|
Post by lew on May 4, 2014 21:00:35 GMT -6
youtu.be/zzH2e0PwxXw This guy knows his history--great clip. On April 20th, 1865, John Wilkes Booth and David E. Herold were brought to this spot on the Potomac River by Thomas A. Jones. Jones gave them a boat and directed them to the home of Mrs. Quesenberry on the Virginian side of the river. Though they did not make it to Virginia this first time, the following is a video about the spot they departed from near Dent's Meadow.
|
|
|
Post by lew on May 4, 2014 21:05:13 GMT -6
youtu.be/qRb0qRXU4nI John Wilkes Booth,4 days hiding in the woods. "Near the 149th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's assassination, I undertook a project to reenact an often forgotten part of the assassin's escape route. For four and a half days between April 16 - April 21, 1865, John Wilkes Booth and his accomplice, David E. Herold, hid from federal troops in the southern Maryland woods. This project documents my effort to reenact those days in order to better appreciate how those days and nights in the wilderness impacted the assassin of President Lincoln."
|
|
|
Post by dave on Mar 2, 2015 15:22:08 GMT -6
Ian I was reading through the thread "The American Civil War" and was caught by one of your posts. The April 12, 2014 statement you made "Grant must have been a brutal man" was a powerful remark and tweaked me to respond. Grant was a simple yet complex man who was an excellent leader in the War. He seemed to be a man who had no feelings and was indifferent to casualties. Yet he was unable to eat any meat that was not well done, the sight of blood sickened him. Grant knew that to end the War he had to stay on the attack regardless of the costs because he knew he had the numbers on his side. Lee's army was the Confederacy and must be destroyed to end the war. He knew the his summer campaign would save lives in the end. This same man at the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865 when hearing the 100 gun salute by his forces ordered it stopped with this remark, "The War is over----the rebels are our countrymen again." Quite a statement at that time with passions still running so high. Regards Dave
|
|
|
Post by jodak on Mar 14, 2016 8:59:49 GMT -6
One of the common beliefs pertaining to the ACW is that Richard Ewell dropped the ball on the first day of Gettysburg, but this article puts a different slant on things. I have recently been studying Jackson's Valley Campaign, where Ewell played a prominent roll, and my regard for him has grown considerably. If he did fail at Gettysburg, as frequently alleged, so did Lee and others, and it would have been only one of two significant blemishes (the other being Spotsylvania Court House), on an otherwise fine civil war career.
opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/02/general-ewells-dilemma/?_r=1
|
|
|
Post by fred on Mar 14, 2016 9:36:49 GMT -6
I have recently been studying Jackson's Valley Campaign, where Ewell played a prominent roll, and my regard for him has grown considerably. I have not read that link, but I tend to agree with you. I have never been quite able to see Ewell as anything other than a very competent commander. Heck, everyone made a fair share of mistakes in that war, and if you can pinpoint only two for Ewell, that would be darned good. Of course, the real issue is more mistakes of omission than mistakes of commission. Did he fail to grab the initiative? Was he too cautious? Did he not take advantage of a particular situation? I do not know... but again, I have always viewed Ewell as a pretty good general. Best wishes, Fred.
|
|
|
Post by dave on Mar 14, 2016 10:46:51 GMT -6
jodak Very interesting post regarding Ewell's actions at Gettysburg. I especially enjoyed the article you posted that provided information about "Old Jubilee" Early's behavior on July 1, 1863. Early was a irascible ole coot who's skills as a lawyer coupled with his writing abilities insured he was always on the right side. He was a leading light in the "Lost Cause" and used the Southern Historical Society as his platform to shape history to his view point. Early blamed everyone, including the assault on Longstreet, to protect Robert E. Lee as the "Marble Man" image above reproach.
Ewell was in a difficult position that afternoon attempting to make sense out of what was occurring all along the Confederate line and who was where. They had no radios or signal corps so they made use of messengers who only provide their view of the fight as they brought orders to him. Ewell, I believe, was occasionally relied too much on Early's advice or ideas. Jubal always did what was best for him, and was a clever manipulator.
I have always wondered how much Ewell's health was a contributing cause to the indecision he experienced that afternoon. This was his first action since losing his leg at the Battle of Brawner's farm in August 1862. His confusion from reading Lee's orders was understanding to a point. One must remember that Lee's orders were often discretionary in nature and his generals were accustomed to his orders being written in such style.
