Wintering for the soldier

In preperation for doing a program on the winter soldier for the Kenosha Civil War Museum, I collected some material from Daniel Chisholm of the 116th Pa and James Phillips of the 12th Virginia and some notes from The Branch boys of Georgia. BURYING A BROTHER (previously posted on this site) After Christmas of 1864 James Phillips of the 12th Virginia took a train to Guinea Station Virginia. A survivor of the battle for Spotsylvania he walked the 12 miles back to the battlefield to find his brother George. “I got to the place a large rabbit jumped up in front of me and ran off. I continued to go and in a short while came upon my brother and others lying on their back just as I had left them back in May. Nothing had disturbed them as they showed no signs of anyone put ting hands upon them or even any wild animals had molested them. Their faces was as anyohe who knew them well could not help recognizing them. Their shoes, guns, cartridge boxes, belts, canteens, haversacks and even his toothbrush was fastened in the button hole of his jacket. I put my hand in his haversack and took out an ivy root pipe which he had been using for more than a year, I cut the pipe at Chancellorsville.” He buried his brother, putting the “marked board to his head.” Charlie Granger, Jim Malard, Thom Schriber, Dr. Disssisway and other proved too much for James to bury so he returned to the trenches of Petersburg. Today if you go to the confederate cemetery at Spotsylvania you can see the identified grave of James Phillip’s brother. In the unknown section no doubt lay the others mentioned above.(49-50 Phillips) STEALING A FIRE “After getting out in the main road, we was put in a piece of scrub pine., the tallest was not eight feet. Her we had nothing to make afire of so most of them used their foot to scrape ice and snow so as to get down to solid ground to sleep on. In the absence of a fire to even warm our feet we had. We saw on the opposite side of the road some nice good cheerful fires which belonged to the Alabama brigade of our Division. There were in a nice pine grove, a splendid place to camp. Now we just walked over to the camp, they were asleep soundly, so we picked up their fire, axe and all and transferred it to our quarters. These poor fellows lay there asleep until they became cold, fire gone out, all dark, no axe and no nothing. We had all and was warm and nicely fixed..” (Phillips, 69) CHRISTMAS DINNER “At this camp, the army had Christmas dinner given them by the good ladies of the cities.” (Phillips,65) “This is a very dull Christmas to us all. Most of the boys are at the station buying ginger cakes which sell for at the remarkable price of 3 for a dollar. And scarce at that.” (141 Sanford Branch) COLD/SNOW “We camped for the night and pitched our little tents and cooked and ate supper. After a short while we went to sleep when we awaked the next morning our tents and everything was covered with snow and ice. “(Phillips, 66) “The next thing in order is to prepare for sleeping. In order to do this, you wouild have to use your foot to scrape away the snow and ice then spread down one of yoru yankee cloths, then one of your overcoats, then we would use our two blankets and the other overcoat to cover up with. We covred our head and heals with this and two together keep warm” (Phillips, 67) Everybody knows what sleet is. The smallest limb on a tree as large as your arm was about four times as large covered with ice.” (Phillips, 69) I hope you will excuse this letter. It is cold I am writing in Shellman’s tent, he having a stove. The tent being closed it is very dark. (145, Sanford Branch). “The camp is on a hill close by the Rail Road and we found it covered with four or five inches of snow and a very cold place. When we arrived there the officers was having a good time so we had to stand in line out in the snow and wait until they got done eating and drinking. After a while the boy’s teeth commensed to chatter togethte and all kinds of oaths came out, easty at first, but finally they came out with such force that it would lift the snow some inches. I took out my violin and played Old Dan Tucker on it, and such a time they all had (180) They shouted and danced and made such a noise they soon brought out the officers.(Chisholm 4). December 8th 1864 at 1 a.m. we pack up and moved four miles to the left to Hatcher’s Run. We maneuvered around first to the left and then to the right. All this time the snow was falling fat and this begin a very marshy place it melted underfoot and made a think slush over shoe mouth deep and our feet soaking wet before we had gone a mile. The (after crossing a deep river) weather was so cold our clothes froze stiff in a few minutes (52 Chisholm). BAREFOOT “As the barefoot men crossed the field on the icey snow you could see the blood in their tracks.” (Phillips, 66) FIREWOOD A priority amongst the soldiers was the acquisition of wood both for building and maintaining their structures but also firewood. For cooking and heating firewood was needed by soldiers every day. Each day men, in groups and singly went out into the local forests to collect wood. As the winter progressed the wood lots cleared forcing men to travel miles in search of something to cook their rations with. “Here we would go out in the same piece of pine woods where the enemy was cutting wood for night fires and cut down a tree and I would sit down along side a federal officer and talk over matters concerning the war and trade tobacco for coffee. “ (Phillips, 70) December 9th 1864“We…stacked arms and commanded to build fires. The logs and brush were wet and we had one awful time shivering and blowing. In an hour or so our labor was rewarded by having a big log heaping burning. I do not think I ever felt anything so nice to stand up and warm my back before the log heap. It is snowing and has been all the time. At twelve we were still drying our clothes and the snow wetting us as fast as the fire dried (53, Chisholm) February 23rd “I left camp with a squad of 20 man and went to the picket line and slashed timber, twenty trees between the two picket lines. The rebs let us work without firing a shot. They could have killed us all if they had wanted to. We returned safely to camp. Chisholm, 65) SUN Jan 11 1865 “ The sun came up nice and warm this morning and is drying up the mud very fast.” (58 Chisholm). From January 11th through January 20th sunshine rained down on the men of Petersburg, its warming influence prompting Chisholm to say, “ The sun is still shedding his rays down on the heads of Uncle Sam’s boys, they are very cheerful and seem to have no cares. Crazy how a little sunshine can bring one up. RETURNING FROM PICKET “December 3rd- Clear and cold. We took up a line of march for Camp at 4 O’clock am and reached it by 10 O’clock am. I am fatigued, but the sight of my chimney puts life in me. I soon got my fly and pitched it and a fire soon built and here I am enjoying it. (Waddell 12th VA 23) FURLOUGH “Orders issued that 2 men out every 100 will be allowed furlough.” (Waddell 12th VA 23) BOREDOM “IT is snowing and very cold. There is not a particle of news and I am beginning to tire of this inactivity (Sanford Branch, 148) “December 24th Nothing worthy to note to day. The same old rigmarole of camp life. MARCHING Jan 23 1863 We staid on picket for 2 days and were relieved to march to Richmond, Commenced on Sunday morning at daylight in a terrible snow storm which continued all day. The next day it rained all day. The men were positively stuck in the mud and had to be taken out. At night we were without tents and scarcely an axe to cut wood with. (147 Sanford Branch) MUD March 3rd, 1864 “after passing a restless night (in a building with one stove) we arose early and went up to camp. IT was a regular hog wallow, for it was covered with six to eight inches of mud about the consistency of thin mortar (4, Chisholm). GETTING FOOD THE FUN WAY March 5th 1864 “It is raining and spitting snow this morning, and is very disagreeable weather. We have plenty to eat such as it is, if we do not get enough at the infantry cook house we borrow a cavalry or artillery jacket and get more. (5, Chisholm) DANGER OF CAMP Death from battle and disease, a constant with the soldier, a new enemy arose. Men packed in to small places with little to do often get on each others nerves. Cabin fever makes even the smallest offense a capitol one as we learn from Chisholm, “ We was out in camp getting our knapsacks lettered this morning and everything quick. All at once I seen a man run out of the commissary tent with a big cheese knife in his hand and run pu and threw down a man standing by a ten and stabbed him seven times with the knife in the breast.(4, Chisholm) He later explains the attack was a mistake identity , the attacker thinking the man was someone else. Sources Joslyn, Manriel. Charlotte’s Boys: Civil War Letters of the Branch Family of Savannah. Pelican Publishing Company: Gretna, 2010. Menge, Springer and August Shimrack. The Civil War Notebook of Daniel Chisholm: A Chronicle of Daily Life in the Union Army 1864-1865.Orian Books: New York, 1989. Phillips, James. Recollections. Virginia Historical Society.

