U.S. Civil War History bits

Thanks for the photos Lou and Dave. I've only been to Gettysburg once. Spent two days. It is definately hallowed ground.

It's the same thing that made the Union soldiers charge the wall at Marye's Heights at Fredericksburg. Courage.

A couple of comments on the Marye's Heights position:

A chicken could not live on that field when we open on it. -Confederate Colonel E. Porter Alexander

If you put every man on the other side of the Potomac on that field to approach me over the same line, and give me plenty of ammunition, I will kill them all before they reach my line. -General James Longstreet to General Robert E. Lee on Marye's Heights

Seven Union Divisions went in and made a total of 14 assaults. I can't imagine how the later Brigades made themselves go forward over ground littered with the dead and wounded from the previous assaults.

Very large ones!





Two depictions of the Charge of the "Irish" Brigade at Fredericksburg. The 116th Pennsylvania Infantry was one of the regiments in the brigade (for Lou and Dave our Pennsylvania detatchment). Did you know that Pennsylvania furnished the second largest number of troops to the Union Armies surpassed only by New York?

Top five:
New York-448,850
Pennsylvania-337,936 (Lou, Dave)
Ohio-313,180
Illinois-259,092 (Roger)
Indiana-196,363

Another interesting fact is that the Confederates that held the portion of the sunken road where the Irish Brigade attacked were themselves a southern Irish regiment.




Confederate position at Marye's heights.

 

I've stood at that wall, the view is spoilt somewhat by the car park but what a buzz!!

 

This is turning into a fascinating thread, chaps.

 

The fight for Marye's Heights at Fredericksburg, reminds me of one of the best stories from the Civil War. The story of Richard Rowland Kirkland, the "Angel of Marye's Heights".
From Wikipedia:

Richard Rowland Kirkland, known as "The Angel of Marye's Heights", (August 1843 – September 20, 1863) was a Confederate Army soldier during the American Civil War, noted for his bravery and humanitarian actions during the Battle of Fredericksburg....Kirkland was born in Flat Rock, South Carolina, in Kershaw County. He was the fifth son of Mary and John Kirkland. He received a moderate education during his youth, as was typical during that era.
On December 13, 1862, Kirkland's unit had formed at the stone wall at the base of "Marye's Heights" near Fredericksburg, Virginia. In the action that followed, he and his unit inflicted heavy casualties on the Union attackers. On the night of December 13, walking wounded made their way to the field hospital while those who were disabled were forced to remain on the battlefield. The morning of December 14 revealed that over 8,000 Union soldiers had been shot in front of the stone wall at Marye's Heights. Many of those remaining on the battlefield were still alive, but suffering terribly from their wounds and a lack of water.
Soldiers from both sides were forced to listen to the painful cries of the wounded for hours, with neither side daring to venture out for fear of being shot by the enemy. At some point during the day, Kirkland approached Confederate Brig. Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw, also from Kershaw County, South Carolina, and informed him that he wished to help the wounded Union soldiers. By Kershaw's own account, at first he denied the request, but later he relented. However, when Kirkland asked if he could show a white handkerchief, General Kershaw stated he could not do that. Kirkland responded "All right, sir, I'll take my chances."
Kirkland gathered all the canteens he could carry, filled them with water, then ventured out onto the battlefield. He ventured back and forth several times, giving the wounded Union soldiers water, warm clothing, and blankets. Soldiers from both the Union and Confederate armies watched as he performed his task, but no one fired a shot. General Kershaw later stated that he observed Kirkland for more than an hour and a half. At first, it was thought that the Union would open fire, which would result in the Confederacy returning fire, resulting in Kirkland being caught in a crossfire. However, within a very short time, it became obvious to both sides as to what Kirkland was doing, and according to Kershaw cries for water erupted all over the battlefield from wounded soldiers. Kirkland did not stop until he had helped every wounded soldier (confederate and federal) on the Confederate's end of the battlefield. Sergeant Kirkland's actions remain a legend in Fredericksburg to this day.


A photo of Kirkland.


