Battlefield Archaeology: a Case Study
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An Engagement of Some Severity 2009
An Engagement of Some Severity The Battle of Dam Number 1, Newport News, VA “Intelligence reached this city at an early hour yesterday morning that an engagement of some severity had taken place on the peninsula, on Wednesday afternoon, in which 10,000 men were engaged, 5000 on each side.”1 So began a contemporary newspaper account of the first major engagement of the Peninsula Campaign near Lee’s Mill, VA, on April 16, 1862. Compared to the later battles of the war, it was small in scope. However, it was the only major battle that took place during the Siege of Yorktown, from April 5 to May 4, 1862, and it proved to be an important indicator of things to come for the Union forces under Major General George B. McClellan. McClellan’s plan for the Peninsula Campaign called for the Army of the Potomac to deploy to Fortress Monroe in Hampton, VA, and then move up the Virginia Peninsula to Richmond. On April 3, 1862 McClellan ordered two divisions of the III Corps to move up the eastern side of the peninsula on the Yorktown Road and two divisions of the IV Corps to move up the west side of the peninsula on the Newport News Road.2 McClellan’s plan was sound. The vast majority of the Confederate forces in Virginia were deployed in the northern part of the state and the Shenandoah Valley, leaving only a small force on peninsula. The commander of those forces, Major General John Bankhead Magruder stated in his report on the campaign he had only 11,000 troops when McClellan’s forces advanced from Fortress Monroe. -
Army Regulars on the Western Frontier, 1848-1861 / Dunvood Ball
Amy Regulars on the WestmFrontieq r 848-1 861 This page intentionally left blank Army Regulars on the Western Frontier DURWOOD BALL University of Oklahoma Press :Norman Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Ball, Dunvood, 1960- Army regulars on the western frontier, 1848-1861 / Dunvood Ball. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index. ISBN 0-8061-3312-0 I. West (U.S.)-History, Military-I 9th century. 2. United States. Army-History- 19th century. 3. United States-Military policy-19th century. 4. Frontier and pioneer life-West (U.S.) 5. West (US.)-Race relations. 6. Indians of North Arnerica- Government relations-1789-1869. 7. Indians of North America-West (U.S.)- History-19th century. 8. Civil-military relations-West (U.S.)-History-19th century. 9. Violence-West (U.S.)-History-I 9th century. I. Title. F593 .B18 2001 3 5~'.00978'09034-dcz I 00-047669 CIP The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources, Inc. m Copyright O 2001 by the University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Publishing Division of the University. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the U.S.A. 12345678910 For Mom, Dad, and Kristina This page intentionally left blank CONTENTS List of Illustrations and Maps IX Preface XI Acknowledgments xv INT R o D U C T I o N : Organize, Deploy, and Multiply XIX Prologue 3 PART I. DEFENSE, WAR, AND POLITICS I Ambivalent Duty: Soldiers, Indians, and Frontiersmen I 3 2 All Front, No Rear: Soldiers, Desert, and War 24 3 Chastise Them: Campaigns, Combat, and Killing 3 8 4 Internal Fissures: Soldiers, Politics, and Sectionalism 56 PART 11. -
Lee's Mistake: Learning from the Decision to Order Pickett's Charge
Defense Number 54 A publication of the Center for Technology and National Security Policy A U G U S T 2 0 0 6 National Defense University Horizons Lee’s Mistake: Learning from the Decision to Order Pickett’s Charge by David C. Gompert and Richard L. Kugler I think that this is the strongest position on which Robert E. Lee is widely and rightly regarded as one of the fin- to fight a battle that I ever saw. est generals in history. Yet on July 3, 1863, the third day of the Battle — Winfield Scott Hancock, surveying his position of Gettysburg, he ordered a frontal assault across a mile of open field on Cemetery Ridge against the strong center of the Union line. The stunning Confederate It is my opinion that no 15,000 men ever arrayed defeat that ensued produced heavier casualties than Lee’s army could for battle can take that position. afford and abruptly ended its invasion of the North. That the Army of Northern Virginia could fight on for 2 more years after Gettysburg was — James Longstreet to Robert E. Lee, surveying a tribute to Lee’s abilities.1 While Lee’s disciples defended his decision Hancock’s position vigorously—they blamed James Longstreet, the corps commander in This is a desperate thing to attempt. charge of the attack, for desultory execution—historians and military — Richard Garnett to Lewis Armistead, analysts agree that it was a mistake. For whatever reason, Lee was reti- prior to Pickett’s Charge cent about his reasoning at the time and later.2 The fault is entirely my own. -