For those in the Midwest

The Kenosha Civil War Museum is a gem for sure. It's Fiery Trial tells the story of the Old Northwest before, during and after the war, its reserach center has a growing collection of primary sources and its special programming is amazing. In a previous post I mentioned the McPherson/ Rocco day I enjoyed. Well on November 17th "At 1:00 PM, join Mr. Stephen Osman as he presents Minnesota's Other Civil War: The Dakota Conflict of 1862. The Dakota War of 1862 was the single most important event in Minnesota’s 154 year history. In six tragic weeks more were killed than all of Minnesota’s Civil War deaths in combat and the western half of the state was depopulated. Minnesota’s Dakota people were evicted from the state, leaving scars that remain to this day. Learn about the causes, visit the battlefields, and consider the legacy of the Dakota War in a colorful PowerPoint presentation by Stephen Osman. Stephen Osman is a graduate of St. Olaf College who recently retired as senior historian with the Minnesota Historical Society. He managed Historic Fort Snelling for over three decades, and actively researches, speaks and writes about Minnesota’s role in the Civil War and the Dakota War. At 2:30, Civil War author and historian Lance Herdegen will talk about his new book, The Iron Brigade in Civil War and Memory. Lance Herdegen's latest book puts flesh and faces on the men of the Iron Brigade who sat around the campfires, marched through mud and snow and dust, fought to put down the rebellion, and recorded much of what they did and witnessed for posterity. This magnificent new work, sure to be looked upon as Herdegen's magnum opus, is based on decades of archival research and includes scores of previously unpublished letters, photos, journals, and other primary accounts. This well researched and written tour de force, which includes reunion and memorial coverage until the final expiration of the last surviving member, will be the last word on the Iron Brigade for the foreseeable future. Books will be available for purchase and signing before and after the programs." Hope to see you there.

WALTER OSGOOD HART of the 36th Wisconsin Infantry: On the March

Speaking of stragglers calls to mind a couple of incidents that Plodder often mentioned. On one of the forced marches he saw a soldier sitting on the ground evidently worn out. A brute on horseback, in the garb of an officer, came and ordered him to get up and go on. He replied that he couldn't, he was sick and completely given out. The brute drove his horse against the soldier's back, compelling him to get up, then repeatedly ran his horse against the man's back shouting, "Get along there". The poor man staggered along trying to run. The brute rode up beside him and drew his sword and kept pounding him on the back with the flat side of it, shouting and swearing at him. It made Plodder's blood boil, and he wondered why the soldier didn't run his bayonet thru the brute. On these marches a small force called the provost guard was detailed to follow the marching column and allow no stragglers to be left behind them. Sometimes Plodder would rest until he saw the guard coming and then start on. There was talk that guerillas followed the army and any that fell behind this guard were liable to be murdered. One time Plodder waited till the first of the guard came up and walked with them. They did not molest any one who started on when they came up. But they came upon a grey bearded man who did not get up when they spoke to him, but said he was completely done out and could go no further till he got a little rest. They told him he couldn't stay there; he must get up and go on. He replied firmly and positively, "I am not able". They began prodding him with their bayonets, and ordered him to go on. Without saying a word, but with a determined look on his face he began loading his gun. The guard left him sitting there.

PICKET DUTY: WALTER OSGOOD HART OF THE 36TH WI.

Having occasion at this point to refer to the few letters that were saved from the burning, the writer was reminded of conversation between the pickets that occurred during the period of inactivity. The picket lines were so close together that they were ordered to keep up firing in the night. One night the Rebs called over, REB: "Say Yanks, we want to change pickets. You won't shoot will you?' YANKEE: "No, go ahead". Then they get up and walk around. REB: “who will be the next President.” YANK: "Who do you want?" REB: "Old Abe", was the answer. YANK TWO: "D..n Old Abe, I want McClellan". REB: "Don't you wish the war was over and we were at home?" YANK: "Yes, we do". REB: "Well then, you go home and we won't follow you any farther than the Potomac" YANK: "You lay down your arms and we won't follow any farther than Richmond," REB: You'll find that a d..,d hard road to travel". So it went till officers came around and ordered them to go to firing, "Say, Yanks, the officers say we must go to firing. Get out of the way. We'll shoot high tho". "Hello, Yanks, the officers are gone now. If you won't fire, we won't". YANK: "All right". REB: "Have you any whiskey over there?" YANK: "Yes, lots of it". REB:"Come over, and let's go to Petersburg and have a good time; we'll let you go back". YANK: "We don't doubt your word, but your officers would keep us". REB: "D..n the officers, we wouldn't let them know anything about it."

