Bidspirit auction | TOP-SECRET CYPHER FROM BURNSIDE TO

TOP-SECRET CYPHER FROM BURNSIDE TO MCCLELLAN BEFORE ANTIETAM CAMPAIGN - Extremely rare encrypted battlefield dispatch, 2pp. 4to., 'Head Quarters Right Wing in the Field near Damascus', Sept. 10, 1962 at 8 P.M., a top-secret letter in cypher ordered by General Ambrose Burnside to be sent to General George McClellan during the Antietam Campaign. Presumably penned by one of Burnside's aides, the letter non-sensically reads, in small part: '...Katy Thomas for just state shall to & their to has in regards with this that everything to market a affair will the drink Adam received of send new report return indicate left accordance office directions but udder seem on once pigeons...' Burnside's aide addresses the letter to 'Caldwell' - the cypher name of McClellan - and signs the page 'Doyle' - the cipher signature of Burnside. The lot is sold with an original typewritten translation of the cypher furnished for 'General Peter C. Doyle' (aka Burnside) by the United States War Department, which reads in full: 'General McClellan: The following report just received will indicate the state of affairs here. I shall send a squadron of cavalry to New Market at once, and report to you on their return. Everything would seem to indicate that the enemy has left this neighborhood, but in accordance with your directions, I shall move carefully. Hooker's corps [JOSEPH HOOKER and his I Corps] is on the National road in supporting distance of Ridgeville; two divisions of Reno's corps at Ridgeville; two on the Damascus and New Market road, three and a half miles from Damascus. The reserve artillery at the forks of the road, two miles from Damascus in the direction of New Market, where our headquarters are established. Reno [JESSE L. RENO and his IX Corps] sent a company of cavalry out to within two miles of New Market and without meeting any pickets. The captain reports that all the citizens informed him that the enemy had left New Market. Burnside, Major-General.' The original dispatch bears some stains and archivally-repaired splits to the edges, though is clearly legible and in very good condition for such type of document. The typewritten translation, however, is in fine condition. This cypher was sent just one week before the Battle of Antietam, in which Maj. Gen. Jesse L. Reno was notably killed three days prior at the Battle of South Mountain, Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker's I corps mounted a powerful assault on Lee's left flank, and Burnside - furious that McClellan ignored the previous arrangement of 'wing' commanders under him - led the notorious and disastrous battle at 'Burnside's Bridge'. McClellan, of course, refused to pursue Lee's army after the battle, despite having the advantage and more troops, leading Lincoln to replace McClellan with Burnside one month later. A truly outstanding document.