Cullen Andrews Battle: A Man of Duty

Only known wartime photograph of Battle taken after August of 1863

       Cullen Andrews Battle was born in Powelton, Georgia in 1829. The son of a doctor, he moved with his family to Eufaula, Alabama at the age of seven. He graduated from the University of Alabama and studied law under John Gill Shorter. Shorter would become the governor of Alabama during the Civil War. Battle would become a lawyer and because of his eloquent speech would enter politics. He was a close friend of William Lowndes Yancey and became a strong secessionist. 

       When the war began, Battle became major of the 3rd Alabama Infantry. the regiment was sent to Virginia. Before seeing any action, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the unit. The regiment's colonel Tennent Lomax was killed at Seven Pines. Battle was slightly wounded in the same engagement, but was promoted to colonel. He led the 3rd Alabama at South Mountain and Sharpsburg. He was slightly wounded at both places, entering a hospital for only one day following Sharpsburg. His old law mentor, Governor Shorter had been campaigning hard behind the scenes for Battle's promotion. Shorter stated that Battle's gallantry was notorious within the army. 

       He would see only limited action during the Chancellorsville Campaign. In April of 1863, his horse reared and fell with him into a ditch injuring him severely. Two days later, while jumping another ditch, his back was wrenched badly on horseback. He was riding in an ambulance during the Chancellorsville Campaign. He performed well at Gettysburg, despite the fact that he was part of Edward O'Neal's disjointed assault. O'Neal was passed over for brigadier general and Battle was promoted on August 20, 1863. He would be absent November and December of that year with chronic bronchitis. 

       During the Overland Campaign, he led his brigade capably, but his best service would come in the Shenandoah Campaign of 1864 under Lieutenant General Jubal Early. He fought hard at Winchester and again at Cedar Creek. At the later battle, he was shot in the left knee, causing serious injury to the kneecap. Although the leg would be saved, he would get around on crutches for years. He would not recover in time to return to the war. 

       Following the war, he would again practice law, then move to North Carolina and edit a newspaper. He also became mayor of New Bern, North Carolina. He would die in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1905 of sepsis. He was 75 years old. He rests today in Virginia's second largest cemetery, Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia. Battle was called a man of duty. His memoirs were published called Third Alabama: The Civil War Memoirs of Brigadier General Cullen Andrews Battle, CSA.

Grave of Cullen Andrews Battle

Stephen Dodson Ramseur: Among the best

Stephen Dodson Ramseur

       Stephen Dodson Ramseur was born on May 31, 1837, in Lincolnton, North Carolina. The above image is a very young photograph of Stephen Ramseur. He turned out to be a very aggressive commander under General Robert E. Lee in the Army of Northern Virginia. He had a very good education before obtaining an appointment to West Point. He was an excellent student, graduating just 14 out of 41 cadets. He stood just five feet, eight inches tall and was very slender. Ramseur was very religious, a member of the Presbyterian Church, he was very military in bearing, securing an appointment in the U.S. Artillery. 

       He never reported to his assignment, having resigned his commission before his native state left the Union. He was already a member of the Confederate Army before North Carolina seceded. Ramseur believed that much in 'States Rights.' His new command saw limited action before joining the army in Virginia that fought in the Seven Day's Campaign. He suffered a wound to his right arm at the Battle of Malvern Hill during the last engagement of the campaign. 

       Ramseur would miss action for the next six months, but upon his return would be promoted to brigadier general. He would take command of the North Carolina Infantry brigade of George B. Anderson, who had been mortally wounded at Sharpsburg (Antietam). He would lead his brigade at Chancellorsville in the spring of 1863 where he was once again wounded. General Robert E. Lee praised his young brigadier general for his action there. Ramseur seemed fearless in combat. Robert E. Lee declared Ramseur among the best of the brigadiers in his army. 

Brigadier General Stephen Ramseur showing premature balding

       During the first day of Gettysburg, Ramseur, along with Junius Daniel and George Doles, led his brigade to victory. His division commander failed him that day and he was forced to use his own judgement against the Federal troops. He would see no more action at Gettysburg and unfortunately, the Confederate Army would suffer a defeat as its best commanders missed the important part of the battle. 

        He would see action at the Wilderness where he would prove his worth as a commander. His finest day would come at the Battle of Spotsylvania just six day after the Wilderness battle. There, he led a counterattack that saved the day for General Lee. He was also wounded in this engagement. Robert E. Lee thanked him personally and his commander Richard Ewell also praised his gallantry. 

