This Mighty Scourge

This is the final installment of my report of the trip Eric J. Wittenberg and I took to the Trans-Mississippi Theater in July 2010.  These photos are from our excursion into northwest Arkansas on July 17, 2010.  On this unusually warm day, even by Arkansas standards, we visited Pea Ridge National Battlefield Park, Fort Smith National Historic Site and Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park.  While Eric and I did not do as much hiking, as at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, we did journey most of the way up Telegraph (Wire) Road to the historic tan yard (Pea Ridge).  The trip up the road was more comfortable than the trip back, as it was primarily downhill.  While Fort Smith was an interesting site, it did not offer quite as much excitement as the battlefields.  We finished our excursion with a visit to Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park.  This is one of the better battlefield state parks in the country.  With excellent interpretation, and many scenic views, it is well worth a trip for any serious Civil War battlefield student.  After our visit to Prairie Grove, we drove back to St. Louis, arriving at 11:00 PM – quite exhausted.  Our last stops were on Sunday morning, July 18, when we visited Jefferson Barracks and Grant’s Farm.  I had an incredible time wandering the Trans-Mississippi battlefields and Eric experienced one final bit of excitement when his flight back to Columbus was delayed by a thunderstorm and then a “mechanical problem” with the Boeing 737.  Thanks for a wonderful time, Eric!

Mike’s Trans-Mississippi Battlefield Trip on Flickr.

Friend, and author, Eric Wittenberg and I are in the midst of a Trans-Mississippi battlefield excursion this weekend.  Today we drove from Saint Louis to Springfield, Missouri.  We were able to spend three interesting hours on the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield.  The weather was 95+ degrees.  With the typical Missouri humidity the “feel like” temperature was around 105.  A special treat was a short visit to the Wilson’s Creek Battlefield Museum, which is now managed by the National Park Service.  They have an incredible collection of Trans-Mississippi artifacts with an emphasis on the battle at Wilson’s Creek.

Wilson’s Creek was the site of US Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon’s August 1861 thrashing by CSA Major General Sterling Price’s Missouri State Guard.  Also present were regular Confederate troops commanded by CSA Brigadier General Ben McCullough.  I have posted a few of today’s photos on my Flickr site: BattlefieldPortraits.  I will update the photo set after our jaunt into northwest Arkansas.

In the summer of 1864 the upper Shenandoah Valley was a hotbed of military activity.  After US Major General Franz Sigel’s Federal army was badly mauled at the Battle of New Market, on May 15, Ulysses S. Grant would remove him from command of the Valley forces.  Major General David Hunter would be placed in command of the demoralized Valley troops and would move with celerity on the Confederate forces.  In early June he would defeat CSA Brigadier General William E. “Grumble” Jones‘ cavalry at the Battle of Piedmont.  Jones would be killed in the battle and Hunter would leave the Valley to attack Lynchburg, Virginia –  a vital Confederate supply depot and hospital.

Hunter would arrive on the outskirts of Lynchburg about the same time CSA Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early arrived to command the meager forces that held the city.  Early would deceive Hunter into believing more troops were garrisoned in the city by having his troops create a significant amount of noise –  something the local citizens would take an active role in.  On June 17, Hunter would attack Early and push his troops back into the city.  Unfortunately for the Union fortunes, Rebel reinforcements would arrive during the day.  On June 18, Hunter would launch several small probing attacks and a more concentrated attack against Early’s right flank.  He would be repulsed.  Early determined to attack Hunter the next day, but would find his adversary had retreated overnight into the Shenandoah Valley.  Low on supplies, due to his supply line being crippled, Hunter would retreat into West Virginia.  This proved costly for the United States as Early would invade the north, eventually reaching the very defenses of Washington.

During my May 2010 trip to the Shenandoah Valley, I was able to visit historic Lynchburg.  To view my photo essay on Flickr, click HERE.

I had the opportunity to visit Lexington, Virginia in May 2010.  Lexington is a beautiful town located in the upper (southern) Shenandoah Valley.  Home of Washington and Lee University, Lee Chapel, Lieutenant General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson‘s home and the Virginia Military Institute it is well worth the drive if you find yourself in western Virginia.  While no major Civil War battles were fought within Lexington, it did witness much destruction when US Major General David Hunter was raiding the upper Shenandoah Valley during the summer of 1864.  During his raid, he would burn much of the Virginia Military Institute – the military academy Jackson was a professor prior to the Civil War.

I was fortunate that the weather was fantastic for my visit to historic Lexington.  I visited Jackson’s home, Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery, Washington and Lee University, Lee Chapel (Robert E. Lee‘s final resting place) and the Virginia Military Institute.  Unfortunately, photography is not allowed in the Jackson home, or Lee Chapel.  I did bend the rules slightly and took a couple of pictures in Lee Chapel.  Check out the pictures by clicking on the following link.

Mike’s Photo Essay on Lexington, Virginia

Enjoy!

One hundred forty-six years ago today, US Major General William T. Sherman attacked CSA General Joseph E. Johnston’s well entrenched Army of Tennessee at Kennesaw Mountain.  This battle came after a long string of flanking maneuvers by Sherman, all aimed to uncover the coveted city of Atlanta.  I visited the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park in April 2010.  The battlefield has excellent examples of field works and is wonderful to visit if you are in the Atlanta area.  It is near Marietta, Georgia and is approximately 40 minutes from the airport and 25 minutes from downtown.  To see my Kennesaw Mountain photo essay, on my Flickr site, click on the following link.

Mike’s Photo Essay on Kennesaw National Battlefield Park

If you are interested in visiting Atlanta area battlefields, I also recommend visiting the Pickett’s Mill Battlefield State Historic Site.  It is also north of Atlanta and is one of the better state park battlefields I’ve visited.  I also have a photo essay on this battlefield that can be accessed by clicking in the following link.