Statue of Kirkland at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.


Statue of Kirkland at Fredericksburg. Sculptor Felix George Weihs De Weldon.

Other views:




Kirkland was killed at the Battle of Chickamauga on 20 September 1863 near Snodgrass Hill. The South Carolina Monument at Chickamauga stands near where he fell. (I'll try and get a picture of it this weekend while I continue my quest to find the 86th Illinois marker for my buddy Biak).
Now since we're back on Chickamauga, here's one of my favorite statues at Chickamauga, just happens to be the 79th Pennsylvania Monument (Lou/Dave).





And since De Weldon's name came up in relation to the Kirkland statue at Fredericksburg, and this is a WWII forum, here's my favorite statue by him!

 

The one you pictured on Cheatham Hill is at Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield. I've been to that battlefield, in fact I was there as a participant in a living history event sponsored by the NPS. There was a small incident, I'm sure they still remember me.

 

Here's the latest gen on the archaeological work at Johnstone's island, a civil war prison-
Interactive Dig Johnson's Island – Unlocking a Civil War Prison

 

Thanks for the link to the Johnson's Island dig Gordon, it was interesting.

 

URL="http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/ff8b117c-bb12-41f4-84d1-0f770b994a3b.JPG"]


If ever a man deserved a Medal of Honor, it would be him.

 

Posted by A-58

You said it Bobby.

 

Here is a photo of the largest monument on the battlefield, the
Pennsylvania Monument, built Ford Tough.

View attachment 12594

It features bronze statues of PA natives
George Meade, John Reynolds, Winfield Scott Hancock,
David Birney, Alfred Pleasonton and David Gregg. Governor
Curtin and President Lincoln flank the arches.

One of the more unusual monuments, this is the monument
to the 99th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment at Devil's Den,
here looking northeast.

View attachment 12595

This is the monument to the 86th New York Infantry Regiment
on Sickles' Avenue.

View attachment 12596

Looking north to the little "copse of trees", the High Water mark of
the rebellion.

View attachment 12597

If anyone wants high-res copies of any of these photos, just let me know.


Dave

 

Hallowed ground, indeed.

Yes, i did know that PA contributed the second largest number of troops to the Union Army.
PA was the second most populous state in 1860.

Eighty years later, Pennsylvania will still ranked second behind New York state in population.

In WW II, PA lost 26,554 soldiers and airmen (two of whom were my uncles), second only to New York's
31,215 casualties.

WWII Army and Army Air Force Casualties


Dave

 

The salutes are for your family's service and losses.

 

Ditto what Bobby said.

 

I just want to say one more thing for now as that im glad Lees Birthday thread has turned out to be IMO, one of the VERY best threads I have ever seen on this site. I also think that General Lee himself knows about this and would truly be flattered in the least at the attention this is getting as well as the education all of us are getting from it. Thank again to all of you for making it a special thread.

Oh and, thanks also to the person(s) responsible for placing this here, I greatly appreciate it ;-))

 

Hey Price, did Lee's Tigers make it in yet? Just wondering.

 

No sir, except for mentioning in passing not yet. You or I can remedy that!

But first I'd like to respond to something you mentioned earlier.

A-58 posted:

The Medal of Honor was first awarded during the American Civil War. It was initially awarded to Union soldiers involved in the Great Locomotive Chase.
From wikipedia:
"The Great Locomotive Chase or Andrews' Raid was a military raid that occurred April 12, 1862, in northern Georgia during the American Civil War. Volunteers from the Union Army commandeered a train and took it northwards toward Chattanooga, Tennessee, doing as much damage as possible to the vital Western & Atlantic Railroad (W&A) from Atlanta, Georgia to Chattanooga as they went, pursued by other locomotives."

Walt Disney made a movie about the chase starring Fess Parker, (later famous for portraying Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone in the TV series).



