Category Archives: Civil War

Civil War

William H. Carney, 54th Massachusetts Volunteers

 

William H. Carney of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteers was born a slave in Norfolk Virginia. His father was able to make good his escape and years later was able to purchase his family’s freedom. William spent the rest of his childhood in New Bedford Massachusetts and with the Civil War playing out in the background on February 17, 1863 he joined the 54th Massachusetts one of the first “colored” units in the Federal Army.

Colored troops had been used up to this point on both sides of the conflict, mainly as manual labor. For the North the question as to whether or not they could fight as well as white man was something openly discussed. When the 54th was formed men such as William were ready and desperate to fight but they were seen mainly as tokens. One of Williams compatriots in the 54th wrote the following, “There is not a man in the regiment that does not appreciate the dangers, and maybe ignoble death that awaits him if captured and when a thousand men are fighting for their very existence, who dare say them men wont fight determinedly?”

On 18 July 1863 the 54th  and William had their chance at Ft. Wagner in South Carolina. While the unit was devastated they proved themselves to many people that day. The question of whether they would fight was answered with blood and steel. William would survive the battle and finish his enlistment.

The picture above is of his uniform and shows a good idea of what the standard 1863 Federal uniforms looked like.

Civil War, Movie Reviews

Movie Review: The Civil War: A Film by Ken Burns

The Civil War: A Film by Ken Burns

 

Originally aired on PBS in 1990 this nine part documentary is simply put The Civil War. From the shadows of the beginning to the fires of the end it takes you through the story of the war. One of the best things is that it uses the words of the participants, letters, journals, speeches, their own words to put a true human face on the terrible conflict.

The voices are brought to life by some of the top talent at the time. Sam Waterson, Jason Robards, Morgan Freeman, Garrison Keillor and others that you would recognize such as Jeremy Irons, Derek Jacobi and Lawrence. Just a few of a large cast that makes the words the focus of the story.

The best parts? The music. It is haunting and stays with you. The stories that the people tell and hearing their own words.

Not so great? It is a documentary not an action film. It is light on details of the battles, but that is not the focus.

Without reservation the documentary is recommended for all levels of historical knowledge. If you want a primer on this Civil War thing you have been hearing about, start here and dig down. If you are an expert on the subject, watch it again and you may still find something you missed. See if you can catch some of the things that ave changed in the study of the Civil War in the 26 years since it has been released.

Get it. As always click ion the link to go and buy it if you don’t have it!

 

Civil War

The Polls Are Closed – Revisited

The Polls Are Closed

How fortunate that this post falls on the day that we as US citizens elect the next President. I had been trying to figure out what to post on this incredible tumultuous election day when I realized that this post already had captured what I wanted to say. No matter how the election turns out, no matter if your person wins or losses when you wake up on Wednesday morning you will still be an American and that puts you in a better place than most people in the world. What we do in the future as a people is up to us and always remember, those that we elect work for us and are accountable to us. That said enjoy this blast from the past:

The American Republic has always been a tenuous thing. In the Fall of 1864 is was undergoing one of its most dire tests as the Civil War raged on.  The war had been going on for over three years and the outcome was far from decided.

President Lincoln had led the United States through the early defeats at the hands of the Confederacy and was only now begging to see the end of the conflict in sight. There was one more obstacle ahead of him that even he was not sure what the outcome would be. 1864 brought the next Presidential Election, and the election was going to happen in spite of the war.

Opposing President Lincoln would be General George B. McClellan, a man who Lincoln had put in charge of the army twice. McClellan ran as a Democrat on the platform that they would negotiate a peace and end the war. While his actual skills in battle are up for debate, one thing that was not was the fact that his men loved him. It was felt that the support he had with the Army would give him enough votes to defeat Lincoln and end the war.

Besides the fact that the election was being held during a time of war, this election would be the first time that soldiers in the field would be able to vote. The poll book in the picture is the method that this was carried out.  Even in the throes of a civil war, the people would be heard from.

Against expectations almost 70% of the army voted for Lincoln and in effect a continuation of the war. Lincoln won the election handily by over 400,000 popular votes, winning all but three states that participated.

Without that victory the outcome of the war may have been completely different, and with it the fate of our country.

For more details on the 1864 election visit this site US History.Org

 

Book Reviews, Civil War

Book Review: William Tecumseh Sherman: In the Service of My Country: A Life

General William Tecumseh Sherman was a man who falls into the category of having been at the right place at the right time. He missed out on the action of Th Mexican War and lamented a careering a military that never seemed to be quite enough, but was also the only life he felt he was capable of living. This biography ranks very high up in the list of the ones about this man. It may not change how you think of him, but seeing his story on its own and not part of a larger narrative does give you a bit of an understanding.
That is the highest praise that can be given about this book, It gives you more details than you ever had before and you get to see Sherman as a man who made tough decisions, right and wrong, and lived with their consequences. Having always believed himself that his campaign from Savannah and into North Carolina was hundred time more harrowing than his march through Georgia you get to feel his frustration and the later was the one most celebrated. You also get to grieve with the man who lost a number of children, whom he did love greatly and walk with him as the Civil War tore the Union apart. The life of Sherman is made all the more fascinating in contrast to the death that always seemed to be hovering near him.