A Perfect Civil War Weekend Defined

For a guy like me, who has a passion for the study of the Civil War, listening to famous authors can feed that passion. Looking into an artist rendition of a battle or soldier’s event can evoke an emotional response, creating an emotional reaction to the human drama of “Devil’s Den” or “The Outpost.” Going to a reenactment where the sound of a band wafts through the fall air mixing with the bellow of officer’s voices above the rip of musketry can resonate long after the truck has driven him home. This weekend I was privy to all three experiences thus making the title, A Perfect Civil War Weekend. I have to share with someone so here is my weekend: Saturday the Kenosha Civil War Museum hosted an extraordinary day for Civil War students. Dr. James McPherson, author of the Pulitzer prize winning piece, Battle Cry of Freedom offered a brunch then later a lecture on naval war covered in his latest piece War on the Waters, a book on the naval war during the Civil War. The beginning of this perfect day began when I was introduced to Mr. McPherson by Doug Dammann, the director of the museum. The hand shake and small talk was great and all I expected. Later, as I walked into the room where the brunch was held there sat Mr. McPherson with an empty chair next to him. Score. Between bites I asked him questions about Lee, Antietam, and his next work as well as listening as the other four folks at the table talked to our guest. The poor fella was barely about to eat. He was a gracious host to our questions. His talk offered me a tour of naval war with the focus on DuPont and Farragut’s efforts- a topic I have not read much on. Leaving the lecture hall, the second guest of the museum waited behind the book signing table, Kieth Rocco, nationally recognized historical artist was there to open a gallery of his work that the museum will host until April, including some original works done specifically for the museum’s Old Northwest theme- a 24th Michigan piece and one on the 11th Indiana. Bringing a copy of Gettysburg in Art and Artifacts for him to sign I reminded him that I had posed for him way back in the early 90’s; an event not worth remembering for an artist who has amassed a portfolio of over 400 Civil War pieces, by his calculations. Still he was warm and personable-a really nice guy. I later listened to his talk on how he composes his works-another world I don’t know much about. Sprinkled amongst those two events I had a nice conversation with Rob Girardi, the author of the Gettysburg piece in which Mr. Rocc’s art was showcased and many other Civil War related books, again a really cool guy who was a pleasure to talk to. And so ended my academic feast so I headed home to prepare to the chaperone our homecoming dance at the school I work at. Not much Civil War in supervising teenagers at a dance but it makes for a segway. At midnight, as the last of the well dressed teenagers left the school, I headed to Old Wade House for a Civil War Reenactment. The group I belong to, The Hogg Mess, has always prided itself on studying then sharing unique facets of Civil War soldier history. At Wade House we were going to revisit an old theme- winter quarters. 12 years ago the Wade House gave us permission to build a winter cabin then to interpret the life of the winter soldier to the public. This year they again gave us permission to build some new cabins. For three weeks, led by Eric, we cut the trees and began the process of building three cabins. On Friday and Saturday of the event the Mess finished two of the cabins so that when I arrived at around 2:00 am to a sleeping camp of my mates, I came upon two amazingly authentic structures of notched log, daubing, canvas roof and chimney. Those guys had worked their tails off and thanks to that, Sunday we presented the life of the winter soldier to curious spectators and amazed reenactors. Eric, Todd, Brandon and Kyle deserve all the credit-great friends and living historians. So what does a perfect Civil War weekend consist of? Spending time with nationally recognized experts in their fields, learning new stuff, doing something unique (cabin building) and educating folks on something they probably had never seen nor thought about before.

Fingernails for a spoon

From the account of a nurse, Phoebe Yates Pember's experiences as a nurse at Chimborazo Hosptial during the war comes a new look at fingernails. "The speaker was an up country Georgian,one of the kind called 'Goobers" by the soldiers generally; lean, yellow, attentuated, with wispy strands of hair hanging over his high thin cheek bones. He put out a hand to detain me and the nails were like claws. 'Why do you not let the nurse cut your nails?' 'Because i aren't got any spoon, and I use them instead.' One will never see that acted out on the History channel. Instead of a spoon he used hisThe boy later told Ms. Yates he would not cut his hair until the war ended.

107th Ohio at Gettysburg

A number of years ago I purchased a knapsack reportedly carried by J.P. Gasler of the 107th Ohio Infantry. 18 year old J.P. Gasler was killed July 2nd in Gettysburg. Thinking of that knapsack as a connection with Gettysburg, real or fiction, helped me become more intimate with the battle, especially when I stood on Cemetery Hill near where the 107th fought. For fun I wrote this brief a brief history of the 107th at Gettysburg. Sounding more fiction than reality, still it was fun to write. I apologize for the poor bibliography, but it does offer the titles for the sources used. Enjoy. The 107th Ohio at Gettysburg July 1st 1863, on the hills north and west of Gettysburg 15,000 federals desperately try to hold back elements of two Confederate corps. A.P. Hill’s Corps and Ewell’s Corps prove too much, as each successive federal line is outflanked and overwhelmed. To understand what happened at Gettysburg, one needs to look beyond the numbers and divisional alignments. One needs to look as the micro of this mighty macro. Early in the morning of July 1st, the federal XI Corps commanded by General O.O. Howard is double-quicking to the hills north of Gettysburg, their mission, to support the federal cavalry of General Buford. Arriving on the field about noon, General Howard places his divisions to support the right of the Union 1st Corps and the few cavalrymen that have survived the day. His division, placed on a knoll that would later bear his name, Barlow orders his brigades to face the advance of Ewell’s Confederate Corps, which is arriving from Chambersburg to the North. He orders General Adelbert Ames to align his brigade so it can stop Ewell’s best brigade, John B. Gordon’s and support an artillery battery. Ames places the 107th Ohio Infantry facing west, to protect the flank of the brigade. Raised in and around Cleveland, Ohio, the 107th boasts a large German population. Mustering in over 1,000 men in August of 1862, the regiment is a skeleton of itself. The XI Corps embarrassment at Chancellorsville, subsequent skirmishing and the deadly march to Gettysburg has whittled the regiment down to barely 450 men. Severe humidity and temperatures in the high 80’s, sweating in their blue wool uniforms, the Ohio men’s wide eyes search the open fields of the Blocher and Smithy farms for the butternut storm. In the distance approaches a brigade of Georgians led by General Doles. At a range of 70 yards his 1,500 men unleash a withering volley. With nothing but a split rail fence for protection, the 107th suffers its first casualties of the day. Their Colonel, Seraphan Meyer wounded, and scores killed, the Ohio men do their best to answer the Georgians. Barrels grow hot as the now less than 400 hundred Ohioans fight to maintain their position. The Rebel brigade overlaps their flanks. The far right company of the regiment, Company K soon takes fire from another Confederate brigade. The tidal wave of butternut and gray proves too much for the federals of Barlow’s division. At first giving ground grudgingly, the men soon take off at a run. Survival. Among the mass of retreating federals strains a 20-year old farm boy/soldier. His knapsack jostling as he stumbles over fence and body, Joseph P. Gasler runs nearly two miles in his attempt to escape death or imprisonment. Stumbling up a ridge just north of town, the exhausted Gasler spots General O.O. Howard attempting to rally his shattered corps. Gasler and the remnants of his brigade catch their breath behind a low stone wall near the Baltimore Pike, on a ridge named after it occupant, a cemetery. As July 1st ends, J.P. Gasler finds himself among the few who have survived the battle. Joseph using his knapsack for a pillow falls asleep. It’s now July 2nd 1863 and Robert E. Lee has ordered an attack in echelon. From south to north his brigades will attack one after another; each attack will drawing federals to it, thus creating a gap somewhere in the federal line. That’s Lee’s hope as he orders Longstreet to advance. The attack begins on the opposite end of the federal line from Joseph. He is safe for the moment. In the distance he can see the gray shapes of a Confederate picket line- too far away to pose a threat. Ammunition resupplied in the night, the men of Barlow’s division, now led by General Ames, hear the rumble of battle to their south. As the sun moves to sunset, the noise of battle approaches. Lee has ordered General Ewell to attack. The Confederate picket line advances. The famed Louisiana Tiger brigade of General Hays attacks the remnants of the 107th and the rest of the brigade. Captain John Lutz, now in command of the regiment, crouches behind his men, reminding the boys to aim low. The command, “Fire” resounds across the hill as Ohio men and Louisiana men fire into each other’s faces. Losing half their number, including Jacob Bise and Christian Behnfield, Carl Gebauer, John Eisner and others of Company K, the 107th is relieved by another regiment (107th). Retiring in disorder, they attempt to reorganize themselves behind Weidrick’s battery. Jacob Smith of Company D notices the Confederate flag of the 8th Louisiana among the federal cannons. Southern men from Franklin Parrish and New Orleans have broken through and threaten to create another July 1st. Jacobs and seven men fire a volley into the rebel color guard. With a yell they advanced on the Louisianans, scattering the few that remain standing. Approaching the severely wounded rebel color bearer, Adjutant Young wrestles for control of the flag. The rebel pulls out a navy colt and fires, hitting Young in the shoulder blade. Young in turn thrusts his sabre though the rebel’s chest ending the struggle for the flag. Upon examining the body, Jacob’s notices seven-bullet hole in the man’s uniform. Darkness and a stubborn defense convince the Confederates to retire. Jacobs and a pard spend the night taking the wounded of the regiment to the hospital wagons. In two days of fighting the 107th Ohio has suffered 23 killed, 111 wounded and 77 missing. Among the wounded is Joseph P. Gasler, a 20-year-old kid from Ohio. He dies the next day. The History of the 107th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Time Life Series on the Civil War. Gettysburg

Is a thread being treated as the entire bolt of cloth?

