South From the North Woods

A Scholarship Award in Honor of Dr. Joseph L. Harsh

2012-01-27T09:56:00.002-05:00

The following first appeared at a Facebook page for the Civil War History Journal.

The Board of Directors of Save Historic Antietam Foundation Inc. voted at their November meeting to establish a stipend for scholars willing to research selected aspects of the Maryland Campaign of 1862, especially the battle of Antietam or Sharpsburg. The award is named in honor of Dr. Joseph L. Harsh, longtime professor at George Mason University, and author of the prize-winning trilogy on the Maryland Campaign. Through the generosity of the family and friends of Dr. Joseph L. Harsh, SHAF is able to provide an annual stipend of up to $2,500 for those who apply to undertake project beneficial to understanding various aspects of the campaign and battle. The stipend will be offered annually and will be awarded based on a decision by a committee composed of representatives of the SHAF Board of Directors, the Harsh family and Antietam National Battlefield. It is our hope that this funding will allow research on unresolved issues concerning the campaign. If a scholar does not have a topic in mind suggestions can be provided by SHAF.

Applicants need not be enrolled in any school, but must provide evidence of their ability to perform the research required for completion of the project. Because this award honors a great scholar it is imperative that the completed project reflect the highest standards of scholarship and research. Topics must be approved by the stipend committee, and the successful applicant will present his/her finished project at a ceremony in conjunction with the annual anniversary commemoration at Antietam National Battlefield and also produce a written summation in a format suitable for publication. Applications can be made to SHAF no later than February 15, and the award will be announced by March 1. Research must be completed by September 1. The guidelines and more details are available at the SHAF website, www.shaf.org

We are delighted to make this stipend available to all students of the Maryland Campaign, and eagerly await the results of this project.

Application Procedures & Timeline

Applicants must submit a brief statement of a project, a research methodology and relevance of the topic to furthering understanding of the Maryland Campaign of 1862. They will also provide a brief resume’ emphasizing their historical and research credentials.
In the event that the applicant does not have a topic in mind the SHAF Board of Directors will generate a list of possible topics and make it available for potential applicants.
Applications should be submitted by mail to SHAF, P.O. Box 550 Sharpsburg, MD 21782 or emailed through our website, SHAF.org. All applications must be received by February 15, of each year.
The stipend committee, made up of three members of the SHAF Board, a representative from the Harsh family, and from the Antietam National Battlefield will choose an awardee annually to receive the stipend, and the committee will also oversee the project. The criteria used to choose an awardee shall be determined by the stipend committee.
Unsuccessful applicants may re-apply as often as they like.
Members of the SHAF Board of Directors are prohibited from applying.

The Dawn

2011-12-22T08:21:00.000-05:00

I had occasion this week to refer back to Mr. Lincoln’s Army, volume one of BruceCatton’s landmark work on the Army of the Potomac. I recently talked to one of my colleagues about thewriting style of modern Civil War authors. Much of it is certainly historically accurate but has anelement of dryness and structure that makes it difficult to enjoy. My friend is actually going back toread Shakespeare to improve his own prose style. Maybe I should do that as well. It is no wonder that some of the best Civil War history iswritten by journalists like Bruce Catton and Douglas Southall Freeman. It was Catton’s work that ignited myinterest as a youngster some 45 years ago and I am still drawn to it. Without ever having to been to Antietamas a twelve year old, I could visualize it thanks to passages like these Ioffer below. This post today, isnothing more than an opportunity to go back and enjoy some of the beautifulwriting that I dare say many of you read and which drew youinto your own study of the Civil War. All of these passages beautifully evoke the early morning dawn of September 17,1862 on the fields north of Sharpsburg but the second one is my favorite.

"Therewas a tension in the atmosphere for the whole army that night. Survivors wrote long afterward thatthere seemed to be something mysteriously ominous in the very air-stealthy,muffled tramp of marching men who could not be seen but were sensed dimly asmoving shadows in the dark; outbursts of rifle fire up and down the invisiblepicket lines, with flames lighting the sky now and then when gunners in theadvanced batteries opened fire; taut and nervous anxiety of those alertsentinels communicating itself through all the bivouacs, where men tried tosleep away the knowledge that the morrow would bring the biggest battle thearmy had ever had; a ceaseless, restless sense of movement as if the armystirred blindly in its sleep, with the clop-clop of belated couriers riding downthe inky dark lanes heard at intervals, sounding very lonely and far off."

"Andwhile they slept the lazy, rainy breeze drifted through the East Woods and theWest Wood and the cornfield, and riffed over the copings of the stone bridge tothe south, touching them for the last time before dead men made themfamous. The flags were furled andthe bugles stilled, and the hot metal of the guns on the ridges had cooled, andthe army was asleep-tenting tonight on the old camp ground, with never a songto cheer because the voices that might sing it were all stilled on this mostcrowded and most lonely of fields. And whatever it may be that nerves men to die for a flag or a phrase ora man or an inexpressible dream was drowsing with them, ready to wake with thedawn."

"Themorning came in like the beginning of the Last Day, gray and dark and tenselyexpectant. Mist lay on the ground,heavy as fog in the hollow places, and the groves and valleys were drenched inimmense shadows. For a brief timethere was an ominous hush on the rolling fields, where the rival picketscrouched behind bushes and fence corners, peering watchfully forward under damphat brims."

Virtual Antietam 2.0

2011-12-18T20:41:00.000-05:00

I just came across a great upgrade of Stephen ReckersVirtual Antietam website that now includes a blog. Stephen is a fellow battlefield guide at Antietam who helped me get my start as a guide four years ago. He hasmany great projects that are ongoing including his long awaited book Rare Imagesof Antietam, Vol. 1 that he says will be coming out in July of nextyear. Check out Stephens importantwork here.

Statistical Graphing - West Pointers at Antietam

2011-12-13T10:51:00.000-05:00

Several years ago, I attended a terrific one-day course byEdward Tufte, professor at Yale University and author of Envisioning Information, Visual Explanations, and The Visual Display of Quantitative Information.Tufte used Charles Joseph Minard’s chart plotting Napoleon’s March to Moscowduring the War of 1812 as an example of perhaps “the best statistical graphicever drawn.” I was so taken bythis depiction that I have since purchased and framed this chart. It now hangs in my office at home as aconstant challenge to be innovative in portraying information. If you ever have an opportunity toattend a Tufte seminar, run don’t walk.

Minard's Chart of the War of 1812

I have lately become interested in exploring therelationships of the West Pointers that served at Antietam on both sides of thebattle. A terrific website by Bill Thayer at the University ofChicago introduced me to Cullem’s Register. The Register is a compendium of the service records ofthousands of West Point graduates over the years. I further contacted the West Point library and obtained a link to the pdf files of the register.

What I have been doing (to the neglect of other projectssadly) is sifting through this mass of data to extract a list of every WestPoint graduate who fought at Antietam or served in some capacity in theMaryland Campaign. There some193 men on the list ranging from Joseph K. F. Mansfield, number 2 in the class of1822 to Charles N. Warner, number 28 (and Immortal) in the Class of 1862. I created a table that summarizes theirmilitary careers, regimental assignments, stints at West Point as facultymembers, war service (in Mexico, Florida, Utah, Spanish American War and yeseven World War One), home states, and other things. For the more obscure men, I have reviewed OR 19 and 51 to see if they are mentioned, and amazingly many of them are. I have drawn out some interesting correlationsabout their careers that I look forward to sharing. This effort has taught me a lot about the Regular Army in theantebellum period before the Civil War and much about post war assignments as well. With Minard’s chart on the War of 1812 (the European War of 1812 thatis) in mind, I attempted to depict some of this information on a chart of myown. It is essentially a diagonal time linefrom the Class of 1822 (top left) which was Mansfield's class to the Class of 1862 (bottom right) thatsent 14 newly minted second lieutenants to the battle including young CharlesWarner. Generally the colors above the line reflect United States or Confederate States affiliation during the war. The green lines are periods when the specific officer taught at West Point. The white spots which drift from the top of the chart halfway across the top are Mexican War officers who received brevets for gallantry. The colors below the time line diagonal are the regimental affiliations of the officers. Light red is artillery, light blue is infantry and gold is cavalry. Engineers, topographical engineers and ordnance officers are also shown.

The initial objective wasto group cadets by year group showing not just who they graduated with, butwho were other students in upper and lower classes when they were at the academy. I call this relationship spans of connection. For example, members of the class of 1846 (the big black box in the upper left quadrant) as fourth year cadetsin the fall of 1842 would have known cadets who would graduate as the class of 1843. Four years later as first year cadets themselves, these men would have known the fourth year cadets who would go on to graduate in 1849. After their own classmates, they were likely closest to classmates in the classes of 1845 and 1847 (the red boxes). The colors are less dark as you move away from 1846 (orange, gold, yellow). Cadets in the five year program of the late 1850s would have even larger spans of connection. This effort alone was very illuminating. There is much more that I will addressdown the road but here is a peak at the chart. Stay tuned.

West Pointers at Antietam 1822 1862

The Impending Crisis

2011-11-23T15:58:00.001-05:00

I am currently reading David Potter’s monumental work The Impending Crisis America Before theCivil War 1848-1861 (New York: Harper, 1976).

In his chapter titled the Political Parties inMetamorphosis, I read this passage on political parties. Potter is discussing the Whig andDemocratic parties in the decades before the Civil War. In view of repeated failures of ourmodern legislative branch to legislate, (the Super Committee being the latestexample) I found Potter’s words on the characteristics of the Americanpolitical parties very interesting. I keep coming back to this paragraph on page 226.

Relativelyunencumbered by ideological mission, the two parties did not have enoughintellectual focus to offer voters clear-cut alternatives. Thus they failed in one of the classicfunctions theoretically ascribed to political parties. But if they defaulted inthis way, they performed admirably another equally important if less orthodoxfunction: the promoted consensus rather than divisiveness. By encouraging men to seek a broad basisof popular support, they nourished cohesiveness within a community and avoidedsharpening the cutting edge of disagreement to dangerous keenness. Without ideological agreement as abasis for cohesiveness, the parties could still cultivate unity, based upon thepractical need that diverse groups may have for one another’s support.