Mike’s Photo Essay on Pickett’s Mill Battlefield State Park

The following short narrative on the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain appears on my other website, BattlefieldPortraits.com.

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Battle of Kennesaw Mountain

Location: Kennesaw, Georgia
Dates: June 27, 1864
Union Commander:  William T. Sherman, Major General
Confederate Commander:  Joseph E. Johnston, General

Battle Summary:

For over six weeks Major General William “Tecumseh” Sherman has been maneuvering his army, attempting to outflank Joseph Johnston’s Army of Tennessee.  His goal being Atlanta – the jewel of the south.  He has maintained his proximity to the railroads in an effort to provision his massive army, but had pulled south of the railroad to fight at Dallas, Georgia and at New Hope Church.  Now, in late June, he finds his army hungry - and very near Atlanta.  He has one problem: an entrenched rebel Army of Tennessee at Kennesaw Mountain, near Marietta, Georgia.

Sherman, known for his aggressiveness, decided to send a portion of his army to the right to attack Johnston’s left flank and another portion to the east to hit his right flank.  Meanwhile, the rest of his army would be ready to attack the center when appropriate.  Major General John Schofield would be command the right flank and would lead the charge against Major General John Bell Hood’s Rebels.  Major General James B. McPherson would feint toward the rebel right, held by generals William Loring and Joe Wheeler.  Lastly, Major General George Thomas would command the center, attacking Confederates under generals Patrick Cleburne and Frank Cheatham.

At 8:00 a.m. on the morning of June 27, after an opening cannonade from 200 Federal guns, McPherson’s troops, under the command of generals Francis P. Blair, Grenville Dodge and John Logan moved towards Pigeon Hill and Kennesaw Mountain.  They ran into well entrenched rebel troops and suffered direct and enfilade fire.  Further south, Thomas’ Corps, under divisional command by generals John Newton, Charles Harker, Daniel McCook and Jefferson C.Davis , crossed a creek to the approach of what is now called Cheatham Hill.  There they ran squarely into a blistering fire of musketry from troops under Cleburne and Cheatham.  Running a full hour late, Schofield’s divisions, commanded by Joseph Hooker, Alpheus Williams and Milo Hascall, assaulted troops under the command of John Bell Hood near Kolb’s Farm.

With the exception of Cheatham Hill, the Federal forces were unable to hold any of the ground they fought so desperately to obtain.  The attack ended by 10:45 AM with the Federals retiring to their camps.  Federal troops did remain at Cheatham Hill for five days – a place that will forever be known as the “Dead Angle.”  These troops were within 30 yards of the rebel works and even attempted to tunnel under them.  Today, the Illinois Monument commemorates the struggle of her sons at the “Dead Angle.”  The tunnel entrance remains at the famous monument.

Campaign: Atlanta

Outcome: Confederate Victory

Troop Strengths:
Union: 110,000
Confederate: 65,000

Casualties (estimated):
Union: 3,000 (killed, wounded or missing/captured)
Confederate: 1,000 (killed, wounded or missing/captured)

Battle Aftermath:

William T. Sherman learned a hard lesson about attacking an entrenched army on superior ground.  His army could not dislodge Joseph Johnston’s much smaller Army of Tennessee.  While the Battle of Chickamauga is considered the Army of the Tennessee’s “High Water Mark,” Kennesaw Mountain was a glorious victory that was tarnished by Johnston’s continual retreat towards Atlanta.  In the end, the rebels were doomed.  Sherman continued his flanking moves knowing he would eventually uncover Atlanta.  Johnston would be removed from command, with John Bell Hood acceding to overall command of the unlucky Army of Tennessee.  This would be good for the Union cause due to his impetuosity and overly bold moves.  Sherman would take Atlanta in the early part of September and start his “March to the Sea.”  And as he told Grant, “I intend to make Georgia howl” –  and he did just that.

For more information on John Bell Hood’s Atlanta Campaign refer to my essay, “From Atlanta to Spring Hill: John Bell Hood’s 1864 Franklin-Nashville Campaign.”

I visited the Chickamauga National Military Park in March 2010.  The visitor’s center has one of the best gun collections that can be found anywhere.  The Fuller Gun Collection was donated to the Chickamauga National Military Park in 1954.

Claud Fuller, and his wife Zenada, had collected over 350 firearms.  While the firearms are not exclusively from the Civil War, most guns from the Civil War are in the collection.  There are two very rare guns: the Harper’s Ferry Blunderbuss, which was manufactured in 1808, and the Texas rifle which was made in 1844 which are the only known guns of this type to exist.  Additionally there is a rare Sharps rifle with a coffee mill in the stock.  Fuller was the author of “The Rifled Musket,” published in 1958, which is still in print today and can be purchased from Abe Books.  Fuller, was born in 1857 and was a native of Elkhart, Indiana.  As a civil engineer he specialized in masonry and held over 48 patents for different types of brick.  He would go on to make a fortune during the boom of construction in New York City.  This fortune would allow him to collect guns over the coming 50 years.  Many of the guns appear to have never been fired and all are in excellent condition.  Mr. Fuller would retire in the Chattanooga area and died in 1957. (i)

The following pictures are from my recent trip to Chickamauga.  I focused on capturing images of the firing mechanisms and not the entire gun.  My hope was to show the craftsmanship that went into producing these firearms.  The collection was recently renovated and now resides in new cabinets with the guns displayed vertically rather than horizontally.  While easy to view, photographing the collection was a challenge.  The lighting in the aisles are controlled by motion detectors and can turn off while composing the shots.  Additionally the guns are stored behind glass which makes it difficult to obtain proper focus and the glass prevented me from using flash filler.  A couple of the pictures are slightly out of focus, but are still usable.  I have included a few compositions below and have provided a link to a detailed photo essay on my Flickr site.

Mike’s Photo Essay on Civil War Firearms, on Flickr, can be accessed by clicking HERE.

