150 Years Ago Today:
While the Union and Confederate infantry faced each other across their entrenchments, their cavalry was on the move. Philip Sheridan, after angry disagreements with George Meade, had gotten permission for a major raid into Southern territory.
Sheridan and his troopers had done well the first couple of days, freeing four hundred Northern prisoners from the Rebels who were marching them south, tearing up railroad tracks, and burning depots with what Sheridan estimated were over one million rations. (This seems high, since Lee's army apparently suffered no more than usual from hunger at this point.) But what really alarmed the authorities in Richmond was rat the Yankees were now south of the Army of Northern Virginia, and had what looked like a clear shot at the Confederate capital. (Reserve troops under P.G.T. Beauregard were occupied desperately trying to block a Union Army of the James advancing from the southeast.
"JEB" Stuart and his cavalry were ordered to intercept the Federal horsemen -- which was just what Sheridan had in mind. He had argued all along that he could "whip Stuart" if he were given a free hand.
The two forces of Cavalry met at a place called Yellow Tavern. The Confederates were outnumbered over two to one, and the Yankees were equipped with fast - firing Spencer carbines. Nonetheless, Stuart's presence encouraged his men, and the fighting went on for some time, neither side gaining a decisive advantage.
The Rebels eventually mounted a counter-charge, driving some of the Northerners back. But Stuart, eager to see the Yankees run, rode out too far. A Union man, temporarily on foot, turned and shot Stuart with his revolver. The wound was mortal.
Eventually Sheridan disengaged, since his objective was not to invade Richmond. He had disrupted transport behind the confederate lines, and beaten Stuart (though by accident more than anything else.)
[font="Times New Roman"]NEAR SPOTTSYLVANIA C. H., May 11, 1864--8.30 A.M.
MAJOR-GENERAL HALLECK, Chief of Staff of the Army, Washington, D. C.
We have now ended the 6th day of very hard fighting. The result up to this time is much in our favor. But our losses have been heavy as well as those of the enemy. We have lost to this time eleven general officers killed, wounded and missing, and probably twenty thousand men. I think the loss of the enemy must be greater--we having taken over four thousand prisoners in battle, whilst he has taken from us but few except a few stragglers. I am now sending back to Belle Plain all my wagons for a fresh supply of provisions and ammunition, and purpose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer.
The arrival of reinforcements here will be very encouraging to the men, and I hope they will be sent as fast as possible, and in as great numbers. My object in having them sent to Belle Plain was to use them as an escort to our supply trains. If it is more convenient to send them out by train to march from the railroad to Belle Plain or Fredericksburg, send them so.
U. S. Grant
Lieut'nt General
[/font]
The phrase "fight it out on this line if it takes all summer" would become famous. (And it would actually take much longer.)
Civil War 150th
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Capt. Harlock
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RE: Civil War 150th
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
--Victor Hugo
--Victor Hugo
RE: Civil War 150th
I just want to say Thank you again, Capt. Harlock, for keeping up with this great thread!!
Thanks![:)]
Thanks![:)]
RE: Civil War 150th
Yes, thank you. I look forward to this every day.
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Capt. Harlock
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RE: Civil War 150th
150 Years Ago Today:
In Richmond, J. E. B. Stuart died from the bullet he had taken the day before. He had been taken in an ambulance to the house of a doctor, but his wife Flora did not have time to reach his side before he succumbed. She wore black for the rest of her life, and never remarried. The rest of the Confederacy, from Robert E. Lee on down, was also grief-stricken: after Stonewall Jackson, Stuart's death was the second greatest loss of the war.
When the Confederates had put up their defensive fortifications at Spotsylvania, they had made a mistake. One part of the line stuck out, forming a salient. Lee had detected this, and given orders for the artillery within to be pulled back to safer position. But Grant had also been informed of the vulnerable spot, and ordered Winfield Hancock's II Corps to attack. The Southerners inside the salient, alerted by the preliminary bombardment, called for their guns to be returned -- but timing couldn't have been worse for them. The guns could not be unlimbered and loaded before:
[font="Times New Roman"]The ground over which Hitchcock had to pass to reach the enemy, was ascending and heavily wooded to within two or three hundred yards of the enemy's intrenchments. In front of Birney there was also a marsh to cross. But, notwithstanding all these difficulties, the troops pushed on in quick time without firing a gun, and when within four or five hundred yards of the enemy's line broke out in loud cheers, and with a rush went up to and over the breastworks. Barlow and Birney entered almost simultaneously. Here a desperate hand-to-hand conflict took place. The men of the two sides were too close together to fire, but used their guns as clubs. The hand conflict was soon over. Hancock's corps captured some four thousand prisoners among them a division and a brigade commander twenty or more guns with their horses, caissons, and ammunition, several thousand stand of arms, and many colors. Hancock, as soon as the hand-to-hand conflict was over, turned the guns of the enemy against him and advanced inside the rebel lines. About six o'clock I ordered Warren's corps to the support of Hancock's.
[center]--The Personal Memoirs of General U. S. Grant[/center][/font]
Lee realized immediately that the Yankees had broken through the entrenchments in that spot. There were still Rebel troops in the area, but without the fixed defenses, they would be overrun by numbers, and the Army of Northern Virginia might be split in half as had happened to the Northerners at Chickamauga. As fast as Grant sent reinforcements, Lee was faster, gathering all the men he could and mounting a desperate effort to take back what had been lost. He even began to move forward with the troops, but for a second time the shout of "General Lee to the rear" went up from the men, and he was persuaded to stay behind.
When the forces collided, for whatever reason, both sides went berserk. Musket fire as heavy as anything in the war erupted, but it didn't prevent ferocious hand-to-hand fighting from also taking place. Rain came down, and darkness fell, but it seemed to make no difference; the combat went on hour after hour. There is no measurable way of knowing, but from the survivors' accounts, the fighting at Bloody Angle was the most intense of the Civil War. One man claimed he had fired over four hundred rounds, and he was not alone. Afterwards, a tree 22 inches (56 cm) in diameter was found shot completely in two.
Finally, after midnight, the Confederates received word that a second defensive position had been finished a short distance to the rear. They withdrew behind it, leaving the Northerners in possession of the ground, but blocked once more in their advance.
In Richmond, J. E. B. Stuart died from the bullet he had taken the day before. He had been taken in an ambulance to the house of a doctor, but his wife Flora did not have time to reach his side before he succumbed. She wore black for the rest of her life, and never remarried. The rest of the Confederacy, from Robert E. Lee on down, was also grief-stricken: after Stonewall Jackson, Stuart's death was the second greatest loss of the war.
When the Confederates had put up their defensive fortifications at Spotsylvania, they had made a mistake. One part of the line stuck out, forming a salient. Lee had detected this, and given orders for the artillery within to be pulled back to safer position. But Grant had also been informed of the vulnerable spot, and ordered Winfield Hancock's II Corps to attack. The Southerners inside the salient, alerted by the preliminary bombardment, called for their guns to be returned -- but timing couldn't have been worse for them. The guns could not be unlimbered and loaded before:
[font="Times New Roman"]The ground over which Hitchcock had to pass to reach the enemy, was ascending and heavily wooded to within two or three hundred yards of the enemy's intrenchments. In front of Birney there was also a marsh to cross. But, notwithstanding all these difficulties, the troops pushed on in quick time without firing a gun, and when within four or five hundred yards of the enemy's line broke out in loud cheers, and with a rush went up to and over the breastworks. Barlow and Birney entered almost simultaneously. Here a desperate hand-to-hand conflict took place. The men of the two sides were too close together to fire, but used their guns as clubs. The hand conflict was soon over. Hancock's corps captured some four thousand prisoners among them a division and a brigade commander twenty or more guns with their horses, caissons, and ammunition, several thousand stand of arms, and many colors. Hancock, as soon as the hand-to-hand conflict was over, turned the guns of the enemy against him and advanced inside the rebel lines. About six o'clock I ordered Warren's corps to the support of Hancock's.
[center]--The Personal Memoirs of General U. S. Grant[/center][/font]
Lee realized immediately that the Yankees had broken through the entrenchments in that spot. There were still Rebel troops in the area, but without the fixed defenses, they would be overrun by numbers, and the Army of Northern Virginia might be split in half as had happened to the Northerners at Chickamauga. As fast as Grant sent reinforcements, Lee was faster, gathering all the men he could and mounting a desperate effort to take back what had been lost. He even began to move forward with the troops, but for a second time the shout of "General Lee to the rear" went up from the men, and he was persuaded to stay behind.
When the forces collided, for whatever reason, both sides went berserk. Musket fire as heavy as anything in the war erupted, but it didn't prevent ferocious hand-to-hand fighting from also taking place. Rain came down, and darkness fell, but it seemed to make no difference; the combat went on hour after hour. There is no measurable way of knowing, but from the survivors' accounts, the fighting at Bloody Angle was the most intense of the Civil War. One man claimed he had fired over four hundred rounds, and he was not alone. Afterwards, a tree 22 inches (56 cm) in diameter was found shot completely in two.
Finally, after midnight, the Confederates received word that a second defensive position had been finished a short distance to the rear. They withdrew behind it, leaving the Northerners in possession of the ground, but blocked once more in their advance.
