U.S. Civil War History bits

I didn't want to tip you off about the trip from New Orleans to Richmond by the Zoaves Price. That was a story in itself, and one of the reasons I felt that the book would make a great mini-series. Just wait until you get into the campaigns of 1862-3 in Virginia. During Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign, Lee sent one of the Louisiana Brigades to reinforce his army. Upon arrival with Jackson's forces, Jackson remarked on the ability of the Louisiana Brigade to maintain cohesiveness during the long march. "You seem to have no stragglers" Jackson said to BG Richard Taylor. Taylor replied "never allow straggling". Jackson responded with "you must teach my people, they straggle badly". The Great Stonewall's unit was known as "Jackson's Foot Cavalry". They were a very colorful and unique outfit to say the least. Nobody wanted them in their AO during the lulls in the fighting, but everyone wanted them on their flanks when things got hot and heavy.

 

Not sure about Quantrill's flag, but I believe that Bloody Bill flew the Black Flag that you inquire about. Neither one are something to be proud of.

 

Double post here, nothing to see, move along.

 

I had read in a autobiaugraphy of Harry Truman that at the entry of the US into WWI he showed off his brand new army uniform to his mother. She had come from 'bloody Kansas' and was less than pleased to see her son in a "Yankee" uniform!

 

Read about Quantrill and William "Bloody Bill" Andersons action against Fort Baxter in Kansas. They weren´t the guys i want have met at that time!
The history of the different fortifications during the civil war is an interesting topic too!

Fort Pulaski Georgia Civil War Battle at Savannah River Fortifications

Does anybody has more detailed informations on these fortifications no matter which Fort´s?

 

Same here. I don't think that anyone would disagree. Good idea actually Skipper.

 

Known as the Third System of fortifications, starting in 1825, the U.S. undertook the building of a series of coastal, masonry fortifications. Drum roll please! The French connection for Skipper; The U.S. asked for assistance from France and they sent Simon Bernard, a graduate of the École Polytechnique. He and Lieutenant Colonel Joseph G. Totten designed these forts and upon Bernard's return to France in 1831, Totten became the America's expert on fortifications. By the time the Civil War broke out 30 forts had been completed. I'm not sure of the names of all thirty but do know a few. Wikipedia lists a number of forts as Third System that I know are not because most sources specifically exclude them, so no help there. There were also a number of older forts used during the Civil War, I have listed some of the more prominent ones. All forts listed in bold type I have visited on several occasions and can answer questions as to their current condition. Here's a list:

1.) Fort Adams-Fort Adams - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pensacola Fortifications
2.) Ft. Pickens-Fort Pickens - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

3.) Ft. Barrancas-Fort Barrancas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

3b.) Advanced Redoubt (unfinished)-Advanced Redoubt - Fort Wiki Historic U.S. and Canadian Forts

4.) Ft. McRee-Fort McRee - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Charleston Harbor Fortifications
5.) Ft. Sumter-Fort Sumter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

---Ft. Moultrie-non third system fort-Fort Moultrie - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

---Castle Pinckney-non third system fort-Castle Pinckney - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Savannah Georgia fortifications
6.) Ft. Pulaski-Battle of Fort Pulaski - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

---Ft. Jackson-non third system fort-Fort James Jackson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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7.) Ft. Clinch-Fort Clinch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

8.) Ft. Delaware-Fort Delaware - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mobile Bay fortifications
9.) Ft. Gaines-Fort Gaines (Alabama) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

10.) Ft. Morgan-Fort Morgan (Alabama) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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11.) Ft. Jefferson-Fort Jefferson, Florida - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

12.) Ft. Knox, Maine-Fort Knox (Maine) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

13.) Ft. Macon-Fort Macon State Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

14.) Fort Massachusetts

15.) Fort Monroe-Fort Monroe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

16.) Fort Point, CA

17.) Fort Trumbull, CT

18.) Fort Zachary Taylor-Fort Zachary Taylor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Other forts:
south of New Orleans
-Ft. Jackson-Fort Jackson, Louisiana - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
-Ft. St. Phillip-Fort St. Philip - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

A-58 thanks for mentioning "The Outlaw Josey Wales" in reference to something historic.........This Classic was played and reverberated throughout the land so profoundly that the stories it was based on were quite overshadowed by the impact of its on screen presence. The moments of history it depicted has for the most part rested unexamined compared to the impact this movie made. I think of this each time I re-watch this movie.

 

Just for some historical perspective: These posts have made mention of the Zoaves of Louisiana, I will add that Louisiana (Catholic in its roots) had the responsibility of re-establishing a church authority in the west as church authority coming from Mexico became reduced for a long period giving rise to numerous movements not well sanctioned in the traditional church for portions of Louisiana Purchase that lacked the continuation. This perhaps had little geo-political impact but culturally it was well noticed and the efforts of Bishop Lamy is well known in the history of New Mexico for cultural and religious significance. Also since the Third System of Fortifications is mentioned many of which had CW significance I will add that two forts of New Mexico also held strategic prominence. Fort Craig was the fort located on the traditional and still active "Camino Real" which was viewed as a needed corridor of re-supply for the South's needs. In the same way remember that the Gold movement was active as well as a great deal of trade from California along one of the most prominent of western trails, the "Santa Fe Trail" which the South also viewed as badly needed for it's possibilities for "gold" of gold rush origins and supplies as well. Also along that trail was the various settings of Fort Wingate, which was along this same corridor. Western mule trains, and El Camino Real mule trains were greatly the mode of moving products and were mostly centered in New Mexico but were the means of transport of goods in those early days of the west. Just didn't want what happened in my state to be left out of the telling with CW information.