Brigadier General Stephen Ramseur as he would have appeared at the time of his death

       Ramseur was 27 at the time of his promotion to major general and command of a division. One problem that historians have found with Ramseur is his inability to properly scout the position his division was to assault prior to an attack. I have found very little to support this claim. He made a mistake in his first action as division command at Bethesda Church, but more than made up for it at Cold Harbor. Lee then sent Ramseur along with Jubal Early on the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864. 

   Ramseur was successful at the Battle of Monacacy and then because of poor reconnaissance on his part (see above) at Stephenson's Depot, he made this greatest mistake of his career. Ramseur blamed his subordinates and men, this was a tragic mistake. He led his men forward at the Third Battle of Winchester and made up for his mistake. This would reverse itself several days latter at the Battle of Fisher's Hill. There, Ramseur commanded the entire division because of the loss of Robert Rodes. He would react slowly and see his division crushed. 

          At Cedar Creek in October of 1864, Ramseur hoped a victory would grant him a furlough to see his new born child. He urged his men forward and was an impressive commander. He placed a flower in his lapel as he urged his men forward. One soldier said that Ramseur's presence was electrical. Although the day soon turned against the Confederates, Ramseur remained with his division, rallying them at every reverse. A Federal bullet struck him in the side, penetrating both lungs before exiting his body. He was soon captured on the field. 

Belle Grove Plantation

       Ramseur was carried to Belle Grove Plantation where he died that night. He was checked on from time to time by Federal General Phillip Sheridan who had attended West Point with many Southern officers. Sheridan had hated everything Southern prior to the war and throughout his life. Ramseur would die without ever seeing his wife or newborn child again.

       

Sight where Ramseur was mortally wounded at Cedar Creek, this monument was unveiled by his daughter Mary Dodson Ramseur in 1921

Resting place of Stephen Ramseur

       Stephen Ramseur was just 27 years old. He rests today in Saint Luke's Episcopal Church Cemetery, Lincolnton, North Carolina. He never got to meet his daughter who was born just four days before he died. She would die in 1935 having been an art teacher. 

Mary Dodson Ramseur (daughter of General Ramseur)

Ellen Richmond Ramseur (wife of Major General Stephen D. Ramseur) she lived until 1900

The 19 Confederate Colonel's of Gettysburg: Part III

The Bloody Angle

       Robert Clotworthy Allen was born June 22, 1834 in Virginia and graduated from the Virginia Military Institute. He became a lawyer before the war. He began the Civil War as major of the 28th Virginia Infantry, but was promoted to colonel of the regiment less than a year later. He was captured at Williamsburg, but managed to escape and was then wounded in action at Gaines' Mill outside of Richmond. Coming to Gettysburg, Allen's regiment was a part of Richard Brooke Garnett's Virginia Brigade in Pickett's Division. During Pickett's Charge, the color-bearer of the 28th Virginia was shot. Colonel Allen picked up the colors and began to advance just a few paces from the stonewall when he too was shot in the head. He and his brigade commander Eppa Hunton had a disagreement at 2nd Manassas the year before when Allen halted his regiment after being ordered to advance. Hunton had regretted that he had not court-martialed Allen at the time. Many of Allen's men thought he was too strict as a commander and disliked him. Nevertheless, he will be remembered today for his bravery at Gettysburg. He was 30 years old. His remains were buried in a mass grave and probably rest today in Richmond's Hollywood Cemetery.

Colonel William Dabney Stuart

       William Dabney Stuart was born on September 30, 1830 in Virginia. He too graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and taught there for three years. He began the Civil War as a First Lieutenant. He soon was made Lieutenant Colonel of the 15th Virginia Infantry during the summer of 1861. By the fall, he was elected colonel of the 56th Virginia Infantry. His brigade formed a part of Richard Garnett's Virginia Brigade also. He was a distant cousin of Jeb Stuart. During Pickett's Charge, Stuart yelled, "See that wall there! It's full of Yankee's! I want you to take it!" He was hit in the abdomen soon after and was carried back to his home in Virginia where he would die by the end of the month. He was 32 years old. He rests today in Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton, Virginia.

       Lewis Burwell Williams, Jr. was born on September 13, 1833 in Virginia. He too graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and taught there briefly before becoming a lawyer. He began the war as a captain and worked his way up to colonel of the 1st Virginia Infantry. He was wounded and captured at Williamsburg, but soon was exchanged. At Gettysburg, Williams regiment was a part of James Kemper's Virginia Brigade in Pickett's Division. Like General Garnett, he was too sick to walk and received permission to ride his horse during the charge. Closing on the stonewall, an artillery round exploded overhead which threw him from his horse. He crashed to the ground, falling on his sword and would die two days later. He was 29 years old. He rests today in Hollywood Cemetery alongside his men. 