(i) For additional information see the thread on The Authentic Campaigner by clicking HERE or the Civil War Guns article on the Hackman-Adams website by clicking HERE.

Sharps New Model 1863 Carbine
Manufactured by Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co.
Hartford, Connecticut
Manufactured between 1859-1866

 

 

 

 

 
Joslyn Breech Loading Carbine
Manufactured by the Joslyn Fire Arms Company
Stonington, Connecticut
Total manufactured: 13,000 (approximate)

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Model 1855 Rifle Musket
Manufactured by Harper’s Ferry Armory
Harper’s Ferry, Virginia (present day West Virginia)
This was the first U.S. model musket to feature a rifled barrel

 

 

 

 

 

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The Siege of Corinth

After the Battle of Shiloh, April 6–7, 1862, US Major General Henry W. Halleck arrived at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, to take command of the Federal forces: Army of the Tennessee and Army of the Ohio.  US Major General Ulysses S. Grant was rumored to have been drunk during the battle which the Federal forces, while earning a tactical victory, suffered over 13,000 casualties.  After arriving he placed Grant second in command – essentially a general without an army.

After Shiloh, Confederate commander, General P.G.T. Beauregard, had retreated with his Army of Mississippi to Corinth, Mississippi.  Corinth was an extremely important city for the Confederacy as it was the crossroads of the Memphis and Charleston and the Mobile and Ohio railroads.  These two roads operated with the same gauge trackage and Corinth had become a major supply depot.

By early May, Halleck had his forces moving towards Corinth.  With nearly 120,000 troops, Halleck enjoyed nearly a two to one numerical advantage over Beauregard.  Considered extremely intelligent, Halleck was not an experienced field commander.  Caution was his policy.  Moving at a snail’s pace, Halleck would take three weeks to move the last five miles to Corinth – all the while entrenching his gargantuan army as it moved ever closer.  Beauregard, knowing he was vastly outnumbered, determined he could not hold Corinth if it came to a siege.  On May 29, 1862, the Confederate army began departing on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad.  As each train arrived, the Rebels would unleash cheers giving the impression that reinforcements were arriving.  To further confuse Halleck, campfires were kept burning and music was played.  The deception was so thorough that Beauregard was able to remove his artillery, replacing the guns with “Quaker guns” – wooden models that appeared to be authentic from a distance.  The Confederate withdrawal was complete, with the Army of Mississippi relocating to Tupelo, Mississippi.  The next morning, Federal patrols entered Corinth to find it empty. 

The Second Battle of Corinth

The belligerents would again fight at Corinth in October 1862.  CSA Major General Earl Van Dorn’s Army of Tennessee planned to attack US Major General William S. Rosecrans’ Army of the Mississippi from an unsuspected direction.  Van Dorn launched his attack on October 3 - from the northwest.  Van Dorn’s 22,000 soldiers would not be sufficient to break the contracted defensive position held by Rosecrans’ 23,000 troops.  After being repulsed on October 3, Van Dorn ordered CSA Brigadier General Louis Hébert’s Division to attack at first light on October 4.  His attack would be preceded by a heavy artillery barrage.  By 7:00 a.m., with the artillery silent, Hébert’s attack failed to materialize. Sending word to Van Dorn that he was sick, CSA Brigadier General Martin E. Green was ordered to lead the division against the Federal lines.  After an initial success against Battery Powell, Green would be repulsed.  By 1:00 p.m., the Confederate Army of Tennessee was forced to retreat.  As might be expected when attacking a prepared position, the Confederates suffered a casualty rate near 20%.  While Rosecrans became an instant celebrity after the Second Battle of Corinth, Grant was critical of his lack of pursuit which allowed Van Dorn to escape to Holly Springs, Mississippi.

A Visit to Corinth, Mississippi

I have been to Shiloh National Military Park many times over the years.  It remains one of my favorite Civil War battlefields.  During all of these visits, I have never taken time to visit the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center.  Only 21 miles from Shiloh it is definitely worth the time to visit.  While the Interpretive Center is the only National Park Service property, there is a wonderful driving tour of many of the significant sites of wartime Corinth.  I encourage any of you making a trip to Shiloh to take the 40 minute trip to Corinth.

Civil War Sites in Corinth, Mississippi

• Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center at Battery Robinett: The Interpretive Center offers a wonderful research facility, displays, films and a terrific courtyard water display.
• Trailhead Park: Located in downtown Corinth, this park is at the strategic crossing of the Memphis & Charleston and Mobile & Ohio railroads.  This crossing was the primary reason the Civil War found its way to Corinth.
• Corinth National Cemetery: This national cemetery is the final resting place 1,793 known and 3,895 unknown Civil War soldiers.  Unlike so many national cemeteries, Corinth is still interring American soldiers.
• Corinth Contraband Camp: This city park is located on the original site of the camp created for runaway slaves.  As many as 6,000 slaves were housed here during its peak.  The park features several wonderful sculptures.
• Fish Pond House: This historic home served as a headquarters for Confederate generals P.G.T. Beauregard and John Breckinridge.
• Battery Powell: The site where CSA Brigadier General Martin Green’s Division briefly broke the Federal lines on October 4, 1862.
• Oak Home: This beautiful period home served as the headquarters for CSA Major General Leonidas “Bishop” Polk.
• Verandah House: This aging Civil War era home served as headquarters for Confederate generals Earl Van Dorn, Braxton Bragg and John Bell Hood.  US Major General Henry W. Halleck used the home as his headquarters after the Federal occupation of Corinth on May 30, 1862.
• Duncan House: This wonderfully maintained home also served as the headquarters of Beauregard and Breckinridge.  During the Federal occupation it was William S. Rosecrans’ headquarters.
• Battery F: This wonderfully preserved fort served to protect the western lines of the Federal Army of the Mississippi.
• Federal Siege Line: North of Corinth are excellent examples of the Federal siege lines used in May 1862.