In the movie he plays James J. Andrews a Union scout and spy. Historically, Andrews recruited another civilian, William Hunter Campbell, and 22 Federal soldiers from three Ohio regiments, the 2nd, 21st, and 33rd Ohio. They infiltrated south dressed as civilians. Two of the raiders fearing they'd been found out joined a confederate artillery unit and did not participate. The remaining raiders stole a train, the General in Big Shanty, Georgia (now Kennesaw). They proceeded north towards Chattanooga, attempting to destroy the rail line and disrupt communications. The conductor of the General, William Allen Fuller, took off in pursuit, first on foot, then by push car, then by locomotive, picking up help along the way. Near Adairsville, he commandeered the locomotive Texas, which was headed south, and continued the pursuit with the train travelling in reverse. The raiders ran out of fuel just north of Ringgold, Georgia a few miles south of Chattanooga. Attempted to escape on foot, but all were caught and tried as spies.
Andrews and Campbell, being civilians were hanged, as were six of the soldiers. Eight escaped and made it back to Union lines and the rest were eventually exchanged.
One of the raiders, Private Jacob Parrott, 33rd Ohio, became the first recipient of the Medal of Honor for the severe treatment he recieved as a prisoner.

Jacob Parrott, after promotion to Lt.

Eventually, all but two of the soldiers involved were awarded the Medal of Honor. The eight raiders executed are buried in the Chattanooga National Cemetary under a monument featuring the locomotive the General. Andrews and Campbell as civilians were not eligible for the award.

Civilian James J. Andrews
Sergeant Samuel Slavens
Private Samuel Robertson
Private George D. Wilson
Sergeant Major Marion A. Ross
Cook William H. Campbell (Civilian)
Private Perry G. Shadrack
Sergeant John M. Scott



The Andrews Raiders Monument Chattanooga National Cemetary. Built to honor the executed raiders and Medal of Honor receipiants, by the state of Ohio in 1890.

The locomotives involved can still be seen. The "General" is housed in a Civil War museum in Kennesaw (formerly Big Shanty) Georgia.


The General.

The museum is quite close to the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. If in the area I highly recommend a trip to both.



The Texas is located in the Atlanta Cyclorama in Grant's Park, Atlanta, GA. Grant's Park is just about all that's left of the Atlanta battlefields but the Cyclorama gives a very good look at what the battles were like. Again, well worth the trip if in the area.



Two pictures of the cyclorama.

The rail lines the chase took place on are still in use.
Here's a picture of the monument near Ringgold where the General was abandoned.


More information on Chattanooga National Cemetary from the Veteran's Administration:
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
On Dec. 25, 1863, Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, “The Rock of Chickamauga," issued General Orders No. 296 creating a national cemetery in commemoration of the Battles of Chattanooga, Nov. 23-27, 1863. Gen. Thomas selected the cemetery site during the assault of his troops that carried Missionary Ridge and brought the campaign to an end. The land was originally appropriated, but later purchased, from local residents Joseph Ruohs, Robert M. Hooke and J. R. Slayton.
The site Thomas selected was approximately 75 acres of a round hill rising with a uniform slope to a height of 100 feet; it faced Missionary Ridge on one side and Lookout Mountain on the other. Gen. Grant established his headquarters on the summit of the hill during the early phase of the four-day battle for Lookout Mountain.
Chaplain Thomas B. Van Horne was placed in charge of the cemetery’s development. In a report of May 14, 1866, the chaplain indicated that one-third of the cemetery site could not be used for burials due to large rock outcroppings. As a result, he suggested a design dictated by the rocky terrain. Much was accomplished during Van Horne’s tenure at the cemetery. Flowering shrubs, evergreens and other trees were planted to replace a portion of the dense forest of oak trees that had been cut down as a part of the battleground. Each interment section consisted of a central site for a monument surrounded by plots for officers with the graves of enlisted personnel arranged in concentric circles around them. In 1867, it was designated Chattanooga National Cemetery.
By 1870, more than 12,800 interments were complete: 8,685 known and 4,189 unknown. The dead included men who fell at the battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain. There were also a number of reinterments from the surrounding area, including Athens, Charleston and locations along the line of Gen. Sherman’s march to Atlanta. A large number of men—1,798 remains—who died at the Battle of Chickamauga were relegated to unknowns during the reinterment process.
In addition to Civil War veterans, there are 78 German prisoners of war buried here. Pursuant to provisions included in the peace treaty between the United States and Germany at the end of World War I, the German government sought the location and status of the gravesites of Germans who died while detained in the United States. An investigation conducted by the War Department found that the largest number of German POWs was interred at Chattanooga National Cemetery. For a short time, thought was given to removing all other German interments to Chattanooga. In the end, however, the German government decided that only 23 remains from Hot Springs National Cemetery should be reinterred here. The German government assumed the cost of disinterment and transportation to Chattanooga, and erected a monument to commemorate the POWs.
Chattanooga National Cemetery was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