Colonel Waller Tazewell Patton

       Waller Tazewell Patton was born on July 15, 1835 in Virginia. He too was a graduate of V.M.I. and had briefly taught there. He then became an attorney and the captain of a militia company. When the war began he worked his way up through the ranks to become colonel of the 7th Virginia Infantry. He was slightly wounded in the hand at Second Manassas. At Gettysburg, his regiment served as a part of Kemper's Brigade in Pickett's Division. He'd been elected to the Virginia legislature, but refused to take his seat because he wanted to remain with his men in the army. During the assault called "Pickett's Charge" he had his jaw ripped away by artillery fire. He would die seventeen days later in a Federal field hospital. He was 28 years old. He rests today in the Stonewall Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia. His brother's grandson would become famous in World War II. His name was General George Patton.

       James Gregory Hodges was born in 1829 in Virginia. He became a pre-war physician, mayor, and militia colonel. His regiment seized the Norfolk Navy Yard as soon as Virginia left the Union. He soon became colonel of the 14th Virginia Infantry. He was wounded at Malvern Hill by artillery fire. His regiment was part of Lewis Armistead's Virginia Brigade in Pickett's Division. He was killed instantly during the attack within feet of the "bloody angle." He was 33 years old. He probably rests in Hollywood Cemetery with his men. There is a marker for him in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Portsmouth, Virginia, although it is doubtful he is buried there. He was most likely buried in a mass grave near the stonewall. 

Colonel Edward Claxton Edmonds

A portrait of Edward Claxton Edmonds

       Edward Claxton Edmonds was born in 1835 in Virginia. He too graduated from V.M.I. and became a principal of a military academy. When the war began he was elected colonel of the 38th Virginia Infantry. He was wounded at the Battle of Seven Pines. His regiment was a part of Armistead's Brigade of Pickett's Division. As he reached a position just thirty feet from the stonewall, he was killed. Initially buried on the field, his remains most likely rest with his men in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. Edmonds was 28 years old. 

       John Bowie Magruder (not to be confused with Confederate General John Bankhead Magruder) was born in 1839 in Virginia. He graduated from the University of Virginia and became a school teacher. In 1861, with the war looming on the horizon, he briefly studied tactics at V.M.I. He worked his way up from captain to colonel of the 57th Virginia Infantry. At Gettysburg, his regiment was also a part of Armistead's Brigade. As he led his regiment toward the "bloody angle" he pointed to Cushing's artillery pieces and yelled, "They are ours!" He was then shot in the left breast within twenty yards of the stonewall. Moments later another bullet struck him in the arm passing sideways through his body. He would die two days later in a Federal field hospital and buried on the field. His northern fraternity brothers would soon recover his remains and send them south for burial. He was 23 years old. He rests today at his home called "Glenmore" just seven miles outside of Charlottesville, Virginia.

       

Colonel Hugh Reid Miller

       Hugh Reid Miller was born in 1812 in South Carolina. He would graduate from the University of South Carolina. He then moved to Mississippi where he would become a lawyer, judge, and politician. He helped raise a company at the beginning of the war. He became colonel of the 42nd Mississippi Infantry. At Gettysburg, his regiment was a part of Joseph Davis's Mississippi Brigade of Heth's Division. He survived the heavy fighting on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg. His regiment was called upon to fight once more during what came to be known as Pickett's Charge. Advancing with his regiment, he was struck in the chest at a fence near the Federal line (probably the fence bordering both sides of the Emmitsburg Road. His son allowed himself to be captured by the Federals just so he could be by his fathers side. Lee asked Meade about Miller's condition (one of the few communications between the two army commanders at Gettysburg). Miller died sixteen days later in a private home in Gettysburg. His son asked and received permission to bring his father's remains back south for burial. Hugh Miller was 51 years old. He rests today in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Aberdeen, Mississippi. Me and my buddy Jerry Smith have visited this cemetery a few years ago, but unfortunately, I don't think we saw Colonel Miller's grave, not having known about him until now. 

