★  Duffie, Alfred

Alfred Napoleon Alexander Duffie

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Duffie.jpg


Born: May 1, 1835 – (Some Sources Say May 18th)

Birthplace: Paris, France

Father: Count Jean August Duffie 1798 – 1885

Mother: Clarisse Lhoste 1809 –

Wife: Mary A. Pelton 1828 – 1910
(Buried: Fountain Cemetery, West New Brighton, New York)​

Children:

Daniel Pelton Duffie 1862 – 1943​
(Buried: Fair View Cemetery, Middletown, New Jersey)​

Auguste Duffie 1866 – 1866​
(Buried: Fountain Cemetery, West New Brighton, New York)​

Education:

Graduated from Ecole Speciale Millitarie de Saint – Cyr​

Occupation before War:

Served in the French Imperial Cavalry​
1852 – 1859: Served in the French Army rising to Sub – Lt.​
1854: Served in the Battle of Balaclava, Crimea​
1855: Served in the Battle of the Chernaya​
1859: Recipient of Legion d’Honneur​
1859: Promoted to Sub – Lt. of 3rd Hussar Cavalry​
1859: Resigned from the French Army​
Immigrated to the United States from France​
1859 – 1861: Suffered from the Effects of Asthma​
Lived on Staten Island, New York​

Civil War Career:

1861: Captain in 2nd New York Cavalry Regiment​
1861: Often had confrontations with his superior officers​
Challenged General Fitz John Porter to a duel​
1862 – 1863: Colonel of 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment​
1862: Served in the Battle of Cedar Mountain, Virginia​
1863: Ordered a charge at the Battle of Kelly’s Ford, Virginia​
1863: His horse was shot, throwing him into water, bruising his leg​
1863: Promoted to division commander in Union Army, Cavalry​
1863: Division Commander during the Battle of Brandy Station, Virginia​
1863: Demoted back to regimental commander​
1863: Led his regiment on a mission to Middleburg, Virginia
Duffie 1.jpg
1863: Almost captured Major General J.E.B. Stuart​
1863 – 1865: Brigadier General of Union Army Cavalry​
1863: Saw Action at Lewisburg, West Virginia​
1864: Served in Hunter’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign​
1864: Captured by John S. Mosby at Bunker Hill, West Virginia​
1864: Major General Phil Sheridan Asked for him to be dismissed​
1864 – 1865: Prisoner of War held by the Confederate Army​
1865: Paroled from Confederate Prison on February 22nd
1865: Mustered out of the Union Army on August 24th

Occupation after War:

1865 – 1869: Lived at Staten Island, New York​
1867: Became a naturalized Citizen of the United States​
1869 – 1880: United States Counsel to Cadiz, Spain​

Died: November 8, 1880

Place of Death: Cadiz, Spain

Cause of Death: Tuberculosis

Age at time of Death: 47 years old

Burial Place: Fountain Cemetery, West New Brighton, New York
 
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I haven't known what to think of this guy and want to find out more about him. So far most of what I have read seems rather negative. If I remember correctly he wasn't above exaggerating his French military accomplishments.

John
 
That's Duffié, pronouned Du-fee-YAY. A talented poseur. Most of his pre-war claims are exaggerated or downright lies. Back in 2014 I posted this thread (please excuse the expired photos):

Read his story, largely as he wanted it told:

Eric Wittenberg's excellent evaluation, which, I think, may be considered the 'last word':
 
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1863: Ordered a charge at the Battle of Kelly’s Ford, Virginia
Duffie served under Averell in the battle. According to Sears, Duffie's aggressive actions against the lone confederate brigade of cavalry (Fitz Lee's) could have led to victory had Averell not had him arrested for disobeying orders in making the charge.
 
He certainly seems to have rubbed quite a few people the wrong way. I would like to find out more about his challenging Fitz John Porter to a duel.

John
 
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