Click HERE to view a photo essay on my visit to Corinth.

Earlier this month, I was fortunate enough to have business in New Jersey.  This provided all the incentive necessary for me to take a day off of work to visit Gettysburg.  Less than two hours from Philadelphia, Gettysburg is easy to visit.  It amazes me when I talk to my friends, who live within several hours of Gettysburg, that they have never visited this national treasure.  Many of these friends have younger children that would really enjoy visiting the battlefield.

I was also fortunate to meet with author, and friend, Jim Hessler for dinner and few adult beverages.  If you have not picked up Jim’s new book, “Sickles at Gettysburg” (published by Savas Beatie, LLC in June), I would recommend that you do so.  It has really improved my knowledge of the second day’s fight and I have a new found appreciation for how tenuous the situation was in the III Corps’ sector.  Check out my review of “Sickles at Gettysburg” and interview with James Hessler by clicking HERE.

While with Jim, I met some new Gettysburg friends.  John Hoptak, Tim Smith, Eric Lindblade, Jim Glessner and Erik Dorr.  John Hoptak is a National Park Service Ranger at Antietam and has recently published “Our Boys Did Nobly: Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Soldiers at the Battles of South Mountain and Antietam.”  This is a wonderful book and I plan on reviewing it soon.  Tim Smith is not only an author, but the Gettysburg Historian Extraordinaire and knows just about everything about the Battle of Gettysburg – and he proved it to me in a very short time!  Eric Lindblade and Jim Glessner recently formed a new publishing house, Ten Roads Publishing.  I definitely look forward to working with them in the future.  Lastly, Erik Dorr is the curator of The Gettysburg Museum of History.  This museum is a “must see” for anyone with an interest in Gettysburg – or American Military History.  Hopefully my next visit to Gettysburg will provide me enough time to visit Erik’s museum.

This was my third trip to Gettysburg during 2009.  It has been interesting to watch the transformation of some areas where the National Park Service is clear cutting ground to reestablish the sight lines of the summer of 1863.  This is especially noticeable southwest of the Devil’s Den, over the ground that CSA Brigadier General Henry Benning’s Georgian’s approached Houck’s Ridge and Devil’s Den.  The National Park Service has been quite busy in the area and the results are very evident.

Click HERE to read an official report from Gettysburg National Military Park on the rehabilitation effort and the status of the project.

CSA Brigadier General Henry Benning’s Approach – May 2007

Here is a photo that I took, from Little Round Top, in May 2007.  If you look over the Devil’s Den area, you can see how wooded the area of Benning’s attack was.  In 1863 this area was primarily rocky fields with small woodlots scattered about.  By 2007, the woodlots had grown together giving the area a much different look than Benning’s Georgians would have seen as they pushed towards Houck’s Ridge, and the Devil’s Den.

 
 

This is a much closer view, from May 2007, of the fields that Benning’s Georgians pushed through to reach Houck’s Ridge and the Devil’s Den.  While this is a rocky field, the woods in the distance were not there in 1863.  From this angle on Houck’s Ridge, above the Devil’s Den, you would have been able to see the Slyder farm in the distance.

 

 

 

 

 
CSA Brigadier General Henry Benning’s Approach – April 2008

This view is nearly identical to the picture taken in May 2007, from Little Round Top.  In May 2007 (see the first photo above), the area southwest of Houck’s Ridge was nearly a continuous woodlot, running from the east to the west (L-R).  In this photo, the highlighted area is clearly much more open, with views unimpeded to South Confederate Avenue.

 

 

CSA Brigadier General Henry Benning’s Approach – October 2009

This view is from October 2009, from the point of approach of CSA Brigadier General Henry Benning’s Georgia Brigade.  Taken at the Slyder Farm, you can clearly see Houck’s Ridge on the left, and the south slope of Little Round Top, via the Slaughter Pen, on the right.  The large tree behind the arrowhead, is the “witness tree” on Houck’s Ridge, above the Devil’s Den.  This sight line would have been much as Benning’s Georgians would have seen as they approached US Major General David B. Birney’s III Corps Division, on the afternoon of July 2, 1863.

 

A Study In Contrasts – Gettysburg Then and Now

After spending some time researching my pictures of CSA Brigadier General Henry Benning’s approach to the Devil’s Den, I decided to look at other areas of the battlefield that have changed significantly over the previous 14 decades.  I determined the best way to do this would be to compare pictures of fixed objects to old photos of the same area.  Fixed objects would be no problem as I have hundreds of pictures of regimental, cavalry, artillery and brigade monuments – many of which go back several years.  The dilemma was to find historical pictures of the monuments.  After searching the internet, I came across a great site, Stephen Recker’s Virtual Gettysburg.  This site is a wonderful Gettysburg site and one that I will continue to reference for articles I write about Gettysburg.  Besides Virtual Gettysburg, Recker also has a similar site on Antietam, Stephen Recker’s Virtual Anietam.  Virtual Gettysburg offered access to many historical pictures of the monuments at Gettysburg.  All of the pictures in the following photo essay come from Virtual Gettysburg.  I am deeply indebted to Stephen for allowing me to use them.  It should be noted that none of the monuments were erected during the war years.  The first monuments began appearing in the years after the war, but most were placed in the 1880′s and some as late as the latter part of the 20th Century.  I do not know the dates of the “THEN” monument pictures so this is not a scientific study – just something fun and interesting to look at.  So, let’s begin to explore some areas of Gettyburg battlefield that have changed significantly over the years.

143d Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment Monument

The 143d Pennsylvania Infantry was heavily engaged in the first day’s fighting at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863.  This monument is located facing Chambersburg Pike, from the south, near South Reynolds Avenue on McPherson Ridge.  The most noticable difference between “THEN and “NOW” is the cedar tree growing behind the monument.  More significant is the expansion of the Reynolds Woods in the distance.