Colonel James Keith Marshall

       James Keith Marshall was born in 1839 in Virginia. He too graduated from V.M.I. and became a teacher in North Carolina. He began the war as a captain in the 1st North Carolina Infantry. He eventually became colonel of the 52nd North Carolina Infantry. This unit arrived at Gettysburg as a part of Pettigrew's North Carolina Brigade in Heth's Division. When General Heth (pronounced Heath) was wounded by artillery fire on the first day of battle, Pettigrew was placed in command of the division. This put Pettigrew's North Carolina Brigade under the able command of James Keith Marshall. Despite the brigade having suffered 1,100 casualties out of 2,584 men on the first day of battle, they were ordered to participate in "Pickett's Charge" on the third and final day. As he led the brigade past the Emmitsburg Road, he turned to General Heth's son and said, "We do not know which of us is to fall next." Moments later as his brigade neared the stonewall, Colonel Marshall was struck in the forehead by two bullets and killed instantly. He was buried on the battlefield and probably removed to Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia along with his men after the war. He was 24 years old. 

       This ends my three part blog on the colonel's of Gettysburg and I hope everyone enjoyed the brief bio on these brave men. 

The 19 Confederate Colonel's of Gettysburg, Part II

Colonel Isaac Erwin Avery

       I last posted about the Confederate colonels killed on the first day at the Battle of Gettysburg, here I will give brief bio's on the colonels killed on the second day. Isaac Erwin Avery would be killed at Gettysburg at the rank of colonel, but he was leading a brigade (which was the job for a brigadier general). The reason he was still a colonel is because he was leading Hoke's brigade, that officer having been wounded, would soon return to his command and Avery would revert to his position as commander of the 6th North Carolina Infantry. Avery had been a pre-war planter and part owner of a railroad in North Carolina. He went by the nickname of "Ike" and stood six-foot, four inches in his socks and arrived at Gettysburg at the age of 34. He saw action at First Manassas where he was wounded, Seven Pines, and was wounded again at Gaines Mill. He was back in command for Chancellorsville and took command of the brigade when Robert Hoke was wounded there. During the assault on Cemetery Hill near dark on July 2, 1863, he was shot in the neck and mortally wounded. He was bleeding profusely, his right hand was paralyzed, and he was unable to speak. His aide knelt by his side as he wrote a note with his left hand and using his own blood which read, "Major, tell my father I fell with my face to the enemy." He died sometime that night, either late on July 2 or in the early hours of July 3. He rests today in Rosehill Cemetery in Hagarstown, Maryland. He was considered "true, brave, gallant, and efficient." 

The note written in Avery's own blood to his father

Grave of Colonel Isaac Avery

       Colonel James William Carter is a little more elusive than the others. I have yet to find a photograph of the 33 year old colonel who arrived at Gettysburg in command of the 13th Mississippi Infantry. He was a pre-war planter. He saw action at First Manassas, the Seven Days battles when he would be wounded at Malvern Hill. He would see action again at Antietam and Fredericksburg. He would lead the 13th Mississippi Infantry into the fighting on the second day of Gettysburg under General William Barksdale and they would break through the Federal lines at the Peach Orchard on the southern part of the battlefield. Seven years after the Civil War ended, his remains were removed from Gettysburg and he rests today in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia which is considered the Arlington of the Confederacy.

A small section of the Gettysburg dead in Hollywood Cemetery

William Davie DeSaussure

       William Davie DeSaussure arrived at Gettysburg in command of the 15th South Carolina Infantry at the age of 43. He would be the oldest Confederate colonel to die there. He had graduated from the University of South Carolina and led an extremely busy life before the war. He'd been a lawyer, politician, fought in the Mexican War, and served in the U.S. Army until the Civil War began. He'd seen action at Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. He came to Gettysburg leading the regiment in Joseph B. Kershaw's brigade. His regiment was in reserve during Kershaw's fight at the Peach Orchard, but he was soon sent to help Semmes's brigade in its assault on the Rose Farm to the south. He was leading his men forward when he was struck in the chest by a bullet and killed instantly. DeSaussure was known for his reckless courage. He rests today in the 1st Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Columbia, South Carolina.

Grave of William DeSaussure against the wall of the church

       John Abraham Jones arrived at Gettysburg at the age of 41 and commanding the 20th Georgia Infantry. He was nicknamed "Little Jack". Before the war he'd been a lawyer, politician, and fought in the Mexican War. His regiment was a part of Benning's brigade in John Bell Hood's division which assaulted the far south flank. This brigade saw action near the Devil's Den and Triangular Field at Gettysburg. After some Parrott Rifled cannons had been captured, the enemy opened fire with their artillery. A shell struck a rock, and a shell fragment glancing off the rock passed through Jones's head, killing him instantly. Benning said, "He behaved with great coolness and gallantry." Following the war, his remains were being sent back to Georgia when the ship sank and his body was lost at sea. 

