Alfred Pleasonton

‘nother words. Alf was the prototypical staff puke…. Halleck on a horse.

Woooof… What was Pleasonton’s real downfall anyway? Tactical or lousy assesment and analysis? His Corps seemed to be able to fight. His feedback to Meade appeared usually weak or wrong. (Apologies, I NEED to get Little Phil but I’m wading thru half a dozen western theater books at the moment.)

I have just come across a letter from a Gen Graham to G Meade Jr. in which he references the EJ Farnsworth charge. Please see the url below.

http://pages.warbetweenthestates.com/cgi-bin/google.fcgi?itemKey=1922772255&store=%2Fstores%2Fwar&catId=union-autographs&itemNo=Auto1991

I have not looked over the Parsons’ account recently, so I am not sure if this feels like hearsay or not. I know that Custer, the battlefield guide and writer has called the Parsons’ account into question. I am curious as to what folks think about the “first hand” feel of it.

Thanks for the quick response.

Elon Farnsworth was my great great grandfather’s nephew.
As you know, Elon joined the 8th Illinois formed by his uncle John Franklin Farnsworth of St. Charles IL, and was a brigadier for a matter of days before he went to Gettysburg.

I would be very interested if you know of any first hand materials that mention Elon Farnsworth. I once talked with a battlefiedl guide, I think his name was Michael Phipps. He wrote a short monograph on Custer at Gettysburg and he maintained that Custer was very upset at the news about Elon’s death. I have never been able to nail down the source of that anecdote. But I am interested in that sort of thing. Of course, to have come across the Graham letter was very exciting.

thanks again
DF

Gen John F Farnsworth, I believe, had but one (an older) brother – James Patten Farnsworth, who was Elon’s father.

David, our brother Christian, our sister Debby, and I are descended from Gen John F’s only son (also John), HIS only surviving son, and HIS only son. Tall family tree; not many branches for several generations.

I’ve enjoyed your writing, and look forward to the book you mentioned. thanks.

Tom Farnsworth

to anyone related to elon j. farnsworth: there is a walking stick that belonged to the general on e-bay through heritageauctiongalleries. do you have any insights about the cane?

I do not agree with the nube who wrote this at all. Pleasonton was waaaaay cooler than the writer ever will be, cause he’s a bad writer about Alfred Pleasonton. He’s the stuff!!

Love your website, Sir. I first heard about Major General of Volunteers Alfred Pleasonton when I read an article about him that appeared in the December 1974 Issue of Civil War Times Illustrated. After Meade fired him(And rightly so), Pleasonton was sent to Missouri. As I recall, he did serve with some distinction at the Battle of Westport, but the only recognition he received was the Brevet Rank of Major General in the Regular Army, which was honorary. Pleasonton was mustered out of the Volunteers within a year after the war ended and reverted to his permanent rank of Major of Cavalry. The only substantive opportunity for promotion this not very admirable officer received was a Lieutenant Colonelcy in the 20th Infantry. According to the article in CWTI, Pleasonton turned down the promotion mainly because he would have had to serve under a Colonel whom he outranked during the war. In fact, Pleasonton was outranked by Merritt and Custer. Both of whom were appointed to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the 9th and 7th Cavalry Regiments respectively. Major Pleasonton resigned from the Army in late 1867 (Don’t recall the exact date), and was restored to the Army rolls in 1888 as a retired Major. Before he died in 1897, he left instructions not to be buried in his old blue uniform, and was instead laid to rest wearing civilian attire. He got what he deserved. I can only imagine what his classmates from the West Point Class of 1844 (Most notably Winfield Scott Hancock, and Simon Boulivar Buckner) thought of him. Anyway, I thank you for taking the time to read this.

Pleasonton has been the subject of many smears, and some may be true. However, he fought JEB Stuart’s cavalry to an standstill, and was well regarded by other Union Generals. Many considered him brilliant. He was right when he chastised Custer for fighting himself, instead of ‘fighting his command.’ That is what got Custer killed years later. At the time, Army regulations were that a ranking General / commander would stay 300 yards behind the fight of his troops. Many Generals did this, including Meade.

As i recall, Pleasonton testified before Congress some time after Gettysburg and maligned his superior, Maj General George G. Meade. According to a CWTI article about Pleasonton published in Dec74, General Meade protected Pleasonton from the wrath of Secretary of War Stanton. Well, after Pleasonton displayed his lack to loyalty to his boss during his appearance before Congress, Meade had Pleasonton transferred to Missouri, The so-called “Knight of Romance” got what he deserved.