I rarely use this blog as a political forum. However, I truly believe that we are at the other end of the pendulumthese days. There is to muchintellectual focus. Thealternatives are clear-cut nowadays. But what our leaders seem to posses in abundance in clarity of position,they forfeit in ability to promote consensus and fail to seek broad basis ofpopular support. The Americanpeople clearly recognize the problems. But our leaders seem incapable of working together to make decisions. Nowthis very divisiveness that is so well promoted in the 21^st centurycould very well mean our decline. Nothing is getting done. Wecant stand further putting off of the key decisions that need to be made right now.Henry Clay, John Q. Adams, Daniel Webster, Stephen Douglas, and John Calhoun havebeen replaced by Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, John Boehner, and Nancy Pelosi,prisoners of their own special interest keepers. There are many times to hold firm to our ideologicalstandards but surrendering any idea of compromise or bipartisanship all thetime is unacceptable.

Impending Crisis then or now? But that’s just me.

The Marine Corps is 236 Today. Thanks to one Marine in Particular

2011-11-10T10:46:00.001-05:00

Lance Corporal Jim Rosebrock

Today is the birthday of the United States Marine Corps and tomorrow is Veteran's Day. I am particularly proud of one Marine today. That is my son Jim who has now been serving proudly in the Corps for over one year. Jim attended his first Marine Corp's birthday party last weekend and the photo here shows him with some of his comrades at the party. Jim, now a lance corporal, keeps the AV-8B Harrier II jump jets flying in Marine Attack Squadron 513 (VMA-513) stationed Marine Corps Air Station - Yuma Arizona. Many of Jim's fellow Marines in the 513th are returning from a deployment in Afghanistan.

Several of Jim's high school friends that I know serve now. One is a United States Army Ranger enroute to a deployment of his own after Thanksgiving, and another is finishing up boot camp at Parris Island. Another will be commissioned as Army lieutenant out of ROTC next spring. Five years ago, I took these boys to the Boy Scout Philmont Camp in New Mexico. Now they proudly serve their nation.

To those who have little positive to say about the young of this generation, I say look at men like Jim who are laying it on the line everyday. As an old paratrooper, I know that they have learned the same lesson that I did many years ago - that the best in life is earned, not handed to you.

Lets not forget our veterans this weekend - all the soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and coast guardsman who put it on the line every day for us. If you see one thank one. And better yet, don't just do it on Veteran's Day. Go out of your way to make every day Veteran's Day.

Ride the Auto Tour!!

2011-11-06T11:37:00.000-05:00

Antietam volunteer Dave Maher shot this great video from his car yesterday. It covers about the first five auto tour stops at Antietam National Battlefield. The crystal clear skies and beautiful fall foliage are really accented here. The video is in real time. Dave, I am looking to more footage soon. Thanks again.

An Honor

2011-11-04T20:14:00.000-04:00

From left to right Mannie Gentile, Alan Schmidt, daughter Rachel, me, Dan Vermilya, Bob Casey, Christie Stanczak and Joe Nicodemus. (Photo courtesy of Mannie Gentile)

Today, I was honored by my colleagues at Antietam National Battlefield as the park's first ever Master Ranger Volunteer. The award recognizes 500 hours of volunteer service in one year. The cool thing is a distinctive patch that I get to sport around on my guide shirt. Mannie also has a very nice post at his blog here.

It was great to be joined by fellow volunteer and lovely daughter Rachel. (Photo courtesy of Mannie Gentile)

It is great to be recognized for something you like to do but even greater to work with and be a part of the finest interpretive staff of rangers, volunteers, and guides in the Service. While I say thanks to all of them for a job well done, I want to say a special thanks to Ranger Christie Stanczak, volunteer coordinator and very dear friend for making this possible.

Final Attack Trail Work Party This Saturday

2011-11-01T09:47:00.003-04:00

Last weekend's SHAF workday to begin the walking trail up to the Eighth Connecticut and Ninth New York monuments was snowed out. There will be a work party this Saturday November 5th led by Antietam Ranger Joe Calzarette to work on this trail. Meet at the Antietam Visitor's Center at 9AM. Bring gloves, water, and dress for the weather. Right now the weather forecast looks good but as last weekend if there is a steady rain that morning, the event will be cancelled.

Important Trail Addition - SHAF Workday on Saturday

2011-10-24T14:21:00.000-04:00

The Save Historical Antietam Foundation (SHAF) workday is this Saturday, October 29th and begins at 9:00 AM. SHAF is funding and helping to build a walking trail loop off the Final Attack trail to lead up to the stop on the top of the hill where the monuments to the Eighth Connecticut, and Ninth New York, and Rodman mortuary cannon are located. This important addition to the trail network will allow access to the site without parking on the grass shoulder of Harpers Ferry Road. Be part of this important work. It will be greatly appreciated. Meet at the Antietam Visitor's Center at 9AM. Bring gloves, water, and dress for the weather. If there is a steady rain that morning, the event will be cancelled.

On the Final Attack Trail

2011-10-15T00:19:00.005-04:00

A series of ravines had to be crossed by Ninth Corps (looking west)

I joined fellow bloggers Jim Buchanan and John Banks for a walk along part of the Final Attack Trail today. The rainy morning was replaced by a sunny and windy afternoon and we took advantage of the greatly improved weather conditions to begin our jaunt. John is interested in the Connecticut units at Antietam and in particular wanted to see the 16th Connecticut monument on the in the middle of Otto's cornfield. We started at the Otto Farm and ventured south. For Jim and I this is a distance from our usual haunts in the North and West Woods respectively and it was nice to explore this end of the field a bit.

For the Federals of Rodman and Willcox's division, their fight didn't really begin until after capture of the bridge. They would face an increasingly desperate defense by Toomb's resupplied Confederates and other elements of David Jones's division. These Confederates attempted to hold back the surging Federals who moved over the series of ridges east of the Harper's Ferry Road towards Sharpsburg. As you behold this difficult terrain, it is easier to see why Lee decided to make his stand "in these hills" in the first place. It is also important to credit the Ninth Corps with completing a difficult advance over some very challenging ground.

Jim and John in the footprints of the 16th Conn. (looking west)

Only the timely arrival of A.P. Hill's Light Division would sweep the Union far left back and prevent Burnside's right flank from capturing Sharpsburg and possibly unraveling the Army of Northern Virginia. From the vistas here in the south you can see Lee's artillery positions on Cemetery Hill and even the Sunken Road observation tower to the north. These views dissolve the myths that this battle was a series of disjointed isolated actions that had no direct bearing on each other.

Fellow Volunteer Jim Buchanan

The Final Attack Trail is a great hike and there is plenty of nice fall weather still ahead. Come out and take a look.

On the McClellan "Roller Coaster"

2011-10-05T18:11:00.000-04:00

The view from McClellan's headquarters of Antietam Battlefield

Harry Smeltzer’s great blogpost over at Bull Runnings is entitled Your Grandpa’s Maryland Campaign –NOT!!!. Equally informative and instructive are the comments to this post thatoffer in a microcosm the range of different reactions to General George B. McClellan.

I usually do not reply inthe depth that I did to Harry’s post. As a guide and volunteer at Antietam, I hear all sorts of reactions toGeorge B. McClellan. I happen toagree with the current interpretation on the general that is advocated by ourrangers and codified in the works of Joseph Harsh, Ethan Rafuse, Tom Clemensand Vince Armstrong. My ownthoughts "On the McClellan Merry Go-Round" as Harsh once called it, havebeen fermenting for some time.

I am not an academic historian but merely an avid amateurwho reads everything I can find about the battle and the men who foughtthere. I am fortunate to volunteerat Antietam Battlefield nearly every weekend and have been a guide there forthe past four years as well. Ihave studied the terrain and have the advantage of knowing all the rangers whomake the study and interpretation their life's work. And finally my perspectiveas a retired soldier gives me some additional useful perspective.

I am not an apologist forMcClellan. I agree that he made mistakes. There was an arrogance and snobberyimbued into his personality that came from his blue blood Philadelphiaorigins. He let that get thebetter of him sometimes. Hispolitical instincts were not highly evolved. Unlike Lee, he failed to cultivateand maintain a good relationship with his commander in chief. He didn't appreciate the power of theradicals in Congress. He tended totry to do too much himself. Hecould have learned more from General Scott but viewed him as an obstacle. He didn’t try to bring all his corpscommanders into the inner circle preferring to rely on the recommendations ofhis “pets” Fitz Porter and William Franklin, men with similar conservativepolitical and military perspectives. A terrible error was McClellan’sinclination to “leave Pope to get out of his scrape.” Instead of trulyextending himself to help Pope, a man he detested, McClellan merely followedHalleck’s orders to the letter. This mean spirited attitude truly appalled Lincoln.

McClellan was a brillianttrainer, organizer, logistician, and strategic planner. As Army commander-in-chief in early1862, his strategic concept to attack on all fronts and his understanding andinclination to employ Army-Navy joint operations (Burnside’s Carolina andButler’s New Orleans expeditions) preceded Grant's successful implementation ofsimilar plans two years later. Hisoverall concept to advance up the Peninsula was a good one that was similar topart of Grant’s own final approach to Richmond after the Overland Campaignfailed to achieve decisive results.

Despite their deterioratingrelationship, Lincoln decided that McClellan was the only man capable to assumecommand during that harrowing first week of September. His decision was overalmost total opposition of his cabinet. This decision to restore McClellan was one of the most important acts ofhis presidency. Lincoln knew hisgeneral's limitations but he also recognized that McClellan’s strengths werewhat the country needed then.

Operationally, McClellan hada different mission in Maryland than he did in front of Richmond. He learned from his experiences on thePeninsula. He had the example/specterof Second Manassas less than a week after resuming command to consider as well. I'm sure that he and Porter had somediscussions about that battle in the days before Antietam. McClellan intensely felt the weight ofresponsibility at Antietam and frequently made reference to it in his writings.

Lincoln's faith was not invain. In the space of severaldays, McClellan restored the army's flagging morale, He reshuffled some seniorcommanders, incorporated new regiments into the ranks, absorbed Reno's NinthCorp, the Kanawha Division, and two corps from the Army of Virginia into hiscommand and began straightening out logistics (an action which is oftenoverlooked in the Maryland campaign.)

