This Mighty Scourge

On July 24, 1864, commanding general, Ulysses S. Grant approved US Major General George Gordon Meade’s request to detonate a mine under the Confederate lines at Petersburg.  In his order, Grant stated, “If this is attempted it will be necessary to concentrate all the force possible at that point in the enemy’s line we expect to penetrate.  All officers should be fully impressed with the absolute necessity of pushing entirely beyond the enemy’s present line, if they should succeed in penetrating it, and of getting back to their present line promptly if they should not succeed in breaking through.”(i) 

Centered near Pegram’s Salient (also called Elliott’s Salient for the infantry brigade commanded by Stephen Elliott), the tunnels, and galleries took several weeks to build.  The 48th Pennsylvania was tasked with building the tunnels, adding supports and placing the galleries in the correct places.  Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Henry Pleasants, many of the men of the 48th Pennsylvania were miners by trade.  With the mine excavations completed on July 27, Grant ordered the mine to be detonated at 3:30 A.M., on July 30.  Packed with 8,000 pounds of black powder, evenly placed in separate magazines in the galleries, they were connected with wooden troughs half filled with powder.  Common blasting fuses were used to light the explosives, and ran 98 feet to a wall, constructed of logs and sandbags.  This wall was designed to keep the powerful explosion centered under the Rebel line.(ii)

On July 30, Pleasants lit the fuse at 3:15 A.M., after which he walked calmly out of the shaft.  The mine did not explode at 3:30 A.M.  Deciding to give it one hour to detonate, Pleasants asked for volunteers when the mine had not exploded by 4:15 A.M.  Sergeant Henry Reese, and Lieutenant Jacob Douty, both of the 48th Pennsylvania, volunteered to enter the shaft.  Entering the shaft, they found that all three fuses had been extinguished at a splice.  The fuse was repaired, and the men quickly exited the shaft.(iii)

The mine exploded at 4:44 A.M., with devastating results.  US Captain Thomas W. Clark, describing the blast stated, “There flashed out a lily-shaped fountain of dark red and yellow fire, with brown streaks in it.”(iv)  The explosion was strong enough to lift many of the prone Federal soldiers off their bellies in front of the Federal lines.  It created a “crater” in the earth, 30 feet deep, 50 feet wide and 125 feet long that would be described as resembling “a long Irish potato.”(v)  It is estimated that between 275–300 Confederate soldiers were instantly killed in the blast – or buried alive while they slept.

Tasked with leading the infantry charge against Pegram’s Salient was US Brigadier General James H. Ledlie.  Commanding a division in US Major General Ambrose Burnside’s IX Corps, Ledlie had a less than stellar reputation – having been found drunk during the action at the North Anna River.  Burnside had originally planned on using US Brigadier General Edward Ferrero’s Fourth Division, consisting of United States Colored Troops (USCT), for the attack, but was overruled by Meade.  Burnside’s reasoning was that Ferrero’s division was better rested than his other veteran divisions.  Meade was concerned with how the “green” USCT troops would react under severe pressure on such an important operation.  Grant sustained Meade and the matter was put to rest.(vi)

After an opening salvo of artillery fire, from US Brigadier General Henry J. Hunt’s batteries, Ledlie ordered his troops forward – approximately ten minutes after the blast. His division quickly pushed towards the crater.  Two brigades, commanded by colonels William F. Bartlett and Elisha G. Marshall, streamed into the crater.  Ledlie, not possessing the best communication skills, did not issue clear orders for his brigade commanders resulting in the brigades entering the crater and not pushing to the ultimate target - the high ground beyond the Confederate lines.  Confusion reigned within the crater as the soldiers had no way of scaling the wall on the Confederate side.  Following Ledlie’s brigade were portions of US Brigadier General Robert B. Potter’s Second Division.  These troops, aligned on the right of Ledlie’s division, pushed to the Rebel lines north of the crater.  Due to the confusion of battle, some of US Colonel Simon Griffin’s Second Brigade veered left into the crater – creating additional mayhem.  Following Ledlie and Potter’s division was a portion of US Brigadier General Orlando Willcox’s Third Division.  Forming a second line of battle, Willcox’s first brigade, commanded by US Colonel John Hartranft, entered the crater, further compacting the mass of men, while the remainder of the division pushed to the south of the crater.

Opposing the Federal troops were Confederate troops under the command of CSA Brigadier General Stephen Elliott.  Consisting of men from South Carolina, Elliott’s Brigade included the 17th, 18th, 22d, 23d and the 26th South Carolina infantry regiments.  South of the crater was CSA Colonel J.T. Goode’s brigade of veteran Virginians.  Elliott’s Brigade would receive the thrust of Potter’s Federal division, while Goode’s Brigade would defend against Willcox’s division.  While portions of Elliott’s brigade streamed to the rear, the 49th North Carolina, of CSA Brigadier General M.W. Ransom’s Brigade pushed to the face of the crater.  They quickly began emptying their muskets into the mass of men stuck in the crater.  The action was vividly described by North Carolina infantryman Thomas R. Rouhac, “Our men aimed steadily and true, and as each rifle became too hot to be used another gun was at work by one who took the place of the first, or supplied him rifles that could be handled.”(vii)

Meade, growing impatient with the stagnated fighting ordered Burnside to, “push your men forward at all hazards (white and black) and don’t lose time in making formations, but rush for the crest.”(viii)  Burnside immediately issued orders to all division commanders to push forward.  Meade, not directly witnessing the action in the crater, would become incensed when he learned of the confusion in the crater.  He further ordered Burnside to use troops from the V and XVIII Corps, as necessary. 

On the Confederate side, much of Elliott’s Brigade had scattered in the confusion of the blast, with the remaining troops all that separated Burnside from successfully penetrating the line.  These South Carolinians fought bravely holding back a much larger force.  Elliott, after ordering a charge around 6:00 A.M., was shot as soon as he stepped out of the trench.  Command of the brigade passed to CSA Colonel Fitz W. McMaster, of the 17th South Carolina, who placed the brigade in position north, and south, of the crater.  McMaster’s efforts were greatly augmented by artillery which poured a deadly fire into the crater, and its approaches.

About this time, CSA General Robert E. Lee learned of the action at Pegram’s Salient.  He immediately dispatched his staffer, Colonel Charles Venable, to CSA Brigadier General William Mahone, ordering two of his brigades to support Elliott and Goode.  Federal signal officers quickly noticed this movement and alerted Meade, who believed he might have an opportunity west of the Jerusalem Plank Road.  Ordering US Major General Gouverneur Warren’s V Corps to determine the feasibility of an attack south of Burnside, they quickly determined that it would be impractical.  Burnside was on his own and Mahone’s brigades now made their presence known at the crater.

Communication on the Federal front was terrible.  Meade felt that Burnside was deliberately keeping him uninformed, while Ledlie provided Burnside no communication.  When he sent his division forward, Ledlie quietly retired to a bombproof behind the lines.  Complaining of malarial symptoms, the surgeon of the 27th Michigan provided Ledlie with rum.  When he received orders from a Burnside staffer to send his division to the ridge behind Pegram’s Salient, Ledlie directed the staffer to spread word to his division.(ix)  Ledlie would later be cashiered for being intoxicated during the battle.

By 9:00 A.M. the Federals held roughly 300 yards of the Confederate trenches.  With all of his troops now in the fray, Ferrero’s Fourth Division, composed of the USCT’s troops, were leading the push towards the ridge, and the Jerusalem Plank Road.  With the tangled mass of men in the crater, only the 30th and 43d USCT regiments managed to break through.  Colonel Delavan Bates, of the 30th USCT, urged his men forward, “Remember Fort Pillow!”(x)  Bates, shot in the face, would survive his wound and be awarded the Medal of Honor on June 22, 1891.

Facing Ferrero’s USCT troops were Mahone’s two brigades which he took personal command of.  Leading his old brigade, commanded by Brigadier General David Weisiger, he would send them to support Elliott’s 200 soldiers north of the crater.  Much hand-to-hand combat took place between Weisiger’s Virginians and the US Colored Troops.  After about twenty minutes the Federal troops had been cleared from the captured trenches.  Meanwhile, south of the crater, Hartranft ordered his men back to a portion of Pegram’s Salient that was still intact.  With the arrival of Mahone many of the Federal troops in the crater retreated in disorder for the Union lines.  However, approximate 600 men remained in the crater, many of them black troops.  They would claw their way to the top of the precipice and would either be shot, or clubbed, inevitably rolling back down the face into the soldiers under them.  The men writhing in the bottom of the crater were mercilessly picked off by Mahone’s Confederates, with little means of defending themselves.

