Thoughts, Essays, and Musings on the Civil War

Thanks, very informative, however i feel you are t...

2012-05-02T01:48:25.131-05:00

Thanks, very informative, however i feel you are too one sided on the significance of Gettysburg on the eventual defeat of the South. To be sure, the 'turning point' of the Civil War is a vague term, nevertheless, Lee's defeat at Gettysburg had a significant impact on the direction of the war. The impact that this victory had on the North's morale allowed them to continue the fight and an even more aggressive rate. And while the war was to continue on for another 21 months, the significance of Lee's inability to launch another attack on northern soil - in order to force the north into negotiation - must not be forgotten. In the end, Lee's defeat at Gettysburg must be seen as a symbolic reversal of fortunes, and indeed, a turning point of the Civil War.

Bill Morgan, Phebe was my 5th great grandmother al...

2012-04-10T18:59:39.879-05:00

Bill Morgan, Phebe was my 5th great grandmother also.

Robert E. Lee lost the Civil War for the Confedera...

2012-04-03T10:54:15.948-05:00

Robert E. Lee lost the Civil War for the Confederacy. Simple truth. Maybe no one else could have won either. Maybe Jefferson Davis deserves more blame (but Lee counseled him.) Lee was great in battle but terrible in campaign. Each battle that he won ended with the Union army intact at the end of the campaign. His two offensive campaigns both ended in disaster. His penchant for frontal assaults effectively destroyed any capability the Army of Northern Virginia had to win the war. Because he was brilliant in battle, history has been kind to him, but campaigns that destroy the enemy win wars. Lee failed, repeatedly, to accomplish or even to grasp this.

I also am a decendant of her my husband and I now ...

2012-03-21T18:13:28.301-05:00

I also am a decendant of her my husband and I now take care of the cemetery where she is buried .

thank you very my very much..it really helped me i...

2012-03-18T22:23:37.993-05:00

thank you very my very much..it really helped me in studying about my project..

GOOD JOB, it really helped me study for my history...

2012-02-21T06:20:39.669-06:00

GOOD JOB, it really helped me study for my history exam!

How amazing, she is my 5th great grandmother as we...

2012-01-24T15:45:26.059-06:00

How amazing, she is my 5th great grandmother as well. She later had a son, Benjamin, he was my 4th great grandfather. You did the best job of describing her story. She is the ancestor I absolutely admire the most for her courage. I wish more than anything I could find a picture or painting of her, I haven't found one yet. Thank You, SW

Thanks for posting this! Writing a research paper...

2012-01-24T11:28:47.522-06:00

Thanks for posting this! Writing a research paper on logistics in the civil war for my Army Transportation Corps training and used your ideas to know how to research my paper.

I'm certainly no Confederate apologist, but Li...

2012-01-12T10:18:10.919-06:00

I'm certainly no Confederate apologist, but Lincoln's analysis here seems off, particularly pertaining to the idea that the Constitution created the states. As the entities entitled to certain powers within the framework of a nation, it is certainly true that the Constitution codified and created a new identity for these entities, but their existence long precedes any concept of an American nation. Even prior to the Articles of Confederation, certain of the colonies possessed their own governments (even bicameral legislatures with an executive and legislative branch). Further, given that the government created in the Constitution is "constituted" of and by the people, should there not be a remedy for those people who compose an entire state to secede?

This was a well written piece. Hood's campaign...

2012-01-01T12:47:25.103-06:00

This was a well written piece. Hood's campaign is overlooked so much. This also shows that if successful it would caused great damage to Northern morale perhaps fatal if the Army of Tennessee would have made it to the Ohio River. Sherman's armies would have had to completely change their plans to counter Hood's. But it was all for not. Hood's original campaign aside from tardiness from Forrest and the supplies went really well. It was a great idea which never was fully accomplished by Hood. Hood's aggressiviness was overly blamed for things that happened like the Battle of Franklin. The biggest mistake was Spring Hill and Hood blamed everybody but himself for that failure which was clearly his. Some of the Union soldiers wandered into Confederate pickets to warm themselves when this was reported to Hood he should have ordered the pike cut but he didn't. But this already pointed out clearly by the piece. Thanks again.

SORRY, I missed the section on funeral and burial....

2011-12-02T12:28:18.246-06:00

SORRY, I missed the section on funeral and burial. just delete those sentences if you will. this is not for posting, obviously. If you can't edit, then I will rewrite and resubmit.

This is a very good account. As an additional int...

2011-12-02T12:25:22.212-06:00

This is a very good account. As an additional interesting (Okay, I find it interesting) detail, McRae was wounded in the battle. The order to execute the survivor came from one of his lieutenants. Williams indicates that the lieutenant was a northern, and Williams believed that the lieutenant (whom Robinson identifies as Lt. Luck, but other sources differ) ordered the executions to prove his worth to Duff, who would undoubtedly have approved.

In an additional act of cruelty after the massacre, the families could not retrieve the bodies, though some commentary indicates that some families did violate that prohibition. A mass funeral service was held after the war ended.

It is also my understanding that this is the only monument to Unionist in all the former Confederate States and that it is the only site, other then Arlington Cemetery, allowed constantly to fly the US flag (with 36 stars) at half mast.