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Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
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Capt. Harlock
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RE: Civil War 150th
150 Years Ago Today:
The fighting at Bloody Angle finally died down in the hours before dawn. The rain continued, turning the trenches that had been dug into nightmare morasses of mud, bodies, and gore. In some places the bodies were three or four deep, and sadly, not all of them were corpses. With what little light was allowed by the rain, those who were lucky enough to still be on their feet searched for signs of movement, and managed to pull a number of wounded men from the grisly piles. Inevitably, aid came too late in many cases.
Bloody Angle is estimated to have cost the Union 9,000 casualties, and the Confederates from 6,000 to 8,000 casualties. (For this writer, the higher number seems more likely.) During the day, there was very little additional fighting while the Federals, who held the ground where the combat had taken place, now had the task of burying the dead.
In northern Virginia, a more dignified task of burial also began. Arlington National Cemetery received its first war dead for internment. Turning Robert E. Lee's plantation into a cemetery was in one sense a spiteful act, for it guaranteed that neither Lee nor any of his heirs would ever again be able to recover the property. But from a wholly logical standpoint, it was necessary for new cemeteries to be created, for the number of war dead had already exceeded the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Mexican War combined. And Lee's property was already legally forfeit by the Confiscation Act of 1862. It does seem unjust that, with so many United States soldiers buried on his old grounds, Lee's petition to have his citizenship in the United States restored was always denied during his lifetime. (It was finally granted in 1975.)
In northern Georgia, Joseph Johnston and the Army of Tennessee had successfully retreated from Dalton. Sherman and and his forces pursued, and found the Rebels at Resaca, already well entrenched. There are times in war when it is wise to keep the initiative and attack quickly. This was not one of them, for the Confederate troops were, as Sherman put it, "well in hand" and ready for a fight. Sherman sent back to the remainder of his columns to close around Resaca, avoiding any frontal assaults.
On the Red River in Louisiana, the dam had been repaired, and was now ready. The ironclad USS Mound City went first, and when she made it through successfully, the rest of the flotilla followed. Admiral Porter's command and reputation had been saved, but General Nathaniel Banks was in the process of being relieved and replaced. His ambitions were at an end for the time being.
The fighting at Bloody Angle finally died down in the hours before dawn. The rain continued, turning the trenches that had been dug into nightmare morasses of mud, bodies, and gore. In some places the bodies were three or four deep, and sadly, not all of them were corpses. With what little light was allowed by the rain, those who were lucky enough to still be on their feet searched for signs of movement, and managed to pull a number of wounded men from the grisly piles. Inevitably, aid came too late in many cases.
Bloody Angle is estimated to have cost the Union 9,000 casualties, and the Confederates from 6,000 to 8,000 casualties. (For this writer, the higher number seems more likely.) During the day, there was very little additional fighting while the Federals, who held the ground where the combat had taken place, now had the task of burying the dead.
In northern Virginia, a more dignified task of burial also began. Arlington National Cemetery received its first war dead for internment. Turning Robert E. Lee's plantation into a cemetery was in one sense a spiteful act, for it guaranteed that neither Lee nor any of his heirs would ever again be able to recover the property. But from a wholly logical standpoint, it was necessary for new cemeteries to be created, for the number of war dead had already exceeded the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Mexican War combined. And Lee's property was already legally forfeit by the Confiscation Act of 1862. It does seem unjust that, with so many United States soldiers buried on his old grounds, Lee's petition to have his citizenship in the United States restored was always denied during his lifetime. (It was finally granted in 1975.)
In northern Georgia, Joseph Johnston and the Army of Tennessee had successfully retreated from Dalton. Sherman and and his forces pursued, and found the Rebels at Resaca, already well entrenched. There are times in war when it is wise to keep the initiative and attack quickly. This was not one of them, for the Confederate troops were, as Sherman put it, "well in hand" and ready for a fight. Sherman sent back to the remainder of his columns to close around Resaca, avoiding any frontal assaults.
On the Red River in Louisiana, the dam had been repaired, and was now ready. The ironclad USS Mound City went first, and when she made it through successfully, the rest of the flotilla followed. Admiral Porter's command and reputation had been saved, but General Nathaniel Banks was in the process of being relieved and replaced. His ambitions were at an end for the time being.
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Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
--Victor Hugo
--Victor Hugo
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Capt. Harlock
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RE: Civil War 150th
150 Years Ago Today:
While Sherman and Grant were moving their massive armies, smaller Union forces were also pushing into Confederate territory. Franz Sigel was advancing south into the Shenandoah Valley with over 9,000 men, hoping to eventually seized the railroad junction at Lynchburg. To stop him, Major General John Breckinridge had pulled together a mixed force of just over 4,000 Rebels, famously including the cadet corps of the Virginia Military Institute of 247 students. The Yankees found the going a bit difficult, as had always been the case in the Shenandoah. They had found it necessary to leave garrisons at various places, so there were about 6,300 bluejackets present when the two sides clashed at New Market, still outnumbering the Confederates by about three to two.
But on this date, determination was more important than odds. The Rebels attacked and gained some ground, then held on to repel the Federal counter-assaults. One wing of the Confederate force attempted to flank the Union line, and while it was prevented from charging by a swollen creek, it delivered useful enfilading fire. Another attack by the main Confederate body, in which the V.M.I. cadets were prominent, finally sent the Northerners into retreat. Although both sides had sustained about 13% casualties, Union commander Sigel had evidently had enough of fighting. He retreated north to Strasburg, leaving most of the Valley still in the hands of the Southerners.
In northern Georgia, Sherman's forces were making costly but useful progress:
[font="Times New Roman"] During the 15th, without attempting to assault the fortified works, we pressed at all points, and the sound of cannon and musketry rose all day to the dignity of a battle. Toward evening McPherson moved his whole line of battle forward, till he had gained a ridge overlooking the town, from which his field-artillery could reach the railroad-bridge across the Oostenuala. The enemy made several attempts to drive him away, repeating the sallies several times, and extending them into the night; but in every instance he was repulsed with bloody loss.
[center]--Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/center][/font]
Sherman's estimate of casualties seems to have been optimistic. Modern historians place the Union losses at about 4,500 combined, while the Confederates appear to have lost only 2,800. However, the the ground gained was the key to the town. That evening, Johnston decided that he could no longer hold Resaca. He began the evacuation promptly, crossing the bridges over the Oostenuala River, and then burning them.
Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com
While Sherman and Grant were moving their massive armies, smaller Union forces were also pushing into Confederate territory. Franz Sigel was advancing south into the Shenandoah Valley with over 9,000 men, hoping to eventually seized the railroad junction at Lynchburg. To stop him, Major General John Breckinridge had pulled together a mixed force of just over 4,000 Rebels, famously including the cadet corps of the Virginia Military Institute of 247 students. The Yankees found the going a bit difficult, as had always been the case in the Shenandoah. They had found it necessary to leave garrisons at various places, so there were about 6,300 bluejackets present when the two sides clashed at New Market, still outnumbering the Confederates by about three to two.
But on this date, determination was more important than odds. The Rebels attacked and gained some ground, then held on to repel the Federal counter-assaults. One wing of the Confederate force attempted to flank the Union line, and while it was prevented from charging by a swollen creek, it delivered useful enfilading fire. Another attack by the main Confederate body, in which the V.M.I. cadets were prominent, finally sent the Northerners into retreat. Although both sides had sustained about 13% casualties, Union commander Sigel had evidently had enough of fighting. He retreated north to Strasburg, leaving most of the Valley still in the hands of the Southerners.
In northern Georgia, Sherman's forces were making costly but useful progress:
[font="Times New Roman"] During the 15th, without attempting to assault the fortified works, we pressed at all points, and the sound of cannon and musketry rose all day to the dignity of a battle. Toward evening McPherson moved his whole line of battle forward, till he had gained a ridge overlooking the town, from which his field-artillery could reach the railroad-bridge across the Oostenuala. The enemy made several attempts to drive him away, repeating the sallies several times, and extending them into the night; but in every instance he was repulsed with bloody loss.
[center]--Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/center][/font]
Sherman's estimate of casualties seems to have been optimistic. Modern historians place the Union losses at about 4,500 combined, while the Confederates appear to have lost only 2,800. However, the the ground gained was the key to the town. That evening, Johnston decided that he could no longer hold Resaca. He began the evacuation promptly, crossing the bridges over the Oostenuala River, and then burning them.
Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com
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Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
--Victor Hugo
--Victor Hugo
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Capt. Harlock
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RE: Civil War 150th
150 Years Ago Today:
At daylight, the Federals marched into Resaca, Georgia, with no further interference from Joseph Johnston's army. Although the railroad bridge to the south had been burned, Sherman decided to pursue the retreating Southerners as quickly as he could. The Union soldiers were soon busy not only repairing the railroad bridge, but also laying a pontoon bridge for the infantry to march across. By evening, they were at Calhoun, about 5 miles (8 km) south of Resaca. As fast as they moved, however, the Confederates moved faster, having reached Adairsville, a further 10 miles (16 km) towards Atlanta.
To the south and east of Richmond, General Benjamin Butler and the 30,000 strong Army of the James were slowly advancing up the Virginia Peninsula. P.G.T. Beauregard had only about 18,000 men to stop him, but as in the Shenandoah Valley, determination counted for more than numbers. This date saw the climax of the Battle of Proctor's Creek, with a Rebel division launching an assault on the Federal right flank. A number of Union units were disrupted and demoralized, and the Confederates might have scored a major victory if their own order had not broken down considerably in the fog.
