Union general (1815-1881) who participated in the Florida Wars and the Mexican War. He commanded a brigade of the 2nd Corps during the Peninsular campaign, and a division of the corps at Antietam. He also fought in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and commanded the District of Harpers Ferry during the Gettysburg campaign. Civil War-dated ALS signed “Wm. H. French, Brig. Gen.,” one page, 5 x 7.75, September 21, 1862. A brief field report addressed to Lt. Col. J. H. Taylor, written just four days after commanding the 3rd Division in the first attack on Confederate forces holding the Sunken Road at Antietam, in full: "Colonel Morris commanding the 3rd Brigade of my Division officially reports the capture of two stand of colors by his Brigade." In fine condition. French’s first brigade to attack, mostly inexperienced troops commanded by Brig. Gen. Max Weber, was quickly cut down by heavy rifle fire. The second attack, more raw recruits under Col. Dwight Morris, was also subjected to heavy fire but managed to beat back a counterattack by the Alabama Brigade of Robert Rodes. The third, under Brig. Gen. Nathan Kimball, included three veteran regiments, but they also fell to fire from the sunken road. French's division suffered 1,750 casualties (of his 5,700 men) in under an hour.

Format:ALS