N.C. McLean manuscript report of Expedition to Warrenton Junction, VA, 1862 

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• Lot Description
  N.C. McLean manuscript report of Expedition to Warrenton Junction, VA, 1862 
  
  Four-page manuscript report in McLean’s hand to Brig. General Julius Stahel, detailing his brigade’s expedition to Warrenton Junction, VA. Prepared at Head Quarters 2nd Brigade, 1st Div. Camp at Centerville Sept. 29th 1862. The report reads in part:
  
  I met with no further interruption until within about two miles and a half of Catlett’s Station, when my advance guard of cavalry came upon a force of the enemy consisting of both cavalry and infantry posted in the woods, from which they fired upon our men, driving them back upon the main body. The cavalry reported a heavy force of infantry, and I immediately ordered two pieces of artillery to the front and shelled the woods three or four times without receiving any reply. I then ceased firing and ordered two companies of the 75th Ohio forward into the woods as skirmishers, supported by the balance of the regiment as a reserve. This force I followed with the 73rd & 55th Ohio in line of battle, leaving the artillery in position supported by the 25th Ohio & the 6th Ohio Cavalry…
  
  My headquarters was at the house of a Dr. Shumate who informed me that he had a large amount of government property in his possession which had been left there by the commander of the 36th Ohio regiment about one month ago, they being unable to transport it on the retreat. I immediately made such arrangements as enabled me to transport the whole of it amounting to six four-horse wagon loads in bulk, and of the estimated value of [left blank.] In obedience to your orders I returned to Bristoe Station with my whole command and encamped there on the morning of the 27th inst. At this point you joined me with 600 cavalry under the command of Lieut. Col. Kautz [2nd O.V.C.] …
  
  At Manassas Station, I left the brigade to march forward on the direct road, whilst I made a detour over the battleground of Bull Run with a portion of the cavalry. I went over the whole field, but met with no enemy the whole day. The property recovered has been a portion of it turned over to my brigade quartermaster for which I have his proper receipts which will be forwarded to the department, and the balance has been sent to Genl. Sigel’s headquarters and will be there received by the government officers.
  
  I have the honor to be General, Your most Obt. Sevt,
  N.C. McLean,
  Col. Comdg, 2nd Brig 1st Div.
  
  Nathaniel Collins McLean, Brigadier General, USV
  
  Lots 64-67
  
  Nathaniel Collins McLean was born in Warren County, Ohio in 1815 to a prominent family, whose father was John McLean, a member of Congress, a future Postmaster General and later an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. His most famous opinion was a dissent from the majority in Dred Scott vs Sandford, in which the justice spoke out against slavery. Young McLean was educated at Augusta College in Kentucky and received his law degree from Harvard College in 1838, when he married Judge Burnett’s daughter and began his own practice in Cincinnati.
  
  In Autumn 1861 McLean helped organize the 75th Ohio Infantry at Camp John McLean and became its first Colonel, leading the regiment gallantly at the battle of McDowell, Virginia in early May 1862. Following Robert Schenk’s promotion at the battle of Cross Keys, McLean commanded the Ohio Brigade, consisting of the 25th, 55th, 73rd and 75th Regiments. Following the battle, General John C Fremont wrote to Secretary of War Stanton, stating McLean “distinguished himself by cool and steady courage and skillful handling of the troops under his command.”
  
  His warmly praised conduct in action at Second Bull Run, where his brigade stubbornly held a difficult position on Chinn Ridge, led to his promotion to Brigadier General in November 1862. In that fight, “McLean [saw] a Union battle flag [and] realized that the flag’s wounded bearer was sitting upright supporting the colors of the 75th Ohio. McLean, Capt. Andrew Harris and a few men ran back to retrieve the colors. Although mortally wounded, Brady refused to release his grip. Harris pried each finger off the staff to free it from Brady’s devoted grasp.”
  
  At the battle of Chancellorsville McLean’s Brigade was part of Howard’s 11th Army Corps and charged with anchoring the Army of the Potomac’s right in the woods west of the crossroads village. All through the afternoon of May 2nd, 1863, reports of Confederates marching to the right were sent to both corps and army headquarters, finally warning of a massive Confederate attack, which shortly thereafter crushed the Union Right. As second brigade from the right, McLean’s men were unable to stem Jackson’s onslaught.
  
  In the aftermath of high-level finger-pointing, Howard averted culpability and shifted blame to his immediate subordinates and the German-American troops of his corps. In reality, few troops so positioned and greatly outnumbered could have stopped the unexpected early evening assault. Discouraged by his superior’s criticism, McLean requested reassignment to the Department of the Ohio, to which he was appointed Provost Marshal General, a post he retained for nearly a year. In this assignment McLean was based near his Cincinnati home and enjoyed the affections of his large family.
  
  On May 19, 1863, McLean bid farewell to his command, with Lieut. Ladley recalling: The whole brigade was drawn up in mass, the General mounted on a splendid gray horse which the 75th presented to him, rode in front and rear of our line, then halted in front of center. He then made a short and affecting speech, spoke of our trial and hardships, and especially of his old Regiment the 75th. Tears came in his eyes and he was much moved. When he had closed he passed down the line of officers and shook every one by the hand. So ended the farewell of Gen. N. C. McLean, a noble, brave and patriotic Soldier, one who was beloved by all, and especially by his old regiment.
  
  During Sherman’s campaign for Atlanta, McLean commanded a brigade of Kentucky and Tennessee regiments in Schofield’s 23rd Corps. General Jacob Cox later wrote to Secretary Stanton: In the battle of Resaca, Gen. McLean displayed great gallantry in leading his brigade in an assault of the Enemy’s line, where the circumstances made one of remarkable peril. His horse was shot under him at that time and though the division in which he was in was repulsed, he gained great credit for his own conduct, as did the subordinate officers and troops of that whole command.
  
  In the operations near New Hope Church, McLean again fell under criticism from General Howard, who commanded the 4th Corps, for allegedly failing to properly support troops of Howard’s Corps. On June 17th, 1864 McLean requested reassignment to district command in Kentucky and from there took part in operations against Saltville, Virginia. Late in 1864 he again took over a brigade in the 23rd Corps and led it from Tennessee to North Carolina, where a rendezvous with Sherman’s Army was made in March 1865.
  
  The following month, with Confederate defeat assured, McLean resigned his commission on April 20, 1865, having served continuously throughout the war. His law practice was revived, but his interests soon turned to farming and he moved to Minnesota, where he purchased land. During the post-war years he maintained contact with officers of his command and joined the 11th Army Corps Association, Society of the Army of the Potomac. Relocating east, McLean died on January 4, 1905 at Bellport, Suffolk County, New York (Long Island) at the age of 89 and was buried in Woodland Cemetery. 

  Condition

  Both documents are in excellent condition. The report has one minor residual stain from previous adhesive.
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