Civil War Battlefield Maps of General A. Williams

Collection of 21 manuscript Civil War maps and one letter. This unique collection of maps relates to the campaigns of General Sherman and, specifically General Williams during 1864 and 1865. The collection includes three field drawn battle maps on paper, a field prepared note or letter related to Resaca, and eighteen manuscript scribed battle maps, likely created as master maps for photographic reproduction in the monumental Atlas to Accompany the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. The provenance of the collection is uncertain, but the owner's father was friends with and lived next to Milo Quaife. Mr. Quaife edited "From the Cannon's Mouth" , a published collection of letters from Brigadier General Williams to his daughter during the war.The first three maps are drawn on thin paper and appear to be contemporaneously field sketched during the campaign of General Williams. These maps include: 1) An Untitled map describing the Opening of the Atlanta Campaign, May 1864 , 7.5 x 9.6". This map represents the early movements of General Williams' Division on or about May 4, 1864. Drawn in ink and pencil it appears to be an early reconnaissance map and is noted "probable good route for Gen. Williams," and "Genl Butterfield March May 4." The drawing is filled with information and details including property owner names, physical features, distance to places off the map, etc. A remarkable 'work in progress' with a good deal added in pencil in the same hand. West Chicamauga, Pea Vine and Chicamanga Creeks are named. On thin, fragile paper. 2) "Topl. Engrs. 20th Corps June 12th 1864", 7.7 x 6". This field drawn manuscript in pencil and colored pencils shows the positions of the 20th Corps 1st, 2nd and 3rd Divisions, the 23rd Corps, and the 4th Corps. The drawing also locates the "H. Qrs 20th C." as well as property owners, roads, the Alatoona Creek and other topographical information. A notation reads "Williams" near Pine Hill and another says "Train" in a box at the top. On thin, fragile paper. 3) An untitled manuscript map, May 14, 1864, 7.7 x 3.2". This small and delicately drawn field map relates to the Battle of Resaca. Executed in pencil on a small piece of lined stationary paper, the drawing locates Resaca on the railroad, Camp Cr., Dalton Rd. and the position of four troop positions (1st Brig. Harrow, and three others this cataloger cannot read). There is also a note on Genl McPherson's position. A large creek is shown flowing from the south to Resaca, but it is not labeled Snake Creek. 4) "Resaca" is a Field Note or letter, unsigned, 5.3 x 8". The note begins "Thomas comes in from the west toward house of Mr. Moor with Hooker opposite the house of Mr. Ruckert Schofield moves in rear of Thomas as crosses the field near the house of Mr. Wright and the meadow at the head of CC. Cox ____ east of Dalton road Judah west of it.".The following 18 manuscript maps are scribed and drawn on paper. They are arranged chronologically. Those that can be identified as being from the work of cartographer Lucius Thaddeus Stanley of the 12th and the 20th Corps are identified as such. The first three maps may also be the work of Stanley; although that is uncertain, the style is similar. See "Maps and Mapmakers of the Civil War" for some illustrated maps by Stanley in the Gilder Lehrman Collection that is currently on deposit at the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York. 5) "May 4th 1864," 5.7 x 6.7". Centered on Rossville with Chattanooga above and Gordon's Mill at bottom. After Stanley. 6) "May 6th 11 a.m. & May 7th 4 p.m.," 5.7 x 6.7". Ringoold at upper right. Locates Pea Vine, Crawfish, Middle Chickamouga, and Chickamouga Creeks. After Stanley. 7) "May 9,10 & 11 to 12," 5.7 x 7.3". Locates the towns of Trickum, Duggap, Dalton, and Villanow. Names Tunnel Hill Mill, Carpenter and Croxton's Creeks. Shows the Tenn. & GA, W & A Railroads plus a projected railroad extending south from the W&Q Railroad near Carpenter Creek. After Stanley. 8) "May 12 to 15," 5.6 x 6.5". The towns of "Resacca" and Tilton are located as is the Oustanaula River, and Clear, Mill, Snake, Rock, Lick, and John's Creeks. Names the Snake Creek Gap. After Stanley. 9) Untitled Battle of Resaca, May 14th, 10.7 x 9.5". Shows a detailed view of the vicinity around Resaca and Tilton with individual houses identified with owners' names. Identifies Snake Creek Gap and the "More" home mentioned in the letter noted above. 10) "May 15," 5.7 x 6.6". A very detailed map related to the Battle of Resacca. Very close detail around Resacca, the map extends only to show a small portion of Swamp Creek to the northwest. Locates the Projected railroad. After Stanley. 11) "May 16 & 17.," 5.25 x 7". Resacca is at upper left with Calhoun below. Troop positions are indicated for the two days. After Stanley. 12) "May 18 to 23," 5.2 x 6.8". Details troop positions and movements between Adairsville, Kinston and Cassville. Locates Pine Loo, Oothecloga, Barnsleys, Two Run, an