Nations are built,unfortunately,on the remains of patriots buried in obscure sites both overseas and on our continent.

Anonymous is really correct that in Comfort one finds a place to honor, in our hearts, all those patriots.

I had the privilege of visiting the Treue der Unio...

2011-11-28T19:34:13.635-06:00

I had the privilege of visiting the Treue der Union monument today in Comfort, Texas. I was in Comfort on business and a local citizen mentioned the history of the area and the monument. I'm a 48 year old male of German decent. Growing up in nearby San Antonio, I had never heard of the unionist struggle of the Hill Country German immigrants during the Civil War. After reading the history of the monument on the internet, this certainly seems like another dark chapter in American history, and in particular, Texas history. I must say, to me, the monument was very moving. I've been to Washington D.C., visited the Vietnam Memorial, and witnessed the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery. When I see the United States flag flying proudly, but sadly, at half staff, it is very moving. I was struck by how this small patch of ground was so lonely and remote, only the size of a small city lot, that I found on a sleepy, deserted street in the middle of a small Texas town. I was moved when I realized that the remains of men with such strong conviction were laid to rest at my feet. I was struck by the mention that it doesn't matter if a monument is dedicated to just a few men, or a few thousand, it is still hallow ground.

Very good web site. My great uncle Simeon Ward was...

2011-11-08T19:05:24.388-06:00

Very good web site. My great uncle Simeon Ward was captured at Cedar creek oct. 19th 1864.He was in the Mass. co C. 26th inf..He was with Lt. Mcquestion and 45 men guarding a wagon train when captured.He was sent to belle isle Va.He died in prison dec.12th 1864. My great grandfather,Almond, brother of Simeon ward was in 1st.Ma. h.a. and was a farmer in hopkinton ma.Keep up the good work in saving important history. charles ward,Westboro ma.
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I have always admired Longstreet immensely for his...

2011-10-12T20:57:36.377-05:00

I have always admired Longstreet immensely for his progressive post-war views, and it is hard not to be sympathetic for him considering how Freeman piles it on. However after reading "Longstreet Versus McLaws..." I must admit Longstreet's behavior in this affair is rather base. Of course, defeat looked good on no general in this war: Grant blames his subordinates for Shiloh, for instance- even the vaunted Lee passes off blame in the case of a grievous defeat (Gettysburg, for instance). Nevertheless my admiration has been essentially qualified. Thanks to the author of the post and the commenter.

I have yet to make it to Antietam, but have been t...

2011-08-11T15:24:44.812-05:00

I have yet to make it to Antietam, but have been to Gettysburg, and was a bit surprised to read that you thought it was commercialized. Do you mean the actual battle fields? Or the main building with the gift shop? Does Antietam not have a gift shop?

Thanks Bob, a nice piece! I'm fascinated with ...

2011-07-13T18:10:25.701-05:00

Thanks Bob, a nice piece!
I'm fascinated with logistics during this period.
I marvel at how much was envolved in moving a Corps (let alone an entire army) on a day's march.
I don't deny that railroads were critical to supply, I don't think they were much of a factor in moving armies, with a few notable exceptions. Moving an army on the primitive road network boggles my mind. Add to that the complexity of providing all the necessities and coordinating all that without copy machines, phones, etc.
My questions go on and on and I can't imagine how this can't help but be a fascinating subject for anyone interested in the CWar.

It is a great way to put it and to describe the si...

2011-07-01T21:23:54.972-05:00

It is a great way to put it and to describe the situation. I definitely agree that the war was unavoidable, and therefore, the explanation you just gave is rich and right to the point.

Thank you.

I am under contract and writing about the 19th Ind...

2011-06-08T15:30:49.527-05:00

I am under contract and writing about the 19th Indiana. This has helped me enormously in seeing the battle at Brawner's Farm clearly so that I can write about the 19th's part in it far better than I could have 10 minutes ago. My thanks to you.

An informative piece wonderfully executed with the...

2011-05-21T08:37:09.398-05:00

An informative piece wonderfully executed with the then and now pictures. So cool and nostalgic.

She was my 5th great grandmother also. I've h...

2011-05-17T21:09:40.149-05:00

She was my 5th great grandmother also. I've heard most of the story before, but you did a fantastic job pulling the story together. I liked the pictures too.

Like Lincoln said at Gettysburg, we must never for...

2011-05-06T00:56:21.087-05:00

Like Lincoln said at Gettysburg, we must never forget what they did here. That is a beautiful video. Thanks.

Living in Steuben county, NY and studying the civi...

2011-04-16T08:40:28.578-05:00

Living in Steuben county, NY and studying the civil war, General Averell shows me that we have unsung heroes from steuben county. I will continue to study General Averell because it sounds like alot of jealousy from the higher ups due to his overall success.

Thank you for the very interesting article!

In fact, I did not write this for school, as, at a...

2011-04-12T10:00:28.905-05:00

In fact, I did not write this for school, as, at age 57, I am well past going to school. :-)

As April is National Poetry Month, and this year c...

2011-04-11T16:09:59.267-05:00

As April is National Poetry Month, and this year commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, I want to thank you for this wonderful remembrance of Walt Whitman's selfless service to our soldiers. As a US Army veteran, occasional poet, and Civil War buff, I'm pleased to share this with my Facebook friends.