Looking forward to more of your posts and further discussions. Regards Dave
|
|
|
Post by fred on Mar 14, 2016 11:00:22 GMT -6
Very interesting post regarding Ewell's actions at Gettysburg. Yep!! I printed that article; I will keep it with my very limited Civil War library. I have to say, you guys really put up some great posts here and on topics other than the LBH. Best wishes, Fred.
|
|
|
Post by jodak on Mar 17, 2016 10:07:02 GMT -6
March 17, 1863
Battle of Kelly's Ford Virginia results in a union tactical victory but strategic defeat (they technically won the battle but felt it prudent to withdraw). Captain Marcus Reno suffers a hernia when his horse is wounded and falls on him and spends several months convalescing but returns in time for Gettysburg.. He is brevetted major for gallantry in this action.
|
|
|
Post by dave on Mar 17, 2016 12:35:48 GMT -6
Kelly's Ford was the Union's first time to field a varsity team to confront the Confederates. Hooker's reorganization of the mounted arm of the Army of Potomac started paying dividends with this confrontation and set the scene for the cavalry fight at Gettysburg. It was the beginning of the end for JEB Stuart and the rebel horse soldiers.
I wish QC was here to participate as this is area of study and knowledge since he grew up in this area. Regards Dave
|
|
|
Post by quincannon on Mar 18, 2016 19:18:30 GMT -6
This is a one time only post on this site, as I am not fond of the management nor they of me. That said I am very fond of both Dave and Jodak SO.
I disagree with Jodak. Kelly's was both a tactical and operational level victory for the Union force. They came across in a probe to see what they could see, saw it, and withdrew which was their intention from the outset.
I disagree with Dave in that the Union cavalry was not yet a varsity squad, only JV at best, but that was a hell of a lot better than they were before Hooker reorganized that rat's nest. They were not the varsity in my estimation until after Gettysburg, stiffened with the knowledge they could beat Stuart at his own game. Came close at Brandy, but no cigar.
I doubt if Kelly's would be little noted or long remembered were it not for the wounding and subsequent death of Major John Pelham. The Stuart horse guns went to hell in a hand basket after that unfortunate event. Technically still competent artillerymen, who lost all their pizzazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
|
|
|
Post by dave on Mar 18, 2016 20:20:56 GMT -6
QC So glad you stopped by and shared a post with us. The quality of the US Cavalry, whether Varsity of JV, at Kelly's Ford was far beyond any thing prior. General William Averell and his command went after and whopped Fitzhugh Lee's command then retired at their leisure.
The death of John Pelham indeed was a great loss to Stuart and he was sorely missed at Gettysburg and especially at Yellow Tavern where Sheridan accomplished what he most wanted and that was Stuart's death. Regards Dave
|
|
|
Post by quincannon on Mar 18, 2016 23:09:25 GMT -6
Custer and the Michigan Brigade can thank their lucky stars that Pelham was not at Gettysburg. He would have ripped them to shreds with his guns. Combined Arms Dave, Stuart with Pelham understood how it's done long before the Union cavalry could get their horses out of the barn.
|
|
|
Post by tubman13 on Mar 19, 2016 4:00:26 GMT -6
This is a one time only post on this site, as I am not fond of the management nor they of me. That said I am very fond of both Dave and Jodak SO. I disagree with Jodak. Kelly's was both a tactical and operational level victory for the Union force. They came across in a probe to see what they could see, saw it, and withdrew which was their intention from the outset. I disagree with Dave in that the Union cavalry was not yet a varsity squad, only JV at best, but that was a hell of a lot better than they were before Hooker reorganized that rat's nest. They were not the varsity in my estimation until after Gettysburg, stiffened with the knowledge they could beat Stuart at his own game. Came close at Brandy, but no cigar. I doubt if Kelly's would be little noted or long remembered were it not for the wounding and subsequent death of Major John Pelham. The Stuart horse guns went to hell in a hand basket after that unfortunate event. Technically still competent artillerymen, who lost all their pizzazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Chuck, Lest we forget your knowledge of the ACW and VA.
Your tactical knowledge, is also welcome, at any point.
Regards, Tom
|
|
|
Post by dave on Mar 19, 2016 16:30:17 GMT -6
QC Pelham was Stuart's ace in the hole and he was recognized by Thomas Jackson at Fredricksburg for his gallantry and deadly efficiency with his battery.
In the western theater, Nathan B Forrest found his own Pelham in Captain John Morton. Morton's "Bull Pups", 2 steel 3" rifles were famed and feared all through Tennessee, North Alabama and North Mississippi.
Morton became Forrest's Chief of Artillery and was deadly effective for Forrest's campaigns. In fact they were so close they remained life long friends after the War and that speaks volumes about Morton. Regards Dave
|
|
|
Post by jodak on Apr 6, 2016 10:42:15 GMT -6
On this date, April 6, in 1865 the battle of Sailor's/Sayler's Creek was fought. It is notable for the number of the later Indian wars' leaders that were participants and played significant roles. In addition to Custer, these included Sheridan, Crook, Merritt, Miles, Gibbon, and MacKenzie.
|
|