The German government erected the German World War I prisoner of war monument in 1935 to honor German soldiers who died in an American POW camp and are interred at the cemetery.

Prisoners of War
Chattanooga is the only national cemetery that has both World War I and World War II foreign POWs reinterred. There are 186 POWs from both wars.
Seventy-eight are World War I German POWs, twenty-two part of group burials (Post C Graves 66, 67 and 68); and 108 POWs are from World War II consisting of 105 Germans, one French, one Italian and one Pole.

And since we've discussed Kennesaw I'll go ahead and share the story of the incident that my buddy Biak asked about.

I have been prone to "what the hell were you thinking" moments. I am normally a very laid back type of person but when confronted my temper can go from 0 to 100 in a heart beat (less so now that I'm older). My mom blames it on the Cajun blood. Anyway, my son's football coach got him involved in doing living histories when he was in 9th grade. About 6 months later they talked me into participating. We had done the 135th anniversary at Chickamauga and were invited to do the 135th at Kennesaw the following year. They were trying to do it up right and pulled in Park Ranger's and select re-enactors from all over. They were going to do a presentation where they had confederate forces defending some works. There was a trail that joggers used (the park is over run with yuppies) that ran in front of the works. For safety reasons they asked for volunteers to stand guard and block the trail at both ends so joggers didn't run in front of the firing weapons. I volunteered. This Park Ranger (IIRC he was from Shiloh) placed me and another guy at one end and instructed us to stop everyone from coming down the trail and redirect them to a trail that ran to the left. Everytime someone approached I'd come to port arms and block the trail, explain that a demonstration was going on and ask them to take the trail to the left. Everyone was nice and did as I asked until this short yuppie dude, running with a hot blond chick approached. I came to port arms and delivered my instructions. The dude kinda swelled up and said in a condescending manner that he wasn't going to take the alternate route and "what are you going to do to stop me, you don't have any real bullets for that gun". My temper immediately hit 100mph. I think the guy was trying to impress the girl. Well as a good Marine would, and having been throughly drilled in the use of a bayonet. I assumed the attack position, and replied, "no but this is a real bayonet mother f****r and you take another step forward and I'll run this through your silly azz until it sticks out your back!" The girl started laughing, the guy got a really scared look on his face, then they turned an ran back the way they'd come. My temper immediately returned to zero, and I went back to politely redirecting people. Apparently they ran back to the park headquarters and complained because about twenty minutes later the Park Ranger that had posted us there came back. He asked if one of us had threatened to bayonet a jogger. I said I did and told him what had happened. He shook his head and asked if I couldn't have handled it differently. I said, "well I could have threatened to butt stroke him but he looked kinda' swishy and I was afraid he'd have taken it as a proposition." The Park Ranger laughed, shook his head and took us back to the main group. All weekend the story went around, you'd see a group of Park Rangers or re-enactors gathered in a group, they'd start laughing and point at me. It actually became kind of embarrassing. Anyway, that's that incident.

 

I forgot, Buster Keaton starred in a comedic version of the chase "The General" (1927). They got most of the elements correct, adjusting for the comedy. What I enjoyed about it is the equipment and topography are really close to the real thing.
[video=youtube;EEDMO8iwLsM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEDMO8iwLsM&feature=related[/video]