James Lee McDonough tells this story and tells it well. With a subject like Sherman you can expect it to never be boring and McDonough does a good job of capturing the General’s spirit. In one passage near the end the author tells of Sherman, having outlived many of his famous military contemporaries, spent more and more time at funerals for the men that he fought alongside and even sometimes against. While the first part of book tells a tale a man of his time, the last part is about a man who time has passed on.

There is a reason that “Uncle Billy”, as his men called him, remains the quintessential American warrior. Few ever fought as hard or as steadfast and few will ever refuse to fade like the old warhorse. This book goes a long way to explaining why.
Civil War

The Confederate Navy

The Confederate States of America started life in a pretty good position. Having just broken away from the United States it pretty much had a template for a central government, a government infrastructure to start with and even a decent economy. Building an army to defend all of it was not even much of a challenge as tens of thousands of men flocked to the colors. There was however one area that they were going to lag far behind, they needed a navy.

In February 1861 the Confederate Navy had 30 ships of which only 13 were actually considered seaworthy. This was compared to the US that had over 90 ships in their fleet. They would never really catch up so they relied on technology and tactics to make up the lost ground.

The Confederate Navy would pioneer the use of ironclads and submarines and even a rough version of the torpedo (mines).  As the United States Navy attempted to control the rivers and coast of the Confederacy and implement a blockade against them the rebels fought the best they could, but soon focused their naval efforts on two fronts.

Running the blockade with war supplies, luxury items and other sundries was their lifeline and the navy was tasked helping to make that possible. Then of course were the privateers who became the living embodiment of the struggle on the seas as they made the US economy bleed.

Eventually the Confederate Navy would number over a hundred ships with names such as Virginia, Alabama and the infamous CSS Shenandoah who fought on after the war only surrendering her colors in November 1865, five full months after the war had ended.

 

Civil War

History in a Hat

 

In the distance of this photo sitting on the red background in an alarmed case, under lock and key and in constant sight of a museum worker is a very distinct and special historical artifact.  One of several stove-pipe hats that belonged, and was actually worn by, President Abraham Lincoln.

The tall black hat, usually felt sometimes silk, seemed somehow to make the tall man even taller. He was easily picked out of a crowd while wearing that hat and at least once the hat possibly saved his life.

See, in August 1864 with the Civil War in full swing President Lincoln was not a very popular man in some circles. In a time  before the Secret Service and twenty-four hour protection Lincoln too his life in his hands every time he stepped way from the White House. On this night he was riding his horse to the Soldiers Home, a small stone cottage a few miles north of Washington DC. Lincoln would spend time there sometimes when the pressure of the war would get to him during the summers.  Suddenly a shot rang out from the side of the road and the President’s hat flew off.

Private John W. Nichols of the Pennsylvania 150th Volunteers was standing guard duty at the Soldiers Home that night and witnessed the bareheaded President come riding down the road and through the gates. Later soldiers found the missing hat with a bullet hole just above the crown. It would seem that in the low light the would be assassin could not see where Lincoln’s head ended and his hat began.

The hat above is not that one but the story is still kind of neat. It should be mentioned that you are not allowed to take pictures inside the exhibit where the hat is currently being shown.  This pic was taken from a hallway and timed perfectly so that the wandering Docent didn’t see it. The things I do for you people…

 

 

Civil War

Red Pants and a Funny Name

In April 1861 The Confederate States of America fired on the Federal position at Ft. Sumter in Charleston Harbor. The war that had been simmering for years finally boiled over. The United States was split and the Civil War was underway. President Lincoln sent the call out for 75,000 volunteers to assist in putting down the rebellion. After putting out the order he reached out to one of his acquaintances, Elmer Ellsworth who deliver to him the 11th New York Zouaves whose baggy red pants you see in the (grainy) picture above.

in 1830 the French Army created the first of the Zouave light infantrymen regiments in Algeria. The first regiments were mixed Berber, Arab, Black and European volunteers who were known for fierce fighting and their unique uniforms. High boots, baggy pants and long sleeves, a very distinct look that became adopted by regiments in many countries.

Elmer Ellsworth in the United States had been touring a drill company across the country prior to the start of the Civil War. Demonstrating military drill and maneuvers in the bright and gaudy Zouave uniforms they put on quite a show. When President Lincoln reached out to him Ellsworth was in New York already putting together his regiment. He recruited from the volunteer fire departments from the city and put together a full strength regiment of 1,100 men, When the allotted money  for the regiment ran out they raised almost $60,000 to complete their fitting out including brand new red baggy pants and high-tech Sharpe’s rifles.

The 11th New York took place in the First Battle of Bull Run being in the worst of the fighting but maintaining enough cohesion to act as the rear guard of the retreating army.  The survivors would be sent back to New York to be refitted and to get replacements and would be sent to Virginia during the Peninsula Campaign. Ellsworth was killed in action very early in the war but the regiment would go on until June of 1862 when the regiment was mustered out of the service.