Memorial marker to Colonel Jones in Linwood Cemetery, Columbus, Georgia

       Trevanion Dudley Lewis arrived at Gettysburg in command of the 8th Louisiana Infantry at the age of 27. He saw action under Stonewall Jackson during the 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. They fought during the Seven Days, 2nd Manassas, and he was wounded at Antietam. He was captured at Fredericksburg during the Chancellorsville Campaign. Exchanged, he would lead the regiment at Gettysburg. Considered a modest man, he would be in reserve as Hays's brigade attacked Cemetery Hill late on July 2. I have yet to find details on how he was killed, most of the fighting being after dark and Hays's report on the battle barely mentions him. Initially buried on the field, his remains probably rest today in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia. 

       Joseph Wasden came to Gettysburg in command of the 22nd Georgia Infantry and was 33 years old. He was a pre-war lawyer. He'd seen action during the Seven Days and been wounded at 2nd Manassas. He would charge Cemetery Ridge on July 2 along with the rest of Ambrose Wright's brigade. During the fateful charge, he was riddled by canister fire and killed. Federal Colonel Horatio Rogers of the 2nd Rhode Island found his body and noted that he had a Masonic certificate in his pocket decided to bury his brother with military honors. Following the war, his remains would be removed to Laurel Grove Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia where he rests today. It was said that the service contained no truer officer than Joseph Wasden. 

Grave of Joseph Wasden in Savannah, Georgia

       The colonels killed on day 3 at Gettysburg will be in the next blog.

The 19 Confederate Colonels of Gettysburg

Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg, Day 3

       I thought it amazing that Lee lost 5 general officers at Gettysburg. Recently, I've been doing a large amount of research for my upcoming Civil War website. To my amazement, there were 19 Confederate colonel's killed at Gettysburg. 10 of the 19 were killed on the third day in what became known as Pickett's Charge. No other Civil War battle comes close (the closest are Antietam and Spotsylvania with 9 each, added together they still don't equal Gettysburg). I thought I would to a blog or couple of blogs on these 19 men who died leading regiments and brigades at Gettysburg.

Gettysburg, Day 1

       

Colonel Daniel Harvey Christie

       Daniel Harvey Christie arrived at Gettysburg in command of the 23rd North Carolina Infantry at the age of 30. He had been a pre-war music teacher, merchant, and had ran a military school. He'd seen action several times in the war before Gettysburg, having been wounded at Seven Pines when the horse he was riding was killed and fell on him. He'd seen action at Williamsburg, Seven Days,  Antietam, and Chancellorsville among others. During the Seven Days battles, he'd been wounded in the leg at Gaines' Mill. During Iverson's debacle on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the regiment advanced with the rest of the 1400 men of Iverson's North Carolina Brigade. For the full story of what happened, please see my blog entitled Alfred Iverson: A General and His Burial Trench. During the charge that saw Iverson lose 900 of his 1400 men, Colonel Christie would be shot through both lungs. He would cling to life for 16 days, dying in Winchester, Virginia on July 17, 1863. It would have been a long and painful death. He rests there today in Mount Hebron Cemetery. 

Grave of Colonel Daniel Harvey Christie

Colonel Samuel P. Lumpkin

       Samuel P. Lumpkin arrived at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863 at the age of 29. He'd been a physician before the war began and arrived at Gettysburg in command of the 44th Georgia Infantry. He led the regiment during the Seven Days battles and was wounded at Malvern Hill during the last of those battles. He then saw action at Antietam and Chancellorsville. His regiment was in the brigade of Brigadier General George Doles and saw action on the northwest side of town that afternoon. Doles's brigade was heavily engaged just west of Blocher's Knoll and Colonel Lumpkin was struck in the leg. He was being taken back to Virginia when he was captured during the retreat at Williamsport, Maryland. The Federal surgeons determined the leg must be amputated which was done, Colonel Lumpkin diedoon thereafter on September 11th in Hagerstown, Maryland. It was nearly two months following his being wounded.Samuel Lumpkin rests there today in Rosehill Cemetery. It was stated about Colonel Lumpkin that there was no braver, better, or cooler officer.

Grave of Samuel P. Lumpkin

Colonel Henry King Burgwyn, Jr.