 

Hi Hiltz, thank you for both and those songs are music to my eyes ;-))

As for the 7th US Cavalry Regiment, as far as I know, they were a Civil War Regiment. Heck, after-all, they HAD to be around for Errol Flynn to serve in ;-)) I think Price is probably the one to confirm or deny that one ;-))

 

Yes, it is interesting how a movie that is even loosely based on something historically factual and pique someone's interest to research up the real facts. And yes you are right, "The Outlaw Josey Wales" was a classic. I've watched it a bazillion times myself.

 

Actually Carl the 7th U.S. Cavalry was a post-civil war unit, being established September 21, 1866. As for Errol Flynn, if you recall in the movie "They Died with their Boots On", he was in charge of the 2nd Brigade ("Michigan Brigade"). Here's the actual command.

BG George A. Custer
1st Michigan: Col Charles H. Town
5th Michigan: Col Russell A. Alger
6th Michigan: Col George Gray
7th Michigan: (10 companies): Col William D. Mann

The movie wasn't terribly accurate, but it sure was entertaining, and they did get this part correct. He even yelled "come on you Wolverines", before leading one of the charges. And Olivia de Havilland sure was pretty!
I did notice that you didn't comment on my mentioning "The Horse Soldiers". I figured that Duke fan extraordinare would have given his opinion on this John Wayne, Civil War film.

This movie, along with the Cavalry trilogy "Ft. Apache", "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon" and "Rio Grande" were probably the most accurate cavalry movies ever produced. Each also have quite a few Civil War references in them. I've noticed that most modern actors when cast in a western don't quite sit their horses right.



From "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon"



From Ft. Apache. look at all the little details, they got it right!


From Rio Grande.

 

WOW!!! Many thanks to you USMCPrice, hope you had the time to do other things the day.

Now i start to read!

 

Hi Price, thank you for confirming about the 7th. Its been awhile since I last watched They Died With Their Boots On and fully agree as to its fiction and as to Olivia de Havilland being a VERY beautiful woman. I thank God a LOT that he has not called her home yet. When that happens, ill be in a deep dark mood for awhile.

The first photo with Duke being from She Wore....... notice the fine Actor holding the make-shift Battle Flag-and former Rodeo Champion of the World--Ben Johnson. Ben Johnson in the 40s was one of those who helped teach Duke some of his correct poise on Horseback. Originally Ben Johnson got into the business as a steed instructor and then started getting acting bits.

The second photo being a favorite scene of mine from Fort Apache, I have that same Production Photo in my collection. Notice one inaccuracy though, the man kneeling in front to the Regimental Flags? In that scene, Duke was NOT in it or he too would have been killed by the Apaches along with Henry Fonda, Vic McLaglen, Pedro Armendariez and Ward Bond. Fort Apache BTW, is my favorite of the trilogy, then Rio Grande and finally She Wore.......

Sorry about not seeing your reference to The Horse Soldiers, that too is a favorite of mine. ;-)) All those shots are great ones though ;-))

I agree with you, the actors of today dont know jack ship about what to do in Westerns. Take kevin costner for a prime example.

 

You are right about that Carl, they don't make'em like they used to because they don't know how anymore. And even if they ever figured out how to do it again, they are short on actors to pull it off in the way it was done back in the day. Just keep watching the classics is what I'll do. Can't get any better than that.

 

America wouldn't be in the state it's in today if you still had Gary Cooper to sort out the bad guys!!

 

I'm glad it was what you wanted Ulrich. It only took me about 20 minutes and a good part of that was trying to figure out the Third System forts I couldn't remember, I gave up and posted the ones I knew.
These were all preexisting forts. Those built during the war were primarily earthen forts, they also had the advantage of being more impervious to the new rifled artillery than the older masonry forts.
Here's a link to the most famous Ft, Fisher, North Carolina: Fort Fisher - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Then there's Ft. Wagner near Charleston, South Carolina, made famous in the movie glory:
Fort Wagner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Good films those guys but for me, The Duke has never been better than as Ethan Edwards in 'The Searchers'................and he wus a Reb!! Other great Civil War films:-

Gettysburg
Gods and Generals
Gone With The Wind
Glory
Ride with The Devil
Shenendoah
I was recommended a book called 'The Reel Civil War'. It's about how Hollywood has presented the Civil War down the years, it's a great book!!

 

This is the new thread aimed to gather all the bits of Civil war History (the U.S. one) some of you have recently posted here and there. I will soon merge the useful postings so that all of you can easily spot stories and comments about this fascinating period. Enjoy!

 

Superb, skip!