How Strong Was Strong Mountain? Preliminary Remarks on the Possible Location of the Mamluk Siege Position at Montfort Castle
CHAPTER 26 How Strong was Strong Mountain? Preliminary Remarks on the Possible Location of the Mamluk Siege Position at Montfort Castle Rafael Lewis During a topographic and landscape archaeology sur- logical site to the broader landscape, including every vey, thoughts on Montfort Castle’s topographical infe- archaeological feature in it. The field methods used riority led to some preliminary1 ideas on the manner in Landscape Archaeology and the Archaeology of in which the Teutonic Order dealt with this crucial Conflicts includes the equal examination of all man- weakness, and what would have been the best loca- made features, not excluding modern elements which tion for the Mamluks to position their siege machinery are documented and studied. The underlying concept and camps during the two assaults of the castle in May of this approach is that in order to understand the 1266 and June 1271.2 meaning of a single find or feature, we need to under- Montfort Castle is isolated from main roads, com- stand the environment in which they were found and mercial centres and major settlements. The problem how they relate to it. The manner in which objects of its isolated location has been raised in the past.3 In are scattered in the landscape is examined strati- order to better understand the castle in its setting, I graphically, but also according to their focal, discrete or decided to go beyond the well-secured boundaries of expanded nature. A path, for example, can usually be the castle’s walls, to raise my head (methodologically) described as a discrete or expanded feature, but a road from the trenches, bulks and archaeological artefacts, junction where a few such features meet, is usually of and look at this specific topic of inquiry from a wide a focal nature. -
James Longstreet and the Retreat from Gettysburg
“Such a night is seldom experienced…” James Longstreet and the Retreat from Gettysburg Karlton Smith, Gettysburg NMP After the repulse of Lt. Gen. James Longstreet’s Assault on July 3, 1863, Gen. Robert E. Lee, commanding the Army of Northern Virginia, knew that the only option left for him at Gettysburg was to try to disengage from his lines and return with his army to Virginia. Longstreet, commander of the army’s First Corps and Lee’s chief lieutenant, would play a significant role in this retrograde movement. As a preliminary to the general withdrawal, Longstreet decided to pull his troops back from the forward positions gained during the fighting on July 2. Lt. Col. G. Moxley Sorrel, Longstreet’s adjutant general, delivered the necessary orders to Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws, commanding one of Longstreet’s divisions. Sorrel offered to carry the order to Brig. Gen. Evander M. Law, commanding John B. Hood’s division, on McLaws’s right. McLaws raised objections to this order. He felt that his advanced position was important and “had been won after a deadly struggle; that the order was given no doubt because of [George] Pickett’s repulse, but as there was no pursuit there was no necessity of it.” Sorrel interrupted saying: “General, there is no discretion allowed, the order is for you to retire at once.” Gen. James Longstreet, C.S.A. (LOC) As McLaws’s forward line was withdrawing to Warfield and Seminary ridges, the Federal batteries on Little Round Top opened fire, “but by quickening the pace the aim was so disturbed that no damage was done.” McLaws’s line was followed by “clouds of skirmishers” from the Federal Army of the Potomac; however, after reinforcing his own skirmish line they were driven back from the Peach Orchard area. -
Inside... DIRECTOR’S NOTE VOL
Inside... DIRECTOR’S NOTE VOL. 24, NO. 2, DECEMBER 2020 Battlefield Archaeology Book––Francis Marion and the Snow’s Island Community RESEARCH Small Arms Evidence from Star Fort Numismatic History of Charlesfort/Santa Elena: Plantation Era New Mound at Mulberry Archaeology in South Carolina Book MARITIME RESEARCH MRD Features in National Geographic TV Channel Drain the Oceans Season 3 A Mystery Object from Mississippi SAVANNAH RIVER By Chester B. DePratter, Director of Research ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH In 1976, I first became interested in colleagues, Charles Hudson and Marvin PROGRAM Hernando de Soto and the expedition he Smith, and I have published papers on Public Outreach in Time of Covid led through the Southeast when I was the 1539-1543 route that Soto and his men SCIAA ANNUAL REPORT just beginning work on