copy in the hand and signed by Charles Fenton, Lt. and actg adjt, 21st Conn Vols.
• Muster- Out Roll of Charles Fenton, 1st Lt., January 10, 1865. Fenton being muster out due to promotion to Captain within the same regiment (Col. J.F. Brown commanding), and signed at camp in Chaffin’s Farm, Va. by William J, Ladd, 1st Lt. 13th New Hampshire Vols, Asst. Commander of Muster.   (Ladd was severely wounded at Fort Harrison, Va, in Sept. of 1864).
• Invoice of Subsistence Stores transferred at Richmond, 29 April, 1865 by Capt J.H. Gilman, C.S.  to Capt. C.H., Fenton. Signed by Gilman (19th U.S. Inf. and Com Sub Dept. – breveted twice for Shiloh, and Stones River.
• Abstract of Provisions Sold to Officers at Columbia, Va., May of  1864.  Signed by both Charles Fenton, and J. F. Brown, Lt. Col. 21st Commanding post.
• Abstract of Issues (Provisions) To Volunteers, May 1865,  Signed by Lt. Col J.F. Brown.  A great deal of provisions with all named units/ detachments at Columbia, Va., such as Detachment Ambulance Corps, Detachment on barge Mary Kirk, Prisoners in guard house, blacksmiths QM Dept., Co. B. 1st Reg. New York Mounted Rifles, etc..
• Same, dated May, 1865.  Signed by Brown, with this document listing far more of those varied troops receiving provisions at Columbia.
• Same, dated May, 1865.  Signed by Brown, showing provisions issued ot “Destitute Citizens, mostly Bacon, flour, and cornmeal.
• Statement of Cattle Slaughtered at Columbia, Va., May, 1865, under the direction of Capt. Fenton, A.C.S. Signed by Fenton, with copy of statement by Albert F. Childs, Commissary Sergeant, 21st Conn. Vols.
• Envelope marked, “Miscellaneous Papers Connected with Subsistence Stores.”  Contains 3 receipts, all dated June 7, 1865, at Columbia, Va., from the Commissary of Subsistence, issuing rations to citizens (named) and signed by Walter P. Long, Capt. (21st Conn., wounded at Petersburg) and Provost Marshal.
• Volunteer Descriptive List and Account of Pay and Clothing of Private Leonard S. Allen, Co. F, 21st Conn.  In remarks, “The above named Soldier has been engaged in the following Battles / Battle of Drury’s Bluff, Va.  May 16, 1864.”  Signed by Capt Fenton, at Richmond, June 16, 1865.

All the documents are in fine condition, without any issues to speak of.  A nice informative lot to the duties of this officer in the 21st Conn, at the end of the war, and early occupation in Virginia.