Butler managed to pull his troops together and fall back, but from this time on he seems to have forgotten he was supposed to be on the offensive. He ordered an entrenched defensive line to be constructed at Bermuda Hundred, solidly anchored between two rivers. It was an admirable position -- for a stalemate. He could block any further advance, but so could the Southerners.
At daylight, the Federals marched into Resaca, Georgia, with no further interference from Joseph Johnston's army. Although the railroad bridge to the south had been burned, Sherman decided to pursue the retreating Southerners as quickly as he could. The Union soldiers were soon busy not only repairing the railroad bridge, but also laying a pontoon bridge for the infantry to march across. By evening, they were at Calhoun, about 5 miles (8 km) south of Resaca. As fast as they moved, however, the Confederates moved faster, having reached Adairsville, a further 10 miles (16 km) towards Atlanta.
To the south and east of Richmond, General Benjamin Butler and the 30,000 strong Army of the James were slowly advancing up the Virginia Peninsula. P.G.T. Beauregard had only about 18,000 men to stop him, but as in the Shenandoah Valley, determination counted for more than numbers. This date saw the climax of the Battle of Proctor's Creek, with a Rebel division launching an assault on the Federal right flank. A number of Union units were disrupted and demoralized, and the Confederates might have scored a major victory if their own order had not broken down considerably in the fog.
Butler managed to pull his troops together and fall back, but from this time on he seems to have forgotten he was supposed to be on the offensive. He ordered an entrenched defensive line to be constructed at Bermuda Hundred, solidly anchored between two rivers. It was an admirable position -- for a stalemate. He could block any further advance, but so could the Southerners.
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Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
--Victor Hugo
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Capt. Harlock
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RE: Civil War 150th
150 Years Ago Today:
Joseph Johnston had hoped to catch one of Sherman's columns while they were separated from the rest of the Union troops. But in order to do that, he needed to split his own forces. He could not afford to allow the Yankee cavalry and fast-marching infantry to advance down the railroad, cutting off his supplies. So, half of his army would block the route south, while the other half would set up the ambush.
But when Johnston studied the terrain at Adairsville, he decided it wouldn't work. The valley was too wide at that point, so his outnumbered army would be stretched too thin to insure the Northerners would not break through. For a third time, the Rebel army was ordered to evacuate its position during the night, while its commander looked for better ground to fight on. They did not leave without giving a scare to Sherman, however:
[font="Times New Roman"] On the 17th, toward evening, the head of Thomas's column, Newton's division, encountered the rear-guard of Johnston's army near Adairsville. I was near the head of column at the time, trying to get a view of the position of the enemy from an elevation in an open field. My party attracted the fire of a battery; a shell passed through the group of staff-officers and burst just beyond, which scattered us promptly.
[center]--Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/center][/font]
In the Confederate ranks, there was a different kind of alarm. This was the third time they had withdrawn from a position without a serious battle. The Army of Tennessee was retreatiing farther and farther away from Tennessee. Some of the soldiers began to wonder if Johnston ever meant to attack at all.
Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com
Joseph Johnston had hoped to catch one of Sherman's columns while they were separated from the rest of the Union troops. But in order to do that, he needed to split his own forces. He could not afford to allow the Yankee cavalry and fast-marching infantry to advance down the railroad, cutting off his supplies. So, half of his army would block the route south, while the other half would set up the ambush.
But when Johnston studied the terrain at Adairsville, he decided it wouldn't work. The valley was too wide at that point, so his outnumbered army would be stretched too thin to insure the Northerners would not break through. For a third time, the Rebel army was ordered to evacuate its position during the night, while its commander looked for better ground to fight on. They did not leave without giving a scare to Sherman, however:
[font="Times New Roman"] On the 17th, toward evening, the head of Thomas's column, Newton's division, encountered the rear-guard of Johnston's army near Adairsville. I was near the head of column at the time, trying to get a view of the position of the enemy from an elevation in an open field. My party attracted the fire of a battery; a shell passed through the group of staff-officers and burst just beyond, which scattered us promptly.
[center]--Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/center][/font]
In the Confederate ranks, there was a different kind of alarm. This was the third time they had withdrawn from a position without a serious battle. The Army of Tennessee was retreatiing farther and farther away from Tennessee. Some of the soldiers began to wonder if Johnston ever meant to attack at all.
Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com
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Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
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RE: Civil War 150th
150 Years Ago Today:
The newspapers New York World and New York Journal of Commerce published a report that President Lincoln had issued a proclamation of conscription of 400,000 more troops, because of "the situation in Virginia, the disaster at Red River, the delay at Charleston, and the general state of the country." Numerous officials and merchants quickly became suspicious of the fact that only those two newspapers had published the story, and visited the offices of the Journal to verify it. The editors there showed them a dispatch from Associated Press that they had received about 3:30 a.m. Before noon, the Associated Press gave a denial of the dispatch, and at 12:30 p.m. the State Department sent a telegram to formally declare that the call for men was "an absolute forgery". But it was too late; stocks had declined and the price of gold had jumped 10 percent.
Lincoln was incensed when he heard the story and ordered the two papers shut down, and their editors arrested for suspicion of complicity. Soldiers seized the two offices. However, after some questioning, investigators found that the dispatches had been delivered by a young courier with nearly perfect timing. The papers' editors had gone home, so it was up to the night foremen to decide whether to include the item in the next day's edition. Some foremen in other newspapers had tried to confirm the news, and found out that not every paper had received the dispatches. They therefore decided to delay. But the foremen for the World and Journal of Commerce had run with the story.
Whoever was behind the fraud clearly knew the New York newspaper business, but it wasn't the two editors. Lincoln would eventually have them let go, while the investigation continued.
Near Spotsylvania Court House, Grant had reports that Lee had pulled away some of his troops at one spot, leaving a weakness. The Union commander ordered an assault with II Corps, his best. But Lee had realized that situation, and hastily sent more men to the threatened point. More, in spite of the rain, some additions to the fortifications had been made, including abatis to interfere with the approach of the attacking columns. And while the Northerners were making their way through the obstacles, the Rebels opened up with their artillery. It proved so devastating that the Federals went into retreat without even reaching the main Confederate earthworks.
Nor was that all to depress Grant:
[font="Times New Roman"]On this day (18th) the news was almost as discouraging to us as it had been two days before in the rebel capital. As stated above, Hancock's and Wright's corps had made an unsuccessful assault. News came that Sigel had been defeated at New Market, badly, and was retreating down the valley. Not two hours before, I had sent the inquiry to Halleck whether Sigel could not get to Staunton to stop supplies coming from there to Lee. I asked at once that Sigel might be relieved, and some one else put in his place. Hunter's name was suggested, and I heartily approved. Further news from Butler reported him driven from Drury's Bluff, but still in possession of the Petersburg road. Banks had been defeated in Louisiana, relieved, and Canby put in his place. This change of commander was not on my suggestion. All this news was very discouraging. All of it must have been known by the enemy before it was by me. In fact, the good news (for the enemy) must have been known to him at the moment I thought he was in despair, and his anguish had been already relieved when we were enjoying his supposed discomfiture,But this was no time for repining. I immediately gave orders for a movement by the left flank, on towards Richmond, to commence on the night of the 19th.
[center]--The Personal Memoirs of General U. S. Grant[/center][/font]
The newspapers New York World and New York Journal of Commerce published a report that President Lincoln had issued a proclamation of conscription of 400,000 more troops, because of "the situation in Virginia, the disaster at Red River, the delay at Charleston, and the general state of the country." Numerous officials and merchants quickly became suspicious of the fact that only those two newspapers had published the story, and visited the offices of the Journal to verify it. The editors there showed them a dispatch from Associated Press that they had received about 3:30 a.m. Before noon, the Associated Press gave a denial of the dispatch, and at 12:30 p.m. the State Department sent a telegram to formally declare that the call for men was "an absolute forgery". But it was too late; stocks had declined and the price of gold had jumped 10 percent.
Lincoln was incensed when he heard the story and ordered the two papers shut down, and their editors arrested for suspicion of complicity. Soldiers seized the two offices. However, after some questioning, investigators found that the dispatches had been delivered by a young courier with nearly perfect timing. The papers' editors had gone home, so it was up to the night foremen to decide whether to include the item in the next day's edition. Some foremen in other newspapers had tried to confirm the news, and found out that not every paper had received the dispatches. They therefore decided to delay. But the foremen for the World and Journal of Commerce had run with the story.
Whoever was behind the fraud clearly knew the New York newspaper business, but it wasn't the two editors. Lincoln would eventually have them let go, while the investigation continued.
Near Spotsylvania Court House, Grant had reports that Lee had pulled away some of his troops at one spot, leaving a weakness. The Union commander ordered an assault with II Corps, his best. But Lee had realized that situation, and hastily sent more men to the threatened point. More, in spite of the rain, some additions to the fortifications had been made, including abatis to interfere with the approach of the attacking columns. And while the Northerners were making their way through the obstacles, the Rebels opened up with their artillery. It proved so devastating that the Federals went into retreat without even reaching the main Confederate earthworks.
