Cavalry

[Pennsylvania Cavalry] Chormann, Ernest GBiblio.com

Manuscript Document Signed by Five Civil War Officers Concerning Chorman's Mounted Rifle Rangers

1861ref. 45596n.p. 1861. Very good folded edge worn light soiling and ink staining. 1 sheet. 7.75 x 4.5 inches. Signed by Ernest G. Chormann Brig. Gen. Fitz John Porter Col. William Woods Averell Chief of ordnance Charles P. Kingsbury and Assistant Adjutant-General Andrew J. Alexander for Gen. George Stoneman with the note "approved" by three signatures. Though undated it was likely signed between September 1861 and January 17 1862 based on the service records of those who signed it. 1. Ernest G. Chormann in 1861 recruited a volunteer regiment called "Chorman’s Independent Mounted Rifle Rangers" in Philadelphia. See Library Company of Philadelphia for the broadside. The first company of this regiment was mustered into service July 23 1861 and the last was mustered Sept. 15th 1861. The regiment was then under the command of Col. E. G. Chormann. It was numbered the 89th of the line and the 8th Cavalry and left Pennsylvania for Washington on Oct. 4 where it was brigaded with the 3rd Pa. cavalry thus putting Chormann under the command of William Woods Averell who in turn was under the command of Brigadier General Fitz John Porter. On Nov. 9 1861 the New York Times reported "The Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry Col. Chormann has been brigaded with the Third from the same State. The brigade is commanded by Col. W.W. Averell of the latter regiment. Both are rapidly improving in efficiency and drill." But on Nov. 27 the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that "The statement that charges have been filed against Col. Chormann is said to be erroneous. The Colonel is laboring energetically to ensure the perfection of drill desireable in all well disciplined regiments." By January 17 1862 Chormann had resigned his commission to be replaced by Capt. David Gregg of the 6th U. S. cavalry an experienced officer and a graduate of West Point. Chormann had endorsed Merrill’s Patent Breech-Loading Carbine on September 19th 1861 his letter to General J. W. Ripley Chief of Ordnance Washington D. C. soon appearing in an advertisement for the weapons but so had many other officers. Thus both the reason for his resignation and the purpose of this document remain unknown. Little is known about Ernest G. Chormann other than in his autobiography below and for his filing of numerous patents. He was an inventor and also active as an artist between 1853-1880 See Frick Museum Art Reference Library. In 1852 he exhibited saddle patterns at the Twenty-second Exhibition of American Manufactures at the Franklin Institute; in 1861 listed as an engraver and die sinker he bid on a $2500 contract with the U.S. Government for coin designs as part of ongoing experiments into how to prevent “abrasion counterfeiting and deterioration of the coins of the United States; ” he was hired as the engraver; he filed for optical and mechanical patents; in 1880 he painted "Letitia Street House 1880" now at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania's Rangers' War song: "Up ! up ! with our flag let its bright stars gleam out" was dedicated to him. The Pennsylvania Historical Review 1886 lists his firm Chormann & Mitchell as "inventors and patentees of the specialties manufactured. They manufacture all kinds of art furniture including parlor easels novel and chaste in design labor- saving studio easels sketching easels artists’ kits etc. together with interior decorations. the studio easel being awarded the first premium and diploma at the Centennial Exposition of 1876." Chormann adds his somewhat rather fanciful biography: "Mr. Chormann the founder of this business was born in France. Early in life he was noted for his energy talent and determination and visited as an explorer and traveller nearly every country in the civilized world. In 1836 he was a colonel in the San Jacinto war where he manifested great courage and prudence and on its termination made an effort to explore almost alone the sources of the Nile. Eventually after exploring various portions of Australia New Mexico Arizona and Lower California and undergoing great hardships and dangers from climate and Indians he was appointed on his arrival in Texas in 1845 captain and superintendent of the Texan Rangers. He was actively engaged in 1847 and 1848 in the Mexican war where his distinguished military ability was of great service to the United States. During his explorations and travels in the West he was associated with those famous old Indian fighters namely De Soto and California Joe. Mr. Chormann was the first white man who explored the Western portion of the Colorado River the whole of the country at that period 1843 watered by this stream being inhabited by tribes of Indians of the most cruel and treacherous nature. Colonel Chormann organized the first regiment that served during the war and which was known as Chormann’s Mounted Rangers. On the 14th April 1861 immediately after the bombardment of Fort Sumpter he began recruiting and put 5000 men in the field. In 1865 he brought East the first specimen of the moss agate. In a few months Mr. Chormann intends to publish a work on Colorado and the West illustrated with splendid engravings which will prove of the greatest interest to all lovers of nature. He was the inventor of stylograph printing and is noted in scientific and artistic circles for his inflexible integrity and sterling ability." 2. Fitz John Porter 1822-1901 Civil War Union Major General West Point 1845 served in the Mexican–American War promoted to brigadier general of volunteers in 1861 and divisional commander in the newly formed Army of the Potomac under Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan who was soon is patron. On November 25 1862 Porter was arrested and court-martialed for his actions at Second Bull Run after McClellan was dismissed by Lincoln. He spent the next 16 years trying clear his name and record which he finally did in 1878. 3. William Woods Averell 1832-1900 Civil War Union Brigadier General West Point 1855 2nd Lieutenant assigned to the United States Army Mounted Rifles and served in the Indian Wars on the Western frontier severely wounded in a fight with Navajos in 1859 became a 1st Lieutenant with the Mounted Riflemen and was placed on staff duty in Washington D.C. In August 1861 he was appointed as Colonel of the 3rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry and soon became a Brigadier General. 4. Andrew Jonathan Alexander 1833-1887 Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General served first as a Captain in the 3rd United States Regular Cavalry then as Lieutenant Colonel and Assistant Adjutant General on the staff of Union General George Stoneman. 5. Charles Peeble Kingsbury 1816-1879 graduated from West Point in 1840 2nd in a class of 42 served in the Mexican War as General Wolf's ordnance officer and on General Taylor’s staff wrote 'Elementary Treatise on Artillery and Infantry' 1849 and was a contributor to the American Whig Review Western Quarterly Review Putnam’s Monthly and the Southern Literary Messenger from 1840-67 was superintendent of the Armory at Harper's ferry and Chief of Ordnance for the Army of the Potomac August 12 1861 to July 1862 promoted to Colonel and aide-decamp September 28 1861. unknown

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