Civil War Hand-Drawn Battle Map of Virginia

Civil War Hand-Drawn Battle Map of Virginia, Ca 1862-1863

Virginia Civil War battle map, 7.625 x 10 in. October-April 1862-1863. Depicts the camp of the 11th Massachusetts, its batteries and pickets, as well as various watercraft in the Potomac River. The location is directly across the river from the mouth of Quantico Creek, with rebel camps on either side of the creek, including a battery on a hill facing the Massachusetts works on the other side of the river. Map maker has also noted the locals: "Widdow [sic] Mason's plantation / 40 negroes / near relative of Senator Mason;" "Widdow Budd's plantation / 70 negroes;" and "Poseys Plantation / who shewed signal lights on our arrival." It is not clear whether they were signalling to the Union troops or, more likely, the Confederates across the river (directly across is the battery on the high hill).

Note in different hand on the left side: "Oct to Apr. 1862-3 / This O.K. Capt. Blake (?) / 11th Mass." Presume he was making sure sensitive information was not being passed to the enemies. Any of these features would have been obvious to an observer - tents, batteries, etc.

The 11th Massachusetts fought at the first Battle of Bull Run/Manassas, then was on picket duty above Washington, helping to build forts. In October, it was transferred to Budds Ferry on the lower Potomac. In 1862 it was part of the Peninsula forces, fighting at Yorktown, Fair Oaks, and Malvern Hill. In the autumn it rejoined the defenses of Washington, camping near Alexandria, then at Falmouth for the winter.

Previously owned by New Orleans businessman George P. Ladd, who was a staunch Union supporter that was jailed a number of times and finally told to either join the Confederacy or go North. He went North. See also Lot 243.
Condition Report: With light fold marks. Framed. Not removed from frame for examination.