Nor was that all to depress Grant:
[font="Times New Roman"]On this day (18th) the news was almost as discouraging to us as it had been two days before in the rebel capital. As stated above, Hancock's and Wright's corps had made an unsuccessful assault. News came that Sigel had been defeated at New Market, badly, and was retreating down the valley. Not two hours before, I had sent the inquiry to Halleck whether Sigel could not get to Staunton to stop supplies coming from there to Lee. I asked at once that Sigel might be relieved, and some one else put in his place. Hunter's name was suggested, and I heartily approved. Further news from Butler reported him driven from Drury's Bluff, but still in possession of the Petersburg road. Banks had been defeated in Louisiana, relieved, and Canby put in his place. This change of commander was not on my suggestion. All this news was very discouraging. All of it must have been known by the enemy before it was by me. In fact, the good news (for the enemy) must have been known to him at the moment I thought he was in despair, and his anguish had been already relieved when we were enjoying his supposed discomfiture,But this was no time for repining. I immediately gave orders for a movement by the left flank, on towards Richmond, to commence on the night of the 19th.
[center]--The Personal Memoirs of General U. S. Grant[/center][/font]
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Capt. Harlock
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RE: Civil War 150th
150 Years Ago Today:
In Georgia, Joseph Johnston now believed he had found the place to stand and fight in the area of Cassville. He would later describe it as "a position that I remember as the best that I saw occupied during the war -- the ridge immediately south of Cassville, with a broad, open, elevated valley in front of it completely commanded by the fire of troops occupying its crest."
When Sherman received word that the Confederates had stopped retreating, he was pleased as well, for he wanted any major battles to be fought as far north as possible, when his supply line was not drawn out. He was also aware that his opponents were receiving reinforcements. The Corps of Leonidas Polk, which he have moved against during the Meridian Campaign, had joined the Army of the Tennessee. All seemed to be ready for the first serious clash of the campaign.
[font="Times New Roman"]The stout resistance made by the enemy along our whole front of a couple of miles indicated a purpose to fight at Cassville; and, as the night was closing in, General Thomas and I were together, along with our skirmish-lines near the seminary, on the edge of the town, where musket-bullets from the enemy were cutting the leaves of the trees pretty thickly about us. Either Thomas or I remarked that that was not the place for the two senior officers of a great army, and we personally went back to the battery, where we passed the night on the ground.
[center] --Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/center][/font]
Sleeping rough was a small matter for Sherman, who prided himself on being able to endure what his men had to go through. He had given orders that no full tents, except for the surgeons, be carried on the march. (Instead, waterproof cloths were draped over low branches or improvised poles.) George Thomas, however, preferred comfort, and was frequently to be found in a full tent or even a local house when Sherman was not with him.
Joseph Johnston had an even less enjoyable night, however. He joined two of his Corps commanders, John Bell Hood and Leonidas Polk, for a dinner which turned into a council of war. According to Johnston, both his subordinates insisted that they would not be able to hold their lines because Northern artillery was being emplaced to enfilade them. Eventually, he decided to evacuate because his two lieutenants did not have the confidence to fight, and would communicate this attitude to their troops. Differing considerably, Hood would later say that he had argued strongly for a tactical attack from his position while the others held the rest of the Federals in place. But (according to Hood) Johnston refused to allow any attack, and angrily gave the order to evacuate instead.
Whichever version was the truth, the Confederate army pulled out in the middle of the night, keeping up sporadic firing from small units so the Yankees would not suspect.
In Georgia, Joseph Johnston now believed he had found the place to stand and fight in the area of Cassville. He would later describe it as "a position that I remember as the best that I saw occupied during the war -- the ridge immediately south of Cassville, with a broad, open, elevated valley in front of it completely commanded by the fire of troops occupying its crest."
When Sherman received word that the Confederates had stopped retreating, he was pleased as well, for he wanted any major battles to be fought as far north as possible, when his supply line was not drawn out. He was also aware that his opponents were receiving reinforcements. The Corps of Leonidas Polk, which he have moved against during the Meridian Campaign, had joined the Army of the Tennessee. All seemed to be ready for the first serious clash of the campaign.
[font="Times New Roman"]The stout resistance made by the enemy along our whole front of a couple of miles indicated a purpose to fight at Cassville; and, as the night was closing in, General Thomas and I were together, along with our skirmish-lines near the seminary, on the edge of the town, where musket-bullets from the enemy were cutting the leaves of the trees pretty thickly about us. Either Thomas or I remarked that that was not the place for the two senior officers of a great army, and we personally went back to the battery, where we passed the night on the ground.
[center] --Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/center][/font]
Sleeping rough was a small matter for Sherman, who prided himself on being able to endure what his men had to go through. He had given orders that no full tents, except for the surgeons, be carried on the march. (Instead, waterproof cloths were draped over low branches or improvised poles.) George Thomas, however, preferred comfort, and was frequently to be found in a full tent or even a local house when Sherman was not with him.
Joseph Johnston had an even less enjoyable night, however. He joined two of his Corps commanders, John Bell Hood and Leonidas Polk, for a dinner which turned into a council of war. According to Johnston, both his subordinates insisted that they would not be able to hold their lines because Northern artillery was being emplaced to enfilade them. Eventually, he decided to evacuate because his two lieutenants did not have the confidence to fight, and would communicate this attitude to their troops. Differing considerably, Hood would later say that he had argued strongly for a tactical attack from his position while the others held the rest of the Federals in place. But (according to Hood) Johnston refused to allow any attack, and angrily gave the order to evacuate instead.
Whichever version was the truth, the Confederate army pulled out in the middle of the night, keeping up sporadic firing from small units so the Yankees would not suspect.
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
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RE: Civil War 150th
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To their amazement, Sherman and his men found the Rebel army gone from Cassville. If their artillery had enfiladed the Confederate positions, Sherman had not known of it, for he wrote later that he "could not then imagine why he (Johnston) had declined battle". Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, the Federals promptly marched in to the town, and would spend the next few days resting the infantry while the engineers repaired the railway, and, almost as important, brought the telegraph lines forward to re-establish communication with Grant and Washington, D.C.
At Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, after dark, Grant began to pull his army out of the lines and onto the roads for another flank movement to the east. He had meant to the day before, but the Confederates had attempted a reconaissance which had to be beaten back so that Lee would not realize what was up. (Lee would guess anyway.)
The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House was over, and it had cost over 30,000 casualties in all. One compilation gives 2,725 killed, 13,416 wounded, and 2,258 captured or missing from the Union and 1,515 killed, 5,414 wounded, and 5,758 captured or missing from the Confederate ranks. This would have been in favor of the North, because it represented a greater percentage of Lee's army. But there was another factor, and that was that an additional 20,000 men had left the Federal ranks during this time when their enlistments expired.
Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com
To their amazement, Sherman and his men found the Rebel army gone from Cassville. If their artillery had enfiladed the Confederate positions, Sherman had not known of it, for he wrote later that he "could not then imagine why he (Johnston) had declined battle". Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, the Federals promptly marched in to the town, and would spend the next few days resting the infantry while the engineers repaired the railway, and, almost as important, brought the telegraph lines forward to re-establish communication with Grant and Washington, D.C.
At Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, after dark, Grant began to pull his army out of the lines and onto the roads for another flank movement to the east. He had meant to the day before, but the Confederates had attempted a reconaissance which had to be beaten back so that Lee would not realize what was up. (Lee would guess anyway.)
The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House was over, and it had cost over 30,000 casualties in all. One compilation gives 2,725 killed, 13,416 wounded, and 2,258 captured or missing from the Union and 1,515 killed, 5,414 wounded, and 5,758 captured or missing from the Confederate ranks. This would have been in favor of the North, because it represented a greater percentage of Lee's army. But there was another factor, and that was that an additional 20,000 men had left the Federal ranks during this time when their enlistments expired.
Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com
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RE: Civil War 150th
150 Years Ago Today:
In New York City, the detectives on the trail of the fraudulent Associated Press dispatch cracked the case. After questioning the messengers, they arrested one Francis Mallison, a reporter for the Brooklyn Eagle. Mallison in turn gave up the name of his co-conspirator: his city editor Joseph Howard, Jr. (below), who eventually made a full confession. He had bought gold on margin on May 17, and then the two sent out the fraudulent dispatches that night. During the height of the disruption caused by the news, Howard had sold his futures and made a considerable profit.
The irony was that all Mallison and Howard would have had to do was wait two months, and they could have realized an even greater sum without any criminality. Lincoln would call for 500,000 troops rather than 400,000 as the fake dispatches claimed, and by that time gold would have risen to a dizzying price. As it was, Howard served only three months in prison before Lincoln pardoned him, possibly at the urging of his friend Henry Ward Beecher.
Such a thing would have finished Howard's career in the present day, but he was able to continue as a reporter, eventually becoming president of the New York Press Club. The anger that the affair created was instead turned against gold speculators in general. Members of Congress started considering legislation to stop the practice.
In New York City, the detectives on the trail of the fraudulent Associated Press dispatch cracked the case. After questioning the messengers, they arrested one Francis Mallison, a reporter for the Brooklyn Eagle. Mallison in turn gave up the name of his co-conspirator: his city editor Joseph Howard, Jr. (below), who eventually made a full confession. He had bought gold on margin on May 17, and then the two sent out the fraudulent dispatches that night. During the height of the disruption caused by the news, Howard had sold his futures and made a considerable profit.