my Ph.D. at the took from their landing in Tampa Bay, A New Feature in Legacy University of Georgia. In the 44 years that Florida, to the departure of the expedition have passed since then, my friends and survivors down the Mississippi River HISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGY A New Feature in Legacy MYSTERY ARTIFACT, See Page 4 ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH TRUST (ART) AND SCIAA DONORS ENDOWMENT OPPORTUNITIES Stanley South Student Archaeological Research Endowment Fund Thank you for your generous support of the Archaeological Research Trust (ART) Endowment Fund and the printing of Legacy. Please send donations in the enclosed envelope to Nena Powell Rice USC/SCIAA, 1321 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC 29208, indicating whether you want to continue receiving Legacy and include your email address. All contributions are appreciated. Please visit our website at: http://www. -
National Cemeteries Name of Muhlple Property Ustlng Stale
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H. Doc. 108-222
THIRTY-NINTH CONGRESS MARCH 4, 1865, TO MARCH 3, 1867 FIRST SESSION—December 4, 1865, to July 28, 1866 SECOND SESSION—December 3, 1866, to March 3, 1867 SPECIAL SESSION OF THE SENATE—March 4, 1865, to March 11, 1865 VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES—ANDREW JOHNSON, 1 of Tennessee PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE—LAFAYETTE S. FOSTER, 2 of Connecticut; BENJAMIN F. WADE, 3 of Ohio SECRETARY OF THE SENATE—JOHN W. FORNEY, of Pennsylvania SERGEANT AT ARMS OF THE SENATE—GEORGE T. BROWN, of Illinois SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES—SCHUYLER COLFAX, 4 of Indiana CLERK OF THE HOUSE—EDWARD MCPHERSON, 5 of Pennsylvania SERGEANT AT ARMS OF THE HOUSE—NATHANIEL G. ORDWAY, of New Hampshire DOORKEEPER OF THE HOUSE—IRA GOODNOW, of Vermont POSTMASTER OF THE HOUSE—JOSIAH GIVEN ALABAMA James Dixon, Hartford GEORGIA SENATORS SENATORS REPRESENTATIVES Vacant Vacant Henry C. Deming, Hartford REPRESENTATIVES 6 Samuel L. Warner, Middletown REPRESENTATIVES Vacant Augustus Brandegee, New London Vacant John H. Hubbard, Litchfield ARKANSAS ILLINOIS SENATORS SENATORS Vacant DELAWARE Lyman Trumbull, Chicago Richard Yates, Jacksonville REPRESENTATIVES SENATORS REPRESENTATIVES Vacant Willard Saulsbury, Georgetown George R. Riddle, Wilmington John Wentworth, Chicago CALIFORNIA John F. Farnsworth, St. Charles SENATORS REPRESENTATIVE AT LARGE Elihu B. Washburne, Galena James A. McDougall, San Francisco John A. Nicholson, Dover Abner C. Harding, Monmouth John Conness, Sacramento Ebon C. Ingersoll, Peoria Burton C. Cook, Ottawa REPRESENTATIVES FLORIDA Henry P. H. Bromwell, Charleston Donald C. McRuer, San Francisco Shelby M. Cullom, Springfield William Higby, Calaveras SENATORS Lewis W. Ross, Lewistown John Bidwell, Chico Vacant 7 Anthony Thornton, Shelbyville Vacant 8 Samuel S. -
The Battle of Sailor's Creek
THE BATTLE OF SAILOR’S CREEK: A STUDY IN LEADERSHIP A Thesis by CLOYD ALLEN SMITH JR. Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS December 2005 Major Subject: History THE BATTLE OF SAILOR’S CREEK: A STUDY IN LEADERSHIP A Thesis by CLOYD ALLEN SMITH JR. Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS Approved by: Chair of Committee, Joseph Dawson Committee Members, James Bradford Joseph Cerami Head of Department, Walter L. Buenger December 2005 Major Subject: History iii ABSTRACT The Battle of Sailor’s Creek: A Study in Leadership. (December 2005) Cloyd Allen Smith Jr., B.A., Slippery Rock University Chair: Dr. Joseph Dawson The Battle of Sailor’s Creek, 6 April 1865, has been overshadowed by Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House several days later, yet it is an example of the Union military war machine reaching its apex of war making ability during the Civil War. Through Ulysses S. Grant’s leadership and that of his subordinates, the Union armies, specifically that of the Army of the Potomac, had been transformed into a highly motivated, organized and responsive tool of war, led by confident leaders who understood their commander’s intent and were able to execute on that intent with audacious initiative in the absence of further orders. After Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia escaped from Petersburg and Richmond on 2 April 1865, Grant’s forces chased after Lee’s forces with the intent of destroying the mighty and once feared iv protector of the Confederate States in the hopes of bringing a swift end to the long war. -
1 Marks, James Junius. the Peninsular Campaign in Virginia