Does the modern study of the Civil War have to revolve around slavery? A few years ago I was attending a program that took us to the scene of the Battle of the Crater. Here it was, a summer sunset near that depression where so many men, of both sides, gave their lives for their definition of country, and two “history experts” launch into a diatribe about the vile Southern soldier fighting to maintain slavery. To hear those two published historians disrespect the Southern soldier on a battlefield where so many of them bled out was disgusting. Really, of all the places! I get that slavery was an embarrassing chapter in our country history. I get that from the modern eyes the Southern soldier seems an agent for slavery, but that’s the point, from a modern eye. None of us lived during that time. Who are we to judge? With an early 19th Century cultural upbringing and/or economic necessity could those two historians honestly say they would not have been the very slave owner/confederate soldier they were gashing while standing on that sacred soil. As a teacher I think it is imperative the slavery story be taught with all the zeal it deserves. I also think we have no right to judge, we have no right to disrespect them on their soil and we need to keep the various issues of the Civil War where they belong. Antietam is about the soldiers fighting and dying in the bloodiest battle in our history then it’s the story of the Emancipation Proclamation and it should be presented in that order. Why am I rambling about this three years later? Two reasons: The Gettysburg Visitor Center video and upcoming class I’ll be taking. The Gettysburg Visitor Center is a beautiful site with some excellent history. It also has a video, the one the visitor sees before viewing the Cyclorama, which makes slavery the seminal aspect of the war and, by inference, the seminal reason for Gettysburg. Agreed ending slavery was the most significant result of the war. However I am not kin to making Gettysburg about slavery. It was about soldiers giving their full measure. It was about generals leading their ‘boys’ across rocky fields and slopes. It was about the town forever changed and an address by a president. The video did not celebrate the afore mentioned except as a back drop to the slavery story. Sad. The second reason I’m writing this now is the content I have to read in preparation for an upcoming class on American history. Of the 18 some readings 10 of them have slavery as their major theme. Slavery’s introduction, slavery’s spread, slavery and the Civil War, Reconstruction for the African American and Civil Rights makes up the majority of the class reading. Even though I am very excited to read the material and attend the lectures I am a bit sad that the history of our country is being painted by its relationship with slavery, not slavery as a thread in our history.

Is there a better quote for a man losing love of country?

"My shoes are gone; my clothes are almost gone. I'm weary, I'm sick, I'm hungry. My family have been killed or scattered. And I have suffered all this for my country. I love my country. But if this war is ever over, I'll be damned if I ever love another country." -A confederate veteran

Leaving for the East

At 3:30 this afternoon myself and four comrades are loading up the van for a weekend out East. Excited? Oh yes. Friday we will do our adopt a monument work at Gettysburg. We'll clean, paint or whatever else they need us to do. Giving back to a park that has given me so much over the years will be a rewarding way to spend the day. Our efforts will include the 1st U.S. sharpshooter Wisconsin company marker and the 6th Wi marker, plus... . After a day of making Gburg more presentable, we'll head to Manassas where, for the weekend, we will do a living history at Brawner's Farm, portraying the 6th Wi. Infantry. Camping on the actual site, talking to the public and marching around the battlefield with some of the finest living historians around is sure to make the weekend memorable. Finishing off the weekend with a Sunday evening/Monday morning tour of Antietm will conclude a weekend out East. For those that live far away from battlefields, making a trip like this is something we covet. The first sign of Gettysburg I see will make my heart skip a beat and my mind fill with the events that made that hollowed ground so important to the American identity. And I get to hit some awesome bookstores.

A what if

One of my guilty historical pleasures is playing with the idea of, ‘what if.’ What if the air craft carriers had been in harbor on December 7th… What if Jackson were alive at Gettysburg… What if… Well after reading Iron Makers To The Confederacy: John R. Andrews and Tredegar Iron Works by Charles B. Dew, I have found another what if.

During the late months of 1861 and into the spring of 1862 Tredegar Iron works of Richmond Virginia was asked to make the iron sheeting for the South’s new iron clad as well as make cannon. In the lot of armament made for the CSS Virginia were two 7 inch and two 6.4 inch Brookes rifled cannon. “They also cast a number of shell for the Merrimack’s rifled canon but no solid shot was produced prior to the ironclad’s first engagement with the enemy” (119.) Here comes the what if. “… the confederate gun crews had no wrought iron bolts with which to load their rifled guns. Those projectiles could have penetrated the turret of the enemy’s (Monitor) ship” (120).

So what if they had had the solid shells mentioned in the previous quote? If the confederate shot had penetrated the turret of the Monitor the result of the engagement would have turned in favor of the confederates. The smoothbore shots of the Monitor was not capable of breaching the Tredegar iron of the CSS Virginia. With the confederate iron clad in control of Hampton Roads, would the federal army have been able to use Fort Monroe as a staging center for the Peninsula campaign? How much more destruction could the CSS Virginia had brought on the federal fleet? How much would the loss at Hampton Roads impacted the overall strategy of the war early on? I am not of the opinion that a solid shot for the rifled Brooks guns would have won the war for the Confederacy. I do think the Peninsula campaign may not have happened. From there, I’ll let you ponder.

NOTE: After the Virginia/Monitor engagement, Tredegar came up with a steel tipped wrought iron bolt, weighing 115 pounds, developed to pierce iron (130). Later the U.S.S. Keokuk was sunk using that ammunition fired from a rifled cannon.

By the way the book was a fascinating study of the south’s largest iron producer’s successes and failures in equipping the Confederacy and how their ability to utilize the natural resources (iron ore, coal and the like) kept the South from capitalizing on its small but effective iron manufacturing base.

Theatre in camp

Now for your pleasure we bring you an original play, titled, “The Medical Board”

The curtain rises (blanket pulled away) to group of doctors sitting at a table playing cards and drinking brandy. Presently an inquiry is made as to how such good liquor is obtained in these hard times.
The immediate answer is, “Oh, this is some that was sent down from Augusta County for the sick soldiers, but since the poor devils can’t need it, so we’ll drink it.”
Then a courier comes in with the message that a badly wounded soldier is outside. “Bring him in! Bring him in! says the chief surgeon.”