By this time, at Federal headquarters, both Grant and Meade had determined to call off the attack.  Between 9:30 and 10:00 A.M. Burnside received two orders to call off his offensive.  Determined to resurrect his plan, Burnside rode to headquarters to plead his case with Meade.  Meade was unmoved, but allowed Burnside to wait until dark to pull his men back.  Upon returning to his headquarters, at Fourteen Gun Battery, Burnside issued ambiguous orders for retreat, leaving the timing up to his division commanders.  Before these orders reached the field, Mahone issued orders to Hall’s Georgia brigade to attack south of the crater.  This proved a dismal failure as the Georgians, under heavy fire from the crater, pushed towards the left, behind Weisiger’s brigade.  Undeterred, Mahone ordered Sanders’ Brigade to attack south of the crater, at 1:00 PM.  While waiting for the arrival of Sanders, the Federal troops received their orders from Burnside.  Determining that it would be too dangerous to retire during daylight, they stayed in the crater.  Sanders attack started at 1:00 P.M., as planned.  They arrived at the edge of the crater, but advanced no further, for fear of falling into the mass of Federals in the hole.  Resorting to throwing their bayonet tipped muskets into the crater, or throwing dirt clods, they were ineffective.  Finally they pushed into the crater.  They immediately started killing the black soldiers – even after many of them had surrendered.  After about thirty minutes, the crater was completely commanded by Sanders’ brigade.  They captured 500 men and three regimental flags.  The debacle at the crater was finally over.(xi)

All told, the Federals suffered 3,800 casualties at the Battle of the Crater – over 500 were killed.  On the Confederate side, losses were approximately 1,500 of which there were 200 killed in action.  Grant clearly made his opinion known, “The effort was a stupendous failure.  It cost us about 4,000 men, mostly, however, captured; and all due to inefficiency on the part of the corps commander and the incompetency of the division commander who was sent to lead the assault.”(xii)  For the next eight months, the combatants would continue to attempt to outmaneuver each other in front of Petersburg.  Finally, on April 2, 1865, Grant would break Lee’s lines at Petersburg, ending in the surrender of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.

Earl J. Hess’ scholarly work on Petersburg, “In the Trenches of Petersburg,” was used to research this article.  This is a wonderful analysis of all the actions at Petersburg, during the ten month offensive.  For more information on this book, please read my review on the book by clicking here.  Included is an in-depth interview with Mr. Hess that is very enlightening.

(i) Grant, Ulysses S., Grant Memoirs and Selected Letters, published by The Library of America 1990, Pg. 611.
(ii) Hess, Earl J., In the Trenches at Petersburg: Field Fortifications & Confederate Defeat, published by The University of North Carolina Press, June 2009, Pgs. 84–85.
(iii) Hess, Earl J., In the Trenches at Petersburg: Field Fortifications & Confederate Defeat, published by The University of North Carolina Press, June 2009, Pg. 90.
(iv) Hess, Earl J., In the Trenches at Petersburg: Field Fortifications & Confederate Defeat, published by The University of North Carolina Press, June 2009, Pg. 90.
(v) Hess, Earl J., In the Trenches at Petersburg: Field Fortifications & Confederate Defeat, published by The University of North Carolina Press, June 2009, Pg. 91.
(vi) Hess, Earl J., In the Trenches at Petersburg: Field Fortifications & Confederate Defeat, published by The University of North Carolina Press, June 2009, Pgs. 87–88.
(vii) Hess, Earl J., In the Trenches at Petersburg: Field Fortifications & Confederate Defeat, published by The University of North Carolina Press, June 2009, Pg. 92.
(viii) Hess, Earl J., In the Trenches at Petersburg: Field Fortifications & Confederate Defeat, published by The University of North Carolina Press, June 2009, Pg. 93.
(ix) Hess, Earl J., In the Trenches at Petersburg: Field Fortifications & Confederate Defeat, published by The University of North Carolina Press, June 2009, Pg. 97.
(x) Hess, Earl J., In the Trenches at Petersburg: Field Fortifications & Confederate Defeat, published by The University of North Carolina Press, June 2009, Pg. 98.
(xi) Hess, Earl J., In the Trenches at Petersburg: Field Fortifications & Confederate Defeat, published by The University of North Carolina Press, June 2009, Pgs. 98–103.
(xii) Grant, Ulysses S., Grant Memoirs and Selected Letters, published by The Library of America 1990, Pg. 613.

This week is the 124th anniversary of the death of US President, and Civil War general Ulysses S. Grant.  An unlikely force in the Civil War, Grant performed best during the heat of battle.  Born to Jesse and Hannah (Simpson) Grant he was was raised in a modest home.  Jesse was a tanner and young Hiram Ulysses (Grant’s given first name was Hiram) hated the smell of the family’s tannery.  At a very early age, young Hiram was an accomplished rider and would have a life long love of horses.  Jesse would secure an appointment for his son to West Point, something Grant would later state was not to his liking.  In his written letters, from West Point, he would often state how he disliked drill, tactics and other military curriculum.  Grant, in a letter from West Point, stated, “A military life had no charms for me, and I had not the faintest idea of staying in the army even if I should be graduated, which I did not expect.”(i)  Grant would maintain his grades and graduate from West Point in 1843.

After graduation, U.S. Grant would be assigned to the 4th Infantry Regiment, at Jefferson Barracks, in Saint Louis, Missouri.  As a second lieutenant Grant would become the 4th Infantry’s regimental quartermaster.  Through his friend, and West Point classmate, Fred Dent, he would meet Julia Dent.  Grant quickly fell in love with Julia, and they would be married in 1848.  Julia would bear Grant four children during their long life together.

During the Mexican War, quartermaster Grant would earn accolades for bravery and would often be found near the heaviest action.  After the war, Grant would be transferred to the west coast with a rank of first lieutenant.  Alone, and many miles from his wife and children, Grant would often fall into a state of melancholy – a period during which he was known to drink heavily.  Unable to bear being separate from Julia, then Captain Grant, would resign his commission on March 6, 1854.  Returning to Saint Louis, Grant tried to support his family by farming his “Hardscrabble” farm but had trouble growing crops in the rocky soil of Saint Louis County.  He would be forced to sell firewood, with trees being the only real crop that grew well on his land.  He would take other positions in real estate and bill collection.  In early 1860, unable to support his family, Grant would move to Galena and work at his father’s dry goods store.

With the election of Abraham Lincoln, southern states started to secede from the United States.  Grant tried to receive an appropriate commission in the U.S. Army, but was unable to receive any response from Washington City.  It has been speculated that his history of drinking prevented him from receiving a commission from the Lincoln administration.  Volunteering his services to his adopted home state of Illinois, Grant assisted Illinois Governor Richard Yates in recruiting Illinois’ portion of militia, after Lincoln’s call for 75,000 troops.  Grant would end up being appointed colonel of the 21st Illinois Infantry Regiment – a regiment that was untrained and nearly insubordinate.  He would perform well as a colonel and would be promoted brigadier general volunteers after Illinois congressman Elihu Washburne sent his name to Lincoln for promotion to fill Illinois’ portion of general officers.  While he was unaware of his name being sent to Lincoln, he would learn of his promotion while in the field at Mexico, Missouri.  This promotion allowed Grant’s star to shine, as he won significant battles at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Shiloh.  After capturing CSA Brigadier General Simon Bolivar Buckner’s army at Fort Donelson, Grant would be promoted major general of volunteers.  During the coming years of war, Grant would capture two additional armies at Vicksburg and at Appomattox Court House where on April 9, 1865 he would receive the surrender of CSA General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, essentially ending the Civil War.  In March 1864, Grant would be promoted to lieutenant general and supreme commander of all U.S. ground forces.  Grant would be the first general since George Washington to receive promotion to this rank – and like George Washington – Grant would later become President of the United States.

While Grant’s presidency was marred with scandal, Grant performed his duties with honesty and honor.  His primary fault was that he trusted people who ended up using him to promote their own agendas, often with disastrous results.  Grant served two terms as president and was floated as a candidate for a third term.  After his presidency, Ulysses and Julia would embark on a world wide tour, and would be received as a celebrity everywhere he went.