McClellan had a primitiveintelligence service and he erred on the side of extreme caution whenevaluating and accepting the intelligence estimates of detectivePinkerton. His cavalry was stilllearning and was just then being concentrated into a single division underPleasanton during the campaign. His artillery was still principally dispersed though it to was moving inthe direction of more consolidation as well. Two corps commanders (Hooker and Mansfield) were new to that level ofcommand.

He advanced northwest fromD.C. protecting both Baltimore and Washington. On September 12th, just days after being restored to command,McClellan's right wing under Burnside entered Frederick from the east as thelast elements of Lee's cavalry abandoned the town and headed west. Lee'soperational planning and issuance of Special Order 191 to open his supply linethrough Harpers Ferry was based partly on the assumption that whoever commandedthe pursuing Federal army would take much longer to reach westernMaryland.

McClellan’s response toSpecial Order 191 was not a timid one. He prudently spent the afternoon of SaturdaySeptember 13th validating the authenticity of the order. But when convinced ofits validity, he ordered an attack by his divided army on several fronts torelieve Harpers Ferry on one end of the line and to attack Longstreet’s “mainbody” on the other. Admittedly, he could have pressed Franklin forward thatafternoon instead of delaying the Sixth Corps advance until the next day. Franklin took all day to arrive atCrampton’s Gap and overwhelm the Confederate defenders shortly beforesundown. Franklin’s slowness onSunday afternoon and subsequent failure to attack McLaws and relieve Harper’sFerry on Monday morning was perhaps the greatest failure of the campaign

On the battlefield,McClellan was without question a careful, methodical, tactician. He believed in maintaining a largereserve and his tolerance for taking risk was much lower than many other armycommanders. Whatever his exactunderstanding of the size of the rebel army confronting him, McClellandeveloped a sound offensiveplan. It called for attacks firstin the north at daybreak and later in the south to force Lee to commit hisreserves and enable a final attack by Porter in the center. Unfortunately there was no written planand McClellan did not meet together with all his commanders before the battleto put them all in the picture.

But the plan wasworking. The brutal fighting inthe north indeed caused Lee’s characteristically bold reaction around 8:30 AM tocommit ALL his reserves to the shattered left flank. Yet, from McClellan's perspective at the Pry House, Leeforcefully met and repulsed every attack launched by the Federal commanders:

· Hooker’s FirstCorps counterattacked by Hood’s division

· Mansfield’sTwelfth Corps attack engaged by three brigades of D.H. Hill’s division.

· Sedgwick’sdivision flanked by McLaws and other Confederate troops in the West Woods

· French andRichardson’s divisions met by Richard Anderson’s reinforcing division in theSunken Road, and Manning’s brigade attack on their right.

This had the effect ofcausing McClellan to reassess the full commitment of Porter’s corps and thecavalry in the center. Oftenoverlooked in the “old interpretation” of the battle is the fact that Porter'sregulars were in fact advancing toward the heights of Sharpsburg when they wererecalled. When A.P. Hill struckBurnside's left flank at nearly the moment that his right was entering Sharpsburgthat confirmed in McClellan's mind that Lee was still a very dangerous enemy.It justified and rationalized his decision not to hazard an attack by the Fifthor Sixth Corps. This thinkingcarried on to next day in his decision to keep a strong reserve and not attack preferringto wait until the 19^th. By then, Lee was gone.

I believe that the shadow ofSecond Manassas hung over McClellan (and Porter). They saw in everycounter-stroke by Lee a smashing potentially battle-ending attack like thatsuffered by Porter only 18 days earlier.

Grant lost at Belmont; Hehad a tough time at Shiloh. It took him a long time to figure out how tocapture Vicksburg. But he was farenough down the chain of command and far enough from the flagpole to recover,learn and advance. Sherman hadwhat amounted to a nervous breakdown early in the war. Again, he was far enough away from theflagpole and the interfering Washington chain of command and had a mentor the likesof Grant to shield him and permit his recovery. Both men had time to get better. McClellan did not get the benefit of a learning curve likeGrant, and Sherman. He had theentire Lincoln administration, the Congress, and the national media followinghis every move from fifty miles away. Again, this is not an excuse but a reality. Grant had two years of additional time to figure out how todeal more successfully with this poisoned environment.

Since I have heard a lotabout Grant and Lee in this string of comments, let’s recall what they latersaid about McClellan.

Grant on his round the worldtour from 1877-1879 said this of him: "McClellan is to me one of themysteries of the war. As a young man he was always a mystery. He had the way ofinspiring you with the idea of immense capacity, if he would only have achance. Then he is a man of unusual accomplishments, a student, and a well-readman. I have never studied his campaigns enough to make up my mind as to hismilitary skill, but all my impressions are in his favor. I have entireconfidence in McClellan’s loyalty and patriotism. But the test that was appliedto him would be terrible to any man, being made a major general at thebeginning of the war. It has always seemed to me that the critics of McClellando not consider this vast and cruel responsibility—the war, a new thing to allof us, the army new, everything to do from the outset, with a restless peopleand Congress. McClellan was a young man when this devolved upon him, and if hedid not succeed, it was because the conditions of success were so trying. IfMcClellan had gone into the war as Sherman, Thomas, or Meade, had fought hisway along and up, I have no reason to suppose that he would not have won ashigh a distinction as any of us.” From Around the World with General Grant: ANarrative of the Visit of General U.S. Grant, Ex-President of the UnitedStates, to Various Countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa, in 1877, 1878, 1879;To Which Are Added Certain Conversations with General Grant on QuestionsConnected with American Politics and History, by John Russell Young.

Lee’s cousin Cassius Leerecalled a conversation that he had with the general on February 15, 1870. "I asked him which of the Federal generals heconsidered the greatest, and he answered most emphatically "McClellan byall odds." From Recollections and Lettersby Robert E. Lee. New York: Barnes and Noble, 2004.

Victorian niceties aside,these are two heavy hitters whose perspective can't be ignored.

John Reynolds in the Maryland Campaign

2011-09-23T12:46:00.005-04:00

John Reynolds

Check out a new group of quotes on Union Major General John Reynolds over at Antietam Voices here. Reynolds, would be killed nine months after the battle of Antietam on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Reynolds, much to his disgust and that of his corps commander Joseph Hooker was detached from command of the Pennyslvania Reserve Division and sent to Pennsylvania to organize the Pennsylvania Emergency Militia who were being raised against a feared attack into Pennsylvania. John Curtin, the powerful Pennsylvania governor asked the War Department Reynolds by name to command this militia. Here is the terse message exchange between General Halleck and General McClellan regarding this assignment. Never known for being at a loss for words, see General Hooker's reaction to the reassignment. Reynolds' division was part of his corps. All correspondence is taken from the Official Records, Volume 19, Part II.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON D.C., September 11, 1862 (Sent 10.20)
Major-General McClellan
The Governor of Pennsylvania wishes the services of General Reynolds. Can you order him here for that purpose? H.W. Halleck, General-in-Chief
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Headquarters, Army of the Potomac
ROCKVILLE, MD., September 11, 1862 (10.45 a.m.)
Maj. Gen. H.W. Halleck, General in Chief:
General Reynolds is now engaged in important service, supporting with his division an attack on New Market. He has one of he best divisions, and is well acquainted with it. I cannot see how his services can be spared at the present time.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major-General
----------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON D.C., September 11, 1862 (Sent 1.55 p.m.)
Major-General McClellan, Rockville, Md.:
General Reynold's division can be commanded by some one else. He has been designated for other duty, and must report here immediately.
H.W. Halleck, General-in-Chief
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Headquarters, Army of the Potomac
MIDDLEBROOK, MD., September 11, 1862
Maj. Gen. H.W. Halleck, General in Chief:
I have ordered General Reynolds to report to Governor Curtin at the earliest practicable moment. He is now about 25 miles from here. He will probably not be able to start before morning.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major-General
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hdqrs, Third Corps, Army of Virginia
Ridgeville, Md., September 12, 1862
Brig. Gen. S. Williams, Assistant Adjutant General:
I have just been shown an order relieving Brigadier-General Reynolds from command of a division in my corps. I request that the major-general commding will not heed this order; a scared Governor ought not to be permitted to destroy the usefulness of an entire division of the army, on the eve of important operations.
General Reynolds commands a division of Pennsylvania troops of not the best character; is well known to them, and I have no officer to fill his place.
It is satisfactory in my mind that the rebels have no more intention of going to Harrisburg than they have of going to heaven.
It is only in the United States that atrocities like this are entertained.
JOSEPH HOOKER,
Major-General, Commanding Corps.

365 days to the 150th. (Its a Leap Year!)

2011-09-19T11:30:00.000-04:00

Check out Harry's post at Bull Runnings on his visit to Antietam this weekend. I couldn't have said it better and echo his sentiments completely. The rangers and volunteers did a tremendous job. The crowds were truly awesome and are hopefully an indication of what is to come next year.
Ranger Brian Baracz at the Smoketown Road

Ranger Kevin Walker at the Joseph Poffenberger House

Rangers Keith Snyder, Brian Baracz and John Hoptak leading the tour near the Cemetery

Ranger John Hoptak at the Pry House

"tomorrow we fight the battle that will decide the fate of the Republic." Joseph Hooker, September 16, 1862

2011-09-16T08:21:00.002-04:00

Sunrise September 17, 2010

September 15, 1862 Voices

2011-09-15T11:54:00.000-04:00

Abraham Lincoln

"Your dispatch of today received. God bless you and all with you.Destroy the Rebel army if possible.”

AbrahamLincoln September15 1862 Telegramfrom Lincoln to McClellan. 2:45PM September 15 1862. From The Battle of SouthMountain by John David Hoptak. Charleston: The HistoryPress, 2011. page 181

George B. McClellan

“We attacked a large force of the enemy yesterday occupying a strongpass four miles west of Middletown. Our troops old and new regiments behavedmost valiantly & gained a signal victory. R.E. Lee in command. The Rebelsrouted and retreating in disorder this morning. We are pursuing and taking manyprisoners.” George B. McClellan in a telegram to retired BrevetLieutenant General Winfield Scott. September 15, 1862, FromThe Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan. Ed. Stephen W. Sears. New York:Ticknor & Fields, 1989 page 464.