       Henry King Burgwyn would be the youngest full colonel to die at Gettysburg. He arrived on the field that morning in command of the 26th North Carolina Infantry at the age of just 21. In his short life, he'd managed to graduate from both the University of North Carolina and the Virginia Military Institute. He was known as the "Boy Colonel." He was personally recommended for command by General Stonewall Jackson. He would see action at New Bern and Goldsboro Bridge. During heavy fighting against the famed Federal Iron Brigade, he was personally carrying his regiment's colors when he was shot through both lungs. He would be dead within two hours time. He was satisfied with his fate saying, "The Lord's will be done." He added, "Tell the general that my men never failed me at a single point." He rests today in Oakwood Cemetery, Raliegh, North Carolina. He was one of the bravest soldier's and extremely intelligent person. 

Grave of Colonel Burgwyn

       I will write about the 5 colonels who lost their lives on the second day of Gettysburg in the next blog. 

George Pickett the Great Commander

George Pickett the Great Commander

George Edward Pickett

Historian Thomas Desjardin noted, “General George Pickett commanded only about half of the troops who made the assault known today as 'Pickett's Charge'.”

The historical novel “The Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara describes Pickett as follows, “Gaudy and lovable, long-haired, perfumed. Last in his class at West Point, he makes up for a lack of wisdom with a lusty exuberance.”

Pickett did love a good time, but also a stiff drink. He was noted for his love of alcohol while a cadet at West Point. He was also noted for his arrogance. When Lee was asked for a lock of his hair, he turned it down saying he could hardly afford to give up any, but they might ask Pickett because of his long ringlets. The joke upset Pickett who didn't think it a bit funny.

James Dearing noted, “Pickett is not noted for keeping his temper...he ripped out with a whole handful of pretty strong words.”

Major John C. Haskell talking about Pickett's being wounded in the shoulder at Gaines Mill portrayed Pickett as anything but heroic. He claimed after Pickett was wounded, he was found “standing by his horse in a small hollow...bewailing himself. He called to me to send a litter as he was mortally wounded. I had none and was too busy with my men. He was very slightly wounded and perfectly able to take care of himself.”

Eppa Hunton who was known to dislike Pickett complained about he and his staff lying low on their horses when in an exposed position at Suffolk. Hunton of course rode erect to inspire his men. Hunton also noted that Pickett was a great and honorable soldier up until the time he engaged and married. He then began to lose his desire for battlefield heroics. There is a lot of truth in this statement.

Longstreet ever the friend grew tired of Pickett leaving his command during the night. Pickett decided to ask Sorrel for permission instead. Longstreet's aide Moxley Sorrel declined to take responsibility for Pickett's absence in case his division was attacked. Sorrel wrote, “Pickett went all the same, nothing could hold him back from that pursuit. I don't think his division benefited from such carpet-knight doings on the field.”

Historian Lesley Gordon stated, “His frequent absences, constant complaining, and bungling of even the simplest of orders, however, marked Pickett as an unreliable division leader.”

Following his failure at Gettysburg, he was sent to take New Berne and again failed miserably. The stress of responsibility was growing. His temper was showing a short fuse. When twenty-two men who had once been members of the North Carolina Home guard, yet had deserted to join the Union were captured, Pickett had a chance to take out his frustrations on someone other than himself. He had the prisoners hanged against the protest of Union General John J. Peck.

One Confederate overheard Pickett yell at two of the prisoners just before the court martial trial began, “God damn you, I reckon you will hardly ever go back there again, you damned rascals; I'll have you shot, and all other damned rascals who desert.”

It's quite possible that Pickett's friendship with Lieutenant General James Longstreet was the reason he was retained in command despite all his failures. The two men had been friends since the Mexican War when they'd fought side by side. Moxley Sorrel, an aide to Longstreet wrote, “I could always see how Longstreet looked after Pickett, and made us give him things very fully; indeed sometimes stay with him to make sure he did not get astray.”

When Bragg began to berate Pickett for his panicking about the Federal troop movements, Pickett requested to return to Longstreet's corps. Longstreet went so far as to write a letter to the war department asking that Pickett be returned to his command. On May 9, 1864, it seems that George Edward Pickett possibly suffered a nervous breakdown. Despite this setback, he would soon return to command of his old division.