After returning to the United States, Grant would allow his name to be used in a financial investment firm that ultimately failed.  This would leave Grant destitute and nearly penniless.  Fortunately, friends would come to his aid and provide him homes in New York City, and Galena, Illinois.

In the early 1880’s Grant would be diagnosed with throat cancer.  Wanting to provide for Julia, and his children, he would start writing his personal memoirs.  Writing in a flurry, Grant would finish his memoirs a couple days before dying, on July 23, 1885.  Mark Twain published the book providing Julia Grant with over $450,000 in royalties – the largest paid to that date.  The memoirs, are still considered one of the best of its type after over a century in print.

U.S. Grant’s funeral is one of the largest in the history of the United States.  He and Julia are buried in the largest mausoleum in the United States, overlooking the Hudson River in mid-town Manhattan.  While Grant was often maligned by historians, his reputation has been resurrected in recent years with seminal biographies on his life.

Ulysses S. Grant is one of the most interesting historical figures in the history of the United States.  During the Civil War, he capture three Confederate armies, more than any other general officer.  During his presidency he contributed greatly to the advancement of Native Americans, the ratification of the 15^th Amendment providing voting rights for black men and the establishment of the Department of Justice.  While there will always be Grant detractors, one thing is for certain – Ulysses S. Grant is a true American HERO.(ii)

(i) Grant, Ulysses S., Grant Memoirs and Selected Letters, published by The Library of America 1990, Pg. 31.
(ii) For additional reading, please read my essay on Ulysses S. Grant.  It can be read by clicking here.

Dear Fellow Civil War Enthusiasts,

I write to you this evening with further confirmation that Wal-Mart’s plans to locate a Supercenter adjacent to The Wilderness Battlefield can be averted.  Today, the Civil War Preservation Trust sent an email to its members asking for their support.  This call-to-action requests you to send an email to Wal-Mart CEO Michael Duke.  This can be done easily by using a form on their website.  If you live in the Orange County, Virginia area you are encouraged to attend the Orange County Board of Supervisors board meeting on Monday, July 27.  Hopefully many local residents, preservationists and Civil War buffs will be in attendance.  The CWPT has created a blog to follow their “No Wilderness Wal-Mart” campaign, which can be reached by clicking here.

Best Regards,
Mike Noirot

Printed below, is the Civil War Preservation Trust’s email.

**************************************************

The Wilderness Walmart controversy is drawing to a close, but it’s not too late to save this irreplaceable national treasure.  Orange County will hold a public hearing next week, and we need your help once again to prevent Walmart from building a Supercenter on the Wilderness Battlefield.

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine and House Speaker Bill Howell recently wrote the Orange County Board of Supervisors, urging them to find a location for Walmart that doesn’t infringe on the Wilderness Battlefield.  Kaine and Howell’s call for a compromise solution was echoed a few days later by Senator Jim Webb of Virginia.  They join an overwhelming number of local residents and concerned preservationists who agree that the Wilderness Battlefield is no place for big box retail.

How long can Walmart and Orange County ignore these calls to move Walmart away from the Wilderness Battlefield?

Building a Walmart, plus an additional three “baby box” stores, at the proposed site would have a dramatic impact on the battlefield and National Park, and would open up the region for even more incompatible development.  All of this would completely undermine the visitor experience at the battlefield for generations to come.

The Board of Supervisors is set to weigh in on the proposed Walmart in the coming weeks, which is why we need your help today.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Write to Walmart CEO Michael Duke:  Please write a letter to the CEO of Walmart, Michael Duke, and ask him to respect the Wilderness Battlefield and find an alternate location in Orange County for their Supercenter.  There are many places to build a Walmart, but there is only one Wilderness Battlefield.

Attend the public hearing:  If you live in or near Orange County, please consider attending the public hearing.  The Board of Supervisors public hearing is Monday, July 27, at 7:00 p.m., at Orange County High School, 201 Selma Road, Orange, VA 22960.  Make your voice heard and urge the Supervisors to find a better site for Walmart. 

Click here for resources to stop the Wilderness Walmart.

Click here for a map of the public hearing location.

Throughout this struggle, the preservation community has consistently sought a reasonable compromise.  It’s not too late.  We need your help now, more than ever, to let Walmart know that 240,000 square feet of big-box development does not belong on the Wilderness Battlefield.

Please help us protect the Wilderness Battlefield.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact us (202-367-1861 ext. 220).  I hope we can count on your continued support to save the Wilderness Battlefield!

Thank you.

Best,
Brent Laurenz

July 21, 2009 marks the 148th anniversary of the Battle of First Manassas.  Called Bull Run, in the North, for a creek that meanders through the rolling hills of Fairfax County, Virginia, the Battle of First Manassas ignited the American Civil War.  While there had been other battles (Big Bethel and Falling Waters), Bull Run was the first major coordinated battle of the American Civil War.  After the firing on Fort Sumter, on April 12, 1861, US President Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 state militia troops to quell the insurrection of the southern states.  While eleven states had voted for secession, it was Lincoln’s belief that the union was insoluble – a pact that the seceded states could not break.  In other words, the Confederacy was not a sovereign country. 

By early July, both sides were anxious for a battle – a battle they both believed would quickly end the hostilities.  The North believed the South would quickly come back into the union, while the South believed they would quickly be recognized as an independent nation.  Lincoln, having appointed US Brigadier General Irvin McDowell to command the Army of Northeastern Virginia, garrisoned at Washington City, ordered his commander to attack the Confederate forces of CSA Brigadier General P.G.T. Beauregard, camped near Manassas Junction.  Lincoln, frustrated with the inactivity of his armed forces, offered advice to his commander, “You are green, it is true, but they are green also.  You are green alike.”(i)  Foreshadowing the tentative nature of future commanders in the eastern theater, McDowell was very concerned about how his soldiers would react in battle.  Pressured by Lincoln, and growing demands from the northern populace, to attack quickly, McDowell left the environs of Washington City and pushed west, on July 16.  His initial plan was to attack the Confederate forces at Bull Run, in a diversionary move, while his primary objective was to move around Beauregard’s right flank, placing a portion of his army between Beauregard and his supply line, to the south.

Typically war planning is done secretly, behind closed doors.  However, in Washington D.C., in July 1861, there were no secrets.  By Friday, July 19, dignitaries, civilians and the Confederate forces knew a battle was brewing.  On Sunday morning, July 21, after changing his tactical plan, McDowell’s five divisions attacked Beauregard’s Confederate forces.  Believing they would witness a grand spectacle, similar to a carnival, many civilians followed the Federal forces in their buggies, many with their picnic baskets packed.  These unfortunate civilians would witness the largest battle, thus far in the United States, and would become part of the first rout of the Civil War. 

The following battle narrative is from my other website, BattlefieldPortraits.com.

Battle of First Manassas
(also known as First Bull Run)

Location: Manassas, VA
Dates: July 21, 1861
Union Commander:  Irvin McDowell, Brigadier General
Confederate Commander:  P.G.T. Beauregard, Brig. General
                                   Joseph Johnston, Brig. General

Battle Summary:
After the bombardment of Fort Sumter, the Commonwealth of Virginia promptly pulled out of the Union, bringing the Confederate territory right to the Potomac River – and Washington D.C.  In order to protect the capitol, US General Winfield Scott put Brigadier General Irvin McDowell in charge of the Washington defenses.  While regiments from the northern states arrived in Washington D.C., Irvin McDowell built extensive defensive lines south of the Potomac - on Confederate soil.  Having taken the heights of Arlington and the city of Alexandria, McDowell went to work training his “green” troops.

Further west, at a rail junction near Manassas, Virginia, CSA Brigadier General Pierre G.T. Beauregard, victor of Fort Sumter, started to bring together seven infantry brigades to defend against what was believed to be an inevitable Federal advance on Manassas.  The remaining Confederate defenders were operating in the Shenandoah Valley, under the command of CSA Brigadier General Joseph E. Johnston.

Watching over these troops, in the Shenandoah Valley, were troops under US Major General Robert Patterson.  Patterson’s small army was instructed to demonstrate against Joseph Johnston’s army to prevent them from reinforcing Beauregard’s troops at Manassas Junction – an assignment he would ultimately fail.