Robert E. Lee

"We will make our stand in these hills." Robert E. Lee calling out to D.R. Jones men as they arrived at Sharpsburg on September 15 1862. FromTaken at the Flood Robert E. Lee & Confederate Strategy in the MarylandCampaign of 1862 by Joseph L. Harsh. Kent: The Kent StateUniversity Press, 1999. page 305

Thomas J. Jackson

"Through God's blessing, Harper's Ferry and its garrison are to besurrendered. As Hill's troops haveborne the heaviest part in the engagement, he will be left in command until theprisoners and public property shall be disposed of, unless you directotherwise. The other forces canmove off this evening as soon as they get their rations. To what point shall we move?" Thomas Jacksonin a dispatch at 8AM on September 15. Arrived at Lee's HQ about noon advising of his success against HarpersFerry on Sep 14. From The Maryland Campaign of September 1862 Vol. 1 SouthMountain. Edited by Tom Clemens. New York: Savas Beatie, 2010. page 424

"I will join you at Sharpsburg."

ThomasJackson Sep 15 1862

Jacksonto Lee. From Taken at the Flood Robert E. Lee & Confederate Strategy inthe Maryland Campaign of 1862 by Joseph L. Harsh. Kent: The KentState University Press, 1999. page 318

September 14, 1862 Voices

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"The day has gone against us and this army will go by Sharpsburgand cross the river. It isnecessary to abandon your position tonight."

RobertE. Lee

Sep14 1862

Leeto McLaws reporting the defeat at South Mountain and his decision to retreatout of MarylandFrom Taken at the Flood Robert E. Lee & Confederate Strategyin the Maryland Campaign of 1862 by Joseph L. Harsh. Kent: The Kent State University Press, 1999.

page289

"We are firing the passes of the Blue Ridge. Have possession of theheights on the left of Hagerstown pike; are now attacking the right. Franklinis attacking the Rockville [Crampton's] Pass, through the same ranges. Thus farall goes well. Have taken about 100 prisoners. I have the troops in hand. Theyare confident, and hope to have gull possession of the passes by dark."

GeorgeB. McClellan

Sep14 1862

McClellan's4PM report to Halleck on the Battle of South MountainFrom Unfurl ThoseColors! McClellan, Sumner, & The Second Army Corps in the Antietam Campaignby Marion Armstrong. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 2008.

page121

September 13, 1862 Voices

2011-09-13T15:15:00.000-04:00

Joseph K. F. Mansfield

"We may never meet again."

JosephK. F. Mansfield September 13 1862. JosephMansfield bidding farewell to fellow Connecticut native Gideon Welles as hedeparts to assume command of the 12th Corps. Mansfield will be mortally wounded four days later in the East Woods at the Battle of Antietam. FromLincoln's Darkest Year The War in 1862 by William Marvel. Boston: HoughtinMifflin Company Company, 2008. page188.

William Nelson Pendleton

"bold, prompt, energetic, and sagacious"

WilliamNelson Pendleton September 13 1862

Pendletonin a letter to President Davis who had asked Pendleton for "occasionalconfidential memoranda of the positions, doings etc of the army." Pendleton is describing General Lee.

FromTaken at the Flood Robert E. Lee & Confederate Strategy in the MarylandCampaign of 1862 by Joseph L. Harsh. Kent: The Kent StateUniversity Press, 1999. page 222

September 12, 1862 Voices

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Joseph Hooker

"a scared Governor ought not to be permitted to destroy theusefulness of an entire division of the army, on the eve of importantoperations....It is satisfactory in my mind that the rebels have no moreintention of going to Harrisburg than they had of going to heaven. It is only in the United States thatatrocities like this are entertained."

JosephHooker, September 12 1862.

Hookerprotesting to McClellan the reassignment of division commander John Reynolds to command militia inPennsylvania at the height of the Maryland Campaign. From The Maryland Campaign of September 1862 Vol. 1 SouthMountain. Edited by Tom Clemens. New York: Savas Beatie, 2010. Page 204

Robert E. Lee

"Before crossing the Potomac, I considered the advantages ofentering Maryland east or west of the Blue Ridge. In either case it was my intention to march upon this town[Hagerstown]"

RobertE. Lee, September 12 1862

Leeto Davis explaining his intentions to move on Hagerstown. From Taken at theFlood Robert E. Lee & Confederate Strategy in the Maryland Campaign of 1862by Joseph L. Harsh. Kent: The Kent State University Press, 1999.

September 11, 1862 Voices

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"General, I wish we could stand still and let the damned Yankeescome to us!" James Longstreet, September 11 1862

Longstreetto Lee after he is ordered to proceed on to Hagerstown and to leave D.H. Hill atBoonsboro. From Taken at theFlood Robert E. Lee & Confederate Strategy in the Maryland Campaign of 1862by Joseph L. Harsh. Kent: The Kent State University Press, 1999. page184

"All evidence that has been accumulated from various sources sincewe left Washington goes to prove most conclusively that almost the entire rebelarmy in Virginia, amounting to not less than 120,000 men, is in the vicinity ofFrederick City.

GeorgeB. McClellan, September11 1862

McClellanin a letter to Halleck from Rockville MD

FromThe Maryland Campaign of September 1862 Vol. 1 South Mountain. Edited byTom Clemens. New York: SavasBeatie, 2010. page183

September 10, 1862 Voices

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Confederate troops moving through Frederick

"their friends were anxious to get rid of them and of the penetratingammoniacal smell they brought with them."

LewisH. Steiner September 10 1862

Doctor Steinerof the U.S. Sanitary Commission watches the reaction of the citizens as the Confederate Army left Frederick.

FromTaken at the Flood Robert E. Lee & Confederate Strategy in the MarylandCampaign of 1862 by Jospeh L. Harsh. Kent: The Kent StateUniversity Press, 1999. page 171

Ambrose Powell Hill

"Donning his coat and sword he mounted his horse and dashed to thefront of his troops, and looking like a young eagle in search of his prey, hetook command of his division to the delight of all his men" George Mills

September10 1862

ANorth Carolina officer describing the suspension of A.P. Hill's arrest and his return to duty commanding the Light Division.

FromGeneral A. P. Hill - The Story of a Confederate Warrior by James I.Robertson. New York: Random House, 1987. page 135

September 9, 1862 Voices

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A Union Soldier

"We have bully times out here. We went out yesterday and caughtfour hogs and skinned them and roasted them over the coals. This morning wefetched in another hog and some ducks and chickens. We live first rate out here….Whowould not be a soldier?"

AndrewTehrune September 9, 1862

Rookiesoldier Private Andrew Tehrune of the 13th NJ writing his cousin about foraging.From "Who Would Not Be ASoldier?" by Scott D. Hartwig. The Antietam Campaign. Ed. Gary Gallagher Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 1999. page 149.

A Confederate Soldier

"What a set of ragamuffins they looked! It seemed as if everycornfield in Maryland had been robbed of its scarecrows and propped up againstthe fence….My costume consisted of ragged pair of trousers, a stained, dirtyjacket; an old slouch hat, the brim pinned up with a thorn; a begrimed blanketover my shoulder, a grease covered haversack full of apples and corn, acartridge box full and a musket. I was barefooted and had a stone bruise on eachfoot...there was no one there who would not have been 'run in' by the police hadhe appeared on the streets of any populous city, and would have been fined thenext day for undue exposure. Yet those grimy, sweaty, lean, ragged men were theflower of Lee's army. Those tattered, starving unkempt fellows were the pride fotheir sections."

HarveyJudson Hightower of the 20^th Georgia describes himself.September9, 1862

Aconfederate describes himself. FromBurnside's Bridge The Climactic Struggle of the 2nd and 20th Georgia atAntietam Creek by Phillip T. Tucker. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole, 2000. page 5

September 8, 1862 Voices

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Joseph Mansfield

"Brig. Gen. J.K.F. Mansfield, U.S. Volunteers, is relieved fromduty in the Army of Virginia and will report in person to Major GeneralMcClellan."

E.D.Townsend, September8 1862. Special Order 229 assigning Mansfield to the Army of the Potomac. From OR19 (2), page 214.

H. Watters Berryman, 1st Texas Regimen

"I never saw such pretty country or an old one in my life,…splendidcrops have been raised in this part of Maryland and everything good toeat."

H.Watters Berryman, September8 1862. PvtWatters Berryman of Co I 1st Texas describes Maryland. From"First Texas in the Cornfield." by George E. Otott. The Maryland Campaign of 1862 CivilWar Regiments: A Journal of theAmerican Civil War. Vol 5, No 3. Campbell CA: Savas Publishing Company, 1998. page77

September 7, 1862 Voices

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U.S. Ambassador to France William L. Dayton

"Truthfulness is not, as you know, an element in French diplomacyto manners. No man but a Frenchmanwould ever have thought of [Charles} Talleyrand's famous bon mot, that theobject of language was to conceal thought."

WilliamL. Dayton, September7 1862.

Dayton,US ambassador to France expressing frustration toward the French at a critical moment in the war when French or British mediation is a possibility. FromBlue and Gray Diplomacy by Howard Jones. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press,2010.

page285

Confederate President Jefferson Davis

"That under these circumstances, we are driven to protect our owncountry by transferring the seat of war to that of an enemy, who pursues uswith a relentless and, apparently aimless hostility;"

JeffersonDavis, September7 1862

Partof a proclamation drafted by President Davis for Lee to use in Marylad

OR19 (2) page598

September 6, 1862 Voices

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"It was a hard march. The men were falling out of the ranks all along the road. I fell out about a mile behind theregiment and slept on the porch of a house."

AlbertA. Pope September6, 1862

LtAlbert A. Pope of the 35th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry describes the march on September 6, 1862. From "Who Would Not Be A Soldier?"by Scott D. Hartwig. The Antietam Campaign. Ed. Gary Gallagher Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 1999. page148.

"Maryland, from her eastern shore to the Blue Ridge, is throbbingwith the hope of early deliverance, and sits uneasy in her chains."

CharlestonMercury. September6 1862

ACharleston Editor on the issue of Maryland awaiting liberation. From"Maryland Our Maryland." by William A. Blair. The AntietamCampaign, Ed. Gary Gallagher Chapel Hill: University of North CarolinaPress, 1999. page89

September 5, 1862 Voices

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Abraham Lincoln

"I must have McClellan to reorganize the army and bring it out of chaos. But there has been a design-a purpose in breaking down Pope without regard of consequences to the country. It is shocking to see and know this, but there is no remedy at present. McClellan has the army with him." Abraham Lincoln to John Hay. September 5, 1862. From Until Antietam The Life and Letters of Major General Israel B. Richardson, U.S. Army by Jack Mason. Carbondale IL: Southern Illinois Press, 2009. Originally from Diary of Gideon Welles by Gideon Welles. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1911.