During the course of the war there were a number of Zouave regiments formed, both North and South. The unique uniforms will always be a reminder of the early days of the war and the enthusiasm that each side felt. Until the bullets started flying that is.

 

Civil War

A Victory for Conservation at Gettysburg

The house in the photo (next to the cannon) is the  Mary Thompson House in Gettysburg, PA. In 2015 the house and grounds were purchased by the Civil War Trust and the effort was undertaken to return the house and the grounds to what they were in July 1864 when the town of Gettysburg became the site of the largest battle ever fought in North America.

Before the restoration work could be done in earnest several things needed to be done. First a Quality Inn that stood on the grounds needed to be torn down, honestly no real loss there.  Behind the house, not pictures (sorry I was on a bus that was moving) is a restaurant and brew pub which will be removed. This provides quite a challenge as it butts right up against the house in the rear.

Once that is done they will start (have started) remaking the landscape surrounding the house to way that it originally stood. Luckily there are a number of photos from about the right time as well as artist renderings. It should be noted that with the purchase the house has received a permanent easement for the first time and will be secure for many generations to come.

It is very important to note that when the Trust purchased the property on January 7, 2015 it did so with nearly 4.5 million dollars that were raised by private contributions. This was truly a piece of history saved by the people and for the people.

Oh, I nearly forgot. What makes this house so important? Well on the evening of July 1st, 1864 in the aftermath of the first days battle General Robert E. Lee arrived at the house and made it his headquarters for the rest of the battle.  We should all agree that for the sake being able to show future generations the story of those three days in July that was money well spent and victory for the cause of conservation.

Want to know more about the Civil War Trust? Maybe donate? Click here. We at Historia Militaris are members and always contribute whenever we can to this worth cause.

Civil War, Uncategorized

200th Post – Manassas, Poll Results and Our Future Plans

For our 200th post I wanted to show what I thought was an amazing sight. This picture was taken at Manassas National Battlefield Park at the location of the Confederate artillery line during he battle.  If you follow the cannon you will see they go off into the distance, I believe there were thirteen total. The Civil War was fought before we had movie cameras that could capture events and often accounts of the battle would take days or weeks to reach the families of those that participated. For the men that fought them there was always a struggle to tell their story.

Some men of course were good with the words and that is how we know what we know, but many more never got to tell the story of their experiences. It is those that feel that I always feel for the most when I stand at one of these historic locations. North and South combined totaled about 870 killed in action on the day of what would be the first of many battles. A little more than a year later at Antietam almost 23,000 died. The scale was just amazing.

So on this day I stood on the Confederate line trying to imagine what they saw and heard as cannons roared and men shouted. It is important to never forget those that died or those that lived. For 200 post I have tried to tell their stories from all of America’s wars. The mundane and the extraordinary. I hope that you have found it entertaining and worth while and that you would be willing to share this blog with your friends and family.

So the pool that I put up a couple of weeks ago regarding new features for the blog is closed and oddly enough we ended up with a three-way tie. You voted for more book reviews, military movie reviews and shorter articles. So as we move into the 200 this is what we are going to do.

One week a month will be considered review week. The Tuesday post will be a book review, the Thursday post will be a movie review. As always we will stick to the theme of American Military History. Wednesday we will have a little fun and post a word of military origin and a brief look at its etymology (word history). They’ll be brief but will add a little flavor.

So that is our plan moving forward. Thank you all for helping us grow our audience. Here is to another 200!

Book Reviews, Civil War

Book Review: Our Man In Charleston

One of the things I have always been fascinated about in regards to the American Civil War was the role that Great Britain played during the conflict. I will say in all honesty that in looking into that role my thoughts of views have been changed. This book takes that understanding to a new level.

At the center of the account is Robert Bunch who served as the British consul in Charleston staring several years before the war. He was staunchly anti-slavery but found that in order to actual do his job he had to put up a front to the people of the South and hide behind a false sense that he was not only a supporter of slavery, but one that was sympathetic to the southern cause.

As America spiraled towards war Bunch maintained that facade, all the while sending letters back home that provided insight into the South and its culture. Information that would go a long way towards keeping Britain from taking a more active role in the war. Eventually he was so successful in ingratiating himself into the Southern cause that he was targeted by the Union authorities and was pursued as a spy.

Dickey tells Bunch’s story in way very reminiscent of a spy novel, which makes it intriguing and even tense at times. He provides a different view of many well-known historical events ranging from the 1860 Democratic Convention that split the country and later the nation, to the first shots fired on Ft. Sumter. Bunch was there and we see these events through the eyes of man who sees the world-changing before his eyes, but is alone in a sea of chaos where even the slightest crack in his facade could mean death.

A very good and well told story. Very recommended even if you are not a Civil War person but like a good spy tryst.  You may not know who Robert Bunch is at the start, but by the end you will have admiration for the man.

As always books I review are available through Amazon by clicking on the image of the book cover above!