This Mighty Scourge

Today marks the start of the Battle of Second Manassas.  Fought on the same ground as the opening battle of the Civil War, thirteen months earlier, Second Manassas was a sanguinary battle.  To read more about the battle check out the article I wrote last year:

Battle of Second Manassas – The Fields Again Turn Red

Today is the 149th anniversary of the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, less commonly known as the Battle of Oak Hills.  Fought near Springfield, Missouri, it was the first major conflict in the Western Theater of the Civil War.  In an effort to rid Missouri of the Confederate Missouri State Guard, commanded by CSA Major General Sterling Price, US Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon determined to strike first.  Splitting his army, Lyon would send Colonel Franz Sigel’s Second Brigade on a long march to get behind Price while he attacked from the north with the rest of the Army of the West.  It would be a bitter defeat that would cost Lyon his life.  At the end of the day’s contest, over 2,300 soldiers would become casualties.

I wrote a detailed battle narrative for last year’s anniversary of the Battle of Wilson’s Creek.  You can read it by clicking on the following link.

Wilson’s Creek: The Civil War Breaks out in the West

Click HERE to view my photo essay on the Battle of Wilson’s Creek

This past Friday, July 30, marks the 146th anniversary of the Battle of the Crater.  It would prove a debacle for Ulysses S. Grant while he tried to break Robert E. Lee’s lines in front of Petersburg, Virginia.  Federal soldiers would be annihilated as they became stuck in the crater – the aftermath of a mine explosion under the Confederate works.

To read my article, from last year’s anniversary of the battle, click HERE.

Today marks the 149th  anniversary of the First Battle of Bull Run.  With two months having past since the Confederate firing on Fort Sumter, President Lincoln had become impatient for action.  Having appointed US Brigadier General Irvin McDowell to command the “green” Federal Army of Northeastern Virginia, Lincoln ordered him from the environs of Washington City to attack CSA Brigadier General Pierre Gustave Tutant (P.G.T.) Beauregard’s Army of the Potomac camped near Manassas, Virginia.  Most people, north and south, believed there would be one deciding battle of the war.  No one, however, was prepared for the blood that would be shed in Northern Virginia or the ferocity of the upcoming fratricidal war.

To read my narrative of the First Battle of Bull Run, that I wrote for last year’s anniversary, click HERE.

I also have a collection of pictures, from the Manassas National Battlefield Park, which can be viewed by clicking HERE.

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.

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.”

One hundred forty-seven years ago, while US Major General Joe Hooker was reeling from his thrashing at Chancellorsville, Major General Ulysses S. Grant, commanding the Army of the Tennessee, was marching through Mississippi.  On this day in the Civil War, Grant issued orders through his aide, Lieutenant Colonel John A. Rawlins, “Corps commanders will immediately commence the work of reducing the enemy by regular approaches.  It is desirable that no more loss of life shall be sustained in the reduction of Vicksburg, and the capture of the Garrison.  Every advantage will be taken of the natural of the ground to gain to gain positions from which to start mines, trenches, or advance batteries…”(i)  And so it became a siege.  After successive victories at Grand Gulf (April 29), Port Gibson (May 1), Raymond (May 12), Jackson (May 14), Champion Hill (May 16) and Big Black River Bridge (May 17) Grant’s army had reached the outskirts of Vicksburg on May 18, 1863.  Always the aggressor, Grant made direct assaults against the heavily entrenched Confederate Army of Mississippi, commanded by CSA Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton, on May 19 and 22.  Both attacks would be unsuccessful and would dramatically lengthen the casualty lists.  For the next 41 days the Federal army would lay siege to Pemberton’s defenses probing with infantry – always looking for opportunities to break the Confederate lines.  On July 4, 1863, Grant would receive Pemberton’s unconditional surrender –  an event that would open the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico.

For additional reading refer to the following articles I have published on Vicksburg:

Ulysses S. Grant Attacks Vicksburg

The Father of Waters Again Goes Unvexed to the Sea

(i) Simon, John Y. (editor), The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 8: April 1 –  July 6, 1863, published by Southern Illinois University Press in 1979, Pgs. 267–8.

On this day, one hundred forty-seven hears ago, US Major General Joseph Hooker put his Army of the Potomac in motion.  With flowering trees in full bloom, and spring temperatures warming the days, the 1863 campaign season had opened.  After assuming command of the Army of Potomac, in January 1863, Hooker had implemented many changes to his army.  While in winter camp near Falmouth, Virginia Hooker worked diligently to raise the morale of his men, granting much needed furloughs and instituting badges for each army corps so the soldiers could proudly be identified by their corps.  By March the morale in the Army of the Potomac had been significantly improved.

