Even from the grave the treacherous hand of the Confederacy reaches forth to take our great President from us. The assassin, John Wilkes Booth, should not be allowed to die a single death but many for the horrendous deed that he hath committed. Seeing that victory was beyond their reach, the Confederates resolved to injure us in the worst way possible, to take our great leader from us.
Not only did they decide to take away our beloved President, they desired to cripple us in every way possible. That very day, there was an attempt on Secretary of State, Mr. Seward. He was stabbed but survived. His son, however, is said to have been fatally wounded.
Is this how the South deals with defeat? When we show them kindness when they surrender, they decide to stab us while we turn to go home? No, this cannot be said of all of the South. I believe that General Lee and the Confederate Army would not stoop to such low means. It may be a man of the South who was responsible for such a deed but he did not speak for all the South.
Source:
Memoirs of General W.T. Sherman
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Appomattox
"The General commanding announces to the army that he has official notice from General Grant that General Lee surrendered to him his entire army, on the 9th inst., at Appomattox Court-House, Virginia.
Glory to God and our country, and all honor to our comrades in arms, toward whom we are marching!
A little more labor, a little more toil on our part, the great race is won, and our Government stands regenerated, after four long years of war." (Sherman, 12 April, 1865)
April 12, 1865
-W.T. Sherman, Major-General commanding
Source:
Memoirs of General W.T. Sherman
Glory to God and our country, and all honor to our comrades in arms, toward whom we are marching!
A little more labor, a little more toil on our part, the great race is won, and our Government stands regenerated, after four long years of war." (Sherman, 12 April, 1865)
April 12, 1865
-W.T. Sherman, Major-General commanding
Source:
Memoirs of General W.T. Sherman
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Fall of Vicksburg
Thank God this accursed siege is finally over! We have spent over three months here in Mississippi. Our four attempts to bypass Vicksburg have yield unsuccessful results. General Grant irgnored McPherson's and my advice to fall back to Memphis and to advance over land. He sent me to attack Snyder's Bluff with gunboats and an infantry division.
General Grant sent me with the Army of Tennessee across the Mississippi River at Grand Gulf. McPherson and I managed to capture Jackson on the 14th of May. While McPherson was sent to intercept Pemberton's forces, I was ordered to destroy the railroads and industrial facilities of Jackson.
On the 18th of May my forces closed in on the city of Vicksburg. The next day at 2:00 PM, I tried overtaking the Confederates at Graveyard Road but this proved to be unsuccessful. I had my troops fall back under the cover of dark that night. For the next two months, we laid siege to Vicksburg. Pemberton finally surrendered to our forces on the 4th of July.
This has been a major blow to the Confederate forces. We plan on using this victory as a stepping stone towards end of this war and reuniting of this nation.
Source:
The Civil War Battlefield Guide edited by Frances H. Kennedy
Memoirs of General W.T. Sherman
General Grant sent me with the Army of Tennessee across the Mississippi River at Grand Gulf. McPherson and I managed to capture Jackson on the 14th of May. While McPherson was sent to intercept Pemberton's forces, I was ordered to destroy the railroads and industrial facilities of Jackson.
On the 18th of May my forces closed in on the city of Vicksburg. The next day at 2:00 PM, I tried overtaking the Confederates at Graveyard Road but this proved to be unsuccessful. I had my troops fall back under the cover of dark that night. For the next two months, we laid siege to Vicksburg. Pemberton finally surrendered to our forces on the 4th of July.
This has been a major blow to the Confederate forces. We plan on using this victory as a stepping stone towards end of this war and reuniting of this nation.
Source:
The Civil War Battlefield Guide edited by Frances H. Kennedy
Memoirs of General W.T. Sherman
Battle of Gettysburg
This battle has proven to be monumental in our efforts to reunite this nation. I must congratulate General Meade on his decisive victory. President Lincoln made the right choice in choosing you to lead the forces of the Potomac. The loss of 23000 men is no small loss. I hope that in the future we shall limit this number, though I doubt it is likely to happen.
General Lee, you underestimated Meade's forces. Word of General Pickett's charge has reached my ears and I cannot help but laugh at your idiocy. That you actually thought it would be successful is quite amusing.
While Meade was beating Lee's troops, my troops were under the command of General Grant at the siege of Vicksburg. Each our assaults have yielded the same unsuccessful results. General McClernand had the audacity to claim that General McPherson and myself were responsible for him losing his ground at two lunettes. For this, he was discharged of his position and General Ord has succeeded him. I see victory within reach but it will be a long and bloody uphill climb.
Source:
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/gtburg.htm
The Civil War Battlefield Guide edited by Frances H. Kennedy
Memoirs of General W.T. Sherman
General Lee, you underestimated Meade's forces. Word of General Pickett's charge has reached my ears and I cannot help but laugh at your idiocy. That you actually thought it would be successful is quite amusing.
While Meade was beating Lee's troops, my troops were under the command of General Grant at the siege of Vicksburg. Each our assaults have yielded the same unsuccessful results. General McClernand had the audacity to claim that General McPherson and myself were responsible for him losing his ground at two lunettes. For this, he was discharged of his position and General Ord has succeeded him. I see victory within reach but it will be a long and bloody uphill climb.