By early July, pressure began mounting for McDowell to put his gargantuan army (the largest army on U.S. soil up to that time) in motion against the Confederates – winning what was assumed to be one massive battle, before moving “On to Richmond.”  McDowell, like George B. McClellan after him, wanted more time to train and drill his troops, but the astute Lincoln reminded him that his troops were no “greener” than the rebels at Manassas Junction.

By mid-July, McDowell had reorganized his army of sixty regiments and batteries, into brigades. These brigades were organized into five divisions, commanded by: Brigadier Generals Daniel Tyler and Theodore Runyon and Colonels David Hunter, Samuel Heitzelman and Dixon Miles.  All of McDowell’s division commanders were older than him.

On the Confederate side, Beauregard had organized his army into seven infantry brigades with artillery attached to each brigade.  His commanding lieutenants were: Brigadier Generals Richard S. Ewell, James Longstreet, David R. Jones, Milledge Bonham and Colonels Nathan “Shank” Evans, Philip St. George Cooke and Jubal Early.  On the whole, the rebel commanders had significantly more experience than the Union commanders.

Leaving the Washington D.C. defenses on July 16, McDowell moved to Fairfax Court House, arriving on July 17.  Brigadier General Tyler was sent on July 18 to seize Centreville and probe beyond, to determine rebel placements and strength.  Tyler ended up running into James Longstreet’s troops at Blackburn Ford, which proved a very unproductive recognizance.  McDowell, undeterred, moved his army into Centreville, where he devised his plan of attack.  It called for a two pronged advance, with one division feinting attack at the Stone Bridge, on Warrenton Turnpike, while two divisions hit the rebel left flank, after crossing Sudley Ford, from the north.

Having arrived from the Shenandoah Valley, troops under Joseph Johnston began to pour into the Manassas area.  As Johnston was the senior commander, it was agreed that Beauregard would command the field forces, with Johnston in overall command of the theater.  The troops arriving at Manassas, with Johnston, were under the command of a little known brigadier general, Thomas J. Jackson.  These troops joined troops already at Manassas under the command of Beauregard.

Early on the morning of July 21, McDowell put his plan into motion.  Troops under Daniel Tyler demonstrated against the rebel commander at the Stone Bridge, Nathan Evans.  Evans recognized the movement as a feint.  Leaving a small covering force at the Stone Bridge, he relocated his troops south of Matthews Hill where he expected the Union attack to begin.  His troops, roughly 900 strong, were attacked by close to 6,000 troops – two Federal divisions.  Being vastly outnumbered, Evans was quickly pushed back to another rise that would become famous – Henry House Hill.  Here Evans, and other troops under Beauregard, including a brigade under CSA Brigadier General Barnard Bee, were joined with a brigade of Valley men under Thomas Jackson, having recently arrived from the Shenandoah Valley.  These men faced an immediate artillery threat from a battery of Federal artillery placed adjacent to the Henry house.  While shells and musketry shrieked into the Confederate line, Bee noticed Jackson on his horse, calmly directing his brigade.  At this point, to rally his troops, he uttered the words that would immortalize Jackson in the south, “There is Jackson standing like a stone wall.  Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer.  Follow me.”  Ironically enough, Brigadier General Barnard Bee was killed there.  This rallied the demoralized rebels.

After a one hour pause in the fighting, while the armies prepared for one final assault, massed Confederate artillery knocked out Federal artillery commanded by Captain James B. Ricketts, who would be shot four times and then captured.  While the Union guns were disabled, a fierce infantry fight took place around them.  During the final infantry push, Beauregard’s troops were joined by troops under Jubal Early, Arnold Elzey and J.E.B. Stuart, tipping the balance in favor of the Confederates.  They pushed the Union troops from the field, past wealthy Washington D.C. citizens and politicians who had come out to see the “show.”  With the roads leading east clogged, the retreat turned ugly with many buggies and wagons overturned as the troops tried to get to the safety of the Washington D.C. defenses.

Additional Resources:

Mike’s Photographic Essay on First Manassas
Mike’s article on Second Manassas

Campaign: First Manassas

Outcome: Confederate Victory

Troop Strengths
Union: 35,000
Confederate: 33,000

Casualties (estimated):
Union: 2,896 (killed, wounded or missing/captured)
Confederate: 1,982 (killed, wounded or missing/captured)

Battle Aftermath:
While the losses were not large, compared to later battles, citizens of the North and South were ill prepared for the long casualty lists.  The country was baptized in fire and realized this war would not be won in one quick battle.  The north realized that the resolve of the south could overshadow their lack of manufacturing and technology.  The south became bold and believed that their armies could defeat any army thrown at them from the north.  In its aftermath, the loss at Bull Run, and subsequent retreat, made Lincoln’s administration realize that the army, soon to be called the Army of the Potomac, needed a professional commander that could bring organization to the battered soldiers.  Fresh off a win against rebel forces, in what now is West Virginia, against his future nemesis Robert E. Lee, Lincoln tapped the “young Napoleon,” George B. McClellan to lead the reformation of his army.  Writing his wife, shortly after his promotion to command the Army of the Potomac, McClellan stated, “…I seem to have become the power of the land.”  While overly confident in his abilities, McClellan did significantly improve the moral of his troops and they came to love him.  However, he will always be known as having what Lincoln called, “the slows.”

In the south, the Confederacy continued to build its army, soon to be called the Army of Northern Virginia.  Joseph Johnston, would command this army, protecting Richmond, until McClellan would be pushed into action, during the spring of 1862, in what would become the Peninsula campaign.  Johnston would be severely injured in this campaign, at Seven Pines, and Robert E. Lee would push McClellan from the “Gates of Richmond” and the peninsula in the Seven Days battles.  By then, it was known throughout the north, and the south, that the war would rage for years. 

(i) Eicher, David J., The Longest Night, published by Simon & Schuster, September 2001, Pg. 79.

I have been a fan of Earl Hess’ books since reading “Pea Ridge: Civil War Campaign of the West,” co-written with William L. Shea, and released in 1997.  I read his other books on field fortifications, “Field Armies and Fortifications,” and “Trench Warfare Under Grant and Lee,” both of which are near the top of my favorite Civil War titles.  When I learned of Hess’ third book on field fortifications, “In the Trenches of Petersburg: Field Fortifications and Confederate Defeat,” I immediately reached out to Earl and asked for a review copy.  The University of North Carolina Press sent me the book in March.  It waited in my review queue, for some time, as it was not scheduled to be released until July 2009.  I started reading the book in early May, and finished it in several days – which has been the norm for me with all of Hess’ works.  Like his other books, “In the Trenches of Petersburg” is wonderfully written, well researched and easy to read.  With only a handful of Petersburg titles, in recent years, I was very excited to read this book.  I will say, it was worth the wait.

Very early in the book, Hess made an assertion that struck me.  In essence, Hess makes a strong case that the actions around Petersburg were not a traditional siege, but a series of nine offensive actions with some siege components.  With that theory well supported, Hess provides a tremendous amount of detail on the elaborate field fortifications that were built east, and south, of Petersburg, and north of the James River, facing Richmond.  These fortifications represent the most elaborate field works of any Civil War battlefield.  Not only does the author provide these elaborate details, he also provides extensive information on the construction of the fortifications, and what it was like for the soldiers living in the trenches.

Here are details of what you will find in the book.