Robert E. Lee

"It makes no difference to you, my man. Keep up with your regiment." Robert E. Lee while walking in Leesburg replies to a soldier who asked the distance to White's Ford. September 5, 1862. From Taken at the Flood Robert E. Lee & Confederate Strategy in the Maryland Campaign of 1862 by Joseph L. Harsh. Kent: The Kent State University Press, 1999. Originally from Harrison Family Memoirs. Typescript. Loudon Museum, Leesburg, Virginia.

2011 Battle Anniversary Schedule

2011-08-27T07:38:00.002-04:00

Here is the link to the schedule of activities at Antietam National Battlefield for the 149th anniversary of the battle on the weekend of September 16-18, 2011. Something new that I look forward to on Friday September 16th is a day-long hike that focuses on the prelude to the battle. This is a new program that has not been offered, at least as far as I know. One of my favorite moments is the Morning in the Cornfield Walk which begins at 7AM at tour stop 4. There is something for everyone and I hope to see you there.

Antietam's Volunteer Battery B Wins Regional NPS Hartzog Award

2011-08-18T17:07:00.007-04:00

Since 2008, Antietam National Battlefield has supported an all-volunteer artillery group known as Battery B, 4^th U.S. Artillery. The original Battery B was in action near the Cornfield and suffered nearly 40% casualties. Three members of the battery received the Medal of Honor for their courage at the battle of Antietam. One of these was 15 year old Johnny Cook one of the youngest recipients of the honor.

Now Park volunteers reprise this important fighting unit in historical demonstrations at the park throughout the summer. Initially organized in the winter of 2008, the volunteers assembled once a month to learn the intricacies of the artillery firing procedure, black powder safety, and the history of this unit. Organized by Antietam’s volunteer coordinator, Ranger Christie Stanczak, the battery has grown to be an integral part of Antietam’s historical interpretation program.

This year, the group was nominated in the Outstanding Volunteer Group category for the National Park Service’s George and Helen Hartzog Awards. Their nomination reads in part:

The Battery B, 4th United States Artillery Volunteer Group provides exceptional interpretive programs for park visitors. This group consists of highly competent and proficient artillery living history demonstrators. These volunteers are a disparate group from all walks of life: men and women, young and old. They had no experience in artillery and little or no experience in historic weapons when they joined the group. The members of Battery B made a commitment to learn all aspects of black powder safety, artillery drill, artillery misfire procedures, and the history of the original Battery B artillery unit. This commitment included participating in regularly scheduled training sessions with one of Antietam’s historic weapons supervisors. This group of volunteers trains in all sorts of weather conditions including extreme heat and humidity, freezing temperatures, snow, and rain. They demonstrate an enthusiasm for learning and attention to detail and safety, work extremely well together, support and

helped each other, and make a serious effort to accurately portray Battery B and educate the park visitors. They are committed to educating and inspiring park visitors. Their commitment to Antietam National Battlefield is time consuming and labor intensive; but they have never complained and are always enthusiastic. They are highly recommended for the Hartzog award for their contributions to Antietam and to the American People.

Ranger Stanczak and a group of the volunteers representing the entire battery journeyed to historic Ford’s Theater in Washington DC to participate in the regional awards ceremony. It was a particularly moving venue for me as it is the site of Abraham Lincoln's assassination. As we listened to a description of the fateful events of that night, I could not help but feel a connection that was hard to describe.

Following the talk, it was time to announce the winners. Members of each group category were called to the stage and recognized for their work. Finally, in what we learned was an extremely close competition, Antietam’s volunteers won this year’s National Capital regional award. After the ceremony, the photo to the left was taken at the townhouse across the street from the theater where the mortally wounded president was carried. Representing all of Battery B from left to right are Jeff Baldwin, Christie Stanczak, Dave Maher, Rachel Rosebrock, Audrey Scanlan-Teller, Jerry Bucey and yours truly. Sharon Murray took the picture.

While it is gratifying to receive this reward, it is more so to realize that Ranger Stanczak took the time to nominate the group. Christie has been a true leader for the battery spending countless hours planning training, rolling the artillery rounds, and coordinating schedules. This was her vision now realized and it is great for us to see that others recognize her hard work and that of the volunteers. And now it is now on to an extremely challenging national competition. No matter what the outcome, the members of Battery B present today will not soon forget this memorable occasion.

Battery B conducts firing demonstrations and interpretive talks the last Saturday of each month until October. The programs begin at 11 AM and 1PM. Our next demonstration is on August 27^th at 11AM. Come and see this award-winning unit in action again. My thanks to Sharon Murray, and Rachel Rosebrock for photos used in this post.

A New View - Introducing The Tidball Trail at Antietam National Battlefield

2011-08-12T18:23:00.004-04:00

The staff at Antietam National Battlefield has created a brand new trail that covers one of the more inaccessible areas of the battlefield. Beginning at the Newcomer House Visitor’s Center, the Tidball trail takes hikers on a short 0.3 mile walk to the artillery position of Captain John C. Tidball’s Battery A, 2^nd United States Artillery. This battery was part of Alfred Pleasanton’s cavalry division poised in the center of George McClellan’s line with Fitz-John Porter’s Fifth Corps. McClellan’s plan called for an eventual assault against the weakened center of Robert E. Lee’s line. Popular conception is that the neither the cavalry or Porter’s infantry were employed in any way on September 17^th, 1862. This could not be further from the truth. The fact is that Tidball’s battery crossed the Antietam along with other artillery on the morning of September 17^th and unlimbered along the length of the new trail. There it engaged targets in the Confederate center. Later in the day, Union regulars from George Sykes division also crossed the creek and advanced steadily toward the increasingly threatened high ground in the Confederate center, manned at that time by largely beat up rebel artillery batteries. It is possible to view the regular’s fight from the Tidball Trail as well. The Carmen Copes map here was pictured at 1:00 PM. Tidball's position is clearly visible. In the upper left corner of the map is the location of the tower on the Sunken Road. Compare the Carmen Copes map to the trail path below it.

This is another beautiful trail. I hiked it today. It is 0.3 miles in and 0.3 miles out. It is uphill as you go in and downhill coming out. There is much to see here including South Mountain to the east, the frowning eastern bank of the Antietam, the Park Farm, the Boonsboro Pike, the Sunken Road Tower, and the National Cemetery. As one beholds the high ground to the west that was crowned by Lee’s artillery, it is apparent why Lee elected to make his stand in these hills. Just as important, it is perhaps a bit easier to appreciate why McClellan hesitated, and ultimately decided not to send in the whole Fifth Corps at the end of the day.

One of the most important aspects of the trail is that it gives visitors access to the center of the line. This is an area that has long been difficult to get into. Now you can hike in and have several options. Since the trail is linked to the Three Farms trail, hikers can take a long hike, beginning at the Visitor’s Center, and meet up with this trail. For a very short stroll come in from the Newcomer Farm. It is even possible to come in from the south by using the network of trails down near the Burnside Bridge to reach the Newcomer Farm.

Come see this beautiful new trail for yourself. Before you do, stop by either the main visitor’s center or the Newcomer house and get the very useful trail map that describes the action in the largely unexplored center of the battle line. If you cant get there anytime soon, take a look at my video that gives a 360-degree panorama of the view near the end of the trail.

New Antietam Film at the Visitor's Center

2011-08-05T09:24:00.005-04:00

No, it is not the new version of God's and Generals. However, those of you that have visited Antietam National Battlefield know that for years, the park featured a 26 minute video titled Lincoln's Antietam Visit. This film was shown for most of the day with the exception of the noon hour when a full one hour documentary of the battle was presented. If you missed the noon film, you didn't get a chance to really see any kind of decent overview of the Maryland Campaign and the battle. Lincoln's Antietam Visit did not offer that.

I learned this week when visiting the park that Lincoln's Antietam Visit has now been replaced with a film that provides a better overview of the battle. It is a vast improvement. While using some of the footage from the noon program, it also uses many scenes that were filmed but ultimately cut. There are much improved maps and graphics using technology not available when the original film was produced years ago. At last, visitors at any time they visit have the opportunity to view a pretty good overview of this historic campaign.

As the Pennsylvania gunner to the left is doing, check out the new film the next time you visit the park. You will be glad you did.

Joining the Ranks

2011-08-04T20:51:00.008-04:00

I am proud to say that my daughter Rachel age 17 has joined the ranks of volunteers at Antietam National Battlefield. Rachel started last weekend. Today to add to her knowledge of things Civil War, we journeyed to Gettysburg to take in several of the Ranger programs there. One program we enjoyed was a Civil War Soldier program given by Gettysburg Ranger Matt Atkinson. Matt brought Rachel up to model the uniform and accoutrements of a Union soldier in the Civil War. She is pictured here at left. I am very proud of Antietam's newest volunteer who has jumped into it with both feet already borrowing a bunch of my books and videos this week. She is very dedicated. It must be in the blood for she joins her brother Jim, now a lance corporal in the United States Marine Corps who also volunteered. Jim also served with Antietam's Battery B, 4th U.S. Artillery, worked in the book store, and was a member of the park's Youth Conservation Corps for a season. There is Jim in his Black Hat brigade uniform with his old man at the Sharpsburg Memorial Day parade in 2010. If you cant already tell, I am very proud of my two kids.

Antietam's Confederate Regiments at Bull Run

2011-07-24T21:41:00.005-04:00

Here is the last installment of my Bull Run series. This is a list of Confederate regiments that served at Bull Run and Sharpsburg. It is organized by the order of battle at Sharpsburg and then shows the brigade that the unit served with at First Bull Run.