After a casual examination, the patient is told that his arms must be amputated. He inquires if he can have a furlough after the operation.
“Oh no,” replies the surgeon, who shortly announces that the leg must come off.

“Then can I have a furlough?” asks the soldier.

“By no means, “answers the doctor, “for you can drive an ambulance when you get well.”

The surgeons now go into consultation and decide the wounded man’s head must be amputated.
“Then I know I can have a furlough, observes the patient.

“No indeed,” says the chief surgeon. “We are so scarce of men that your body will have to be set up in the breastworks to fool the enemy.”

J.O Casler Jackson’s Corps.

CANNON AND MEN AT PLAY

WALTER OSGOOD HART:36TH WISCONSIN
The 36th was a regiment who arrived on the Virginia front in mid May of 1864. Mr. Hart,a surgeon's assistent offers a clear glimpse into life in the trenches. Enjoy.
"One day as he was passing in front of the battery of siege guns, which was some distance in the rear of the front lines, he was startled by the firing of one of them. Looking in the direction which the sound of the shell cutting the air indicated, he saw Confederates on top of their breast works repairing them.
They jumped down to places of safety and the shot made the dirt fly right where they had been at work. They came up again and went to work lively with their shovels, but another gun fired and they hunted their holes again. This shot also hit its mark, and so it went for a little while.

Sometimes Plodder would stand near Fort Rice and watch the fun. A few of our men would stand on top of the works to draw the enemy's fire. When they saw the flash of the cannon, they hunted their holes with laughing and cheers. Plodder saw the shells drop into the ground many rods short of the mark and explode, throwing up a cloud of dirt. Up the men came again and stood till they saw the next flash. This time the shell fell a little nearer the works but farther to one side. This was repeated several times, but every time the shells fell harmless and far from their mark. On his way to the front he had to cross a certain knoll, and when he failed to crouch low enough he would hear a sharpshooter's bullet whiz past him, but none ever hit him."

The rest of the orders: Last orders of the ANV

Below are the last of the orders from the ANV command that I found at the Wisconsin HIstorical Society. Reading between the lines is one of my favorite aspects of reading material such as this. I can almost hear the desperation boiling under the veneer of professionalism. Enjoy.
NOTE: the lines seperate the orders.

On the road to Farmeville
April 6th 1865

General,
I have the honor to report that telegraphic communication is open to Farmville to Lynchburg No enemy has been to the former and none reported to be in that vicinity.

M.W. Gary
Brig Gen

Lt Genl Longstreet
Comdg Corps 1

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Hd Qu’rs Longstreet’s Corp
April 7-1865

Gol W.H. Taylor
A.A.G. A.N.Va

I desire you to know whether there is any cavalry on this side & if there is that you will order it to report to me- What effect will the presence of the enemy on my flank make on my movements?

Very Respectfully
(Sgd)) Jas Longstreet
Lieut Genl

Official
W.H. Palmer
a.a.g.


(ON REVERSE)
Lieut Col. W.H. Taylor
A.A.Gnl
ANVa

General,
There is cavalry here, not the whole, but Gen Fitz Lee is here fighting the enemy’s cavalry with part of his & has driven it back & captured Gen Gregg.
The other cavalry under WH Lee is on your left flank, Fitz Lee being on your right.

Very Respy
RE Lee
Gn


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Hq Qurs Longstreets Command
April 7 1865

This command will be withdrawn by retiring Field’s front to the hight ground in rear of the road. As he retires Gn’l Mahone will retire his right and Gen’l’s Heth & Wilcox their left. After Gn’l Fields has taken his new position Heth Wilcox & Mahone will withdraw their commands by filing around below this postion of Gn’l Fields, retiring by the rout taken by the Army & opposite the rear of Gn’l Fields center. The Artillery on the line will be withdrawn first and placed near the rout by which we are to follow the Army.
As soon as Gen’ls Heth, Wilcox,& Mahone have taken up the line of march in the rear of Gn’l Field and passed sufficiently far to allow Gn’l Field to file off to the rear, Gn’l Field will follow the march bringing with him the artillery.
The movement will not be made until further orders, when Gn’l Field will be specifically instructed to retire his line as afore stated. This will be the signal for the officers to execute their movement.
Orders will be given for the withdrawal of the Artillery a little before the order for Gn’l Field movement.

By command of
Lt Gn’ Lonstreet
W.H. Palmer
Aag
------------------------------------------
N Va. Cav Div
April 7th 1865

Gen:
My success is complete.
I have captured everything except a few cavy that escaped by swimming the River- I killed the Yankee Gen Reid- Dearing is wounded- Major Thompson & Knoff and Col. Boston are killed- My loss however is slight- Half dozen Ambulances & all the armes have fallen into my hands.

Mu Comd is very much fatigued, and if possible should rest the remainder of the day.
Let me hear from you at once if you pleass- I will wait here till I hear from you.
Very Respy
Thos L Rosser
Maj G
Gen Longstreet
Please send Mahone
------------------------------------------------

3 ¼ pm 8th April
General,

General Lee directs me to say that there is no water on which you can encamp until you reach the one of the headwaters of the Appomattox about half a mile south of Day’s House, Gordon has gone two miles and a half beyond the stream mentioned. If you will let your troops know that they have but a short distance to march, they will move briskly and you will be able to get them a good rest and an opportunity to cook their suppers. The Gen. is now just south of the creek on which he wishes you to encamp and desires to see you if you can come.

Very resp yours ob serv
C. Marshall
Lt Col & aag


Lt. Gen. Longstreet
------------------------------------------------
Hdqrs
1st Army Corps
April 9th 1865
Circular
Gen Comdrs will prepare immediately list of the names & rank of each officer and man of their command for the purpose of completing the parole agreed upon today between Comdg offs of the C. S and U.S Armies.
Officers and men will be allowed to go to their homes and remain until regularly exchanged, carrying with them all private property.
Mahone
Field
Pickett
Comdg off Kershaw’s Div
Heth
Wilcox
Alexander

On the envelope (signed by)
Genl Order shown to
Maj Gen Field
Heth
Mahone
Wilcox

April 6th

Amelia Springs
6th April 4 ½ AM

General,

I desire you to move this morning to Rice’s Station as soon as practicable, hold that point, dispose your troops so as to allow the rest of the column to close upon you as far as possible, and try to accumulate provisions from the country & from Farmville. As you find the troops coming up, you can at the proper time move onto P. Ed. C.H. If you find it necessary to go through Farmville to reach P. Ed. C.H. the trains can supply themselves with provisions in passing through Farmville.
Very respy
Your obt Servt

R E Lee

General Longstreet
Gen1

A surgeon's asst. on a bridge?

I just had to share this. I am studying the 36th Wisconsin Infantry in preparation for a program I am presenting at the Kenosha Civil War Museum. I came across, at the WHS of course, an account from Walter Osgood Hart of the 36th, a surgeon’s assistant. In his section on 2nd Corps(his corps) movement to Deep Botom he offers the following explanation of his being a part of an image that was taken of the Deep Bottom Bridge. I’ve posted what I think is the photo above. Enjoy. NOTE: He calls himself the Plodder.