• Chapters One and Two detail the formation of the engineering departments of the opposing armies, and how fortifications grew in importance throughout the Civil War – specifically with the start of US Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant’s Overland Campaign of 1864.
• Chapter Three details the initial three days of fighting, in June 1864, that started with Grant’s armies crossing the James River.  With only a small garrison, commanded by CSA General P.G.T. Beauregard, defending Petersburg, US Major Generals William F. “Baldy” Smith and Winfield S. Hancock had an opportunity to crush the garrison and capture Petersburg.  Unfortunately, due to uncoordinated assaults, this offensive is considered one of the biggest debacles Grant made during the Civil War.  Most scholars and historians believe that a successful assault would have cut CSA General Robert E. Lee’s vital supply lines, to the south, and ended the war months earlier.
• Chapter Four focuses on the “second offensive,” west of the Jerusalem Plank Road.  Hess does a fine job describing Lee’s responses to attacks on his right flank.  Additionally Hess discusses the preparations for the mine, that ultimately culminated in the Battle of the Crater.
• Chapters Five and Six provide details on the construction of field fortifications and life in the trenches for soldiers on both sides.  These chapters include many firsthand accounts from soldiers.  Hess’ use of new source material is very evident in these chapters, and other areas of the book.
• Chapter Seven details the “third offensive” on Lee’s left flank, north of the James River.  In this offensive Federal forces attacked at First Deep Bottom, attempting to push their way through the Confederate fortifications around Richmond.  Unsuccessful, they made a modest effort to erect fortifications to hold the ground they had gained.  Hess also provides a great analysis of the preparations for the final part of the “third offensive,” the Battle of the Crater, in this chapter.
• Chapter Eight focuses solely on the Battle of the Crater.  Hess provides wonderful detail about the attack, with many firsthand accounts that make it feel like you are watching the battle from both sides of the line.
• Chapter Nine is entitled “August.”  August 1864, like most other summer months in Virginia, was very hot.  The author details what it was like to live in the filth of the trenches, the diseases the soldiers suffered from and the many counter-mining operations that were occurring on both sides.
• Chapter Ten covers the “fourth offensive.”  Comprised of the battle of Second Deep Bottom, on the Union right, and the battles of Globe Tavern and Second Ream’s Station, on the Union left, it was a bitter disappointment for U.S. Grant.  The battle of Second Deep Bottom further confirmed that it would be very difficult to trick Robert E. Lee into fatally weakening one flank in order to support the other.  Globe Tavern, while very successful for US Major General Gouverneur K. Warren, was in itself insufficient to fulfill Grant’s goals of extending his left flank and securing the Weldon Railroad.  With Warren’s V Corps firmly entrenched at Globe Tavern, US Major General Winfield S. Hancock’s II Corps was soundly defeated, further south, at Ream’s Station.  While Warren still had a foothold on the Weldon Railroad, Grant’s objectives were not satisfied.
• Chapter Eleven is named, “September.”  Like its predecessor chapter, “August,” the chapter is self explanatory.  Hess provides significant detail about the construction of Federal and Confederate fortifications, mining activities and life in the trenches.  Again, the author provides vivid descriptions of the construction of trenches and the daily life of the soldiers.
• Chapter Twelve covers the “fifth offensive” which included attacks on both of Lee’s flanks.  During this offensive, Meade’s Army of the Potomac was able to lengthen its lines and build new forts on the southern flank.  Additionally, gains were made to strengthen Federal defenses north of the James River.
• Chapter Thirteen deals with fortifications and the “sixth offensive,” the battle of Burgess’s Mill and activities of US Major General Benjamin F. Butler, north of the James River.
• Chapters Fourteen and Fifteen cover the late fall and winter months.  Again, Hess provides a great amount of detail into the soldiers’ activities in the trenches.
• Chapter Sixteen includes the actions of the “seventh offensive.”  Included in this chapter are details of the Battle of Hatcher’s Run – a strategically important action for Federal fortunes, allowing the lengthening of the Federal lines southwest of Petersburg.
• Chapter Eighteen is about the “eighth offensive,” starting with the Confederate’s desperate attack on Fort Stedman and the Federal army’s recapture of this important section of line.  If the Confederates had been successful, they had planned to move into City Point, Grant’s headquarters.  Hess further details Grant’s offensive operations culminating in the battles of Dinwiddie Court House and the disastrous Confederate defeat at Five Forks.
• Chapter Nineteen details the “ninth offensive,” the successful penetration of the Confederate lines and investment of Petersburg, and Richmond.
• Chapter Twenty is a fabulous conclusion to the offensive actions of Petersburg.  In this chapter, Hess bolsters his assessment that the actions around Petersburg were not a traditional siege.  Additionally he provides a detailed analysis of the necessity of trench warfare, starting with the Overland Campaign and culminating with the actions at Petersburg.  His conclusion, that the fortifications were necessary due to Grant’s tactical operations of “constant contact” is brilliant and will surely make many Civil War buffs, and scholars, reevaluate their old theories.

I highly recommend this book for any serious student of the American Civil War.  It is entertaining and enlightening. 

Details about “In the Trenches of Petersburg”
Written by: Earl J. Hess
Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Date of First Edition: June 22, 2009
ISBN-10: 0807832820

 

 

I had the pleasure to interview Mr. Hess on June 22, 2009.  The interview, like my previous interviews, is broke into several parts.  You can read the contents of each part, and listen to the interview below.

Earl J. Hess Interview – 11 Parts*
Total Time: 1 hour, 11 minutes, 52 seconds
*Please note that there were some technical difficulties with this audio interview.  Some of Earl Hess’ audio is not as loud as others.  You may need to adjust the volume to suit your needs.

Part 1: 

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Time: 8:03
Contents: Welcome | When did Earl become interested in field fortifications? | What sparked your interest in the Civil War | Why no full length analysis of Peterburg’s fortifications? | Seamless integration of technical study on fortifications and how they impacted the soldiers

Part 2: 

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Time: 6:30
Contents: Difficulties of researching “In the Trenches of Petersburg” | Discussion on the maps in the book | Petersburg not a siege but a series of offensive operations

Part 3: 

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Time: 7:15
Contents: Why did Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia abandoned much of the Dimmock Line? | The use of the Hagood Line | Hess’ assessment of the Federal prospects on June 15–16, 1864 | CSA General P.G.T. Beauregard’s actions often overlooked

Part 4: 

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Time: 8:27
Contents: Federal mining operations | Confederate counter-mining operations | Burnside’s choice of division commanders for the Battle of the Crater | Ledlie’s actions during the Battle of the Crater | Conditions in the trenches | Federal health care vs. Confederate health care

Part 5: 

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Time: 8:00
Contents: Photographs of the trenches included in the book | The “fourth offensive” | US Major General Gouverneur K. Warren’s actions at Globe Tavern often overlooked | US Major General Winfield S. Hancock at Second Ream’s Station

Part 6: 

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Time: 7:30
Contents: Differences between the Federal and Confederate fortifications | Confederate shaft to Dr. Duval’s house

Part 7: 

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Time: 4:48
Contents: The field works north of the James River | Confederate soldier shortages on the line

Part 8: 

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Time: 6:38
Contents: Ulysses S. Grant’s “Throttling Plan” | The “seventh offensive” and the strategic importance of the Battle of Hatcher’s Run

Part 9: 

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Time: 5:44
Contents: Dr. Roderick Davidson’s Artis Avis | The testing of the “squirter”

Part 10: 

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Time: 3:46
Contents: The strategic importance of the Battle of Five Forks during the “eighth offensive” | The loss of A.P. Hill and the Confederacy’s fading fortunes

Part 11: 

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Time: 5:11
Contents: Discussion on the conclusion of “In the Trenches of Petersburg” | Grant’s tactical plan of “constant contact” | Upcoming works from Earl Hess | Wrap up

Check out other great Civil War titles by Earl J. Hess

Details about “Pea Ridge: Civil War Campaign in the West”
Written by: Earl J. Hess and William L. Shea
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Date of First Edition: August 6, 1997
ISBN-10: 0807846694

 

 

Details about “Lee’s Tar Heels”
Written by: Earl J. Hess
Hardcover: 456 pages
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Date of First Edition: December 4, 2001
ISBN-10: 0807826871

 

 

Details about “The Union Soldier in Battle”
Written by: Earl J. Hess
Paperback: 236 pages
Publisher: University Press of Kansas
Date of First Edition: September 13, 2005
ISBN-10: 0700614214

 

 

Details about “Banners to the Breeze: The Kentucky Campaign, Corinth, and Stones River”
Written by: Earl J. Hess
Hardcover: 253 pages
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
Date of First Edition: February 1, 2000
ISBN-10: 0803223803

 

Details about “Pickett’s Charge: The Last Attack at Gettysburg”
Written by: Earl J. Hess
Hardcover: 516 pages
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Date of First Edition: October 31, 2000
ISBN-10: 0807826480

 

Details about “Field Armies and Fortifications in the Civil War”
Written by: Earl J. Hess
Hardcover: 464 pages
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Date of First Edition: April 6, 2005
ISBN-10: 0807829315

 

Details about “Trench Warfare Under Grant and Lee”
Written by: Earl J. Hess
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Date of First Edition: September 5, 2007
ISBN-10: 0807831549

 

 

Details about “The Rifle Musket in Civil War Combat”
Written by: Earl J. Hess
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: University Press of Kansas
Date of First Edition: September 9, 2008
ISBN-10: 0700616071

As reported by the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT), on July 15, there is still hope that Wal-Mart may reconsider their plans to build a Wal-Mart adjacent to The Wilderness National Battlefield.(i)  Several high ranking state officials, including Governor Tim Kaine (D), and Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William Howell (R), have sent a bipartisan letter to the Orange County Board of Supervisors urging the group to reconsider its recent approval of Wal-Mart’s zoning request.  