About the 143d Pennsylvania Infantry
* US Major General John F. Reynolds’ I Corps
* US Major General Abner Doubleday’s Third Division
* US Colonel Roy Stone’s Second Brigade
* Commanded by Colonel Edmund L. Dana
* Strength: 465 Casualties: 253(i)

 

Today, the 143d Pennsylvania Infantry regiment monument looks unchanged from the earlier picture.  The most noticeable change, as mentioned above, is the cedar tree growing southwest of the monument – providing it shade 365 days per year.  The most significant change, however, is the density and size of Reynolds’ Woods, in the distance.

 

 

 

 

The 76th New York Infantry Regiment Monument

Like the 143d Pennsylvania, the 76th New York was part of John Reynolds’ I Corps and was heavily engaged during the first day’s fight at Gettysburg.  Fighting north of the railroad cut, it would engage CSA Brigadier General Joseph R. Davis’ 3d Corps Brigade.  This picture, likely from the late 19th century, clearly shows some trees in the background, south of present day Wadsworth Avenue.

About the 76th Pennsylvania Infantry
* US Major General John F. Reynold’s I Corps
* US Brigadier General James Wadsworth’s First Division
* US Brigadier General Lysander Cutler’s Second Brigade
* Commanded by Major Andrew J. Grover (killed)
* Strength: 375 Casualties: 234

 

Standing on McPherson Ridge, north of the railroad cut, the 76th New York Infantry monument looks much the same as it did after it was erected.  The most significant difference is the expansion, and thickening of the woodlot, in the distance, south of Wadsworth Avenue.

 

 

 

 

 
The 104th New York Infantry Regiment Monument

The 104th New York Infantry regiment would be sent to the northern spur of Oak Ridge, to support US Brigadier General Henry Baxter’s Second Division, I Corps brigade.  Baxter was heavily engaged with CSA Brigadier General Alfred Iverson’s 2d Corps brigade when the 104th New York arrived.  This period specific photo, probably from the late 19th century, clearly shows a landscape clear of trees, all the way to Barlow’s Knoll.

About the 104th New York Infantry
* US Major General John F. Reynolds’ I Corps
* US Brigadier General John C. Robinson’s Second Division
* US Brigadier General Gabriel R. Paul’s First Brigade
* Commanded by Colonel Gilbert G. Prey
* Strength: 286 Casualties: 194

 

Today, the 104th New York Infantry monument sits on a shaded knoll below Brigadier General John Cleveland Robinson’s monument.  This picture is taken from a slightly different angle, but you can clearly see trees in the distance, towards Barlow’s Knoll.

 

 

 

 

 

The 1st U.S. Sharpshooter’s Monument

On the afternoon of July 2, 1863, US Major General David B. Birney sent Colonel Henry Berdan’s 1st U.S. Sharpshooters, and the 3d Maine Infantry, to scout near the center of the Confederate line, close to the Pitzer Woods.  When they reached Seminary Ridge, they engaged CSA Brigadier General Cadmus Wilcox’s Alabama brigade.  The “THEN” picture, to the left, clearly shows the 1st U.S. Sharpshooter’s monument on a hill, as written in Berdan’s after action report.  The view is to the northeast and there are few trees in the picture.

About the 1st U.S. Sharpshooters Regiment
* US Major General Daniel E. Sickles’ III Corps
* US Major General David B. Birney’s First Division
* US Brigadier General J. Hobart Ward’s Second Brigade
* Commanded by Colonel Hiram Berdan
* Strength: 313 Casualties: 49
 

Today, Colonel Hiram Berdan’s 1st U.S. Sharpshooters’ monument sits on a shaded hill on Berdan Avenue, just west of West Confederate Avenue.  While this view is towards the south, the entire area around the monument is surrounded by tall trees, much like those in this picture.  This area of West Confederate Avenue has changed significantly over the years.

 

 

 

 

The 5th New York Cavalry Monument

The 5th New York Cavalry was part of US Brigadier General Elon J. Farnsworth’s Cavalry Brigade.  Farnsworth was ordered to attack CSA Lt. General James Longstreet’s right flank on the afternoon of July 3.  The attack would be initiated from Bushman Hill, where the 5th New York Cavalry monument is located.  The changes in the landscape here are quite visible.  This picture, likely from the late 19th century, shows scattered trees on this hill.  They have since grown up significantly.

About the 5th New York Cavalry
* US Major General Alfred Pleasanton’s Cavalry Corps
* US Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick’s Third Division
* US Brigadier General Elon J. Farnsworth’s First Brigade
* Commanded by Major John Hammond
* Strength: 420 Casualties: 6
 

Today, the 5th New York Cavalry monument, on Bushman Hill, has darkened.  Additionally, the trees surrounding the monument have grown significantly.  Standing at the monument you cannot see the fields around the Slyder Farm.  At Gettysburg, the trees were thin enough that Longstreet’s soldiers could be seen.  This is one of the most dramatic areas of change at Gettysburg.

 

 

 

 

The 52d New York Infantry Regiment Monument

The 52d New York Infantry was part of the reinforcements sent to the III Corps by II Corps commander, US Major General Winfield S. Hancock.  Part of Samuel Zook’s brigade, the 52d would fight near the present day Loop.  This is another dramatic change at Gettysburg.  The woods here have thickened considerably.  The older photo shows significantly less trees.

About the 52d New York Infantry
* US Major General Winfield S. Hancock’s II Corps
* US Brigadier General John Caldwell’s First Division
* US Brigadier General Samuel K. Zook’s Third Brigade
* Commanded by Lt. Colonel Charles G. Freudenberg
* Strength: 134 Casualties: 38

 

Today, things have changed significantly in the area of the Loop, on Sickles Avenue.  The woodlot has filled in dramatically over the past several generations impeding the sight line towards the Wheatfield.