Jackson’s “Stonewall” Division

Grigsby’s Brigade

4^th Virginia Infantry, Jackson’s Brigade, Army of the Shenandoah

5^th Virginia Infantry, Jackson’s Brigade, Army of the Shenandoah

27^th Virginia Infantry, Jackson’s Brigade, Army of the Shenandoah

33^rd Virginia Infantry, Jackson’s Brigade, Army of the Shenandoah

Lawton’s Division

Hay’s Brigade

6^th Louisiana Infantry, Ewell’s Brigade, Army of the Potomac

7^th Louisiana Infantry, Early’s Brigade, Army of the Potomac

8^th Louisiana Infantry, Bonham’s Brigade, Army of the Potomac

Hood’s Division

Law’s Brigade

4^th Alabama Infantry, Bee’s Brigade, Army of the Shenandoah

2^nd Mississippi Infantry, Bee’s Brigade, Army of the Shenandoah

11^th Mississippi Infantry, Bee’s Brigade, Army of the Shenandoah

6^th North Carolina Infantry, Bee’s Brigade, Army of the Shenandoah

D.H. Hill’s Division

Garland’s Brigade

5^th North Carolina Infantry, Longstreet’s Brigade, Army of the Potomac

Rode’s Brigade

5^th Alabama Infantry, Ewell’s Brigade, Army of the Potomac

6^th Alabama Infantry, Ewell’s Brigade, Army of the Potomac

McLaw’s Division

Kershaw’s Brigade

2^nd South Carolina Infantry, Bonham’s Brigade, Army of the Potomac

7^th South Carolina Infantry, Bonham’s Brigade, Army of the Potomac

Barksdale’s Brigade

13^th Mississippi Infantry, Early’s Brigade, Army of the Potomac

17^th Mississippi Infantry, Jone’s Brigade, Army of the Potomac

18^th Mississippi Infantry, Jone’s Brigade, Army of the Potomac

David Jones Division

George T. Anderson’s Brigade

7^th Georgia Infantry, Bartow’s Brigade, Army of the Shenandoah

8^th Georgia Infantry, Bartown’s Brigade, Army of the Potomac

Garnett’s Brigade

8^th Virginia Infantry, Cocke’s Brigade, Army of the Potomac

18^th Virginia Infantry, Cocke’s Brigade, Army of the Potomac

19^th Virginia Infantry, Cocke’s Brigade, Army of the Potomac

Kemper’s Brigade

11^th Virginia Infantry, Longstreet’s Brigade, Army of the Potomac

24^th Virginia Infantry, Longstreet’s Brigade, Army of the Potomac

Jenkin’s Brigade

5^th South Carolina Infantry (redesignated by the Battle of Antietam as the Palmetto Sharpshooters), Jones Brigade, Army of the Potomac.

Finally, we cannot forget J.E.B. Stewart's 1st Virginia Cavalry Regiment that served at both battlefields.

In looking this list over, there are a number of brigades that contain large numbers of Bull Run regiments. The include the Stonewall Brigade, Hay’s brigade, Barksdale’s Brigade, and Garnett’s Brigade. Also interesting is that David Jones division contains Bull Run regiments in four out of six of his brigades. Jones himself as you recall commanded a brigade at Bull Run. I don’t know what if any connection there might be there. If anyone can shed some light on this, please let me know.

This series of posts has been a pleasure to put together. I am indebted to Brian Downey’s terrific Antietam on the Web (AOTW) site for much of my work for much of the information. I also discovered a great site on Federal organizations called Civil War in the East. Take a look at it here. I never saw it until I started this project. Steve Hawks did a great job. Bradley Gottfried’s The Maps of First Bull Run was also exceedingly helpful in helping to visualize things. And finally, Civil War High Commands by John and David Eicher as usual is my go to source on anything having to do with the general officers of both armies.

So now we turn from First Bull Run to the next round of battles in the 150^th anniversary. It will be interesting to see what lessons were learned by the National Park Service in this large scale observance. My own personal observances were that while the heat was a factor, the federal park was competing with the county organized reenactment and I think both sides were not as successful as they could have been. I don’t think the general public understood the distinction and that fact alone should be weighed at other battlefields that don’t normally have reenactments but may be planning them in the next four years. That’s my two cents.

"Keep your ranks, do your duty, and show you are worthy of the state from which you came!" Antietam's Confederate Commanders at First Bull Run

2011-07-23T20:27:00.010-04:00

Colonel W. M. Gardner of the 8th Georgia Infantry Regiment shouted this to his regiment as his unit prepared for action at First Bull Run. Gardner would be seriously wounded in the fighting but would eventually recover. The 8th Georgia would find itself 14 months later in George T. Anderson's brigade at Sharpsburg.

This post addresses Antietam’s Confederate commanders who fought at the first Battle of Bull Run. The photo at the left is of the Henry House, taken yesterday at the 150th anniversary celebration. Just as we saw with the case of the Union Army commander at Antietam, Robert E. Lee was not present at Bull Run. General Lee was in Richmond coordinating the campaign in northern Virginia and advising President Jefferson Davis. Lee’s two wing commanders at Antietam however played a prominent role at First Bull Run.

James Longstreet (left) commanded the 4^th Brigade in Beauregard’s Army of the Potomac. On the Confederate right, Longstreet’s brigade engaged Israel Richardson’s brigade at the Battle of Blackburn’s ford on July 18^th. His brigade did not see significant action on July 21^st. Among the promising young officers in Longstreet’s brigade was Colonel Samuel Garland of the 11^th Virginia Infantry.

Thomas Jonathan Jackson (left) was destined to earn his immortal nickname at Bull Run. Jackson’s brigade of Virginia troops just arrived from the Shenandoah Valley made the crucial stand early in the battle that blunted the Union initial successes. With Jackson that day were Captain John R. Jones

of the 33^rd Virginia Infantry, Regiment and Major Andrew J. Grigsby of the 27^th Virginia Infantry Regiment. Jones would briefly command the Stonewall Division at Sharpsburg before heading to the rear after being stunned by an artillery round exploding near him. It is not recorded if Jones had any difficulties staying on the field at Bull Run. Grigsby would fight well at Antietam but would resign shortly after the battle when Jackson refused to give him permanent command of the Stonewall Brigade.

Three other Confederate leaders at Antietam commanded brigades at Antietam. Brigadier General David R. Jones (left) commanded the 3^rd Brigade of the Army of the Potomac at Bull Run. This South Carolina officer had been at Beauregard at Charleston in the early days of the Civil War. In Jone’s brigade was the 5^th South Carolina Infantry Regiment. Commanding Company K at Bull Run was Captain Joseph Walker. At Sharpsburg, Walker commanded Jenkins Brigade in David Jone’s Division.

Colonel Jubal Early (left) commanded the Sixth Brigade of the Army of the Potomac. Early had the largest concentration of Antietam commanders underneath him. William Barksdale commanded the 13^th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. James Kemper commanded the 7^th Virginia Infantry Regiment, and Harry T. Hays commanded the 7^th Louisiana Infantry Regiment.

Nathan “Shanks” Evans (left) commanded the 7^th Brigade of the Army of the Potomac. It was Evans who at Bull Run spotted the Federals beginning their move on the Confederate left flank. The initiative he took to promptly redeploy his brigade to blunt this attack gave Beauregard and Johnston the time they needed to react to McDowell’s attack on their left.

A total of 11 Antietam brigade commanders fought at Bull Run. We have accounted for eight so far (John R. Jones, Grigsby, Barksdale, Kemper, Hays, Walker, Evans and Garland). The other three commanded regiments in other brigades of Beauregard’s Army. Joseph Kershaw commanded the 2^nd South Carolina Infantry Regiment in Milledge Bonham’s First Brigade of the Army of the Potomac. Evander Law was Lieutenant Colonel of the 4^th Alabama Infantry in Bee’s Brigade of the Army of the Shenandoah. Finally, Colonel Robert Rodes commanded the 5^th Alabama Infantry Regiment in Richard Ewell’s Second Brigade of the Army of the Potomac. Also with the Alabama troops in the 6^th Alabama Regiment was Major John Gordon.

Confederate cavalry was well represented at Bull Run as well. J.E.B. Stuart commanded the First Virginia Cavalry. Regiment. Wade Hampton’s Legion was on the scene. Fitzhugh Lee, a First Lieutenant was an Assistant Adjutant General in Milledge Bonham’s 1^st Brigade. Thomas Munford was a lieutenant colonel in the 30^th Virginia Mounted Infantry, a unit letter reorganized and redesignated as the 2^nd Virginia Cavalry. Tom Rosser was a first lieutenant in the 2^nd Company of the Washington Artillery.

On the artillery side Colonel William Pendleton commanded Johnston’s Army of the Shenandoah. First Lieutenant John Pelham served in Wise’s (Virginia) Artillery in Bartow’s Brigade.

Below is a list of other Confederate division and brigade commanders and their whereabouts during the Battle of Bull Run.

Other Confederate Division Commanders (7)

Daniel H. Hill, Colonel, 1^st North Carolina Infantry

Ambrose P. Hill, Colonel, 13^th Virginia Infantry

Lafayette McLaws, Colonel, 10^th Georgia Infantry

Alexander Lawton, Colonel, 1^st Georgia Infantry

John B. Hood, Captain, Department of the Peninsula (Yorktown VA)

Richard Anderson, Brig Genl, Department of South Carolina

John Walker, Captain, US Army, Regiment of Mounted Rifles, Ft Union New Mexico. Note that Walker was still on active duty with the United States Army at the time of the Battle of First Bull Run.