“That night, just before it began to get dark. Plodder was down by the pontoon bridge. Three or four others were there. A man came with a camera and was looking for a suitable place to stand it. The men talked with him, and he told them he was going to take a picture of the bridge, and they could go down on it and have their pictures taken if they wished. Plodder went with them, and while the others sat in the pontoons, he wanted to have it so that if he ever saw the picture he could recognize himself. He stood alone "in the middle of the —" wagon track. Fifty years later he was spending the evening at a home of his son's parishioners. He was shown a book of Civil War pictures, published by the artist who took them, a friend of the man we were visiting. Naturally he was interested, and eagerly viewed the pictures. In the latter part of the book he came upon a picture of the pontoon bridge across the James River, and there he saw himself standing thus conspicuously. He was sure it was the picture of himself because on his head was the hat he bought when in camp at Madison, Wisconsin. And so, gentle reader, if you ever come across that book, and see that picture you may be sure Plodder was there.”

Appomattox orders

I finally transcribed the orders I found at the Wisconsin HIstorical Society earlier this year. They are all confederate and cover the time from April 4 through April 9 of 1865. Enjoy.
Army of No Va
G. Qua rs 1 Army Corps
April 4, 1865

Gen Orders
No.

The Chief of Artillery will make arrangements at once to select a sufficient number of guns for each Corps to accompany the troops in the field. The remaining guns will be sent by rail if practicable from Amelia CH to Danville or to some point south of it. The horses of the guns with the troops will be reinforced from these.
The Chief of Qr. Mr. will make similar selections among the wagons and teams designating such as will be necessary to accompany the troops in the present reduced condition of the Army. The remaining wagons with weaker teams and all trains not needed with troops will proceed on the road from Thunstall’s Station via Painesville & Farmville on some other roads west of this, and across Staunton River at Cole’s Ferry or some other Ferry higher up,& thence on across the Dan River west of Danville into western North Carolina.

The weaker Artillery if it cannot be shipped by Rail, will proceed by the same route. A good officer will be placed in charge of the wagons and another in charge of the Artillery, who will have authority to impress such supplies as will be necessary and such fresh animals for the wagons and guns as are needed if they cannot be otherwise obtained leaving broken down animals in exchange.

By orders of Gen Lee
Sdg C. S. Venable
Aag


Official
Latrobe
Aag

Maj Gen G. E. Pickett

CHANCELLORSVILLE VISITOR CENTER (9)

Site of Jackson’s wounding and where the May 3rd assault resumed the area around the visitor center was a cauldron of war.

May 2nd
There was every indication of the rout and panic which had occurred. Wagons overturned, broken down gun carriages, loose horses and mules galloping her and there, squads of men gathered, regiment marching and counter marching, batteries galloping a across fields , the shrill tones of the bugle and the loud commands of the officers, indeed the whole line of battle had changed. Instead of facing southward, we were looking westward for the enemy to come down the very plank road which we came on from the Rapidan.
Van R. Willard, 3rd Wisconsin Infantry, Ruger’s Brigade Williams Division, 12th Corps

Confusion of battle and refuting the works being captured by confederates)
Sergeant Foxcroft of Co. G was left in charge of the property belonging to the men of his company. He distinctly saw the firing of the enemy on the right and witnessed the retreat of part of the eleventh corps. He remained in the works until dark when he gathered up all the haversacks, blankets, etc under his charge and piled them around the trunk of a tree about ten o’clock he noticed a body of troops, perhaps two regiments passing in front of the works. They approached him and the officer in command asked him where the line was. He cautioned the officer not to go too far to the right as the enemy were only about two hundred yards away. He(officer) proceeded in that direction however and drew fire from the enemy. Returning he again came to the sergeant and after asking him about the formation of the line started of in the direction of the twelfth corps, when he was checked by a severe fire from our line who mistook the troops for the enemy. The officer then went back to the works and halted his command and excitedly asked what troops those were. He (Foxcroft) was informed that they were part of Third Corps who had been sent to support the Eleventh Corps and the officer in command did not know until informed by Sergeant Foxcroft of the retreat of Howards (11th corps) troops.
Samuel Toombs, 13th New Jersey, Ruger’s Brigade, William’s Division, 12th Corps


I happened to hear of it that night, but it was not known to may of the soldiers. I was standing near some officers who were on horseback and heard them say something about general Jackson being wounded, and it surprised me so much that I stepped up to them and asked them if he was wounded badly. One of them replied that he was slightly wounded and told them to go back to my command.
John O Casler, 33rd Virginia


Stacked arms, made fires and ate supper which was taken from the Yanks, the best in some time. Crackers, ham and coffee. The Yanks had 8 days rations with them, 5 in the knapsack and 3 in the haversack.
Samuel Pickens Company D 5th Alabama

Jackson Wounded
The moon had risen, but her rays were rendered intermittent by scudding clouds. The darkness, the tangled undergrowth of the forest and the entrenchments and artillery of the enemy combined to arrest our progress. Those cannon of which I have spoken shelled the woods in which we lay, and what a cannonade it was! The trees and bushes trembled, the air was laden with the sulphurous fumes, the very earth seemed to quake under the impulse of exploding shells. There was however. More noise than execution; only one man of my company was struck, and his broken jaw was bout up by my handkerchief.
Captain Wayland Fuller Dunaway, 40th Virginia Infantry, Brockenbraugh’s Brigade, Heth’s Division

An Eyewitness Account of Stonewall Jackson's Wounding
H[ea]d Q[ua]r[ter]s 2nd Army Corps
[?] May 1863
Col. C. J. Faulkner,
A.A. Gen.

