The Collected Library, Including Americana and Early Photography

Camp 6th Cavalry Near Cattletts Station, Va. June 12, 1863. Bifolium sheet, 9 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. (235 x 184 mm). Autograph letter signed by Lt. Christian Balder to Tattnall Paulding, providing a lengthy and detailed account of the Battle of Brandy Station three days prior. In part: "...You have undoubtedly read in the Chronicle of yesterday the account of our fight with the rebs. Don't believe the half of it...I will now try to give you an account...Col. Davis's Brig. went over the river first. They had little difficult in crossing because the rebs did not expect us...The rebs contested every inch of ground manfully, and the fight grew beautifully larger and larger...Priv. Viall had the top of his head carried away by a round shot from a battery...we were ordered to advance through the woods...2d Cav. took the lead then followed the 6th Pa... on my retreating from the woods I seen cavalries without hats, scratched noses, and the axes of our pioneers bumping against their backs like forty. The rebs were shelling all the woods all the time...My mare was hit through her hind leg, but did not hurt her much. My blood got up...I was in front of my squadron, waving my saber...when all of a sudden a rebel officer came dashing at me, at full speed, making a tremendous right cut at me, but fortunately I just perceived him in the nick of time. I parried his cut successfully and striking his sabre clean out of his hand. He fled by me, and one of my men shot him through the heart..." Creasing from old folds, a few small closed tears along same; foxing. Accompanied by a typed transcription.

The Battle of Brandy Station took place during the Gettysburg Campaign on June 9, 1863, was the largest predominantly cavalry engagement to ever take place on U.S. soil, with over 20,000 units being deployed to the field. Union General Alfred Pleasanton deployed forces in a surprise attack against those of Confederate J.E.B. Stuart's which led to heavy casualties on both sides. Southern newspapers touted it as a Confederate victory since Stuart's troops held the field, but it was noteworthy as the first time Union cavalry matched the speed and skill of Confederate riders.

Lt. Christian Balder (d. 1863) commanded Company A of the 6th U.S. Calvary regiment, serving alongside the letter's recipient Lt. Tattnall Paulding (1840-1907). Balder would die three weeks after this letter as result of wounds sustained at the Battle of Fairfield on July 3, 1863, a conflict in which Tattnall Paulding was also taken prisoner.

Tattnall was the son of Hiram Paulding (1797-1878), career U.S. Naval Officer who served with distinction from the War of 1812 through the American Civil War, eventually attaining the rank of Rear Admiral.

A remarkable eyewitness account by a key Union commander of the battle.