The American Battlefield Trust is America's largest non-profit organization (501-C3) devoted to the preservation of our nation's endangered Civil War, Revolutionary War, and War of 1812 battlefields. The Trust also promotes educational programs and heritage tourism initiatives to inform the public of the wars' history and the fundamental conflicts that sparked it. Our office is located in Washington, D.C.
Grants casualties were much worse. Grant pulled up to the North Anna with 68k men when he had 118k a few weeks ago. Evidence should point out that expiring enlistments were minimal at this point, and eyewitnesses state Warren was purposefully underreporting the losses in his corps. - Grant was called "the butcher" by fellow Northerners, not Southerners.
These tiny regiments he speaks over were customary in the Union Army. For political purposes, they kept creating new units rather than using individual replacements to fill out veteran units. This made lots and lots of new colonels (Shaw went from captain, to colonel of the 54th) but weak, no-experience, new units. A northern brigade started with four regiments of 500 men, but to keep that 2,000 men per brigade they had to keep adding remnant regiments. . If you read "One of Jackson's Foot Cavalry" by John H. Worsham, he had the same experience in battle after battle; the Union regiments could not stand in a fire-fire against his unit. His regiment was finally destroyed late in the war on a very wet day and their powder wouldn't fire; they were out-numbered and over-run.
Grant had been a quartermaster, he understood how to keep an army supplied and the importance of supplies. Lee's army was hungry and short on everything with no relief possible. Time was on the union side. After the reelection of Lincoln the war was over, it was criminal of Davis and Lee to continue it.
I had a cousin who lived in Vicksburg who worked at the Corps of Engineers river research facility and I've been all over the battle site and have seen the Cairo up close many times
very entertaining guys! you managed to reference Monty Python, Bob Ross and the Blues Brothers all in one Battle of Chancellorsville video. Go figure, LOL
If there’s any place that embodies the futility of war, this campaign is an excellent example. Lee lost too many men he couldn’t replace. Grant knew that and exploited it for the final year of the war.
I’ve been to Sedgwick grave. I don’t think much has changed there since his burial. They have an appropriate memorial for him in front of the cemetery as well.
Again, I can't thank you enough. What a great summation of a monumental struggle. Also, great to see Sarah IN FRONT of the camera. I hope to see more from her.
This has been such an amazing series! It has been years since I visited Spotsylvania Courthouse...watching this series just makes me want to load up the family and go visit it again. Thank you all so much.
Gentlemen, I enjoyed your conversation about Pickett's charge and would like to add my own opinion for consideration. As a Christian pastor serving in England, I had the opportunity to visit the battle of Waterloo site. For an amateur historian this was fascinating. years later, I stood at the point where you are all sitting and could not help to see the similarities to Waterloo. Allow me to list them: - the ending battle in both locations happened between 2 farm complexes - the French, like the Confederates, had a long way to go and had to move slightly uphill - the British and the Union soldiers were in a protected position: the British behind a small crest of a hill and the Union soldiers behind a stone wall. - the preceding artillery bombardment was ineffectual both for the French and Confederates. Napoleon was considered at that time as he greatest general in history. Every soldier who went through West Point, or any other military college, would have studied all his battles. Lee is no exception, which begs the question you all were discussing. Why would he do this knowing what he knew and with Longstreet insisting that it would end in failure? I cannot imagine that Lee did not see the similarities. this is what I believe: Lee was a Christian and had to believe he was doing God's will. I suspect that at this battle his doubts were surfacing. Was this rebellion really God's will? How to know if it is? Perhaps he looked at the similarities with the ground before him with what Napoleon faced and thought, "If I can succeed where the greatest of generals failed then I must be in God's will". It is recorded historically that as the men retreated, he apologized to them claiming it was his fault. it is also clear that after Gettysburg Lee lost heart and finally surrendered. for your consideration. Alan Elliott
My family men from Louisiana and Texas and Mississippi were all killed only the women and orhpans left they died for the 10 amendment we never had slaves
Indeed, precision in timekeeping is paramount, especially when commitments are made. It's disheartening when expectations aren't met, particularly when the discrepancy is as precise as a few seconds. It speaks to the importance of integrity and honoring one's word. Even though the difference between 4 minutes and 3 minutes 44 seconds may seem negligible to some, for those who value punctuality and honesty, it can be a significant letdown. It's a reminder that small details matter, and staying true to what was promised builds credibility and trust in any interaction or agreement.
The infamous Union attack in the Mule Shoe and the Angle the battle occurs in a rainstorm? Col Emory Upton's attack! A Sheldon Cooper of the AOTP, the taking of Confederate fortifications and trenches some?
I wanted to get your opinion on something. I was wondering how cannoneers communicated with each other during battle? I thought they used flags, but the smoke would be so thick, I thought a buhle , but bkasts would be too loud. Just something I've always wondered about. Thank you.
My Great Great Alexander Pierre (A.P) Allain Was There With the 5th company Washington artillery so was his Brother Villeneufve Francois Allain VF Allain aka “Fatty”
An Ancestor of mine served in Company F 24th Michigan Infantry Regiment and was seriously wounded on July 1,1863 at Gettysburg. His name was Corporal Levi Freeman who is a distant cousin. He survived his wounding and lived into the 20th Century.