Lee and Longstreet sent Pickett with his division and other troops under his command to Five Forks, the extreme right flank of Lee's army. There Pickett would command 19,000 men against Sheridan's 50,000 men. The odds were long, but they'd always been long for the Confederate army. Pickett marched toward the field on March 30 and his handling of his troops was questioned by many that witnessed his advance. The next morning, Pickett's men attacked Sheridan's troops and drove them from the field, With daylight still remaining and the Federal army in full retreat, Pickett inexplicably called off the attack. The next day on April 1, 1865, with Sheridan's men regrouped and moving against his force, Pickett did the unthinkable. Despite Lee's orders for him to hold Five Forks at all hazards, Pickett left the field. Pickett and cavalry commander Fitzhugh Lee moved several miles to the rear to attend a shad bake hosted by cavalry brigade commander Tom Rosser. While they ate and possible drank brandy, Pickett ignored reports of the attack against his troops.

As his line collapsed, Pickett mounted his horse and raced from the field. When one of Rooney Lee's couriers attempted to deliver a message to Pickett, he shouted for the man not to talk to him and continued his retreat. Pickett would lose over 4,000 men in the fiasco. It was the beginning of the end for General Lee's army.

Just before the surrender of the army, Robert E. Lee saw Pickett and asked his aides, “Is that man still with this army?” 

General Pender, I Salute You

General Pender, I Salute You

William Dorsey Pender

One of my favorite Confederate Generals is Major General William Dorsey Pender. Dorsey Pender was born in North Carolina in 1834. He began his college education by entering the United States Military Academy in 1850. He graduated in 1854 ranked nineteenth in a class of forty-six students. It seems he was weakness was learning French.

In the U.S. Army, he began his career in the artillery. He eventually was transferred to the dragoons. He would still be serving in the dragoons when the Civil War began. Prior to the Civil War, his only combat action was three skirmishes with Native Americans out west. He personally subdued an Indian Chief at Spokane Plains and hurled the man from his horse where Pender's fellow soldier's killed him.

In 1859, Pender married Mary Frances “Fanny” Shepperd, the daughter of Augstine Henry Shepperd a long serving U.S. Congressman. She was so in love with Dorsey that she travelled with him as he was sent from post to post on the West Coast.

Dorsey and Fanny Pender

When the Civil War began, Pender resigned his commission and returned to North Carolina where he offered his services to the Confederacy. Initially beginning the war as colonel of the 13^th North Carolina Infantry, three months later he would be assigned to command the 6^th North Carolina Infantry.He handled this unit so well at Seven Pines that President Davis arriving on the field announced, “General Pender, I salute you.”

He was promoted to Brigadier General a week later. His brigade would become part of A.P. Hill's Light Division. Pender would see action in the Seven Days', Second Manassas, and Antietam campaigns. He was slightly wounded in the arm during the Seven Days' and was knocked down by the concussion of an exploding shell at Second Manassas where he received a cut on his head. During the Battle of Fredericksburg a bullet passed through his left arm without breaking a bone.

Pender was known to be a strict disciplinarian. His men became almost horrified of him, but they also respected him in much the same way they respected Stonewall Jackson. For some unknown reason, Confederate Brigadier General James Jay Archer despised Pender. When he heard that Pender had been struck in the arm at Fredericksburg, Archer announced, “I wish they had shot him in his damn head.”

During the early months of 1863, many Confederate congressmen petitioned Lee to promote Pender to division command. Major General D.H. Hill, who like James Longstreet thought there were too many Virginia promotions, went to bat for his fellow North Carolinian. Hill said of Pender, “He is an accomplished officer, a christian, and a gentleman of the very first order.” Pender's own Virginia commander A.P. Hill was also begging for Pender's promotion.

Dorsey Pender in Confederate Uniform

Pender fought very well at the Battle of Chancellorsville where he was wounded yet again. He was standing behind some breastworks when a Federal bullet passed through a man standing in front of Pender. The bullet killed the man, but slowed enough to only produce a deep bruise to his shoulder.

Following the battle, Robert E. Lee promoted Pender to major general. Dorsey would hold that rank for just two months. During the first day at the Battle of Gettysburg, Pender would help push the Federal Army back through town to the heights beyond. The next day, just moments before he was to move his division against the Federal center, an exploding shell sent shrapnel into his leg. The wound was not considered dangerous at all.

The next morning, he attempted to mount his horse, yet found it too painful. He was placed in an ambulance with Brigadier General Alfred Scales and made the long trip back to Virginia. In Staunton, the wound began to bleed, yet Pender managed to form a tourniquet and stop the bleeding. A surgeon attempted to mend the artery but only managed to cause it to begin bleeding again. He then amputated the leg, but Pender would die just an hour following the surgery.

Pender was just twenty-nine years old and is considered to be one of Lee's best commanders. He rests today in Calvary Churchyard in Tarboro, North Carolina. Following the Battle of Gettysburg, Robert E. Lee said, “If General Pender had remained on his horse half an hour longer we would have carried the enemy's position.”

