Comments on: The very image of a soldier: A. V. Colburn http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/ the backwash of a digital history project Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:50:59 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Brian http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/comment-page-1/#comment-15458 Brian Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:38:56 +0000 http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/#comment-15458 Thanks Harry! Thanks Harry!

]]> By: Harry http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/comment-page-1/#comment-15449 Harry Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:18:12 +0000 http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/#comment-15449 Everything I've read so far says Colburn was in command of both companies, though Barry says that the two "troops", or one squadron, totaled only 100 men, so with regular officers at a premium, I doubt that two captains - or three - were in charge of so few men. Here's a link to all the ORs and JCCW testimony mentioning Colburn at BR1: http://bullrunnings.wordpress.com/?s=colburn Everything I’ve read so far says Colburn was in command of both companies, though Barry says that the two “troops”, or one squadron, totaled only 100 men, so with regular officers at a premium, I doubt that two captains – or three – were in charge of so few men.

Here’s a link to all the ORs and JCCW testimony mentioning Colburn at BR1:

http://bullrunnings.wordpress.com/?s=colburn

]]> By: Brian http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/comment-page-1/#comment-15447 Brian Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:55:17 +0000 http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/#comment-15447 Hi Jonathan, I only have the brief snippet from the 4th Cavalry <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.history.army.mil/books/R&H/R&H-4CV.htm">history</a> to help here: <em>Capt. Colburn with Companies A and E participated in the battle of Bull Run, and was favorably mentioned by the division commander, Col. Heintzleman [sic]...</em>. The Colonel <a rel="nofollow" href="http://bullrunnings.wordpress.com/2008/09/20/43-col-samuel-p-heintzelman/">said</a>: <em>... The discomfiture of this [Confederate company of] cavalry was completed by a fire from Captain Colburn’s company of U. S. cavalry, which killed and wounded several more...</em> This suggests the two Companies were thought of as a single detachment/unit/squadron under Colburn, but I don't know that for sure. Let's see if we can get any more information from the readers... Hi Jonathan,

I only have the brief snippet from the 4th Cavalry history to help here:
Capt. Colburn with Companies A and E participated in the battle of Bull Run, and was favorably mentioned by the division commander, Col. Heintzleman [sic]….

The Colonel said:
… The discomfiture of this [Confederate company of] cavalry was completed by a fire from Captain Colburn’s company of U. S. cavalry, which killed and wounded several more…

This suggests the two Companies were thought of as a single detachment/unit/squadron under Colburn, but I don’t know that for sure. Let’s see if we can get any more information from the readers…

]]> By: Jonathan Soffe http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/comment-page-1/#comment-15427 Jonathan Soffe Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:30:40 +0000 http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/#comment-15427 I am researching the First Battle of Bull Run and cannot find who was Captain of Company A 4th (1st) US cavalry under Captain A V Colburn on July 21, 1861. Any help would be appreciated. I am researching the First Battle of Bull Run and cannot find who was Captain of Company A 4th (1st) US cavalry under Captain A V Colburn on July 21, 1861. Any help would be appreciated.

]]> By: Joseph Doran http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/comment-page-1/#comment-14966 Joseph Doran Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:12:04 +0000 http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/#comment-14966 I am a history teacher in Castleton, Vermont. I do teach a unit on the Civil War and would be interested in more information on Colburn's home life in the Castleton/Fair Haven area. I am a history teacher in Castleton, Vermont. I do teach a unit on the Civil War and would be interested in more information on Colburn’s home life in the Castleton/Fair Haven area.

]]> By: Brian http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/comment-page-1/#comment-14635 Brian Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:02:54 +0000 http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/#comment-14635 Thank you Emily, I will take you up on it! More is almost always better Thank you Emily, I will take you up on it! More is almost always better

]]> By: Emily Ehrlich of Edmonds, WA http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/comment-page-1/#comment-14575 Emily Ehrlich of Edmonds, WA Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:52:17 +0000 http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/#comment-14575 I have just returned from a family-history visit to Hernando County, Florida where A.V. Colburn's mother took up residence during her widowhood from John Peabody Colburn, Jurist of Rutledge, VT [d. 08 Dec 1831]. If you wish further details of the Colburn's home life and photographs, you are welcome to contact me. I have just returned from a family-history visit to Hernando County, Florida where A.V. Colburn’s mother took up residence during her widowhood from John Peabody Colburn, Jurist of Rutledge, VT [d. 08 Dec 1831]. If you wish further details of the Colburn’s home life and photographs, you are welcome to contact me.

]]> By: John L. Herberich http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/comment-page-1/#comment-14408 John L. Herberich Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:41:50 +0000 http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/#comment-14408 Brian - This is a very timely entry for me! Lt. Colburn was my g-grandfather's recruiting officer in St Louis, Dec. 19, 1859. I have spent the past 4 years compiling a history of the Fourth Regiment and have struck up a correspondence with Don Caughey through his blog. He referred me to your blog today. First Sergeant John M. Herberich rode with the 4th through the Civil War and on to Texas, taking his final discharge at Fort Concho, Jan. 1, 1872. Would it be possible to get in touch. Brian – This is a very timely entry for me! Lt. Colburn was my
g-grandfather’s recruiting officer in St Louis, Dec. 19, 1859. I have
spent the past 4 years compiling a history of the Fourth Regiment
and have struck up a correspondence with Don Caughey through
his blog. He referred me to your blog today. First Sergeant John
M. Herberich rode with the 4th through the Civil War and on to
Texas, taking his final discharge at Fort Concho, Jan. 1, 1872.
Would it be possible to get in touch.

]]> By: Brian http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/comment-page-1/#comment-11933 Brian Mon, 07 Jan 2008 19:43:40 +0000 http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/#comment-11933 Thanks Harry - I hope you can find something definitive. I'd prefer Custer's 'romantic' version, but try to be objective. :) Thanks Harry – I hope you can find something definitive. I’d prefer Custer’s ‘romantic’ version, but try to be objective. :)

]]> By: Harry http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/comment-page-1/#comment-11931 Harry Mon, 07 Jan 2008 19:09:14 +0000 http://behind.aotw.org/2008/01/05/the-very-image-of-a-soldier-a-v-colburn/#comment-11931 Good stuff as usual, Brian. Let's keep in mind that, particularly with Bull Run, lack of documentary evidence is not such strong support that something didn't happen. As the war progressed the system of reporting became more regular. At the time of Bull Run, it was mostly hit or miss. I'll try to see what I can find out about the charge in question. Good stuff as usual, Brian. Let’s keep in mind that, particularly with Bull Run, lack of documentary evidence is not such strong support that something didn’t happen. As the war progressed the system of reporting became more regular. At the time of Bull Run, it was mostly hit or miss. I’ll try to see what I can find out about the charge in question.

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