Other Confederate Infantry Brigade Commanders (27)

McLaws Division

Paul J. Semmes, Colonel 2^nd Georgia Infantry, Brunswick GA

Howell Cobb, Colonel 16^th Georgia Infantry

Anderson’s Division

Alfred Cummings Colonel, 10^th Georgia Infantry

Carnot Posey, Colonel 16^th Mississippi Infantry

Lewis A. Armistead, Major, ACSA Infantry

Roger A. Pryor, Colonel 3^rd Virginia Infantry Yorktown

William A. Parham, Lieutenant, Co A, 41st Virginia Infantry Norfolk area

Ambrose R. Wright, Colonel, 3^rd Georgia Infantry

David R. Jones’s Division

Robert Toombs, Secretary of State, C.S.A. and Brigadier General CSA

Thomas F. Drayton, Planter and Militia Captain USMA 1828 28/33

Richard B. Garnett, Major ACSA Artillery

George T. Anderson, Colonel, 11^th Georgia Infantry arrived just as battle ended

Walker’s Division

Van H. Manning, Captain 3^rd Arkansas Infantry, Lynchburg VA

Robert Ransom Captain ACSA Cavalry

Hood’s Division

William T. Wofford, Colonel 18^th Georgia Infantry, Camp Brown Georgia

Ewell’s Division

Marcellus Douglas, Lieutenant Colonel, 13^th Georgia Infantry Regiment

James A. Walker, Lieutenant Colonel, 13^th Virginia Infantry

A.P. Hills Division

Lawrence L. O’Brien Branch, Brigadier General, QM General and Paymaster Gen NC Militia

Maxcy Gregg, Colonel 1^st South Carolina Volunteers in Richmond

John M. Brockenbrough, 40^th Virginia Infantry

James J. Archer, Captain, CSA Infantry

William D. Pender, Colonel 3^rd North Carolina Infantry (13^th North Carolina Infantry)

Jackson’s “Stonewall” Division

James W. Jackson (Taliaferro) Physician, Lafayette Alabama Captain “Lafayette Guards”

John E. Penn (John R. Jones) Captain Company H, 47^th Virginia Infantry

William E. Starke, Lieutenant Colonel ADC to Robert S. Garnett

D.H. Hills Division

Roswell Ripley, Lieutenant Colonel, C.S.A. South Carolina Regular Artillery

George B. Anderson, Colonel, C.S.A. 4^th North Carolina Infantry

Alfred Colquitt, Colonel, 6^th Georgia Infantry, Yorktown Virginia

Much of the Confederate leadership at Antietam was already present in the Confederate Army at Bull Run. The experience that they gained there and at other campaigns before the Maryland Campaign would serve them well at Sharpsburg.

“I am a damned sight better General than you, Sir, had on that field.” ANTIETAM's UNION LEADERS AT BULL RUN

2011-07-20T22:57:00.010-04:00

There were a fair number of Antietam’s Union commanders who were also present at First Bull Run. But George McClellan was not one of them. On July 21, 1861, McClellan was at Beverly Virginia. As the second ranking Major General in the United States Regular Army, McClellan commanded the Department of Ohio and the Army of Occupation (of Western Virginia). McClellan’s troops had just defeated Confederate forces at Rich Mountain, and then again at Corrick’s Ford on the Cheat River. McClellan was not present at either battle but got the credit for the victory. On July 22, 1861 a telegram from Secretary of War Simon Cameron in Washington was handed to McClellan. It said, “Circumstances make your presence here necessary. Charge Rosecrans or some other general with your resent department and come hither without delay.” McClellan would soon be on his way to Washington and arrive on the afternoon of July 26 to take command of the newly created Division of the Potomac.

Before going any further, let us consider Colonel Dixon Miles (picture at left). Miles commanded the Fifth Division of the Army of Northeastern Virginia and was therefore the senior officer from First Bull Run to play a role in the Maryland Campaign. Mile’s division included Captain John Tidball’s Battery A, 2^nd U.S. Artillery, and four New York Regiments (the 16^th, 18^th, 31^st, and 32^nd) that fought at Antietam. Miles did poorly at First Bull Run. Charged by Israel Richardson among others with intoxication, a Court of Inquiry cleared him but enough of a cloud remained over his head that he was essentially exiled to command the Railroad Brigade at distant Harpers Ferry. Miles surrender of the Union garrison two days before the Battle of Antietam was the largest surrender of U.S. military forces until the Japanese conquest of the Philippine Islands in World War Two. It was an important factor in Lee’s decision to fight at Sharpsburg. Fortunately for Miles, he avoided another Court of Inquiry by being killed by a final Confederate artillery round fired just as the surrender was commencing.

ANTIETAM CORPS COMMANDERS AT BULL RUN

Of McClellan’s six Antietam corps commanders, two served as brigade commanders in McDowell’s army. Sixth Corps’ commander William Franklin, (picture at right) commanded the 1^st Brigade of Samuel Heintzelman’s Second Division at Bull Run. Franklin’s brigade included Willis Gorman’s First Minnesota Regiment and also Battery I, 1^st U.S. Infantry commanded by Captain James Ricketts. Ricketts would be wounded and captured at Bull Run. He would be exchanged and accept a commission as a brigadier general and command the 2^nd Division of the First Corps at Antietam. Rickett’s old battery would also be at Antietam, part of Sedgwick’s Second Corps division. Gorman would also be promoted to brigadier and command the 1^st Brigade of Sedgwick’s division. His old regiment, the 1^st Minnesota Infantry would be part of his brigade as it advanced into the West Woods on September 17^th, 1862. Ninth Corps’ commander Ambrose Burnside (picture at left) also led a brigade at Bull Run. It was the 2^nd Brigade of David Hunter’s Second Division. This brigade included his former command the 1^st Rhode Island Infantry. Rhode Island’s other regiment in McDowell’s army was the 2^nd Rhode Island Infantry and was also part of Burnside’s brigade. In command of Company E was Captain Isaac P. Rodman, who would eventually serve Burnside in North Carolina and as a division commander in the Ninth Corps at Antietam where he would fall mortally wounded. One other Antietam corps commander was on the field, but not in a military capacity. Joseph Hooker recently arrived from San Francisco and frustrated at not being able to secure a general officer’s commission viewed the battle as a civilian observer. Hooker way back in 1848 made the mistake of testifying at a court of inquiry in favor of political general Gideon Pillow against General Winfield Scott. Scott would remember this slight thirteen years later when Hooker sought a commission. A few days after the battle, Hooker had the opportunity to meet President Lincoln in a receiving line at the White House. As the President turned away after shaking his hand, Hooker uttered the memorable sentence that endeared him to Lincoln and finally secured his commission: “And while I am at it, Mr. President, I want to say one thing more and that is, that I was at the battle of Bull Run the other day, and it is neither vanity or boasting in me to declare that I am a damned sight better General than you, Sir, had on that field.” By the end of the July, Hooker’s name along with those of William Franklin and Ambrose Burnside would be sent to the Senate as nominees for commissions as brigadier general in the Unites States Volunteers. Two other future corps commanders were not far from Bull Run. Colonel Joseph Mansfield commanded the District of Washington and had been responsible for forwarding new troops to McDowell’s army. Some think that Scott preferred Mansfield for the command of the Army of Northeastern Virginia. In the Shenandoah Valley, Colonel Fitz-John Porter served as an Assistant Adjutant General in Robert Patterson’s Department of the Shenandoah. The last corps commander was Brigadier General Edwin V. Sumner. Commanding the Department of the Pacific in San Francisco Sumner was one of the senior general officers in the Army and the farthest from the action. At the time of his promotion on March 16, 1861 and appointment to the Pacific command, he was one of only three brigadier generals in the entire Army.

ANTIETAM DIVISION COMMANDERS AT BULL RUN

Of the sixteen Antietam division commanders, six commanded troops at Bull Run and one served as a primary staff officer for McDowell. Of the troop commanders, there were two brigade commanders, and one each regimental, battalion, battery and company commander. Israel Richardson (photo at left) of Sunken Road fame, commanded the 4^th Brigade of Brigadier General Tyler’s 1^st Division. Richardson was in command of the 2^nd Michigan Infantry Regiment when he arrived in Washington but was quickly elevated to brigade command. His brigade included the 12^th New York Infantry Regiment that was part of the Fifth Corps at Antietam. He also had two regular artillery batteries that both fought at Antietam. Acting Major Henry Hunt commanded Battery M, 2^nd U.S. Artillery at Bull Run. Hunt would be administratively in charge of the artillery at Antietam but did not exercise operational command. Battery M would be part of the artillery assigned to Pleasanton’s cavalry division. Battery G, 1^st U.S. Artillery also fought under Richardson at Bull Run and was part of the Fifth Corps artillery at Antietam. The other brigade commander was Ninth Corps division commander Orlando Willcox (picture below at left) who lead the final assault on Sharpsburg. Willcox commanded the 2^nd Brigade of Heintzelman’s 3^rd Division at Bull Run. Like Richardson, he brought a Michigan Infantry Regiment (the First) to Washington and was subsequently elevated to brigade command. McDowell sought West Pointers like Richardson, Willcox, Burnside and Howard for brigade commands whenever he could avoid taking political generals as he organized his army in July 1861. Wilcox’s brigade contained the 4^th Michigan Infantry Regiment, and Battery D, 2^nd U.S. Artillery which both fought at Antietam. One of McDowell’s regimental commanders was another West Pointer who later commanded a Sixth Corps division at Antietam. Henry Slocum, like Richardson and Willcox, left the regular army but returned to duty as the Civil War began. Slocum commanded the 27^th New York Infantry Regiment at Bull Run. Recruited out of the Syracuse area, Slocum’s regiment was assigned to Colonel Andrew Porter’s First Brigade of David Hunter’s Second Division. The 27^th New York included in its ranks Major Joseph Bartlett. Later as a brigade commander in Slocum’s division, Bartlett was instrumental in the successful attack against the Confederate line at Crampton’s Gap. It appears that Slocum and Bartlett kept an eye on their old regiment for participating in that attack would be the 27^th New York. Major George Sykes association with regular army troops began at Bull Run where he led a composite battalion of infantrymen from the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 8^th U.S. Infantry. He would similarly command a division, again of regulars in the Fifth Corps at Antietam. Despite popular conceptions that the Fifth Corps was idle at Antietam, Sykes’ regulars were engaged against the center of Lee’s line advancing over the Middle Bridge toward Sharpsburg at various times during September 17^th 1862. James Ricketts as we already discussed was a battery commander at Bull Run and commanded the 2^nd Division of the First Corp at Antietam. The last Antietam division commander at Bull Run and only non West Pointer was Isaac Rodman. As mentioned, Rodman at Bull Run was a captain in the 2^nd Rhode Island Infantry in Burnside’s brigade. Also with McDowell’s Army of Northeast Virginia was Colonel George Morell who served on the Quartermaster staff. Morell commanded the Second Division, Fifth Corps at Antietam. Though Morell was assigned to McDowell’s department, I have not been able to determine if he was actually present on the battlefield. What of the other nine division commanders? Of the remaining West Pointers who would later commander divisions at Antietam, in this group, five were still serving in their regular army assignments, one had already secured a volunteer regiment and the last one was still a civilian. Of the officers still with the regular army, the most senior officer among them was Colonel John Sedgwick commanding the First United States Cavalry. Sedgwick was in Washington but was recovering from a bout with cholera at the time of the battle. Had he been well enough, he would no doubt have accompanied the army. Major Abner Doubleday commanded artillery in Patterson’s Army of the Shenandoah. Farther afield was Major Samuel Sturgis with part of the 1^st Cavalry Regiment in Missouri, Captain George Meade impatiently seeking a senior billet while located at Detroit in charge of the Great Lakes Survey, and Captain William French at Fort Taylor, Florida. William F. “Baldy” Smith commanding a Sixth Corps division at Antietam had already secured a colonel’s commission in the U.S. Volunteers. He had just assumed command of the 3^rd Vermont Infantry and was enroute to Washington DC as the battle raged. The sole West Pointer not yet returned to the Army was George Sears Greene, a prominent engineer in New York City. At the advanced age of 61 there may have been some concerns about Greene’s ability to actively serve in the field. Greene did not receive a command until January of 1862 when he became colonel of the 60^th New York Infantry. That leaves only two other division commanders not at Bull Run. Brigadier General Jacob Cox commanded the Kanawha Brigade and was in the field with George McClellan in western Virginia at the time of the battle. While George Meade was hoping to wrap up his affairs in Detroit, Alpheus Williams had been commissioned a brigadier general of Michigan troops and was conducting a school of military instruction at Fort Wayne. He would soon receive a brigadier general’s commission and be sent to command a brigade in Nathaniel Banks division in western Maryland.