As I had reported previously, the primary obstacle to Wal-Mart’s plans was the Orange County Board of Supervisors, which recently approved Wal-Mart’s request to build adjacent to one of the most threatened Civil War battlefields in the United States (click here for to read my article).  As one of the leading groups of The Wilderness Battlefield Coalition, the CWPT has been very vocal in their opposition to Wal-Mart building so close to this hallowed ground.  Jim Lighthizer, president of the Civil War Preservation Trust, was recently interviewed on This Mighty Scourge and stated that he was not opposed to Wal-Mart building a new Supercenter, just that they were building it so close to The Wilderness Battlefield, when other prime locations were available (click here to listen to my interview with Mr. Lighthizer).

The press release, from the Civil War Preservation Trust, is printed in its entirety, below.

**********************************
CWPT
For Immediate Release: 07/15/09

Governor Kaine and Speaker Howell Urge Orange County to Move WalMart Superstore Away from Battlefield

IN A BIPARTISAN LETTER TO THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, VIRGINIA’S TOP OFFICIALS URGE COUNTY TO RECONSIDER PROPOSAL TO LOCATE A WAL-MART SUPERCENTER ON THE WILDERNESS  BATTLEFIELD

(Richmond, VA) – In a bipartisan letter to the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine (D) and House of Delegates Speaker William Howell (R) jointly urged the county to reconsider plans to locate a Walmart Supercenter on the Wilderness Battlefield.

The letter, addressed to Orange County Board Chairman Lee Frame and dated July 13, 2009, emphasizes the Commonwealth’s commitment to historic preservation and the need to bring all interests together to resolve the controversy.

The heart of the message states, “[We] strongly encourage your Board to work closely with Wal-Mart to find an appropriate alternative site for the proposed retail center in the vicinity of the proposed site yet situated outside the boundaries of Wilderness Battlefield and out of view of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park.”

Further, the Governor and Speaker offer the services of the state to help forge a compromise, writing: “[W]e stand ready to offer the technical service of any of the state agencies that could be of help to the County and Wal-Mart….”  The letter goes on to reference those agencies: the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Department of Transportation, the Virginia Department of Health, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Department of Historic Resources.

The letter acknowledges that the ultimate decision to build the Wal-Mart at this location rests with the county board of supervisors.  However, the letter also notes:  “[E]very acre of battlefield land that is destroyed means a loss of open space and missed tourism opportunities, and it closes one more window for future generations to better understand our national story.”

The Wilderness Battlefield Coalition, an organization of national, regional and local preservation groups, indicated support for the announcement by the Governor and Speaker, noting that the Coalition first proposed a similar solution in January of this year.  “We firmly believe that encouraging Wal-Mart to move to an alternative location is in the best interests of both the National Park and Orange County residents.  We are prepared to work with the Commonwealth, the county, Wal-Mart and local citizens to find an alternative that benefits all.”

**********************************

David Acheson was born in Washington, Pennsylvania on January 10, 1841.  He was the third of nine children born to Alexander and Jane Acheson (Wishart).  With the outbreak of the Civil War, the Acheson boys began enlisting in the army.  John Acheson, the oldest of the Acheson boys, enlisted in the 85th Pennsylvania Infantry regiment on November 14, 1861.  John would be promoted to the rank of captain, in Company A, on February 29, 1864.  He would serve through the end of the Civil War, reaching the rank of brevet major.  David would enlist in the 140th Pennsylvania Infantry, as captain of Company C, on August 22, 1862.  Alexander (Sandie), David’s younger brother, would enlist in the 140th Pennsylvania on the same day.  Sandie would serve his entire three year enlistment, mustering out on December 9, 1864, with a rank of captain.

Captain Acheson would be well regarded by the soldiers in his company.  Through his leadership, drilling and training he would earn their trust.(i)  After a brief stint guarding the North Central Railroad the 140th Pennsylvania would be assigned to the V Corps, Middle Department, reporting to Falmouth, Virginia on December 15, 1862.  Arriving too late to participate in the debacle at Fredericksburg, the first major action the 140th would participate in would be at Chancellorsville, April 30 – May 6, 1863.  Having been transferred to the Third Brigade, First Division of US Major General Darius Couch’s II Corps, Acheson would see hard action at Chancellorsville.(ii)  US Major General Joseph Hooker’s Army of the Potomac would be brutally repulsed, retreating north across the Rappahannock River.

In June, CS General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia would take the war north of the Mason-Dixon Line.  Arriving in Pennsylvania, in late June, Lee would be opposed by a new Federal commander, US Major General George Gordon Meade.  All roads pointed to Gettysburg, where from July 1–3, 1863, 160,000 men would give battle.  On the second day of battle, new II Corps commander, US Major General Winfield S. Hancock would be ordered to support US Major General Daniel E. Sickles’ III Corps which was nearly a mile out of position.  US Brigadier General John Caldwell’s First Division would be sent to support the III Corps.  Captain David Acheson’s Company C, 140th Pennsylvania would be part of US Brigadier General Samuel Zook’s Third Brigade.  They would be sent through the retreating remnants of Sickles’ III Corps, into a rapidly advancing enemy.  Acheson, leading from the front, would be shot twice by a soldier in the 3d South Carolina Infantry.  Unfortunately, due to the speed of the approaching Confederates, Acheson’s mortally wounded body would be left on the field.  When the Confederates retreated, on July 3, Acheson’s body was recovered, and buried on the John T. Weikert Farm.  One of his soldiers carved his initials in a small boulder used as a temporary headstone.  Acheson would be re-buried near his home, in Washington, Pennsylvania, on July 15, 1863.  Fortunately the carved boulder allowed his family to find his remains.  Five years later, a member of Company C returned to Gettysburg.(iii)  Finding the boulder used as Acheson’s temporary headstone, he carved the initials deeper into the rock, allowing future generations to know where Acheson was originally buried.

Captain David Acheson served with distinction at Gettysburg, and is a true American HERO.

(i) Captain David Acheson: 140th Pennsylvania used to research this article.
(ii) The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System was used to research this article.
(iii) U.S. Civil War Soldiers Records and Profiles, from Ancestry.com, was used to research this article.

Earlier this week, I was on the road – as usual.  I had a business meeting in Columbia, South Carolina.  When I checked flights, it was significantly less expensive to fly into Charleston.  Obviously this gave me a great opportunity to visit Fort Moultrie.  My plan was to also visit Fort Sumter, but the rain put a quick end to those plans.

Fort Moultrie is an earthen fort, with masonry walls.  Originally built on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, it traces its roots back to the American Revolutionary War.  The original fort was constructed of palmetto logs, which inspired the state flag and nickname – Palmetto State.  During the early 19th century, the fort would get modern guns and an update to its parapets.  In late 1860, Moultrie was garrisoned by Federal troops under the command of US Major Robert Anderson.  After Abraham Lincoln was elected president, South Carolina quickly seceded from the Union, on December 20, 1860.  Anderson, determining that Moultrie was untenable, evacuated the fort, moving his garrison to Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, on December 26.  South Carolina troops were installed in the fort, many of which were young cadets from the Citadel – the only trained artillerists in South Carolina.  After Lincoln’s inauguration, in March 1861, one of the first things he learned was that Anderson’s garrison, at Sumter, was running low on rations and supplies.  Deciding to resupply the fort, Lincoln advised the Confederacy of his plans to resupply.  Their would be no additional troops brought in, no ammunition or other military necessities – food only.  This was an ingenious move by Lincoln, who in his inaugural address vowed not to assail the south.  On April 12, 1861, at 4:30 A.M., Confederate troops under CSA Brigadier General P.G.T. Beauregard started an artillery bombardment of Sumter.  The Civil War had started.

For additional information on Fort Sumter, please refer to my article, published on the anniversary of the bombardment, by clicking here.  Watch for a detailed article on Fort Moultrie, later this year.

Additional photographs from this week’s visit to Fort Moultrie.
 

 

 

 

 

Fort Moultrie as viewed from the outside.  These large guns point towards Fort Sumter, in Charleston Bay.