 

 

 

 

 

The 118th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment Monument

The 118th Pennsylvania was part of the reinforcements sent by US Major General George Sykes.  Part of the V Corps, it would also fight in the area of the Loop – west of the Wheatfield.  Like the area around the 52d New York, the differences between this historic photo, and the picture I recently took are stunning.  The entire area has been filled in with woods.

About the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry
* US Major General George Sykes’ V Corps
* US Brigadier General James Barnes’ First Division
* US Colonel William Tilton’s First Brigade
* Commanded by Lt. Colonel James Gwyn
* Strength: 235 Casualties: 25

 

Today, the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry monument has shade most of the day.  In the intervening years since the “THEN” photo was taken, the trees have slowly encroached on the monument.  The Loop is a beautiful area of the battlefield, but an area that has changed drastically since the Civil War.

 

 

 

 

The 140th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment Monument

The 140th Pennsylvania Infantry was another supporting regiment from US Major General Winfield S. Hancock’s II Corps.  Ordered towards the Wheatfield area, with the rest of the II Corps’ First Division, they would be ordered to the area between the Wheatfield, and the Peach Orchard, by General Sickles.  In this historic picture, very few trees can be seen, and there is a clear view north towards Wheatfield Road.

About the 140th Pennsylvania Infantry
* US Major General Winfield S. Hancock’s II Corps
* US Brigadier General John C. Caldwell’s First Division
* US Brigadier General Samuel K. Zook’s Third Brigade
* Commanded by Colonel Richard P. Roberts
* Strength: 515 Casualties 241

 

Today, the view towards the north, is dramatically different.  The most noticeable difference is the overhanging trees.  More significant, however, is the dense woodlot visible in the distance near the base of the monument.  These pictures were taken from the same angle, but the distant woodlot is not present in the historic photograph.

 

 

 

 

The 10th Pennsylvania Reserves (39th PN) Infantry Monument

The 10th Pennsylvania Reserves Infantry (39th Pennsylvania in Federal Service) was part of US Major General George Sykes’ V Corps.  It would help defend the Federal line on Little Round Top on July 2, 1863.  This historic picture clearly shows the monument in a fairly open clearing in the woods.

About the 10th Pennsylvania Reserves Infantry
* US Major General George Sykes’ V Corps
* US Brigadier General Samuel W. Crawford’s Third Division
* US Colonel Joseph Fisher’s Third Brigade
* Commanded by Colonel Adoniram J. Warner
* Strength: 401 Casualties 5

 

 

Today, the 10th Pennsylvania Reserves monument is in a somewhat constricted clearing in a section of deep woods just east of South Confederate Avenue, south of Crawford Road.  It is a very detailed monument that can be easy to miss as it sits between the two Round Tops and is not well marked.  The woods have closed in on this monument, as can clearly be seen when comparing the “THEN” photo to the “NOW” photo.

 

 

 

 

The 137th New York Infantry Regiment Monument

The 137 New York Infantry was part of US Major General Henry W. Slocum’s defensive line on Culp’s Hill.  Part of US Brigadier General George S. Greene’s XII Corps brigade, the 137th saw action on July 2 and 3, 1863.  The monument is located on North Slocum Avenue, with a view towards the north.  The contrasts between the historical picture and my picture, from May 2007, are evident.  Culp’s Hill has become significantly more wooded.

About the 137th New York Infantry
* US Major General Henry W. Slocum’s XII Corps
* US Brigadier General John W. Geary’s Second Division
* US Brigadier General George S. Greene’s Third Brigade
*Commanded by Colonel David Ireland
* Strength: 423 Casualties: 137

 

Today, the changes of Culp’s Hill are dramatic.  The lines of approach for CSA Lieutenant General Richard S. Ewell’s 2d Corps are covered with woods.  In fact, you cannot see the ground north of Culp’s Hill from the 137th New York Infantry monument.

 

 

 

 

Personal Observations and Commentary:
While there is no doubt, that the National Park Service, and the Gettysburg National Battlefield Park, have done a fine job restoring sight lines to certain areas of the battlefield, there is much work left to do.  Serious Civil War buffs and Gettysburg scholars have little trouble visualizing troop movements during a visit to the park.  However, casual enthusiasts, students and first time visitors will have difficulty visualizing the same things.  Gettysburg was a very complex battle and without the aid of the original sight lines, a visit to the park may be interesting, but may not be readily comprehended.  We need to continue to encourage the National Park Service to continue their efforts to restore the original landscape so our current generation, and future generations, will leave the park with a more complete understanding of what happened here nearly 150 years ago.

If you haven’t done so already, check out my Gettysburg Collection on Flickr.  I have organized and cataloged my most recent trips to Gettysburg, placing them on Flickr to make them easier to view and easier for search engines to find.  Let me know what you think!

(i) Trudeau, Noah Andre, Gettysburg: A Testing of Courage, published by Harper Collins in 2002, The Opposing Armies section starting on page 565. (for all troop strengths and casualties)

Recently I visited Andersonville National Historic Site.  I was fortunate that I had a business meeting in Columbus, Georgia and could take a slight detour to Andersonville on my return to Atlanta.  One of the reasons the Confederate government chose Andersonville as a site for a prison was its remote location.  Today, while it is a leisurely 2 1/2 hour drive from Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport, it is in an area that time has changed little since the Civil War.

A Brief History on Andersonville Prison

Known in the Confederacy as Camp Sumter, the prison became more commonly known as Andersonville – named after the nearby town.  By late 1863, other Confederate prisons, especially Belle Island and Libby prisons in Richmond, were suffering from extreme overcrowding.  Additionally, it was hard to receive enough food in Richmond for the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and all the Yankee prisoners.  In early 1864, construction began on Camp Sumter.  The Confederacy believed they could utilize the prison to relieve the crowding in other prisons and food would be more readily available.  CSA Captain Henry Wirz was in command at Camp Sumter and was known as strict, severe and cruel.

