I'm honored to have a post here by good friend and guest blogger William R. Fuzia, who portrays Federal Cavalry officer Alfred Pleasonton. William recently visited the final resting place of Pleasonton and his family in Congressional Cemetery near Washington DC. I've been to the grave once years ago, and asked William to take some new photos for me, which he graciously did. The first one shows him at Alfred's government headstone, the only (and simple) marker at the general's grave. William wrote the following for this post: "Pictures of the humble gravesite of Major General Alfred Pleasonton in the family plot at Congressional Cemetery, Washington D.C. General Pleasonton served as a career Dragoon and cavalryman from 1844 to 1868. He is best known for his command of the Army of the Potomac Cavalry Corps from 1863-64 and was instrumental in bringing the Union Cavalry to age. May he rest in eternal peace. Thank you for your faithful service, general."
And thank you, William, for providing these updated pictures!
Pleasonton was a bloviating self promoting liar who dishonored Peter Keenan`s death at Chancellorsville by claiming to have ordered him to charge the head of Jackson`s column. There was in fact a charge but it was a completely inadvertent occurrence, as anyone with an ounce of knowledge about that particular incident knows full well.
ReplyDeleteAs has been pointed out, it is entirely appropriate that Pleasonton, who retired with the permanent rank of major (just major, no "general") has a memorial the "size of a hubcap."
My surname is Huey, a name with which Pleasonton was abundantly familiar.....
Interesting post.
ReplyDeleteThe interview with Pleasonton contained in 'Generals in Bronze' is really fascinating and helps bring him to life.
Chris
Chris, that interview is extremely revealing. Also shows that Pleasonton's personality traits during the war seemed to continue long after.
ReplyDeleteJ.D.