 

 

 

 

 
Fort Moultrie as viewed from Charleston Bay.

 

 

 

 

 

 
Fort Moultrie as viewed from Charleston Bay.

 

 

 

 
Fort Sumter as viewed from Fort Moultrie.

When I recently read about a new book on US Major General Daniel E. Sickles, that Savas Beatie, LLC. was publishing, my interest immediately sparked.  Like many of my readers, I have read a significant amount about Dan Sickles, but only as it pertained to larger battle narratives.  Searching Amazon.com, for titles on Sickles, there were few to choose from.  While there have been a couple of Sickles biographies over the past couple of decades, they are few, and far between.  Since I hadn’t read any of the other biographies, I contacted Sarah Keeney, at Savas Beatie, to request an advanced copy.  While I have about a dozen books, in my queue, awaiting review, I was anxious to get my copy, and start dissecting it.  Written by James “Jim” A. Hessler, a licensed Gettysburg Battlefield guide, it is his first full length book.  Doing a quick Google search on Mr. Hessler, I found several videos of him at one of my favorite blogs – Gettysburg Daily.  After watching these videos, I quickly understood that Jim has an authoritative knowledge base on Sickles, and the Battle of Gettysburg.  Sarah also stated that Jim would be pleased to let me interview him.

Starting the book, I realized that this was not going to be a “Pro Sickles” biography, but a balanced study of his life.  A life, that had its share of controversies: the murder of Philip Barton Key, back-room maneuvering for promotion in the Army of the Potomac, his abandonment of Little Round Top at Gettysburg , his wounding, his efforts to regain command of the III Corps, and his participation in the hearings of the Joint Congressional Committee on the Conduct of the War – the list goes on, and on.  In the first chapter, I came upon a quote from George Templeton Strong, that I believed set the tone for the entire book, “(Sickles belonged) to the filthy sediment of the [law] profession, and lying somewhere in the lower strata.  Perhaps better to say that he’s one of the bigger bubbles of the scum of the profession, swollen and windy, and puffed with a fetid gas.”(i)  OK, so I was hooked.

For the next several chapters, Hessler reeled me in.  He does not spend a great deal of time detailing his early life but jumps right into Sickles activities recruiting what would be the Excelsior Brigade, in chapter two, “The Making of a First Class Soldier.”  Chapters two, and three, deal with his back-room politicking to obtain a brigadier generalship, which was initially not confirmed by the US Senate, his actions in his first battle at Fair Oaks (Seven Pines), his leapfrog style promotion to division command, dissension in the high command of the Army of the Potomac and his command at the Battle of Chancellorsville – a brave, but less than stellar performance where he claimed CSA General Robert E. Lee was retreating, when in fact CSA Lieutenant General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was making his legendary flank march which would annihilate US Major General Oliver O. Howard’s right flank – which would lead to US Major General Joe Hooker’s terrible defeat.

Chapters four, through twelve, cover his promotion to command of the III Corps (after only fighting in two battles!), his command decisions at Gettysburg and finally his wounding at the Trostle Farm.  These chapters represent the “meat” of the book – his controversial decision to place his corps nearly a mile in front of the Federal line at Gettysburg, in an effort to protect his flank.  In my interview with Mr. Hessler, he offered his learned opinion that this move may have been attributable to Sickles’ concern that his flank would be rolled up, as Howard’s was at Chancellorsville.  The author provides a great amount of detail, in these chapters, about the tactical placement of troops, troop movements and the actual fighting that took place in areas of the Gettysburg battlefield that will forever be burned into our memory: The Wheatfield, The Peach Orchard and Devil’s Den.  This makes for some exciting reading that draws the reader into Sickles’ reasoning, and state-of-mind.  It is very well bolstered by first hand accounts.  As Hessler quickly pointed out, in our interview, he wanted to “get out of the way,” and let the soldiers tell what happened on that fateful day, in early July 1863.  In much of the narrative of the battle, the author provides differing battlefield accounts, that cannot be reconciled, advising the reader to make their own judgments on what actually took place.  This is especially the case with the wounding of Sickles, and the story that has since be perpetuated by historians of Sickles asking for a cigar, and being readily visible to his soldiers as he is carried to the rear.  Again, Hessler provides several firsthand accounts, that cannot easily be reconciled, allowing the reader to decide what is fact, and what may be fiction.

Chapters thirteen, and fourteen, dive into Sickles maneuvering to regain command of the III Corps, or any other position, “….appropriate to my rank and in a position where I can Communicate easily with influential people who will be in Washington this year…”(ii)  This was part of a letter written to Abraham Lincoln regarding the rumor of an opportunity for him to command the garrison protecting Washington City.  As detailed in these chapters, the command would not materialize and he would be pulled into the hearings of the Joint Congressional Committee on the Conduct of the War.

The remaining four chapters cover Sickles postwar efforts to regain his reputation, his efforts to preserve battlefields – especially Gettysburg, his return to Congress and his twilight years.

“Sickles at Gettysburg” provides a fresh, unbiased evaluation of Major General Daniel E. Sickles.  With much new material, and a fluid prose, Hessler has written the definitive work on this controversial figure in American politics, and military history.  I highly recommend this book to any serious student of the American Civil War.  I am confident that you will enjoy reading it as much as I have.

On the morning of July 3, 2009, I had the pleasure to interview Mr. Hessler.  Unlike my other interviews, which have always been done by phone, this interview was recorded live, at the Trostle Farm, where Sickles had his III Corps headquarters, on July 2.  Originally, one of two sites recommend by Jim, the other being the Peach Orchard – both of which Jim states, “…ARE Sickles to me.”  I am pleased that he chose the Trostle Farm, as this is the site of his wounding.  Plus, it set the mood for a wonderful conversation on Dan Sickles.  Listeners will quickly note that horses can be heard throughout the interview, and at times wind can be heard blowing past my digital recorder.  This does not detract from the quality of the recording, but creates a certain ambiance that can be felt by the listener.  I invite you to take time to listen to all twelve parts of the interview. 

Details about “Sickles at Gettysburg”
Written by: James A. Hessler
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Savas Beatie, LLC.
Date of First Edition: June 29, 2009
ISBN-10: 1932714642

 

 

James A. Hessler Interview – 12 Parts
Total Time: 1 hour, 14 minutes, 12 seconds

Part 1: 

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Time: 7:12
Contents:  Welcome | About Jim Hessler | How Jim became interested in the Civil War | Mentors that influenced Jim’s interest in the Civil War | What styles of Civil War authorship Jim likes | Why write about Daniel E. Sickles?

Part 2: 

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Time: 5:56
Contents:  “Sickles at Gettysburg” – fair and balanced | Recruiting the Excelsior Brigade and the use of “political generals” | Sickles’ troops and their loyalty to him

Part 3: 

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Time: 5:21
Contents:  Sickles’ use of political maneuvering | Sickles’ lack of battlefield experience | Leapfrog promotions for Sickles | Sickles’ ability to navigate around adversity

Part 4: 

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Time: 7:11
Contents:  Animosity in the upper command of the Army of the Potomac | Sickles at Chancellorsville | George Gordon Meade’s promotion to command of the Army of the Potomac | Conflicting orders on the approach to Gettysburg

Part 5: 

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Time: 6:17
Contents: III Corps approach to Gettysburg | Sickles and David Birney at Gettysburg | Political infighting within the Army of the Potomac | Firsthand accounts from the ranks | Researching “Sickles at Gettysburg”

Part 6: 

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Time: 5:58
Contents:  Sickles’ decision making at Gettysburg | Confusion with Meade’s commands on troop placements | Henry Hunt’s impact on the positioning of the III Corps | Hunt’s second analysis of Sickles’ position

Part 7: 

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Time: 5:53
Contents:  Birney’s decision to send troops to Plum Run Valley | Lack of troops to effectively hold the III Corps line | Reinforcements from the II and V Corps | Longstreet’s defective tactical attack | Lack of coordinated command structure throughout Sickles’ lines

Part 8: 

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Time: 6:51
Contents:  The ultimate blame is with Dan Sickles | The buck stops with Meade | Sickles’ confusion with Geary’s divisional placement | The salient at the Peach Orchard – was it the primary cause of the III Corps collapse? | Birney’s division placement causes concern for CSA Major General John Bell Hood

Part 9: 

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Time: 6:57
Contents:  Sickles’ wounding and the truth about the “Cigar” | Modern day accounts of Sickles’ wounding – let the reader decide | Sickles chumming with Abraham Lincoln

Part 10: 

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Time: 5:37
Contents:  Did Meade want to court martial Sickles for his performance at Gettysburg? | The Second Battle of Gettysburg | Cemetery Hill – who chose the line? | “The Circus” - the hearing of the Joint Congressional Committee on the Conduct of the War

Part 11: 

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Time: 5:32
Contents:  Sickles’ efforts to preserve Gettysburg and other battlefields | Gettysburg – Sickles’ legacy? | The long-term legacy of Daniel E. Sickles | Hessler’s hope for his book

Part 12: 

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Time: 5:27
Contents:  Will Sickles’ reputation ever be revived? | Hessler’s future plans | Wrap up and closing

Check out other great Civil War titles from Savas Beatie, LLC.