Source:
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/gtburg.htm
The Civil War Battlefield Guide edited by Frances H. Kennedy
Memoirs of General W.T. Sherman
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Fight at Chancellorsville
The outcome at Chancellorsville is truly a blow to the cause of the Union. The loss of 17000 men is no small number. Though I believe General Hooker to be a great commander and capable leader, he was against two of the best commanders of the Confederate army.
After passing through Chancellorsville, I found it difficult not to laugh at the fortifications that had been constructed. My men and I had faced worse during our campaigns in the west. I must admit that seeing these "fortifications" has made me forget my anger with Halleck.
The only good thing to come out of that battle was that the Confederates lost one of their best commanders. Jackson proved to be a great thorn in the side of the Union army. The fact that he was shot by his own men comes to be surprise but something that would prove to be beneficial to our cause.
Sources:
The Civil War Battlefield Guide edited by Frances H. Kennedy
http://americancivilwar.com/statepic/va/va032.html
Sherman: A Soldier's Passion for Order by John F. Marszalek
Memoirs of W.T. Sherman
After passing through Chancellorsville, I found it difficult not to laugh at the fortifications that had been constructed. My men and I had faced worse during our campaigns in the west. I must admit that seeing these "fortifications" has made me forget my anger with Halleck.
The only good thing to come out of that battle was that the Confederates lost one of their best commanders. Jackson proved to be a great thorn in the side of the Union army. The fact that he was shot by his own men comes to be surprise but something that would prove to be beneficial to our cause.
Sources:
The Civil War Battlefield Guide edited by Frances H. Kennedy
http://americancivilwar.com/statepic/va/va032.html
Sherman: A Soldier's Passion for Order by John F. Marszalek
Memoirs of W.T. Sherman
Monday, January 26, 2009
Emancipation Proclamation
Though I agreed that you are the best person to lead this country, President Lincoln, I cannot wholly agree with the decision that you have made. The institution of slavery is a something that should not be tampered with.
Their emancipation brings up the question as to who is to provide for the freed men? The government will surely provide for those who join the military but who is responsible for those who do not? The government cannot provide for them as well. It would surely bring this country into poverty and then into ruin.
Also, what is to happen to the South once they have been deprived of their backbone? They will be deprived of that which hath supported them since the founding of this beautiful country. Though the South has wronged this country by attempting to leave, it would be unwise as to punish them in such a way. Even after we win this war, we shall meet much resistance on this issue. The South shall be utterly be destroyed by this.
Source:
Sherman: A Soldier's Passion for Order by John F. Marszalek
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/
Their emancipation brings up the question as to who is to provide for the freed men? The government will surely provide for those who join the military but who is responsible for those who do not? The government cannot provide for them as well. It would surely bring this country into poverty and then into ruin.
Also, what is to happen to the South once they have been deprived of their backbone? They will be deprived of that which hath supported them since the founding of this beautiful country. Though the South has wronged this country by attempting to leave, it would be unwise as to punish them in such a way. Even after we win this war, we shall meet much resistance on this issue. The South shall be utterly be destroyed by this.
Source:
Sherman: A Soldier's Passion for Order by John F. Marszalek
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/
Friday, January 23, 2009
Antietam
Word has finally reached Memphis of the battle at Antietam. I applaud General McClellan for his caution but there were opportunities that he failed to take advantage of that could have the battle more decisive. However, given the circumstances, he did what was necessary and I must congratulate him for stopping the threat of Lee invading into the Capital.
It is difficult to determine who is the true winner of this battle. The Union may have lost more men but we prevented a possible threat. The lives of 13000 Union men and 10000 Confederates cannot be discounted. Never has so much American blood been shed. The creek no longer flows with water but with the blood of Americans.
I am currently establishing a stronger position here at Fort Pickering in Memphis until I receive further orders. I am using the local slaveholder's "chattel"(Marszalek, 192) to help improve our fortifications. The owners are compensated properly for the permission to use them.
President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation is a troubling document and declaration. I agree with the fact that this war must fought to reunify the nation but I do not agree with the liberation of the slaves. I think that it is a viable institution. Their liberation also creates many other problems. What will we do with the slaves once the war ends? Who is to feed and clothe them? The government cannot do everything for them!
Sources:
Sherman: A Soldier's Passion for Order by John F. Marszalek
The Civil War Battlefield Guide edited by Frances H. Kennedy
War of Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies Series 1 Volume 19 Part II
It is difficult to determine who is the true winner of this battle. The Union may have lost more men but we prevented a possible threat. The lives of 13000 Union men and 10000 Confederates cannot be discounted. Never has so much American blood been shed. The creek no longer flows with water but with the blood of Americans.
I am currently establishing a stronger position here at Fort Pickering in Memphis until I receive further orders. I am using the local slaveholder's "chattel"(Marszalek, 192) to help improve our fortifications. The owners are compensated properly for the permission to use them.
President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation is a troubling document and declaration. I agree with the fact that this war must fought to reunify the nation but I do not agree with the liberation of the slaves. I think that it is a viable institution. Their liberation also creates many other problems. What will we do with the slaves once the war ends? Who is to feed and clothe them? The government cannot do everything for them!
Sources:
Sherman: A Soldier's Passion for Order by John F. Marszalek
The Civil War Battlefield Guide edited by Frances H. Kennedy
War of Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies Series 1 Volume 19 Part II
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