Tag Archives: CivilWar

We Need More Men…

Recruiting Posters Looking for more Men.

We Need More Men…

 

Prior to April 1861 the United States Army numbered around 16,000.  Of the 197 companies that compromised that army 179 were posted on the frontier in the West, the remainder stood guard on the Mississippi River, the long border with Canada and along the east coast.

As tensions between the North and South started to rise things in the army got tense. Oddly enough no steps were taken to prepare for the war that was to come. Many people never believed that fighting would actually break out. Some thought that if it did it would be over quickly.

With Lincolns election and the secession of several Southern states,  it seemed that the hopes for a peaceful resolution were fading. Along with the rest of the country the regular army was torn asunder. Enlisted men and officers returned home to prepare for what was to come.

On the heels of the secession movement, President Lincoln put out a call for 75,000 volunteers to put down the “insurrection”. These men would serve for three months. Unfortunately this call for troops drove most of the remaining border states to join the Confederacy. As the cold war turned hot and it was obvious the three-month enlistments would not suffice. Lincoln put out another call for volunteers. This time for three years or the duration of the war.

At first men flocked to the banner and filling the quotas was not difficult to do. Before long the volunteers dried up.  Both sides would  resort to drafts to the fill the massive manpower requirements.  In the end almost 2.5 million men would serve in the army during the war. Over the course of the war almost 360,000 died and almost 300,000 wounded.

 

 

 

The Union Officer In the Civil War

 

The desk above was one of the nerve centers of the Union Army. From here the officers would write their orders to their men, read the correspondence from men above and below their ranks and basically conduct the war.  These simple boxes would be carried on a wagon and placed on a table when the unit stopped for the night and the commander was ready to work until all hours.

When the Civil War started the entire United State Army was about 15,000 men, most of which were posted out west. Of those were about 1,000 officers. Out of those about 140 would actually become generals during the course of the war. These officers were considered “regular army” and  often found themselves in conflict with another group of officers.

When President Lincoln put out his call for troops from the States in 1861 the states that remained in the Union called up their militia units and put them at he disposal of the Federal government.  Officers at the regimental level and above were appointed by the governor. These men and officers of the militia were considered separate from the regular army and carried the designation “volunteers”.

Interestingly enough some officers would actually hold two ranks. One if the regular US Army and one in the Volunteer Army. This was due to the use of the “brevet” system, basically a temporary or honorary promotion to a superior rank.  For example, you may be a captain of a regular regiment, but for a specific campaign and due to good service you are “breveted” to colonel of volunteers so that you could command more men. The regular army rank is always considered the superior of the two.

Interesting enough a number of Union officers were foreign nationals that came to fight in the war and even several Native Americans joined the officer corps. So when you look at that desk above you never know who may have sat there all you can say for sure is that the army was led by a wide variety of men from every walk of life,

Book Review: City of Sedition: The History of New York City during the Civil War

In City of Sedition by John Strausbaugh the main character is the city of New York and the main setting is the Civil War. One of the things that drew me to this book was wanting to know more about the 1863 draft riots in the city and what led up to them. While that topic is covered very well this book goes a long way to provided a much richer and fuller history of the city and its role in not only the years leading up to the war, but its role during the conflict and in the country in general at the time.

Everything you would expect in a story about New York is there. Crooked politicians, war profiteering, immigrant struggles and possible out right treason at times. What makes this story so unique though is that by focusing on one city you get a new perspective on that city and what it contributed to the war effort. In the opening chapters the relationship between New York and the Southern states is laid plain, and the difficulty that was had balancing the commercial side of its identity with the growing abolitionist movement in the North in the Ante Bellum era. The commercial ties are the most dynamic as at one point after the South seceded there was actual talk of New York City itself leaving the Union in order to form a “neutral” entity. Pretty cool stuff.

It’s the little stories like that set this book a part and effective show how no other city in the country gave so much to the war effort, but also stood do strongly against it. The cast of characters is as wide and diverse as the city itself. Horace Greely, to Boss Tweed, Herman Mellville to Walt Whitman, Dan Sickles to Benjamin Butler all play wide and very roles in the drama. Never one does the book seemed bogged down, which in something so full of detail and heft would be easy to do.

This book is highly recommended and it doesn’t matter if you are a Civil War person or just find the history of New York City fascinating. there is plenty in this book to make it worthwhile and the author does a great job in guiding you through the alleys, churches and slums of the city. As always you can click on the cover image above to go right to the book on Amazon.

The Grand Army of the Republic

The Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization founded by members of the Union Army that served in the Civil War.  It was founded in 1866 in Decatur, Illinois and at its height would have hundreds of chapters all across the United States.  (Yes, even in the South!).

They started as a social group but soon became one the first political advocacy groups in the country. By the time it was dissolved,  the organization had advocated for voting rights for black veterans, lobbying Congress for veteran pensions, creating the Memorial Day holiday and setting standards for patriotic  education. They of course dedicated and were responsible for many of the Civil War monuments in the country.

Mostly though it became a strong Republican voting block and with a membership in the 1890’s of almost 400,000, it wielded immense power. In fact since its founding five US Presidents were members of the organization: US Grant, Rutherford B Hayes, James Garfield, Benjamin Harrison and William McKinley.

Since membership was limited to those that actually served in the war eventually the organization reached a natural end. In 1956 the last  living member (Albert Woolson of Minnesota) passed and the organization was dissolved.  Its main roles were then undertaken by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War that still runs today.

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.

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!

 

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.

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…

 

 

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.

 

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.