The Myth of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

       I can't help but be amazed at the people that still proclaim Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain the hero of Gettysburg. I understand that all men who fought well in that war were hero's, but what made Chamberlain the hero he is today? Let's take a look at one of my favorite books called These Honored Dead by Thomas Desjardin. He covers many of the misled beliefs dealing with the Battle of Gettysburg and what caused these beliefs to become so ingrained in our history. 

       Desjardin tells us how Ken Burns is the man that made the legend of Chamberlain what it is today. The famous charge that Burns portrays Chamberlain as ordering never occurred. Desjardin says, "Even that in his lifetime Chamberlain repeatedly denied ordering a charge."

       He goes on to say, "To say that Chamberlain saved the Union Army at Gettysburg is to ignore the 15,000 or more men held in reserve in close proximity to Little Round Top." Basically speaking, Ken Burns hollywooded up the film to make Chamberlain the hero that he wanted him to be. Because of Ken Burns and the movie Gettysburg based on the Michael Shaara book The Killer Angels, Chamberlain is so often used in sermons and classrooms as a great American hero. So what are the facts of Chamberlain and his fight at Gettysburg?

       

Because no one has been able to understand what type hat Chamberlain wore at Gettysburg, he has been depicted in every painting as being without a hat, another myth dealing with Chamberlain and Gettysburg. 

       Even further is the point that Chamberlain had been promoted to colonel the day before the battle, making him the lowest colonel in seniority in the entire Federal Army of around 90,000 men. He was extremely sick at Gettysburg, running a fever because of malaria and with chronic diarrhea. Nothing like what people who watched the movie picture him like today. 

       Desjardin goes further with the legend of Chamberlain. He says, "Legend tells us - five regiments of Confederates had fled in its path (20th Maine), leaving four or five hundred prisoners in Chamberlain's care, among them some of the most battle hardened men in Lee's army. The truth of the matter is that Chamberlain was attacked by one regiment, the 15th Alabama Infantry commanded by Colonel William C. Oates. So how many men did Oates lose in the fight with Chamberlain?

       When we break down the numbers, Oates Alabama regiment lost 167 men. That number includes killed, wounded, and captured. That number is far short of the 400 prisoners of legend. The 47th Alabama (the 15th Alabama was the extreme right of the line there was no regiment to it's right), to the left of the 15th Alabama had only lost 64 men in killed, wounded, and captured. If you were to say all these casualties were captured, which is ridiculous because Oates said the blood of the dead and dying stood in puddles on the rocks, you still don't have 400 prisoners captured by Chamberlain, but 231. How many men attacked Chamberlain's position?

       

William C. Oates

       We know that William C. Oates claimed he entered the fight at Gettysburg with 644 men, but since that time we know he had just a little over half that figure. Most historians believe Oates miscalculated his strength because he was in an argument with his corps commander Lieutenant General James Longstreet. Witnesses to the fight have all called his 644 man regiment theory as ridiculous. Most historians believe the number to be between 380 men to 400 men at most, a few say as much as 500, but witnesses claim this number too high. How many men did Chamberlain have?

       Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain the newly promoted colonel had about 358 men at Gettysburg. He wouldn't have had but about 250 had not the rebellious members of the 2nd Maine joined his ranks. I say joined, they were forced into his ranks and increased his numbers. So how many men were left when the fighting ended? My wife heard a man tonight claim that Chamberlain began the battle with a thousand men and ended the battle with 80 men and captured 400 prisoners. Let's find the true answer. 

       Of the 358 men engaged, protected by a stone wall against a regiment of about equal numbers only lost 130 killed and wounded. William Oates said that he ordered his men to retreat when the fighting eased up because of heavy casualties and lack of ammunition. His men had marched about 20 miles that morning to reach the field and had sent part of the regiment with canteens to obtain water because they were out. These men didn't return with the canteens in time, so Oates men entered the fight without water on an extremely hot July day. The number that Chamberlain claimed he had captured were about 50 men and those were the wounded that could not escape. 

       What truly made Chamberlain a Civil War hero? He lived until 1914, almost 49 years after the war ended and during that long period of time, he wrote about all his great exploits and how he saved the day at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. He took 400 men and defeated a 400 man Confederate regiment that would have rolled up the Federal flank if they had broken through, although there were 15,000 Federal reserves in the vicinity. I'll buy that if you'll buy my nice ocean front property in Wyoming.