The irony was that all Mallison and Howard would have had to do was wait two months, and they could have realized an even greater sum without any criminality. Lincoln would call for 500,000 troops rather than 400,000 as the fake dispatches claimed, and by that time gold would have risen to a dizzying price. As it was, Howard served only three months in prison before Lincoln pardoned him, possibly at the urging of his friend Henry Ward Beecher.
Such a thing would have finished Howard's career in the present day, but he was able to continue as a reporter, eventually becoming president of the New York Press Club. The anger that the affair created was instead turned against gold speculators in general. Members of Congress started considering legislation to stop the practice.
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RE: Civil War 150th
150 Years Ago Today:
In Georgia, the Confederate Army of Tennessee had fallen back to Allatoona Pass, where they could block an army of almost any size should that army attack head-on. Happily for the Northerners, Sherman had spent some time in the area two decades earlier, and knew it was not a position where brute force would work. He decided on a gamble: he would leave the railroad and swing his troops around to the west, aiming to rejoin the railroad below the pass.
It was something like his move through Snake Creek Gap at Dalton, but this time he would take his entire force, abandoning any connection to the railroad for a time. His wagons could carry provisions for twenty days only, and the Federals could not live off the land; the country in that part of Georgia was wooded and undeveloped. If Joseph Johnston's army could block him from rejoining the railroad for twenty days, Sherman would have to retreat, as Banks had done in Louisiana and Sigel had done in the Shenandoah Valley.
In Virginia, the two lead Union Corps approached the next barrier to Richmond, the North Anna River. Winfield Wancock's II Corps was lucky enough to come upon an intact bridge, guarded by a small number of entrenched confederates. Two Union brigades were deployed, and at the signal, made a simultaneous attack. The Rebels were overwhelmed, and made a quick retreat across the bridge. However, Hancock judged that it was now too close to dark to move his entire corps across. He contented himself with posting sharpshooters to prevent any attempts to burn the bridge, and his men went into camp for the night.
Further upstream, Gouverneur Warren's V Corps had found a lightly defended ford, and began the crossing. Southern scouts brought the report of the Yankees to Lee and A. P. Hill, the Confederate commander of that wing. But, the two men believed it was only a feint, and Hill sent a single division to deal with it. The Rebels actually achieved surprise and pushed back the Northerners for a time, but the weight of the Federal corps soon prevailed, and the lodgement was made secure for the night.
Receiving more accurate scouting reports, Lee realized that Grant had secured two crossing points, and he could no longer hold the Union army north of the river. However, the Southerners still controlled a third point between the two. Lee came up with an ingenious plan, and rapidly gave orders to create solid entrenchments in the shape of an inverted "V", with the apex at the Rebel-controlled crossing point. He hoped that the Union army would split itself on the "V", and he could then defeat the two parts one at a time.
Maps by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com
In Georgia, the Confederate Army of Tennessee had fallen back to Allatoona Pass, where they could block an army of almost any size should that army attack head-on. Happily for the Northerners, Sherman had spent some time in the area two decades earlier, and knew it was not a position where brute force would work. He decided on a gamble: he would leave the railroad and swing his troops around to the west, aiming to rejoin the railroad below the pass.
It was something like his move through Snake Creek Gap at Dalton, but this time he would take his entire force, abandoning any connection to the railroad for a time. His wagons could carry provisions for twenty days only, and the Federals could not live off the land; the country in that part of Georgia was wooded and undeveloped. If Joseph Johnston's army could block him from rejoining the railroad for twenty days, Sherman would have to retreat, as Banks had done in Louisiana and Sigel had done in the Shenandoah Valley.
In Virginia, the two lead Union Corps approached the next barrier to Richmond, the North Anna River. Winfield Wancock's II Corps was lucky enough to come upon an intact bridge, guarded by a small number of entrenched confederates. Two Union brigades were deployed, and at the signal, made a simultaneous attack. The Rebels were overwhelmed, and made a quick retreat across the bridge. However, Hancock judged that it was now too close to dark to move his entire corps across. He contented himself with posting sharpshooters to prevent any attempts to burn the bridge, and his men went into camp for the night.
Further upstream, Gouverneur Warren's V Corps had found a lightly defended ford, and began the crossing. Southern scouts brought the report of the Yankees to Lee and A. P. Hill, the Confederate commander of that wing. But, the two men believed it was only a feint, and Hill sent a single division to deal with it. The Rebels actually achieved surprise and pushed back the Northerners for a time, but the weight of the Federal corps soon prevailed, and the lodgement was made secure for the night.
Receiving more accurate scouting reports, Lee realized that Grant had secured two crossing points, and he could no longer hold the Union army north of the river. However, the Southerners still controlled a third point between the two. Lee came up with an ingenious plan, and rapidly gave orders to create solid entrenchments in the shape of an inverted "V", with the apex at the Rebel-controlled crossing point. He hoped that the Union army would split itself on the "V", and he could then defeat the two parts one at a time.
Maps by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com
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RE: Civil War 150th
150 Years Ago Today:
At the North Anna River in Virginia, the Federals did just what Lee had wanted them to do. Part of the Army of the Potomac crossed to the west of the Confederate wedge, and part crossed to the east. Now, if either wing wished to reinforce the other, it would have to cross the river twice. But Lee found himself unable to take advantage of his divided enemy. He had been feeling unwell the day before, and on this date he came down with a major attack of diarrhea. This was not a small matter in the days when cholera and dysentery were often fatal. Lee would recover, but he was bedridden all day, and he had no subordinates with the experience and energy to put together the attacks he wanted. Of the four he had started with, Stuart was dead, Longstreet would be months recovering, Richard Ewell was sick as well, and A. P. Hill was proving himself unequal to the command of a full corps.
Lee knew that a vital opportunity was being lost. "We must strike them a blow—we must never let them pass again—we must strike them a blow," he told his staff, but the only thing that actually happened was a local counter-attack after a Union probe of his defenses.
Towards the evening, II Corps commander Winfield Hancock informed Grant that the Southern defenses were as strong as anything yet encountered. Grant in turn realized that "We were, for the time, practically two armies besieging." He ordered his troops to counter-entrench.
Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com
At the North Anna River in Virginia, the Federals did just what Lee had wanted them to do. Part of the Army of the Potomac crossed to the west of the Confederate wedge, and part crossed to the east. Now, if either wing wished to reinforce the other, it would have to cross the river twice. But Lee found himself unable to take advantage of his divided enemy. He had been feeling unwell the day before, and on this date he came down with a major attack of diarrhea. This was not a small matter in the days when cholera and dysentery were often fatal. Lee would recover, but he was bedridden all day, and he had no subordinates with the experience and energy to put together the attacks he wanted. Of the four he had started with, Stuart was dead, Longstreet would be months recovering, Richard Ewell was sick as well, and A. P. Hill was proving himself unequal to the command of a full corps.
Lee knew that a vital opportunity was being lost. "We must strike them a blow—we must never let them pass again—we must strike them a blow," he told his staff, but the only thing that actually happened was a local counter-attack after a Union probe of his defenses.
Towards the evening, II Corps commander Winfield Hancock informed Grant that the Southern defenses were as strong as anything yet encountered. Grant in turn realized that "We were, for the time, practically two armies besieging." He ordered his troops to counter-entrench.
Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com
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Capt. Harlock
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RE: Civil War 150th
150 Years Ago Today:
At the North Anna River in Virginia, daylight revealed there were now Northern entrenchements facing Southern entrenchments. Robert E. Lee's last chance of taking the offensive with the odds on his side had passed. As in the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House, the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia were again at an impasse.
In Georgia, much the same situation was developing. Sherman's wide sweep to the west ran into trouble:
[font="Times New Roman"]The several columns followed generally the valley of the Euharlee, a tributary coming into the Etowah from the south, and gradually crossed over a ridge of mountains, parts of which had once been worked over for gold, and were consequently full of paths and unused wagon-roads or tracks. A cavalry picket of the enemy at Burnt Hickory was captured, and had on his person an order from General Johnston, dated at Allatoona, which showed that he had detected my purpose of turning his position, and it accordingly became necessary to use great caution, lest some of the minor columns should fall into ambush.
[...]
On the 25th all the columns were moving steadily on Dallas -- McPherson and Davis away off to the right, near Van Wert; Thomas on the main road in the centre, with Hooker's Twentieth Corps ahead, toward Dallas; and Schofield to the left rear. . . as he [Hooker] approached a bridge across Pumpkin-Vine Creek, he found it held by a cavalry force, which was driven off, but the bridge was on fire.
This fire was extinguished, and Hooker's leading division (Geary's) followed the retreating cavalry on a road leading due east toward Marietta, instead of Dallas. This leading division, about four miles out from the bridge, struck a heavy infantry force, which was moving down from Allatoona toward Dallas, and a sharp battle ensued. I came up in person soon after, and as my map showed that we were near an important cross-road called "New Hope", from a Methodist meeting-house there of that name, I ordered General Hooker to secure it if possible that night. He asked for a short delay, till he could bring up his other two divisions...
[center]--Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/center][/font]
But, just as Sherman had made his swinging move with his entire force, Johnston was also attempting to block with his entire force. The Confederates came into line even faster than did the Federals. Although Hooker's men maintained the fight considerably after darkness fell, they could not capture the cross-roads.