Sir,
At your request I will endeavor to give you a correct account of the manner in which Gen. [Thomas J.] Jackson was wounded. Gen. J. attacked the enemy in the rear near the Wilderness Church on the evening of the 2nd of May and drove the enemy before him till about 9 o'clock p.m. when the firing ceased. The road on which we were advancing ran nearly due east & west & our line extended across this road & at right angles to it, our front being towards Chancellorsville or facing east. The gallant [Brig. Gen. Robert E.] Rodes with his veterans drove the enemy at the rate of nearly two miles per hour, and cheer after cheer rent the air as our victorious columns drove the enemy from his chosen position. I have never seen Gen. J. seem so well pleased with his success as that evening—he was in unusually fine sprits and every time he heard the cheering of our men which is ever the signal of victory—he raised his right hand a few seconds as if in acknowledgement of the blessing and to return thanks to God for the victory. About 9 o'clock the firing ceased and all seemed quiet and Gen. J. ordered Maj. Gen. A. P. Hill to the front to relieve Gen. Rodes whose command had been engaged all the evening and who was consequently ordered back to the rear to rest his troops. Gen. J. now rode to the front and meeting Gen. R. said to him "Gen. I congratulate you and your command for your gallant conduct and I shall take pleasure in giving you a good name in my report," and rode on to the front passing Gen. Hill, who was in front getting his command in position & fortifying his line—Gen. J. ordered Capt. [James K.] Boswell, his Chief Engineer to report to Gen. Hill for orders and sent Capt. [James P.] Smith, his aide-de-camp off with orders. Maj. [Alexander S.] Pendleton, A. A. Gen. had previously been sent off with orders. I had just returned from carrying an order and had just reported that his order had been delivered, when he replied as is his custom "very good." So there was no one left with Gen. J at this time, but myself and Messrs. Wm. E. Cunliffe & W. T. Wynn of the Signal Corps, and Capt. [William F.] Randolph in charge of the few couriers present. Gen. J with this escort was now at about fifty or sixty yards more or less distance in advance of Gen. Hill who was in advance of his troops. Gen. [James H.] Lane's Brigade extended across the road just in the rear of Gen. Hill, and commended firing at us from the right for some cause I suppose taking us for the enemy and the firing extended unexpectedly along his whole line. When the firing commenced all our horses had been frightened and started off—some moving into the enemy's lines. At the first fire some of the horses were shot from under their riders and several persons killed or wounded. Mr. Cunliffe of the Signal Corps fell in a few feet of Gen. J., mortally wounded. Gen. J.'s horse dashed off in the opposite direction, that is to the left, at the first firing, as did all of the escort who escaped this fire & who could control their horses. I was at Gen. J.'s left side & kept there. When we had gotten about fifteen or twenty paces to the left of the road, we came up in a few yards of the troops of this same Brigade on the left of the road and received their fire, as the fire had by that time extended to the extreme left of the Brigade and it was by this last fire that Gen. J. was struck in three places, viz, in the left arm half way between the elbow & shoulder, in the left wrist, and in the palm of the right hand. The troops who fired at us did not appear to be more than thirty yards off, as I could see them though it was after 9 o'clock P.M. He held his reins in his left hand which immediately dropped by his side and his horse perfectly frantic dashed back into the road, passing under the limb of a tree which took off his cap, and ran down the road towards the enemy. I followed, losing my cap at the same bush—but before I could catch his horse & when about fifty yards from where he was wounded, he succeeded in getting his reins in his right hand—also disabled—and turned his head towards our lines and he then ran up the road. We were now so far in advance of our troops as to be out of their range. Just as his horse got within twenty paces of where we were first fired at—Mr. Wynn & myself succeeded in catching his horse and stopping him. The firing had now ceased and no one was in sight—save we three—Gen. J. looked up the road towards our troops apparently much surprised at being fired at from that direction, but said nothing. Just then Mr. Wynn saw a man on horseback near by and told him to "ride back & see what troops those are," pointing in the direction of our troops and he rode off at once—I then remarked, "those certainly must be our troops" and looked at Gen. J. to see what he would say, but he said nothing, though seemed to nodded assent to my remark. He continued looking up the road, standing perfectly still and uttered not a word till Mr. Wynn asked him if he was hurt much, when he replied "severely." I saw something must be done at once, and as I did not know whether he could ride back into our lines, I asked, "Gen. are you hurt very badly," he replied, "I fear my arm is broken." I then asked, "where are you struck," said he, "about half way between the elbow and shoulder." I asked, "Gen. are your hurt any where else," he replied, "yes, a slight wound in the right hand." I did not think from his looks that he could ride back into our lines for I saw he was growing very weak from loss of blood, nor did I know but what that same Brigade would fire at us again if we approached their line from that directions as we were then directly between our friends and the enemy, and if any difference nearest the enemy, and I was fearful the enemy might come up and demand our surrender as there was nothing to prevent it. I could not tolerate for one moment the idea of his falling into the enemy's hands. I then asked the question, "Gen. what should I do for you" when he said, "I wish you would see if my arm is bleeding much." I immediately dismounted, remarking, "try to work your fingers, if you can move your fingers at all the arm is not broken," when he tried & commented, "yes it is broken, I can't work my fingers." I then caught hold of his wrist and could feel the blood on his sleeve and gauntlet, and saw he was growing weak rapidly. I said, "Gen. I will have to rip your sleeve to get at your wound"—he had on an india rubber overcoat—and he replied "well you had better take me down too," at the same time leaning his body towards me—and I caught hold of him—he then said "take me off on the other side." I was then on the side of the broken arm & Mr. Wynn on the other. I replied and started to straighten on his horse to take him off on the other side, when he said "no, go ahead" and fell into my arms prostrated. Mr. Wynn took the right foot out of his stirrup & came around to my side to assist in extricating the left foot while I held him in my arms and we carried him a little ways out of the road to prevent our troops or any one who might come along the road from seeing him, as I considered it necessary to conceal the fact of his being wounded from our own troops, if possible. We laid him down on his back under a little tree with his head resting on my right leg for a pillow, and proceeded to cut open his sleeve with my knife. I sent Mr. Wynn at once for Dr. [Hunter] McGuire & an ambulance as soon as I ripped up the india rubber, I said to him that I would have to cut off most of his sleeve, when he said "that is right, cut away every thing." I then took off his opera glass & haversack which were in my way—remarking, "that it was most remarkable that any of us had escaped alive" & he said "yes it is providential." I was then under the impression that all the rest of the party accompanying him had been killed or wounded, which was not far from the truth. Gen. J. then said to me "Capt. I wish you would get me a skilful surgeon." I said "I have sent for Dr. McGuire and also an ambulance, as I am anxious to get you away as soon as possible, but as Dr. McGuire may be some distance off, I will get the nearest Surgeon to be found, in case you should need immediate attention," and seeing Gen. Hill approaching the spot where we were, I continued "there comes Gen. Hill, I will see if he can't furnish a Surgeon," and as Gen. H rode up, I said "Gen. H have you a surgeon with you, Gen. J. is wounded"—said Gen. H. "I can get you one" and turned to Capt. B[enjamin] W. Leigh who was acting aid de camp to him and told him to go to Gen. [Dorsey] Pender & bring his surgeon. Gen. H. dismounted and came to where Gen. J. was and said "Gen. I hope you are not badly hurt." Gen. J. "my arm is broken." Gen. H. "Do you suffer much." Gen. J. "it is very painful." Gen. Hill pulled off his gloves which were full of blood, and supported his elbow and hand, while I tied a handkerchief around the wound. The ball passed through the arm, which was very much swollen, but did not seem to be bleeding at all then, so I said, "Gen. it seems to have ceased bleeding, I will first tie a handkerchief tight around the arm" to which he said, "very good." I then said, "I will make a sling to support your arm," to which he replied, "if you please." About this time the Surgeon of Pender's Brigade, Dr. [Richard R.] Barr came up and Gen. Hill announced his presence to Gen. J. & Gen. H. offered a tourniquet to fold around the arm but as it was not bleeding at the time and seemed to be doing very well, it was not put on. The Surgeon went off a few minutes for some thing & Gen. J. then asked in a whisper "is that man a skillful surgeon." Gen. H. said, "he stands high in his Brigade, but he does not propose doing any thing—he is only here in case you should require immediate aid of a surgeon or till Dr. McGuire reaches you" Gen. J. "very good. ‘At this time Capt. [Richard H. T.] Adams, signal officer offered Gen. Hill whiskey for Gen. J.—which Gen. H. asked him to drink. He hesitated and I also asked him to drink it, adding that it would help him very much. Gen. J. "had you not better put some water with it"—which was the cause of his hesitation. Gen. H. and I both insisted on his drinking it so and taking water after it, which he did. I then said "Gen. let me pour this water over your wound," to which he said "yes, if you please, pour it so as to wet the cloth," which I did & asked "what can I do for your right hand" Gen. J. "don't mind that it is not a matter of minor consequence—I can use my fingers & it is not very painful." About this time Lts. Smith & [Joseph G.] Morrison came up and Lt. Smith unbuckled his sword & took it off. About this time Capt. Adams halted two Yankee skirmishers in a few yards of where Gen. J. lay and demanded their surrender. They remarked, "we were not aware that we were in your lines." Gen. Hill seeing this immediately hurried off to take command, saying to Gen. Jackson that he would conceal the fact of his being wounded. Gen. J. said, " yes, if you please." Lt. Morrison then reported that the enemy were in a hundred yards and advancing & said, "let us take the Gen. away as soon as possible." Some one then proposed that we take him in our arms, which Gen. J. said, "no, if you will help me up, I can walk." He was immediately raised and started off on foot with Capt. Leigh on his right side and some one, I am not sure who was on the left side to support him. When he walked a few paces he was placed on a litter borne by Capt. Leigh, Jno J. Johnson and two others whose names I am not certain of. Jno. J. Johnson of Co. "H" 22 Va. Battalion was wounded while performing this duty and his arm afterwards amputated at the socket. I could take no part in bearing the litter as I had not sufficient strength in my right arm to assist, in consequence of a wound received in a previous engagement, so I got on my horse and rode between Gen. J. and the troops who were moving down the road, to prevent if possible them seeing him and was leading a horse belonging to one of the litter bearers, which I also endeavored to keep between him & the troops in order to screen him more effectively. These troops seemed very anxious to see who it was that was wounded, they kept trying to see and asking me who it was, and seemed to think it was some Yankee officer as he was being brought from the front of our lines. To all of these questions I simply answered, "it is only a friend of mine." Gen. J. said "Capt. when asked just say it is a Confederate officer." One man was so determined to see who it was that he walked around me in spite of all I could do to prevent it & exclaimed in the most pitiful tone, "Great God that is old Gen. Jackson," when I said to him, "you mistake it is only a Confederate officer—a friend of mine." He looked at me in doubt & wanted to believe but passed on without saying any more. As soon as Gen. J. was place in the litter the enemy opened a terrific fire of musketry, shell, grape & C. which continued for about half an hour—to all of which Gen. J. was exposed. One of the litter bearers had his arm broken but did not let the litter fall—then another man just after this, fell with the litter, in consequence of getting his foot tangled in a vine. It was entirely accidental & he expressed great regret at it. Gen. J. rolled out & fell on his broken arm, causing it to commence bleeding again and very much bruising his side. He gave several most pitiful groans—but previous to this he made no complaint and gave no evidence of suffering much. After this he asked several times for sprits, which it was very difficult to get. He was much in need of a stimulant at this time as he was losing blood very fast. I went to a Yankee hospital near by and tried to get some sprits for him from their surgeons, but they had none. At this time Dr. McGuire & Maj. Pendleton got up & Dr. McGuire found him in an ambulance very much exhausted from loss of blood & he gave him some sprits—which seemed to revive him somewhat. He was then carried in the ambulance a mile or two to the rear. Just here Maj. P said to me "Capt W., Gen. Hill is slightly wounded in the leg and Gen. Rodes is in command & requests me to send for Gen. Lee & ask him to come here. I wish you would go to Gen. [Robert E.] Lee with this intelligence and send for Gen. [J. E. B.] Stuart. There are a plenty here to take care of Gen. J & you have done all you could do." I asked Capt. Randolph of the couriers to go for Gen. Stuart and he started for Gen. Stuart. I reached Gen. Lee about an hour before day and found him laying on the ground [a]sleep but as soon as I spoke to Maj. [Walter H.] Taylor, he asked who it was & when told, he told me to come & take a seat by him & give him all the news. After telling of the fight & victory, I told him Gen. J. was wounded—describing the wound—then he said, "thank God it is no worse, God be praised that he is yet alive." He then asked me some questions about the fight & said "Capt. any victory is dearly bought that deprives us of the services of Jackson even temporarily." When I returned to Gen J. his arm had been amputated & he was doing well.
Respectfully
R. E. Wilbourn
Capt. & Chief Signal Officer
2nd Army Corps http://www.vahistorical.org/jacksonwounding.htm