Hooker’s operational plans for the upcoming campaign were well devised and provided a terrific opportunity for success against CSA General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.  Leaving US Major General John Sedgwick’s VI Corps at Fredericksburg, to deceive Lee of his true intentions, Hooker planned to march his remaining six infantry corps northwest of Fredericksburg, crossing the Rappahannock River at U.S. and Ely’s fords.  From there he would push south falling on Lee’s left flank and rear, preventing him from escaping towards Richmond.  Additionally, Hooker sent his cavalry corps, commanded by US Brigadier General George Stoneman, on a long circuitous route around Lee’s army to destroy his communications and provide an additional layer of of support to prevent Lee from escaping south.  According to Civil War scholar, Ernest B. Furgurson, “Hooker had sent most of his cavalry away from the battle; what was left was misused, and ignored when it did show initiative.”(i)  This would prove to be the undoing of Hooker.  While his plan confused Lee to his true intentions, Hooker was operating blindly.  Lee, in perhaps his best performance as commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, would split his smaller army not once, but twice, in front of an army that had a two to one numerical advantage.  On May 2 Lee sprung his own trap sending CSA Lieutenant General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s 2d Corps on a long flanking march to fall on the right flank of Hooker’s army.  The surprise was complete, pushing US Major General Oliver O. Howard’s XI Corps more than two miles towards Chancellorsville.  On May 3 Hooker consolidated his position around the Chancellor tavern giving up the high ground held by US Major General Daniel Sickles’ III Corps at Hazel Grove.  This also proved disastrous as Lee’s artillery would use the high ground to pound the Federal position. 

Meanwhile, Hooker had ordered Sedgwick to dislodge CSA Major General Jubal A. Early’s 2d Corps division from Marye’s Heights at Fredericksburg.  While Early’s division was significantly outnumbered, he was able to delay Sedgwick’s advance long enough for CSA Brigadier General Cadmus Wilcox to establish a trap at Salem Church, just east of Chancellorsville.  Arrayed in the woods, along the Orange Turnpike, Wilcox would halt Sedgwick’s VI Corps in their tracks as they were marching along the pike.  After the bloody fight at Salem Chuch, Sedgwick, like Hooker, consolidated his corps along the Rappahannock River at Scott’s Ford.  Having left Fredericksburg uncovered, Early marched his division back to his trenches on Marye’s Heights cutting off Sedgwick’s retreat route.  This essentially ended any opportunity Hooker had to defeat Lee.  No longer willing or able to take the offensive Hooker would retreat across the Rappahannock River in the overnight hours of May 5.

Chancellorsville would prove fatal to Hooker’s ambition.  He would be removed from command of the Army of the Potomac in June.  Suffering nearly 14,000 casualties at the Battle of Chancellorsville it be one of the worst defeats the Federal army would suffer in the eastern theater.  Lee’s army was also badly mauled, suffering approximately 10,000 casualties.  However, Lee’s most significant loss was Thomas Jackson.  The great Stonewall would be wounded during the May 2 flank attack.  Scouting between the lines, Jackson would be shot by one of his own soldiers while returning to his lines.  The wound, in itself not fatal, would require the amputation of his left arm.  While recovering, at Guinea Station, Jackson would contract pneumonia and die on May 10, 1863.

For a more complete narrative on the Battle of Chancellorsville, refer to the article I wrote last year: The Battle of Chancellorsville – Joe Hooker’s Legacy.

(i) Furgurson, Ernest B., Chancellorsville 1863: The Souls of the Brave, published by Vintage Civil War Library in 1993, Pg. 161.

Today marks the 148th anniversary of the second day of fighting at the Battle of Shiloh.  On April 6, 1862, CSA General Albert Sidney Johnston’s Army of Mississippi launched a surprise dawn attack on US Major General Ulysses S. Grant’s Army of the Tennessee.  The surprise was complete with US brigadier generals William T. Sherman’s Fifth Division and Benjamin Prentiss’ Sixth Division being pushed back to the “crossroads.”  The fighting would continue through the afternoon, along a sunken road, in an area that would forever be known as the Hornet’s Nest.  After the mortal wounding of Grant’s Second Division commander, Brigadier General William “W.H.L.” Wallace, and the capture of Prentiss, the Federal line gave way with the final Federal stand being made along the Pittsburg Landing Road. 

The Confederate Army of Mississippi would suffer the loss of Sidney Johnston.  Johnston would bleed to death from a very treatable wound to the back of his leg.  He would be the highest ranking officer to be killed in action during the Civil War.  With Johnston dead, General P.G.T. Beauregard would take over command of the decapitated Confederate army.  While victorious during the first day’s fight the Army of Mississippi would become a tangled, disorganized mass of humanity as it pushed through the Federal Fifth Division camps.  Many of the men, who had not eaten a full meal since leaving Corinth several days earlier, could not resist the temptation to raid Sherman’s camp.  In many cases they found fresh brewed coffee and breakfast cooking on the campfires.

Beauregard would struggle to assemble a solid, organized line by the close of the first day’s fight.  His disorganized army would be further demoralized by heavy Federal Navy ordinance being fired regularly through the overnight hours.  While causing relatively few casualties, the loud noise created by the huge naval guns would be frightening and keep the men awake most of the night.  On the Federal side, reinforcements began arriving during the late afternoon and overnight hours when US Major General Don Carlos Buell’s Army of the Ohio arrived opposite Pittsburg Landing.  These reinforcements would allow Grant to launch his own surprise attack during the early morning hours of April 7.  This attack would catch Beauregard’s Army of Mississippi unprepared and would eventually push them from the field.

Last year, on the battle’s anniversary, I wrote a detailed narrative of the battle.  It can be read by clicking HERE.

For a complete photo essay on Shiloh National Military Park, check out my Flickr site by clicking HERE.

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.