[font="Times New Roman"]This point . . . from the bloody fighting there for the next week was called by the soldiers "Hell-Hole."
[center]--Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/center][/font]
Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com
At the North Anna River in Virginia, daylight revealed there were now Northern entrenchements facing Southern entrenchments. Robert E. Lee's last chance of taking the offensive with the odds on his side had passed. As in the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House, the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia were again at an impasse.
In Georgia, much the same situation was developing. Sherman's wide sweep to the west ran into trouble:
[font="Times New Roman"]The several columns followed generally the valley of the Euharlee, a tributary coming into the Etowah from the south, and gradually crossed over a ridge of mountains, parts of which had once been worked over for gold, and were consequently full of paths and unused wagon-roads or tracks. A cavalry picket of the enemy at Burnt Hickory was captured, and had on his person an order from General Johnston, dated at Allatoona, which showed that he had detected my purpose of turning his position, and it accordingly became necessary to use great caution, lest some of the minor columns should fall into ambush.
[...]
On the 25th all the columns were moving steadily on Dallas -- McPherson and Davis away off to the right, near Van Wert; Thomas on the main road in the centre, with Hooker's Twentieth Corps ahead, toward Dallas; and Schofield to the left rear. . . as he [Hooker] approached a bridge across Pumpkin-Vine Creek, he found it held by a cavalry force, which was driven off, but the bridge was on fire.
This fire was extinguished, and Hooker's leading division (Geary's) followed the retreating cavalry on a road leading due east toward Marietta, instead of Dallas. This leading division, about four miles out from the bridge, struck a heavy infantry force, which was moving down from Allatoona toward Dallas, and a sharp battle ensued. I came up in person soon after, and as my map showed that we were near an important cross-road called "New Hope", from a Methodist meeting-house there of that name, I ordered General Hooker to secure it if possible that night. He asked for a short delay, till he could bring up his other two divisions...
[center]--Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/center][/font]
But, just as Sherman had made his swinging move with his entire force, Johnston was also attempting to block with his entire force. The Confederates came into line even faster than did the Federals. Although Hooker's men maintained the fight considerably after darkness fell, they could not capture the cross-roads.
[font="Times New Roman"]This point . . . from the bloody fighting there for the next week was called by the soldiers "Hell-Hole."
[center]--Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman[/center][/font]
Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com
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RE: Civil War 150th
150 Years Ago Today:
At North Anna River in Virginia, dawn revealed the Yankees were gone from Lee's front. Grant was for a third time swinging around to the east, and Richmond was only about 20 miles (32 km) away. Lee quickly gave orders to abandon the laboriously built fortifications and pursue. He himself had to travel in a carriage, for he was still recovering from his sickbed of the 24th. He was doing better than his subordinate Richard Ewell, who would be incapacitated for the rest of the campaign. Lee replaced him with Jubal Early, who would prove one of the rare generals able to master the step from division to corps command.
In Georgia, the Union forces were blocked at New Hope Church. Sherman extended his lines to the east, and tried again, launching an assault at a place called Picketts Mill. It was poorly executed; the supporting troops failed to move, and those that made the charge were decimated by the Southerners' fire. Estimated total casualties are 1,600 for the Union and only 500 for the Confederacy. It is surprising how close the Yankees got, however:
[font="Times New Roman"]The Federal troops approached within a few yards of the Confederates, but at last were forced to give way by their storm of well-directed bullets, and fell back to the shelter of a hollow near and behind them. They left hundreds of corpses within twenty paces of the Confederate line. When the United States troops paused in their advance within fifteen paces of the Texan front rank one of their color-bearers planted his colors eight or ten feet in front of his regiment, and was instantly shot dead. A soldier sprang forward to his place and fell also as he grasped the color-staff. A second and third followed successively, and each received death as speedily as his predecessors. A fourth, however, seized and bore back the object of soldierly devotion.
[center]--Joseph E. Johnston, Narrative of Military Operations during the Civil War[/center][/font]
Picketts Mill is a less-remembered battle of the Civil War, in no small part because Sherman wanted the failure forgotten. It so happened, however, that one of the Union officers there was Ambrose Bierce, who later wrote a scathing essay of the debacle:
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/pi ... -mill.html
At North Anna River in Virginia, dawn revealed the Yankees were gone from Lee's front. Grant was for a third time swinging around to the east, and Richmond was only about 20 miles (32 km) away. Lee quickly gave orders to abandon the laboriously built fortifications and pursue. He himself had to travel in a carriage, for he was still recovering from his sickbed of the 24th. He was doing better than his subordinate Richard Ewell, who would be incapacitated for the rest of the campaign. Lee replaced him with Jubal Early, who would prove one of the rare generals able to master the step from division to corps command.
In Georgia, the Union forces were blocked at New Hope Church. Sherman extended his lines to the east, and tried again, launching an assault at a place called Picketts Mill. It was poorly executed; the supporting troops failed to move, and those that made the charge were decimated by the Southerners' fire. Estimated total casualties are 1,600 for the Union and only 500 for the Confederacy. It is surprising how close the Yankees got, however:
[font="Times New Roman"]The Federal troops approached within a few yards of the Confederates, but at last were forced to give way by their storm of well-directed bullets, and fell back to the shelter of a hollow near and behind them. They left hundreds of corpses within twenty paces of the Confederate line. When the United States troops paused in their advance within fifteen paces of the Texan front rank one of their color-bearers planted his colors eight or ten feet in front of his regiment, and was instantly shot dead. A soldier sprang forward to his place and fell also as he grasped the color-staff. A second and third followed successively, and each received death as speedily as his predecessors. A fourth, however, seized and bore back the object of soldierly devotion.
[center]--Joseph E. Johnston, Narrative of Military Operations during the Civil War[/center][/font]
Picketts Mill is a less-remembered battle of the Civil War, in no small part because Sherman wanted the failure forgotten. It so happened, however, that one of the Union officers there was Ambrose Bierce, who later wrote a scathing essay of the debacle:
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/pi ... -mill.html
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Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
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Capt. Harlock
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RE: Civil War 150th
150 Years Ago Today:
Near Dallas, Georgia, the Southerners tried a counter-attack against the Yankees. By this time, however, the Federals had put up substantial entrenchments of their own, and the attempt was beaten back with substantial losses. Just what the losses were is, as Sherman later wrote, "now impossible to state accurately", since the reports were totaled into larger reports covering a week's worth of fighting that ranged from occasional sniping to pitched battle. But this action, sometimes referred to as the Battle of Dallas, is noteworthy because, minor as it was, it represents the largest offensive action under Joseph Johnston's command of the Army of Tennessee.
In Virginia, the Union army was making decent progress, and what was more, the Confederates had lost track of it. Richmond was disturbingly close, and there were now several routes the Federals could use. Robert E. Lee needed to know which route, and that was a job for cavalry. And preventing cavalry from finding out such things was also a job for cavalry.
On this date, the advance Northern screening force under Brigadier David Gregg encountered the Southern cavalry, led by Major General Wade Hampton, near a large blacksmith's shop called Haw's Shop. The Rebels had apparently been intending to camp there, for they were already dismounted and putting up breastworks.
The Battle of Haw's Shop was a peculiar one in that it was primarily a battle of cavalry units, but the great majority of the fighting was done on foot. The Federals had Spencer repeating carbines, but the Rebels were also equipped for the work with Enfield rifled muskets, which partly made up for in range what they lacked in rapidity of fire.
[font="Times New Roman"]The contest between the opposing forces was of the severest character and continued till late in the evening. The varying phases of the fight prompted me to reinforce Gregg as much as possible, so I directed Custer's brigade to report to him, sending, meanwhile, for the other two brigades of Torbert, but these were not available at the time—on account of delays which occurred in relieving them from the line at Crump's Creek—and did not get up till the fight was over. As soon as Custer joined him, Gregg vigorously assaulted the Confederate position along his whole front; and notwithstanding the long-range rifles of the South Carolinians, who were engaging in their first severe combat it appears, and fought most desperately, he penetrated their barricades at several points.
The most determined and obstinate efforts for success were now made on both sides, as the position at Hawe's Shop had become of very great importance on account of the designs of both Lee and Grant. Lee wished to hold this ground while he manoeuvred his army to the line of the Tolopotomy, where he could cover the roads to Richmond, while Grant, though first sending me out merely to discover by a strong reconnoissance the movements of the enemy, saw the value of the place to cover his new base at the White House, and also to give us possession of a direct road to Cold Harbor. Hawe's Shop remained in our possession finally, for late in the evening Custer's brigade was dismounted and formed in close column in rear of Gregg, and while it assaulted through an opening near the centre of his line, the other two brigades advanced and carried the temporary works. The enemy's dead and many of his wounded fell into our hands; also a considerable number of prisoners, from whom we learned that Longstreet's and Ewell's corps were but four miles to the rear.
[center]--Personal Memoirs of P. H. Sheridan, General, United States Army[/center][/font]
There are no official records of Confederate losses at the battle of Haw's Shop. Union reports list the burial of 187 enemy bodies while taking 40 to 50 wounded men, and 80 surrendered prisoners. The Northerners lost just short of 300 men themselves. Sheridan claimed the victory, for the Northerners had possession of the field at the end. But the Rebels had delayed the Federal advance for seven hours, and gained important information on the movements of Grant's army.
Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com
Near Dallas, Georgia, the Southerners tried a counter-attack against the Yankees. By this time, however, the Federals had put up substantial entrenchments of their own, and the attempt was beaten back with substantial losses. Just what the losses were is, as Sherman later wrote, "now impossible to state accurately", since the reports were totaled into larger reports covering a week's worth of fighting that ranged from occasional sniping to pitched battle. But this action, sometimes referred to as the Battle of Dallas, is noteworthy because, minor as it was, it represents the largest offensive action under Joseph Johnston's command of the Army of Tennessee.
In Virginia, the Union army was making decent progress, and what was more, the Confederates had lost track of it. Richmond was disturbingly close, and there were now several routes the Federals could use. Robert E. Lee needed to know which route, and that was a job for cavalry. And preventing cavalry from finding out such things was also a job for cavalry.
On this date, the advance Northern screening force under Brigadier David Gregg encountered the Southern cavalry, led by Major General Wade Hampton, near a large blacksmith's shop called Haw's Shop. The Rebels had apparently been intending to camp there, for they were already dismounted and putting up breastworks.
The Battle of Haw's Shop was a peculiar one in that it was primarily a battle of cavalry units, but the great majority of the fighting was done on foot. The Federals had Spencer repeating carbines, but the Rebels were also equipped for the work with Enfield rifled muskets, which partly made up for in range what they lacked in rapidity of fire.
[font="Times New Roman"]The contest between the opposing forces was of the severest character and continued till late in the evening. The varying phases of the fight prompted me to reinforce Gregg as much as possible, so I directed Custer's brigade to report to him, sending, meanwhile, for the other two brigades of Torbert, but these were not available at the time—on account of delays which occurred in relieving them from the line at Crump's Creek—and did not get up till the fight was over. As soon as Custer joined him, Gregg vigorously assaulted the Confederate position along his whole front; and notwithstanding the long-range rifles of the South Carolinians, who were engaging in their first severe combat it appears, and fought most desperately, he penetrated their barricades at several points.
The most determined and obstinate efforts for success were now made on both sides, as the position at Hawe's Shop had become of very great importance on account of the designs of both Lee and Grant. Lee wished to hold this ground while he manoeuvred his army to the line of the Tolopotomy, where he could cover the roads to Richmond, while Grant, though first sending me out merely to discover by a strong reconnoissance the movements of the enemy, saw the value of the place to cover his new base at the White House, and also to give us possession of a direct road to Cold Harbor. Hawe's Shop remained in our possession finally, for late in the evening Custer's brigade was dismounted and formed in close column in rear of Gregg, and while it assaulted through an opening near the centre of his line, the other two brigades advanced and carried the temporary works. The enemy's dead and many of his wounded fell into our hands; also a considerable number of prisoners, from whom we learned that Longstreet's and Ewell's corps were but four miles to the rear.
[center]--Personal Memoirs of P. H. Sheridan, General, United States Army[/center][/font]
There are no official records of Confederate losses at the battle of Haw's Shop. Union reports list the burial of 187 enemy bodies while taking 40 to 50 wounded men, and 80 surrendered prisoners. The Northerners lost just short of 300 men themselves. Sheridan claimed the victory, for the Northerners had possession of the field at the end. But the Rebels had delayed the Federal advance for seven hours, and gained important information on the movements of Grant's army.
Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com
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Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
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Capt. Harlock
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RE: Civil War 150th
150 Years Ago Today:
In Virginia, a look at the map showed that the Union army was now going wide of Richmond. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was Grant's primary objective rather than the Southern capital, and he wished to link up with the stalled Union Army of the James, and get his supplies from the more efficient sea and river route. To accomplish this, he needed important crossroads, including one called Cold Harbor (which was actually well inland).
[font="Times New Roman"]The morning of the 31st I visited him [Custer] to arrange for his further advance, intending thus to anticipate an expected attack from Fitzhugh Lee, who was being reinforced by infantry. I met Torbert at Custer's headquarters, and found that the two had already been talking over a scheme to capture Cold Harbor, and when their plan was laid before me it appeared so plainly feasible that I fully endorsed it, at once giving directions for its immediate execution. . .
Torbert moved out promptly, Merritt's brigade first, followed by Custer's, on the direct road to Cold Harbor, while Devin's brigade was detached, and marched by a left-hand road that would bring him in on the right and rear of the enemy's line, which was posted in front of the crossroads. Devin was unable to carry his part of the programme farther than to reach the front of the Confederate right, and as Merritt came into position to the right of the Old Church road Torbert was obliged to place a part of Custer's brigade on Merritt's left so as to connect with Devin. The whole division was now in line, confronted by Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry, supported by Clingman's brigade from Hoke's division of infantry; and from the Confederate breastworks, hastily constructed out of logs, rails, and earth, a heavy fire was already being poured upon us that it seemed impossible to withstand. None of Gregg's division had yet arrived, and so stubborn was the enemy's resistance that I began to doubt our ability to carry the place before reinforcements came up, but just then Merritt reported that he could turn the enemy's left, and being directed to execute his proposition, he carried it to a most successful issue with the First and Second regular cavalry. Just as these two regiments passed around the enemy's left and attacked his rear, the remainder of the division assailed him in front. This manoeuvre of Merritt's stampeded the Confederates, and the defenses falling into our hands easily, we pushed ahead on the Bottom's bridge road three-fourths of a mile beyond Cold Harbor.
Cold Harbor was now mine, but I was about nine miles away from our nearest infantry, and had been able to bring up only Davies's brigade of cavalry, which arrived after the fight. My isolated position therefore made me a little uneasy. I felt convinced that the enemy would attempt to regain the place, for it was of as much importance to him as to us, and the presence of his infantry disclosed that he fully appreciated this.
[ ... ]
In view of this state of affairs, I notified General Meade that I had taken Cold Harbor, but could not with safety to my command hold it, and forthwith gave directions to withdraw during the night. The last of my troops had scarcely pulled out, however, when I received a despatch from Meade directing me to hold Cold Harbor at every hazard. General Grant had expected that a severe battle would have to be fought before we could obtain possession of the place; and its capture by our cavalry not being anticipated, no preparation had been made for its permanent occupancy.
[center]--Personal Memoirs of P. H. Sheridan, General, United States Army[/center][/font]
Robert E. Lee was well aware that the shift of direction to the east of Richmond was still a great danger to the Confederate cause. Somewhere around this date he remarked to Jubal Early, who he would make a corps commander, "We must destroy this army of Grant's before he gets to James River. If he gets there it will become a siege, and then it will be a mere question of time." It would prove to be a nearly perfect prediction.
In Cleveland, a convention of "Radical Republicans" met to do something about their unhappiness with the slowness both of the war and the abolition of slavery. There had been no major Union victories since Chattanooga, and the advances into Confederate territory all seemed to be either bogged down, or turned back entirely. The men felt it was time for a new man in the White House. Salmon P. Chase's ambitions had been essentially scuppered due to scandal and his increasingly poor management of the Treasury. Instead, the convention nominated General John C. Fremont, who had been the Republican candidate in 1856. (His poor performance earlier in the war had apparently been forgotten by now.)
In Virginia, a look at the map showed that the Union army was now going wide of Richmond. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was Grant's primary objective rather than the Southern capital, and he wished to link up with the stalled Union Army of the James, and get his supplies from the more efficient sea and river route. To accomplish this, he needed important crossroads, including one called Cold Harbor (which was actually well inland).
[font="Times New Roman"]The morning of the 31st I visited him [Custer] to arrange for his further advance, intending thus to anticipate an expected attack from Fitzhugh Lee, who was being reinforced by infantry. I met Torbert at Custer's headquarters, and found that the two had already been talking over a scheme to capture Cold Harbor, and when their plan was laid before me it appeared so plainly feasible that I fully endorsed it, at once giving directions for its immediate execution. . .
Torbert moved out promptly, Merritt's brigade first, followed by Custer's, on the direct road to Cold Harbor, while Devin's brigade was detached, and marched by a left-hand road that would bring him in on the right and rear of the enemy's line, which was posted in front of the crossroads. Devin was unable to carry his part of the programme farther than to reach the front of the Confederate right, and as Merritt came into position to the right of the Old Church road Torbert was obliged to place a part of Custer's brigade on Merritt's left so as to connect with Devin. The whole division was now in line, confronted by Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry, supported by Clingman's brigade from Hoke's division of infantry; and from the Confederate breastworks, hastily constructed out of logs, rails, and earth, a heavy fire was already being poured upon us that it seemed impossible to withstand. None of Gregg's division had yet arrived, and so stubborn was the enemy's resistance that I began to doubt our ability to carry the place before reinforcements came up, but just then Merritt reported that he could turn the enemy's left, and being directed to execute his proposition, he carried it to a most successful issue with the First and Second regular cavalry. Just as these two regiments passed around the enemy's left and attacked his rear, the remainder of the division assailed him in front. This manoeuvre of Merritt's stampeded the Confederates, and the defenses falling into our hands easily, we pushed ahead on the Bottom's bridge road three-fourths of a mile beyond Cold Harbor.