May 3rd attack
We charged through the wilderness about half a mile and halted behind the breastworks built by the enemy the night before. As soon as we passed the first line of breastworks which the enemy had built and had been driven from, the men on my right and left and front were falling rapidly. As I was advancing, one of my company was shot right in front of me. I passed over him but saw that he was dead by the time he struck the ground. Some of the company would holler out to me that they were wounded, what they must do, etc. I would tell them to get to the rear. I could not stop to care for these poor fellows.
William Norman, 2nd North Carolina, Ramsuer’s Brigade, Rodes Division, Jackson’s Corps

We lay here only a few moments. General Ramsuer sprang upon a log and gave the command, forward and charge them boys, charge them!” We gave a cheer and rushed across the line of breastworks. Our ranks were so thinned by this that we could not hold our position very long, but reinforcements came up, and again the enemy was driven form his strong position in confusion. Our brigade fell back to reform and let fresh troops take our place

During the assault Colonel Edwards walked on top of the works waving his sword to encourage the men and was shot through the shoulder. When he was brought back I helped him out of the ambulance and expressed sympathy for him which caused him to shed tears but he said nothing. Colonel Perrin was brought back shot through the body and General McGowen was struck below knee while standing upon the works.
Spencer Glasgow Welch, 13th South Carolina Surgeon, McGowan’s Brigade, AP Hills Division, Jackson’s Corps

The next morning every one knew that the most terrible battle of the war must begin. We marched slowly down the road, all the time under fire of several batteries of the enemy. We at first went on the left of the plank road, thinking that the main body of the enemy were posted there but soon we found out from the pressure on our right that it was the enemy’s strongest point so we had to cross the road covered by the enemy’s cannon… General Paxton was shot through the heart from which he died shortly afterwards. A piece of shell struck my knapsack, but was too spent to hurt me. We went about a quarter mile to the left and took position behind the front line of the enemy’s breastwork from which they had just before been driven. As soon as we were in line, our guns primed and bayonets fixed, General Stuart called out the old stonewall brigade to follow, we went over the breastworks with a yell which was answered by a shower of leaden hail. Feeling that perhaps at the time prayers were going up at home for our protection I became almost unconscious of danger though me were falling fast and thick around me. We halted and commenced firing at the enemy about one hundred yards distant. Colonel Terry gave the order to fall back.
Ted Barclay 4th Virginia, (Paxton’s Stonewall) Brigade


Two confederate batteries galloped up to our line, and , unlimbering, opened upon the battery in the yard( Chancellor Yard) at close range. There were in the southern army many soldiers in their teens, but here at one of the guns labored a boy who was, as I guessed from his size, not more than twelve years old. It was his part to fire the gun by pulling the lanyard, and as often as he did it he playfully rolled over backwards. Boys will be boys.
Captain Wayland Fuller Dunaway, 40th Virginia Infantry, Brockenbraugh’s Brigade, Heth’s Division