This Mighty Scourge

The United States Military Academy at West Point is steeped in tradition.  Originally established as headquarters for General George Washington in 1779 it was quickly recognized as a strategic position for the Colonial Army as it provided a commanding view of the Hudson River.  Fortress West Point would never be captured by the British.

As the oldest continuously occupied military post in America, West Point has seen its share of famous officers walk its halls.  President Thomas Jefferson would sign legislation in 1802 establishing the United States Military Academy.  Many of the most able general officers of the Civil War would graduate from the academy including Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet, Thomas J. Jackson and William T. Sherman.

Often referred to as Post Cemetery, West Point Cemetery graces the Hudson River Highlands.  Beautiful views of the Hudson River can be seen from the rolling grounds.  Established in 1817, West Point Cemetery is the final resting place for over 8,000 soldiers and family members.  Within the confines of the cemetery are soldiers from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish American War and both World Wars.

I had the opportunity to visit West Point Cemetery several weeks ago.  For someone with an interest in Civil War U.S. Army officers a visit to this cemetery is amazing.  Many of the Civil War officers are buried in Section 26.  The graves are nearly on top of each other with John Buford and George Sykes buried within feet of each other.  The weather for my visit was a beautiful, but incredibly hot.  With an intense sunshine back-lighting much of the cemetery, it was a challenge for me to get quality pictures.  I wished I had brought my stronger flash as I could have used flash fill to improve some of the shots.  To view my photo essay on West Point Cemetery click on the following link:

Mike’s West Point Cemetery Photo Essay at Flickr

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 125th anniversary of the death of US Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant.  Grant led the United States to victory in the Civil War and would serve two terms as President of the United States (March 4, 1869 – March 4, 1877).  While many called him a “butcher,” for his handling of troops in the Civil War, and one of the worst presidents in U.S. history, his reputation and actions are on the rebound.  For more on U.S. Grant, check out the following two articles:

Ulysses S. Grant – U.S. Lieutenant General

Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant is dead! – A Country Mourns

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.

This is the 147th anniversary of the close of the Battle of Gettysburg.  It is also the 147th anniversary of the “interview” between CSA Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton and US Major General Ulysses S. Grant at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  On July 4, 1863 Abraham Lincoln would learn of the Federal victory at Gettysburg and the capitulation of John Pemberton’s forces at Vicksburg.  There would be much rejoicing throughout the United States on th 87th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence.  Today, I have three new sets of photographs on my Flickr site to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Day 1
Pictures that highlight the fighting at McPherson Ridge, Oak Ridge and Barlow’s Knoll

Day 2
Pictures that hightlight the fighting at Devil’s Den, East Cemetery Hill, the Wheat Field, Little Round Top, the Peach Orchard and Culp’s Hill

Day 3
Pictures that Hightlight the fighting at East Cavalry Field, Cemetery Ridge (Pickett’s Charge), Culp’s Hill and South Cavalry Field

Enjoy your July 4th celebrations and God Bless the United States!

On a recent trip to the Philadelphia area I had an opportunity to visit Laurel Hill Cemetery.  Established in 1836 by John Jay Smith, it sits on 78 acres of rolling hills overlooking the Schuylkill River.  Having missed many opportunities to visit this beautiful cemetery over the years, the wait was well worth it.

Besides US Major General George Gordon Meade, 39 other Civil War era general officers found their final rest at Laurel Hill.  Unfortunately, I was unable to locate one of the most famous interments at Laurel Hill, CSA Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton.  Pemberton was originally from Philadelphia but cast his lot with the Confederacy.  He would ultimately surrender Vicksburg to Ulysses S. Grant on July 4, 1863.  Other notable officers buried at Laurel Hill are Charles Ferguson Smith, Samuel W. Crawford, Rear-Admiral John A.B. Dahlgren and Robert Patterson.

Click HERE to visit my photo essay on Laurel Hill Cemetery.

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.

Today is the 146th anniversary of the Battle of Yellow Tavern – and the mortal wounding of Confederate Major General James Ewell Brown “J.E.B.” Stuart.  Stuart, whom historian Eric J. Wittenberg considers the “best cavalry commander ever sired in the United States,” had commanded the Army of Northern Virginia’s mounted arm since the Peninsula Campaign.  Commanding general Robert E. Lee would rely on Stuart to provide accurate intelligence on the Federal Army of the Potomac and to screen the movements of his army.  His death would be produce mourning in the Confederacy not seen since the death of Lieutenant General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson nearly a year earlier.

With the promotion of Ulysses S. Grant, to lieutenant general commanding all U.S. ground forces, in March 1864, the complexion of fighting in the east would drastically change.  Grant would replace his cavalry corps commander, Major General Alfred Pleasanton, with Major General Philip H. Sheridan.  Sheridan had earned his “stars” commanding infantry in the western theater and was a hard fighter.  Grant’s command structure would have his new cavalry commander reporting to Major General George Gordon Meade, commander of the Army of the Potomac.  During the Overland Campaign, Sheridan would struggle with Meade who was accustomed to using his cavalry to guard his supply train and on scouting missions.  Wanting to be used in an offensive capacity, against his Confederate adversary, Sheridan would appeal to Grant to turn him loose behind Lee’s lines.  Grant would acquiesce, much to Meade’s dismay.  While Grant was battering Lee at Spotsylvania Court House, Sheridan would ride south with his cavalry corps in search of Stuart.  He would find him on the afternoon of May 11 at the abandoned inn at Yellow Tavern – approximately six miles north of Richmond.  While Sheridan had over twice as many troopers, Stuart’s three cavalry brigades made a valiant effort to prevent the Federals from breaking through their lines.  During the fight the 1st Virginia Cavalry would charge the Federal lines causing Colonel Russell Alger’s 5th Michigan Cavalry to bolt for the rear.  Stuart, always leading from the front, would be shot a close range by John A. Huff, a former sharpshooter.  Shot through the side, with the bullet tearing through his stomach, Stuart would be removed to Richmond where he would die on May 12.  The fight at Yellow Tavern would continue for an hour after Stuart’s wounding with CSA Major General Fitzhugh Lee taking command.  Sheridan’s numerical superiority would prove too much and he push south towards Richmond, never piercing the city’s outer defenses.