Details about “Major General Robert E. Rodes”
Written by: Darrell L. Collins
Hardcover: 524 pages
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Date of First Edition: July 7, 2008
ISBN-10: 193271409X

 

 

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Written by: Lance J. Herdegen
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Details about “The Complete Gettysburg Guide”
Written by: J. David Petruzzi with maps by Steven Stanley
Hardcover: 320 pages
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Date of First Edition: June 1, 2009
ISBN-10: 1932714634

 

 

Details about “One Continuous Fight ”
Written by: Eric J. Wittenberg, J. David Petruzzi and Michael F. Nugent
Hardcover: 456 pages
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Date of First Edition: June 2008
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Details about “Plenty of Blame to Go Around ”
Written by: Eric J. Wittenberg and J. David Petruzzi
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Details about “The New Civil War Handbook”
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Details about “The Maps of First Bull Run”
Written by: Bradley M. Gottfried
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Details about “The Maps of Gettysburg”
Written by: Bradley M. Gottfried
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All these Savas Beatie, LLC. titles can be purchased directly from the publisher, by clicking here. 

(i) Hessler, James A., Sickles at Gettysburg: The Controversial General Who Committed Murder, Abandoned Little Round Top, and Declared Himself the Hero of Gettysburg, published by Savas Beatie, LLC. in 2009, Pg 7.
(ii) Hessler, James A., Sickles at Gettysburg: The Controversial General Who Committed Murder, Abandoned Little Round Top, and Declared Himself the Hero of Gettysburg, published by Savas Beatie, LLC. in 2009, Pg 259.

Earlier this week, I was in Gettysburg.  As my frequent readers may recall, I reviewed J. David Petruzzi’s newest book, “The Complete Gettysburg Guide,” on June 1. (click here for the review and an interview with JD)  Deciding that any good review includes a “test drive,” I decided to take JD’s book with me.  It should be noted, that anytime I visit a battlefield, I try to have a game plan ahead of time.  I spent about thirty minutes, with the “Complete Guide,” before I arrived at the battlefield.  I’m glad I spent time doing this, as I was quite focused on what I wanted to see while I was there.  Since I knew Gettysburg would be extremely busy, during the 146th anniversary week, I planned on visiting some lesser traveled areas of the battlefield.

1. Marsh Creek
2. Barlow’s Knoll
3. Coster Avenue and the Brickyard Fight
4. Spangler Springs/Culp’s Hill
5. Sedgwick Avenue

My first stop was at Marsh Creek, which is where the 26th Pennsylvania Emergency Militia battled CSA Brigadier General John B. Gordon’s detachment on June 26.  This was the opening phase of Gettysburg, before the Army of the Potomac arrived, and was part of Gordon’s Expedition to Wrightsville.  Using the driving directions, and reading the text of the “Tour of Marsh Creek” chapter, I found it easy to find the monument for the 26th Pennsylvania Emergency Militia.  I enjoyed reading JD’s narrative of the actions that took place here.  Heading back to Gettysburg, I found the statue for the 26th with no problem.

Next, I skipped ahead to the “Tour of the First Day of the Battle of Gettysburg” chapter.  Thumbing ahead to page 44, I read about the fighting at Barlow’s Knoll.  While I have been a student of Gettysburg, for a very long time, I went ahead and read through the narrative on this portion of the battle.  Since I had read the book, before my interview with Petruzzi, I knew what I wanted to look for at Barlow’s Knoll.  But I was pleasantly surprised, while reading the section on Barlow’s Knoll, that I felt much more connected with the fighting that took place there, which is an often overlooked portion of the first day’s fighting.  Standing near the Old Almshouse Cemetery, which is on high ground, I really appreciated the maps that cartographer, Steve Stanley, produced for the book.  You can easily visualize the troop movements of Brigadier Generals Doles and Gordon, and the hard fight that Barlow’s division encountered here, along Rock Creek.  To wrap up my visit to Barlow’s Knoll, I walked over to the flagpole where the 17th Connecticut fought.  While there was no flag flying, I experienced a new appreciation for the devotion the 17th Connecticut had, for their lost comrades, when they dedicated this flagpole.

From Barlow’s Knoll, I followed JD’s directions to the Brickyard, at Coster Avenue.  Considering myself somewhat of a veteran Gettysburg battlefield wanderer, when I first read the book, I was surprised to learn about the fighting here.  This fighting is seldom mentioned in narratives on the battle.  Following the directions provided in the book, I drove right to Coster Avenue (it should be noted that Coster Avenue is not listed in a Garmin GPS – it is, however, easy to find by following the directions).  While there are only two monuments here, I again felt very close to the men that fought at the Brickyard.  Perhaps it was because of Steve Stanley’s detailed map!  This small section of the battlefield is owned by the National Park Service, and if you search hard, you can find it on their map.  During the 30 minutes or so, that I was there, no other tourists visited.  This is amazing as Gettysburg was very busy.  It was quite peaceful, and the mural of the fight is amazing.

Leaving the Brickyard, I ventured into the heavy traffic of the main battlefield.  One of the things that I really looked forward to was searching for some of the rock carvings.  I decided to search for Captain David Acheson’s temporary headstone, at the John T. Weikert Farm.  The Weikert Farm is on Wheatfield Road.  While the area was very busy, I was the only person at the Weikert Farm.  Using my Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS, I was disappointed that I could not find the headstone.  After checking the coordinate defaults, I realized that I did not have it set up correctly.  Once I changed the GPS settings, I walked right to the headstone.  Taking some pictures, I headed for the “carved initials” near the 93d Pennsylvania Infantry monument.  After entering the coordinates, provided in the book, I walked right to the rock with the initials on it.  Talk about feeling close to the action!  These were carved by soldiers on the battlefield….  On my way back to the car, I encountered another battlefield wanderer carrying JD’s book.  He did not have a GPS, so I pointed him to the Acheson headstone.  This was one of many occasions, while I was at Gettysburg, that I encountered someone referring to “The Complete Gettysburg Guide.”

From there, I headed to Sedgwick Avenue.  While not detailed in “The Complete Gettysburg Guide,” this little traveled road had many monuments.  I took pictures of all of them, as I inevitably will write blog articles on the regiments from the VI Corps, and III Corps, that were positioned there.

My journey to Gettysburg finished with a trip to Spangler Springs/Culp’s Hill.  Once again, I used my GPS to find rock carvings in this area.  When I interviewed Petruzzi, we spoke at length about the rock carvings, and his use of GPS coordinates.  He had mentioned that he envisioned these being used as a modern treasure hunt.  I have to agree with him.  While the coordinates get you very close to the carvings, you still have to search.  Many of the carvings will have weeds, or brush, grown up around them.  This made it fun.  You find the area that JD provides coordinate for, and then you have to search for the rock that holds the carving.  With so many boulders, and rocks, strewn throughout Gettysburg, this is not always as easy as you might expect.

In closing, this book is the definitive guide to the Gettysburg National Battlefield, making its name, “The Complete Gettysburg Guide,” very appropriate.  If you are planning a trip to Gettysburg, anytime in the future, make sure you either purchase the book there, or preferably before you leave home.  Undoubtedly, if you follow the entire guide, you will need several days to see Gettysburg Battlefield – but it will be worth it!  If you are going for a shorter visit, having the book ahead of time will allow you to plan your visit, making it that more more enjoyable.

Thanks JD, and Steve, for such a great book!

Details about “The Complete Gettysburg Guide”
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Savas Beatie, LLC.
Date of First Edition: June 1, 2009
ISBN-10: 1932714634