ANTIETAM BRIGADE COMMANDERS AT BULL RUN

Of the 45 infantry brigade commanders at Antietam, six saw service at First Bull Run. We have already mentioned Willis Gorman with the 1^st Minnesota Infantry Regiment, and Joseph Bartlett, major of the 27^th New York Infantry. The brigade commander holding the highest command at Bull Run was Oliver Otis Howard (pictured at left). At Bull Run, Howard commanded the 3rd Brigade in Heintzelman’s division. Howard, from the West Point Class of 1854 brought the 3^rd Maine Infantry Regiment to Washington. Like his other three Antietam colleagues, he was quickly elevated to brigade command. Within his brigade were the 5^th Maine Infantry Regiment and the 2^nd Vermont Infantry Regiment, both Antietam units. Unlike his Antietam colleagues at brigade command at Bull Run, Howard still remained at that command level fourteen months later. No doubt part of the reason was that he was seriously wounded at Fair Oaks during the Seven Days Battles. However despite this slow start, Howard was the only commander at Antietam besides Burnside, Hooker, and Meade who would command an Army during the Civil War. Howard in May of 1864 to the utter disgust of Joseph Hooker would be selected by Grant and Sherman to replace the fallen James McPherson as commander of the Army of the Tennessee instead of Joseph Hooker. Hooker would immediately resign his command as a result of this humiliation. There were x other brigade commanders who saw action at Antietam. Thomas Meagher was acting major of the 69^th New York Militia. A predominantly Irish organization the 69^th New York Militia after mustering out would largely fill the ranks of the new 69^th New York Infantry. The regiment contained other men who would later figure prominently in the Irish Brigade. James Kelly who would lead the 63^rd New York Infantry at Antietam commanded Company H and Patrick Kelley who commanded Company E would command the 88^th New York Infantry at Antietam. Charles Griffin at Bull Run commanded Battery D “The West Point Battery”, 5^th U.S. Artillery at Bull Run. Like Ricketts, Griffin would suffer the capture of his battery during the height of the Bull Run fighting. The last Antietam brigade commander who fought at Bull Run was Edward Harland, commander of Company D “Norwich Rifles” of the 3^rd Connecticut Infantry Regiment, a 3-month regiment assigned to Keyes’s First Brigade of Tyler’s First Division. When the regiment mustered out, Harland would then be commissioned a colonel and take command of the 8^th Connecticut Infantry.

I didn’t mention the cavalry. None of the senior cavalry leadership present at Antietam was at Bull Run. That is probably explained by the fact that there was only one small composite cavalry battalion composed of U.S. Regulars at the battle. On July 21, 1861, Captain Alfred Pleasanton was with the 2^nd U.S. Dragoons at Fort Crittenden, Utah. There were two regular army cavalry, and three volunteer cavalry brigades at Antietam. For the regulars, Captain Charles Whiting was with the 5^th U.S. Cavalry and probably stationed at Carlisle Barracks. First Lieutenant Benjamin F. “Grimes” Davis was still with the 1^st U.S. Dragoons in New Mexico or California. The three volunteer cavalry brigade commanders were still civilians. All three men were taking steps to organize cavalry regiments in July of 1862. John Farnsworth at Chicago Illinois was organizing the 8^th Illinois Cavalry Regiment. Andrew T. McReynolds was similarly organizing the 1^st New York Cavalry Regiment in New York City. In Philadelphia, Richard Rush was unsuccessfully attempting to be placed in command of the state of Pennsylvania’s artillery units. Rush was a West Point graduate who served in the artillery previously. Denied this position by Governor Curtin, Rush would instead organize the 6^th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment known as the Rush Lancers.

I could go on an on. Antietam veterans Adelbert Ames, George Custer, Henry Kingsbury, David Morrison, and John Tidball were at Bull Run and deserve mention. It was the leavening of these men and countless other Bull Run veterans from 1861 that would give the Army of the Potomac the resilience that it needed in the summer of 1862 to incorporate thousands of rookie soldiers and be a formidable fighting force that could take on Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia on the banks of the Antietam, just east of Sharpsburg.

Next: Antietam’s Army of Northern Virginia at First Bull Run

Antietam Units at First Bull Run

2011-07-19T13:14:00.003-04:00

As we observe the 150^th anniversary of the First Battle of Bull Run, I wanted to acknowledge the role that Union and Confederate units and leaders from Antietam, played at that earlier battle. I will try to describe that role in a series of posts over the next several days.

Below is a list of Union regiments and artillery batteries that were present at both the First Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of Antietam. I used the compilation of the First Bull Run Order of Battle found in The Maps of First Bull Run by Bradley M. Gottfried (El Dorado Hills: Savas Beatie, 2009). There are a total 52 infantry regiments listed. This includes those that did not see any action on the day of battle. Of these, 19 would fight fourteen months later during the Maryland Campaign. That’s about 37%. On the artillery side, there are 11 artillery batteries at First Bull Run. All but two are regular army formations. Six of these batteries would see action at Antietam as well.

The list below is the Order of Battle for McDowell’s Army of Northeastern Virginia. Broken out by division and brigade, it only lists the Antietam regiments within these brigades. In parentheses is the assignment of those units at the Battle of Antietam.

ARMY OF NORTHEASTERN VIRGINIA (Brigadier General Irvin McDowell)

FIRST DIVISION (Brigadier General Daniel Tyler)

FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION (Colonel Erasmus Keyes)

2^nd Maine Infantry [Barnes Brigade, Morell’s Division, Fifth Corps]

SECOND BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION (Brigadier General Robert Schenck)

- NONE

THIRD BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION (Colonel William T. Sherman)

13^th New York Infantry [Barnes Brigade, Morell’s Division, Fifth Corps]

69^th New York Militia [Meagher’s Brigade, Richardson’s Division, Second Corps]

79^th New York Infantry [Christ’s Brigade, Willcox’s Division, Ninth Corps]

2^nd Wisconsin Infantry [Gibbon’s Brigade, Doubleday’s Division, First Corps]

FOURTH BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION (Colonel Israel B. Richardson)

12^th New York Infantry [Stockton’s Brigade, Morell’s Division, Fifth Corps]

Battery G, 1^st U.S. Artillery [Sykes Division, Fifth Corps]

Battery M, 2^nd U.S. Artillery [Pleasanton’s Cavalry Division]

SECOND DIVISION (Colonel David Hunter)

FIRST BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION (Colonel Andrew Porter)

27^th New York Infantry [Bartlett’s Brigade, Slocum’s Division, Sixt h Corps]

Battery D, 5^th U.S. Artillery [Morell’s Division, Fifth Corps]

SECOND BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION (Colonel Ambrose Burnside)

– NONE

THIRD DIVISION (Colonel Samuel Heintzelman)

FIRST BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION (Colonel William Franklin)

1^st Minnesota Infantry [Gorman’s Brigade, Sedgwick’s Division, Second Corps]

Battery I, 1^st U.S. Artillery [Sedgwick’s Division, Second Corps]

SECOND BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION (Colonel Orlando Willcox)

4^thMichigan Infantry [Griffin’s Brigade, Morell’s Division, Fifth Corps]

Battery D, 2^nd U.S. Artillery [Slocum’s Division, Sixth Corps]

THIRD BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION (Colonel Oliver O. Howard)

5^th Maine Infantry Regiment [Bartlett’s Brigade, Slocum’s Division, Sixth Corps]

2^nd Vermont Infantry Regiment [Brook’s Brigade, Smith’s Division, Sixth Corps]

FOURTH DIVISION (Brigadier General Theodore Runyon)

1^st New Jersey Infantry [Torbert’s Brigade, Slocum’s Division, Sixth Corps]

2^nd New Jersey Infantry [Torbert’s Brigade, Slocum’s Division, Sixth Corps]

3^rd New Jersey Infantry [Torbert’s Brigade, Slocum’s Division, Sixth Corps]

4^th New Jersey Infantry [Torbert’s Brigade, Slocum’s Division, Sixth Corps]

FIFTH DIVISION (Colonel Dixon Miles)

FIRST BRIGADE, FIFTH DIVISION (Colonel Louis Blenker)

Battery A, 2^nd U.S. Artillery [Pleasanton’s Cavalry Division]

SECOND BRIGADE, FIFTH DIVISION (Colonel Thomas Davies)

16^th New York Infantry [Bartlett’s Brigade, Slocum’s Division, Sixth Corps]

18^th New York Infantry [Newton’s Brigade, Slocum’s Division, Sixth Corps]

31^st New York Infantry [Newton’s Brigade, Slocum’s Division, Sixth Corps]

32^nd New York Infantry [Newton’s Brigade, Slocum’s Division, Sixth Corps]

In my next post, I will list those Antietam Union leaders (down to at least brigade level) that were at the Battle of Bull Run.