Marks, James Junius. The Peninsular Campaign in Virginia, Or Incidents and Scenes on the Battle-Fields and in Richmond. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott, 1864. CHAPTER I. Early Camp-life — Dr. John Crawford — Memorials of many Virginia Families — Fairfax Seminary — Bishop Meade ... 21 CHAPTER II. Encampment on the Farm of George Mason, Esq. — Character of this Man — Appearance of the Country — General Desolation — The Discipline of the Camp — General .Jameson — Mrs. Jameson — The Daily Life of the Army — Personal Influence of Officers. 28 CHAPTER III. The Chaplain and his Duties — Distribution of Books — Religious Services — The Obstacles to Success — No Protection nor assigned Duties — Treatment of the Chaplains by many Officers — The Tendencies of Military Law 44 CHAPTER IV. The Revival — Gloom and Discontent from Inaction — Tent for Public Worship — Dedication Scene — The Soldier alone with his Mother — The Formation of a Camp Church — Progress of the Revival — Letter of Mansfield Brown, Esq 58 CHAPTER V. Scenes in the Neighborhood of Mount Vernon — The Quakers — Their Loyalty — The Washington Family, and Traditions of General Washington — The Lewis Estate — Our Pickets in that Neighborhood — The Old Church of Washington at Pohick — The various Great Estates in that Neighborhood — A Woman's Revenge. 67 CHAPTER VI. The Slaves — Their Condition — Story of Hanson Yerly 89 CHAPTER VII. Embarkation for the Peninsula — Fortress Monroe — Early Discoveries — Description of the Country and its Wealth — Fight between the Merrimac and Monitor — Excitement and Terror at the Fortress Ill CHAPTER VIII. Fortress Monroe — The Ruins of Hampton — The Scene attending its Destruction — The Assembling of the Grand Army of the Potomac on the Plains of Hampton — The Novelty and Splendor of the Spectacle — March upon Yorktown 127 CHAPTER IX. -
Gettysburg to Appomattox: the South’S Critical Failures
GETTYSBURG TO APPOMATTOX: THE SOUTH’S CRITICAL FAILURES DAVID MOORE With Contributions By John E. Moore John R. Caldwell William C. Wyrick November 2010 Copyright(c) 2010 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing by the author. David Moore HCR Box 3000 Big Piney, WY 83113 Copies of this work may be ordered from: Office Outlet Publishing PO Box 662 Pinedale, WY 84941 307-367-6763 Manufactured in the United States of America ISBN Gettysburg_Appomattox_Draft01.doc Preface It was in the cold winter month of January 2007 that I turned to my favorite pastime, reading the Civil War books I had acquired over the years. At one point I stopped, and asked the simple question, "What were the battle errors that contributed to the Southern Army loosing the war?" As a U.S. Navy Seabee in World War II, I experienced first-hand the conditions of combat during the invasions of Saipan and Tinian. I also served later during the Vietnam War as an officer at Subic Bay in the Philippines. I finished my military service as a Commander in the US Navy Reserves. These experiences were helpful in analyzing and appreciating battle conditions in writing this book. There was a cluster of battle events that registered failure for the Southern Army, and I found them at the battle of Gettysburg. -
Civil War Fought for the Union Which Represent 52% of the Sons of Harvard Killed in Action During This Conflict
Advocates for Harvard ROTC . H CRIMSON UNION ARMY VETERANS Total served Died in service Killed in action Died by disease Harvard College grads 475 73 69 26 Harvard College- non grads 114 22 Harvard Graduate schools 349 22 NA NA Total 938 117 69 26 The above total of Harvard alumni who died in the service of the Union included 5 major generals, 3 Brigadier Generals, 6 colonels, 19 LT Colonels and majors, 17 junior officers in the Army, 3 sergeants plus 3 Naval officers, including 2 Medical doctors. 72% of all Harvard alumni who served in the Civil War fought for the Union which represent 52% of the sons of Harvard killed in action during this conflict. As result among Harvard alumni, Union military losses were 10% compared with a 21% casualty rate for the Confederate Army. The battle of Gettysburg (PA) had the highest amount of Harvard alumni serving in the Union Army who were killed in action (i.e. 11), in addition 3 Harvard alumni Confederates also died in this battle. Secondly, seven Crimson warriors made the supreme sacrifice for the Union at Antietam (MD) with 5 more were killed in the battles of Cedar Mountain (VA) and Fredericksburg (VA). As expected, most of the Harvard alumni who died in the service of the Union were born and raised in the Northeastern states (e.g. 74% from Massachusetts). However, 9 Harvard alumni Union casualties were from the Mid West including one from the border state of Missouri. None of these Harvard men were from southern states. The below men who made the supreme sacrifice for their country to preserve the union which also resulted in the abolition of slavery.