The original prison was 16.5 acres in size and was completed in February 1864.  In June 1864, the prison was expanded by 10 acres with the new area located directly to the north of the original plot.  The stockade walls that surrounded the prison were 15 feet tall and were made of pine logs sunk five feet in the soil.  The original stockade walls were built from timber that was custom cut and formed, to allow no view of the outside environment.  The northern expansion was done much more quickly, to accommodate the rapidly growing prison population, and was not as precise - with many gaps appearing between the logs.  Sentry boxes, also called “pigeon roosts,” were placed at 30 yard intervals along the top of the stockade walls.  Manning the sentry boxes were Confederate invalids, children too young to be in the army and Georgia State Militia.  Within the stockade walls was a light fence, called a “dead line.”  If a prisoner crossed the “dead line” they were shot by the sentries.  This “dead line” was approximately 19 feet from the stockade walls.  The first prisoner to die, crossing the “dead line,” was Caleb Coplan.  Coplan, a private in Company A, 1^st Ohio Infantry, was captured at Chickamauga on September 19, 1863.  While searching near the northeast corner of the stockade for supplies to repair his shelter, a small scrap of material caught his eye at the “dead line.”  Coplan quickly ducked under the rail to grab it.  A sentry watching him quickly brought his .75 caliber smoothbore musket to his shoulder and fired.  Coplan was shot through the breast and died the next day – April 10, 1864.(i)

The first prisoners arrived in February 1864, with approximately 400 new prisoners arriving daily.  By July 1864, nearly 26,000 prisoners were confined in the stockade at Andersonville – this in a prison that was designed to hold no more than 10,000 men.  The only water supply was Stockade Branch, which ran west-to-east through the southern sector of the prison.  The eastern side of the branch was where the “sinks” were dug and was the communal restroom, so to speak.  Additionally the same water source was used for bathing.  This created a serious health problem as most of the men were forced to drink and cook with the contaminated water.

Around the outside perimeter of Camp Sumter were heavy gun emplacements.  Lunettes were used at three of the four corners.  Lunettes were designed to allow cannon to be placed in four directions – along the walls of the stockade, and along the approaches to the prison.  Towards the center of the north and south walls, and the center of the east wall, redans were dug.  These were designed for defensive purposes.  A single redoubt was dug on the western side of the fort, providing defensive capabilities in the event of an attack from the northwest.  Finally the fort’s headquarters was located in a larger fort on the southwest corner.  It was called the Star Fort.  Many heavy cannon were placed here, as the high ground had a commanding view of the inside of the prison and potential enemy approaches.  The cannon could be fired into the fort in the event of a large scale insurrection.

The Raiders

Besides having to deal with the threat posed by the Confederate guards, “fresh fish” (new prisoners) had to deal with a gang of Northerners called “The Raiders.”  The Raiders were led by six chieftains: Charles Curtis, John Sarsfield, Patrick Delaney, Teri Sullivan, William Collins and A. Munn.  They were estimated to have anywhere from 50–500 members and relied on intimidation and violence to get the items they desired, which ranged from blankets to clothes to books and watches – anything of value.  This could be especially hard for the new arrivals who were not used to the conditions and could quickly become sick from exposure.

John McElroy, of the 16^th Illinois Cavalry arrived shortly after Andersonville was built.  He described the suffering of the men at Andersonville during the incessant spring rains.

“For dreary days that lengthened into weary days and nights, and these again into never ending weeks, the driving drenching flood poured down upon the sodden earth, searching the very marrow of the five thousand hapless men against whose chilled frames it beat with pitiless monotony, and soaked the sand bank upon which we lay until it was like a sponge filled with ice-water…..The condition of those who had no tents was truly pitiable.  They sat or lay on the hill-side the live-long day and night, and took the washing flow with such gloomy composure as they could muster.”(ii)

The Raiders had a significant advantage in plying their torture against their own countrymen.  They were well fed, had tools and knives and roamed the prison grounds in groups.  Many of the items they stole from the prisoners would be traded to sentries and guards for favors – one of which was to turn the other way during their attacks.  Besides preying on “fresh fish” they would often use spies to track down soldiers they believed had valuables.  Once they confirmed their suspicions they would wait for the subject to go to sleep and sneak into the tent.  If the prisoner was to wake up they would threaten him with bodily harm or beat him.

To protect themselves from The Raiders small groups of soldiers, often of the same squad or company, would organize themselves to provide each other protection.  One such group was the Plymouth squad.  When one of their own was threatened or beaten, they would yell “Plymouth!” and the other members of the squad would come to their aid.

On June 29, 1864, a prisoner named Dowd was badly beaten by a group of The Raiders who stole a watch and money from him.  After the beating Dowd demanded justice from the prison guards.  Captain Wirz took an interest in Dowd’s ordeal and ordered that the raiders would receive no rations until they were turned in.  This led to the formation of a quasi police force of Federal prisoners.  Referred to as “Regulators” this group was allowed to use force to arrest the raiders.  From June 29 through July 10, 1864 it is estimated that 100–150 raiders were arrested, including the chieftains.  Each raider was tried by a court of Federal prisoners and a jury of 24 Union sergeants.(iii)  The ring-leaders were found guilty and sentenced to by hanged.  Others were sentenced to time in the stocks, running the gauntlet or head hanging.  Some of these men were beaten so badly that they would later die from their injuries.  The chieftains were executed on July 11, 1864.  Thus ended the terrible reign of the “enemy within” – the Raiders.

