"We had good organization, good men, but no cohesion, no real discipline, no respect for authority, no real knowledge of war." "The march [to Virginia] demonstrated little save the general laxity of discipline; for with all my person efforts I could not prevent the men from straggling for water, blackberries, or any thing on the way they fancied."
This battle could possibly have been avoided. General McDowell was not obligated to engage with the enemy. Taken into consideration that the men that enlisted were green to the arts of war, this course of action was not the wisest. At the fire of enemy artillery, some of the men scattered and could not be ordered back into position. This in itself could prove to be the downfall of your men in a battle.
In all of our confidence, we underestimated the determination and the strength of our enemy. There were several times when we should have charged in the confusion of the enemy forces. However, we were slow to react and lost those opportunities. General Jackson has proven to be a worthy adversary whom we should beware in the coming battles.
Prior to the battle I lost several of my men to artillery fire under the orders of General Tyler to engage the enemy. After suffering these casualties, we were ordered to fall back to camp. During the battle I was ordered to provide reinforcements to Colonel Hunter. In the entire battle I had a total of 192 casualties, 38 dead, 59 wounded, and 95 MIA. My regiment suffered the most loss among the New York regiments. I pray that future battles will not cost as many men but I know that this war will not be as easy as my compatriots think.
Source:
The Civil War Battlefield Guide edited by Frances H. Kennedy
Sherman: Memoirs of General W.T. Sherman
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Fort Sumter
The news of Fort Sumter has finally reached Lancaster, Ohio. I fear the worst has come to pass. War is now upon us and now choices must be made, families will be split, and blood shall be shed. The question of my loyalty has already been answered by the choices I have made in the past. I will continue to support the Union. I will once again offer my services to the military of the United States of America.
The survival of this country now teeters on the edge of a blade. One side lies the shattering of a once singular nation; on the other is the oblivion of both the South and the North. Without unity, neither the North nor the South will survive in the foreseeable future.
The blame lay not with President Lincoln and the North but with the unchanging ways of the South. The North cordially stated that supplies would be delivered to Fort Sumter to prevent our troops from starving. Instead, they refuse our request and fire upon a Union fort! It is they who have beat on the drums of war and it is they who have rent this nation asunder. It our duty as Union men to support the Union in times such as these!
Source:
http://www.us-civilwar.com/sumter.htm
The survival of this country now teeters on the edge of a blade. One side lies the shattering of a once singular nation; on the other is the oblivion of both the South and the North. Without unity, neither the North nor the South will survive in the foreseeable future.
The blame lay not with President Lincoln and the North but with the unchanging ways of the South. The North cordially stated that supplies would be delivered to Fort Sumter to prevent our troops from starving. Instead, they refuse our request and fire upon a Union fort! It is they who have beat on the drums of war and it is they who have rent this nation asunder. It our duty as Union men to support the Union in times such as these!
Source:
http://www.us-civilwar.com/sumter.htm
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Lincoln's Election
The election of President Lincoln is a blessing for the United States of America. But I fear that it may lead to a splitting of the Union. There has been talk of secession and war here in the South. I fear I may have to resign if I wish to remain a part of the Union. Should it come to war, then I would most surely rejoin the services of the United States army. I have the utmost confidence that President Lincoln is the best for the Union but I fear that he may not be enough to hold this nation together.
Source:
Source:
"William Tecumseh Sherman." The Civil War. 13 January, 2008. <http://www.sonofthesouth.net/union-generals/sherman/william-tecumseh-sherman.htm>
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Introduction
My name is William Tecumseh Sherman. For those of you who do not know me, you may address me as General Sherman. I was a Union general in the Civil War. I led a campaign through Georgia, burning Atlanta and destroying munitions in Georgia during the Atlanta Campaign. My strategy was the concept of total warfare. This means bringing the war to the home of the Confederate citizens.
I was born February 8, 1820, in Lancaster, Ohio. I graduated from U.S. Military Academy in West Point in 1840. After the Mexican War, I resigned my position in the U.S. military. I was the Superintendent of the Louisiana State Seminary and Military Academy in Alexandria. When talk of secession began, I resigned my position to remain loyal to the U.S.
I became one of the most hated men in Georgia history for the Atlanta campaign. My orders from General Grant were clear, inflict as much damage to
the war machine of the South. On September 2, 1864, the Union forces under my command had captured Atlanta, Georgia. This was a crippling blow to the Confederate forces. It split the Confederate forces and helped cripple their ability to fight back.
Source:
Bengston, Wayne C. "William Tecumseh Sherman." About North Georgia.
I was born February 8, 1820, in Lancaster, Ohio. I graduated from U.S. Military Academy in West Point in 1840. After the Mexican War, I resigned my position in the U.S. military. I was the Superintendent of the Louisiana State Seminary and Military Academy in Alexandria. When talk of secession began, I resigned my position to remain loyal to the U.S.
I became one of the most hated men in Georgia history for the Atlanta campaign. My orders from General Grant were clear, inflict as much damage to
the war machine of the South. On September 2, 1864, the Union forces under my command had captured Atlanta, Georgia. This was a crippling blow to the Confederate forces. It split the Confederate forces and helped cripple their ability to fight back.
Source:
Bengston, Wayne C. "William Tecumseh Sherman." About North Georgia.
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