The Battle of Yellow Tavern permanently changed the complexion of the Confederate Cavalry.  No longer would they out soldier their Federal adversary.  With J.E.B. Stuart’s death the fighting elan of the Confederate mounted arm was diminished, depriving Robert E. Lee of arguably the best cavalry commander to ever fight in America.  Stuart is a true American HERO.

On April 26, 1865 CSA General Joseph E. Johnston officially surrendered his Confederate Army of Tennessee to US Major General William T. Sherman at Durham Station, North Carolina.  This official surrender followed an armistice that was signed by Johnston on April 18.  The orginal surrender was not accepted by the recently inaugurated president, Andrew Johnson, because it included terms that were political in nature which had not been authorized by the Federal government.  Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant would travel to North Carolina and counsel Sherman on the final surrender – one which only dealt with the military capitulation of the Army of Tennessee.  Grant, not wanting to embarrass his friend, allowed Sherman to provide the terms and accept Johnston’s surrender.

The surrender of the Army of Tennessee extinguished any hope of Confederate independence.  While additional Confederate armies were still active in the Western Theater, Johnston’s Army of Tennessee was the last large organized fighting force.  This army saw bloody action at some of the most brutal battles in the west: Stones River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga (Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain), the Atlanta Campaign, Franklin, Nashville and the Carolinas Campaign.  It would have several commanders: Braxton Bragg, Joe Johnston and John Bell Hood.  The battles of Franklin and Nashville would decimate the proud army.  While losing more battles than it won, it was not so much due to the fighting elan of the men, but rather poor decisions made by its commanders.  Many of the most celebrated general officers of the Confederacy held important commands in this army including Patrick Cleburne, Nathan Bedford Forrest, James Longstreet, Stephen D. Lee and Alexander P. Stewart.

Benjamin Grierson’s Raid – April 17 through May 2, 1863

During the spring of 1863, US Major General Ulysses S. Grant was planning his offensive to capture Vicksburg.  Vicksburg was positioned high above a horseshoe shaped bend of the Mississippi River.  It was the “key” that Lincoln believed he needed to win the Civil War.  As long as the Confederate garrison, commanded by CSA Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton, held Vicksburg, Federal gunboats and supplies could not pass on the Mississippi River. 

During the fall of 1862, Grant made several efforts to capture the city but ultimately failed in obtaining his objective.  In December 1862, Grant believed US Major General William Sherman’s 30,000 man XV Corps could defeat the smaller Confederate force of 14,000 soldiers holding the trenches north of Vicksburg.  CSA Brigadier General Stephen D. Lee’s soldiers easily repulsed Sherman’s XV Corps sending them back up the Yazoo and Mississippi rivers to Memphis.  The defeat was complete at the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou with Sherman suffering nearly 12,000 casualties compared to 187 on the Confederate side.(i)

Determined not to fail during the spring 1863 offensive, Grant planned to approach Vicksburg from the east after crossing his infantry south of Vicksburg – a route that would be least expected by Pemberton.  In order for his plan to work, Grant realized he needed to create a diversion to keep Pemberton off balance.  His bold plan called for US Colonel Benjamin Grierson’s three regiment cavalry brigade to raid deep into Mississippi, tearing up as much railroad track and destroying as many Confederate supplies as possible.

Grierson set his cavalry brigade in motion on April 17, 1863.  Leaving Lagrange, Tennessee he pushed south into Mississippi tearing up the Vicksburg-Jackson Southern Railroad west of Meridian.  Over the next two weeks Grierson used his small force wisely, sending small parties on feints to deceive his Confederate adversaries of his true intentions.  Grierson’s raid would be hugely successful and would destroy millions of dollars of war materiel that would ultimately end up depriving Pemberton of needed supplies.  Traveling over 600 miles through hostile country, in Mississippi and Louisiana, freeing slaves and torching Confederate supply depots, Grierson would inflict ten times the casualties he incurred.  On May 2, Grierson would return to Grant’s army having fulfilled his mission and allowing Grant to be successful in getting his army south of Vicksburg.(ii)

The Grierson Raid is often overlooked by Civil War students who focus their attention on the more well known cavalry engagements in the Eastern Theater.  This is truly a shame as Grierson was one of the most successful cavalry officers in the Civil War.  He operated well independently and achieved the objectives assigned to him.  For a complete narrative of Grierson’s Raid I suggest the following books.

* Grierson’s Raid: A Cavalry Adventure of the Civil War, by Dee Brown
* A Just and Righteous Cause: Benjamin H. Grierson’s Civil War Memoirs, edited by Bruce J. Dinges and Shirley A. Leckie

(i) For additional information see the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou at Wikipedia.
(ii) For additional information see Grierson’s Raid at Wikipedia.