The Miracle of Providence Spring

June and July 1864 were terribly dry and hot.  Relief came in early August when heavy rains made Andersonville a muddy qaugmire.  Prisoners used cups, tent flaps and canteens to capture the falling rain.  After weeks with no fresh water, and many prisoners dying of thirst, it was a relief for the Northerners to have the clean water.  The rain would continue nearly a week, turning Camp Sumter into a muddy quagmire.  Survivors of Andersonville claimed that Stockade Branch rose five feet in one hour during the torrential rains.

On August 13, a large cloud appeared east of Camp Sumter.  It was described as being tall, with a sharp shape and a color that resembled gun metal blue.  The huge anomaly moved slowly over the stockade, hovering over the Dead House for a time, before moving north towards the North Gate.  The emaciated prisoners and guards stood awestruck by the sight.  Normally loud with the cries of the suffering, yelling and camp talk the entire stockade became eerily quiet.  As light rain once again began falling, a deafening roar broke the silence.  Men that had become used to the boom of cannon claimed it sounded like the simultaneous explosion of a thousand heavy guns.  The shock wave from the crash threw men, near the west wall, to the ground.  Almost instantaneously a blinding bolt of blue-white light burst forth from the cloud, hitting the ground near the Dead Line at the North Gate.  This was followed by another large explosion, causing dirt and steam to shoot into the air.  As if by the hand of God, a flood of cool, clean water poured from the ground.  The lightening apparently hit exactly at the high point of an underground stream.  The water that flowed from the ground would be called Providence Spring and still flows unabated today.(iv)

Interesting Facts About Andersonville Prison(v)

 +  With US Major General William T. Sherman’s army moving into Georgia, in the summer and fall of 1864, the Confederate garrison at Andersonville began to prepare for an attack.  Sherman would send US Major General George Stoneman’s cavalry on a raid toward the prison.  They would be defeated north of Macon with many of the liberators becoming prisoners at Andersonville.  While a full fledged attack never transpired, Captain Wirz ordered two additional lines of stockade walls built.  They were never finished.

 +  While no large escapes ever occurred at Andersonville many were attempted.  Prisoners tried to escape by climbing or tunneling under the walls.  Today, there are still spots within the stockade where evidence of tunnels can be seen.

 +  A mailbox was located within Andersonville so prisoners could communicate with friends and relatives.

 +  Twenty-six states and the District of Columbia had their sons held in captivity at Andersonville.  While the vast majority of prisoners were from the Northern states others were from the south.  Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Louisiana all had men imprisoned that had fought for the Union.

 +  The commanders at Andersonville did not supply a chaplain.  Several priests, and a Methodist missionary, would minister to the soldiers’ spiritual needs.  Father Peter Whelen, a Catholic priest, spent four months at the prison during the hottest season.

 +  While some prisoners were shot for crossing the Dead Line, most died of disease.  The most common killing diseases were diarrhea, dysentery and scurvy.

 +  Any prisoner willing to take an “oath of allegiance” to the Confederacy would be released.  Very few ever took the oath.

 +  During the period of time Andersonville was in operation over 45,000 Federal prisoners of war would be held at Camp Sumter.  In August 1864, over 32,000 prisoners were confined at the prison – indeed a very pitiful record.  12,920 Federal soldiers died while in captivity at Andersonville.  They were buried in large trenches.  After the war, they were re-interred at Andersonville National Cemetery.

 +  It is claimed that Stockade Branch is still contaminated today.

 +  Andersonville Prison was closed in May 1865.  Captain Henry Wirz was court-martialed after the prison was closed.  US Major General Lew Wallace, who after the war became famous for writing Ben Hur, presided over the trial.  Accused of cruelty, murder and acts of inhumanity he was found guilty.  He would be executed, by hanging, on November 10, 1865.

Common Terms Used At Andersonville(vi)

 +  Deadrun – the section of ground between the Dead Line and the stockade wall.

 +  Graybacks – body lice

 +  Mess – A group of 30 men.  Three messes were combined to form a squad and three squads formed a detachment.

 +  Mud Burrow – A small cave dug as a shelter.

 +  Scorbutus – A disease that caused bleeding gums, loose teeth and bleeding from mucous membranes and the skin. (also known as scurvy)

 +  Shebang – A primitive dwelling

 +  Sinks – Ditches for carrying away raw sewage.

To view my complete set of photos from Andersonville National Historic Site click HERE.

To view my complete set of photos from Andersonville National Cemetery click HERE.

(i) Marvel, William, Andersonville: The Last Depot, published by The University of North Carolina Press in 2006, Pg. 50.
(ii) McElroy, John, Andersonville: A Story of Rebel Military Prisons, published by D.R. Locke in 1879, Pg. 152.
(iii) See Andersonville Prison and American Prisoners of War, written by members of the staff at Andersonville National Historic Site, published by Eastern National in 1999, Pg. 28.
(iv) For additional information see the Miracle of Providence Spring at Bivouacbooks.com.
(v) See Andersonville Prison and American Prisoners of War, written by members of the staff at Andersonville National Historic Site, published by Eastern National in 1999.
(vi) See Andersonville Prison and American Prisoners of War, written by members of the staff at Andersonville National Historic Site, published by Eastern National in 1999, Pg. 17.

This past week I was in Louisville for work. After meetings on Wednesday and Thursday, I had the opportunity to visit two wonderful battlefields: Mill Springs (also called Logan’s Crossroads and Fishing Creek) on Thursday, and Perryville on Friday. I really enjoy Kentucky battlefields. The state does a wonderful job protecting and maintaining their Civil War history. Additional kudos to the Civil War Preservation Trust which has saved many acres of Kentucky battlefields.

Watch for a full length essay on the Battle of Perryville, in October, around the battle’s anniversary on October 8. I was able to take some amazing sunrise pictures that I will unveil at that time.

Lastly, as yesterday was a vacation day, I stopped at two distilleries on Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail. One of them was the Four Roses Distillery. There will be a very interesting blog article, about this distillery, in the coming weeks. Obviously there is a connection between it and the Civil War.