Cold Harbor was now mine, but I was about nine miles away from our nearest infantry, and had been able to bring up only Davies's brigade of cavalry, which arrived after the fight. My isolated position therefore made me a little uneasy. I felt convinced that the enemy would attempt to regain the place, for it was of as much importance to him as to us, and the presence of his infantry disclosed that he fully appreciated this.
[ ... ]
In view of this state of affairs, I notified General Meade that I had taken Cold Harbor, but could not with safety to my command hold it, and forthwith gave directions to withdraw during the night. The last of my troops had scarcely pulled out, however, when I received a despatch from Meade directing me to hold Cold Harbor at every hazard. General Grant had expected that a severe battle would have to be fought before we could obtain possession of the place; and its capture by our cavalry not being anticipated, no preparation had been made for its permanent occupancy.
[center]--Personal Memoirs of P. H. Sheridan, General, United States Army[/center][/font]
Robert E. Lee was well aware that the shift of direction to the east of Richmond was still a great danger to the Confederate cause. Somewhere around this date he remarked to Jubal Early, who he would make a corps commander, "We must destroy this army of Grant's before he gets to James River. If he gets there it will become a siege, and then it will be a mere question of time." It would prove to be a nearly perfect prediction.
In Cleveland, a convention of "Radical Republicans" met to do something about their unhappiness with the slowness both of the war and the abolition of slavery. There had been no major Union victories since Chattanooga, and the advances into Confederate territory all seemed to be either bogged down, or turned back entirely. The men felt it was time for a new man in the White House. Salmon P. Chase's ambitions had been essentially scuppered due to scandal and his increasingly poor management of the Treasury. Instead, the convention nominated General John C. Fremont, who had been the Republican candidate in 1856. (His poor performance earlier in the war had apparently been forgotten by now.)
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Capt. Harlock
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RE: Civil War 150th
150 Years Ago Today:
In Georgia, Sherman had been shifting his men to the east, and back towards the railroad. The Confederates were making it difficult; the near-constant rifle and artillery fire between the now throughly entrenched lines meant that when the Northerners moved, the silence of the guns would immediately alert the Southerners. Nor was it a simple matter to pull the troops out of their positions when they were exchanging shots with the other side.
Happily for Sherman, he had cavalry, which could move faster than Johnston's army could react. On this date, the Yankee horsemen seized Allatoona and its rail station. It was further to the north than might have been wished, but it re-connected the Federal armies to their supply line. However, to quote Sherman: "Heavy rains set in about the 1st of June, making the roads infamous". There would be a delay before he was ready for the next advance.
In Virginia, both sides realized that there was to be a major struggle in the area of Old Cold Harbor and New Cold harbor. (Very near the spot where the Battle of Gaines' Mill had been fought almost two years before.) Yankee and Rebel infantry quick-marched to the scene, and being more than a little experienced by this time, promptly began digging in. This dispatch from Philip Sheridan gives an idea of the activity:
[font="Times New Roman"]HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, 1864—9 A.M.
MAJOR-GENERAL HUMPHREYS, Chief-of-Staff.
GENERAL: In obedience to your instructions I am holding Cold Harbor. I have captured this morning more prisoners; they belong to three different infantry brigades. The enemy assaulted the right of my lines this morning, but were handsomely repulsed. I have been very apprehensive, but General Wright is now coming up. I built slight works for my men; the enemy came up to them, and were driven back. General Wright has just arrived.
P. H. SHERIDAN,
Major-General Commanding.[/font]
As soon as the Northern infantry arrived in numbers, Grant wanted an assault made. But most of the men were worn out after hard marching, and more than a little fighting when each side launched probing attacks during the afternoon. It was not until 6:30 p.m. that an attack as heavy as Grant had wanted for the late morning finally got under way. But there were now more Confederates waiting for them. One brigade ran into "A sheet of flame, sudden as lightning, red as blood, and so near that it seemed to singe the men's faces." Another brigade found a gap in the Southern lines, but was completely unsupported and soon found itself under fire from three sides. The men were not long in retreating back to their starting positions.
On the northern end of the lines, it was the Confederates who did the attacking. The result was much the same; there was an initial success in one area, but the Rebels were soon pushed back to their original lines. The fighting faded away with nightfall, but matters looked promising for the Northerners. They had their foes virtually pinned in place, they could not retreat very far without exposing Richmond to long-range artillery. The problem was that both ends of the line were well anchored. Grant could not flank the Southern position without a sweep so wide he would abandon his own position. It was a long and thin line, however, so a head-on attack offered the chance of a decisive breakthrough.
Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com
In Georgia, Sherman had been shifting his men to the east, and back towards the railroad. The Confederates were making it difficult; the near-constant rifle and artillery fire between the now throughly entrenched lines meant that when the Northerners moved, the silence of the guns would immediately alert the Southerners. Nor was it a simple matter to pull the troops out of their positions when they were exchanging shots with the other side.
Happily for Sherman, he had cavalry, which could move faster than Johnston's army could react. On this date, the Yankee horsemen seized Allatoona and its rail station. It was further to the north than might have been wished, but it re-connected the Federal armies to their supply line. However, to quote Sherman: "Heavy rains set in about the 1st of June, making the roads infamous". There would be a delay before he was ready for the next advance.
In Virginia, both sides realized that there was to be a major struggle in the area of Old Cold Harbor and New Cold harbor. (Very near the spot where the Battle of Gaines' Mill had been fought almost two years before.) Yankee and Rebel infantry quick-marched to the scene, and being more than a little experienced by this time, promptly began digging in. This dispatch from Philip Sheridan gives an idea of the activity:
[font="Times New Roman"]HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, 1864—9 A.M.
MAJOR-GENERAL HUMPHREYS, Chief-of-Staff.
GENERAL: In obedience to your instructions I am holding Cold Harbor. I have captured this morning more prisoners; they belong to three different infantry brigades. The enemy assaulted the right of my lines this morning, but were handsomely repulsed. I have been very apprehensive, but General Wright is now coming up. I built slight works for my men; the enemy came up to them, and were driven back. General Wright has just arrived.
P. H. SHERIDAN,
Major-General Commanding.[/font]
As soon as the Northern infantry arrived in numbers, Grant wanted an assault made. But most of the men were worn out after hard marching, and more than a little fighting when each side launched probing attacks during the afternoon. It was not until 6:30 p.m. that an attack as heavy as Grant had wanted for the late morning finally got under way. But there were now more Confederates waiting for them. One brigade ran into "A sheet of flame, sudden as lightning, red as blood, and so near that it seemed to singe the men's faces." Another brigade found a gap in the Southern lines, but was completely unsupported and soon found itself under fire from three sides. The men were not long in retreating back to their starting positions.
On the northern end of the lines, it was the Confederates who did the attacking. The result was much the same; there was an initial success in one area, but the Rebels were soon pushed back to their original lines. The fighting faded away with nightfall, but matters looked promising for the Northerners. They had their foes virtually pinned in place, they could not retreat very far without exposing Richmond to long-range artillery. The problem was that both ends of the line were well anchored. Grant could not flank the Southern position without a sweep so wide he would abandon his own position. It was a long and thin line, however, so a head-on attack offered the chance of a decisive breakthrough.
Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com
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Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
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--Victor Hugo
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Capt. Harlock
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RE: Civil War 150th
150 Years Ago Today:
In Virginia near Old Cold Harbor and New Cold Harbor, heavy rain fell during the day, which seemed to confirm the wisdom of Grant's attempting a breakthrough rather than yet another flanking move. As generally happened, the roads became muddy, and Northern supply wagons would not have been able to support the movement of the massive Army of the Potomac. As it was, a number of the troops were either delayed getting into position or exhausted from slogging along the unpaved roads. Grant decided that the massed attack would have to wait until the 3rd.
But on the Southern side, the rain did not interfere with the preparation of defenses. Lee seems to have given no specific orders, because by this time it was unnecessary; his veterans had excellent ideas of their own. Instead of erecting huge walls of logs and dirt, this time the strength of the defense would mainly rely on the approaches. Bogs and other rough terrain, plus man-made obstacles like felled trees with sharpened branches pointing towards the attackers, would slow the Yankees. And while they were there, interlocking fields of fire from rifle-pits and emplaced cannon would mow them down. Before dawn the next day, the work was essentially complete.
In Virginia near Old Cold Harbor and New Cold Harbor, heavy rain fell during the day, which seemed to confirm the wisdom of Grant's attempting a breakthrough rather than yet another flanking move. As generally happened, the roads became muddy, and Northern supply wagons would not have been able to support the movement of the massive Army of the Potomac. As it was, a number of the troops were either delayed getting into position or exhausted from slogging along the unpaved roads. Grant decided that the massed attack would have to wait until the 3rd.
But on the Southern side, the rain did not interfere with the preparation of defenses. Lee seems to have given no specific orders, because by this time it was unnecessary; his veterans had excellent ideas of their own. Instead of erecting huge walls of logs and dirt, this time the strength of the defense would mainly rely on the approaches. Bogs and other rough terrain, plus man-made obstacles like felled trees with sharpened branches pointing towards the attackers, would slow the Yankees. And while they were there, interlocking fields of fire from rifle-pits and emplaced cannon would mow them down. Before dawn the next day, the work was essentially complete.
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
--Victor Hugo
--Victor Hugo