CIVIL WAR -CABINET CARD - GENERAL JOHN NEWTON
Post war cabinet card photograph. 6 1/2” x 4 1/4. View of Civil War general John Newton. Sarony, NY photographer‘s imprint. Image exhibits strong tonality, contrast and clarity. (CC133); $250.
John Newton (August 25, 1822 – May 1, 1895) was a career engineer officer in the United States Army, a Union general in the American Civil War, and Chief of the Corps of Engineers. As a division commander  he participated in the Battle of Fredericksburg. After that disastrous defeat, he and other generals journeyed to see President Abraham Lincoln and informed him of their lack of confidence in Army of the Potomac commander Burnside. This was one of the causes of Burnside's relief in January 1863, but it also wounded Newton's career; his appointment to major general on March 30, 1863, was withdrawn the following year when his involvement was understood. In the Battle of Chancellors Ville, Newton was wounded at Salem Church. At Gettysburg, he replaced the slain Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds in command of the I Corps and led it through the defense of Pickett's Charge. He retained command of I Corps until the Army of the Potomac was reorganized in 1864 for Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign. The I Corps was dissolved, and Newton was sent to the Army of the Cumberland. In the Atlanta Campaign, he commanded the 2nd Division, IV Corps, in Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas's command. He served under Sherman, who regarded him highly. At the Battle of Peachtree Creek, he prevented a dangerous Confederate movement against Sherman and his rapidly constructed works allowed him to turn back the Confederate thrust, a victory that put his official military career back on track.