Civil War History - The Eastern TheaterDiscuss any and all battles, movements, and events occuring in the Eastern Theater here! This includes any actions in tha area east of the Appalachian Mountains in the vicinity of the river capitals of Richmond and Washington D.C.
Unfortunately, most historians condense what happened to Stuart to one or two days. By July 3rd, Stuart's cavalry was worn out. It had been fighting for weeks or traveling hundreds of miles.
Jeffry Wert, Gettysburg Day Three, had some footnotes and indications from a few Stuart troopers, who told of the poor condition of the troopers and the horses, by the time of Gettysburg.
The Confederate Cavalry was not now at its peak, and a few of Custer's regiments at Gettysburg had Spencer rifles. Cavalry from Jenkin's Confederate brigade reported only had ten rounds apiece.
I think that REL was deeply depressed over the loss of JAckson and simply was somewhat nonfunctioning at Gettysburg. Just at the time when he needed the most support from his officers he seemed to get the least - maybe they were all depressed from the death of Jackson.
Years later according to Foote, REL relayed to a reporter, he believed that if he (REL) could've had Jackson at Gettysburg, things would have been different.
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
I thought this was a thread about Custer; but here's my two cents about Lee at Gettysburg. Lee died of heart disease in 1870 which had begun in the spring of 1863. I have read sources that he was in great discomfort at Gettysburg. I believe he was either having heart troubles or something wrong with his digestive system. When you're in a lot of pain, it's hard to think straight. A lot of sesesh soldiers had the cherry quick step, too. The orchards in Pennsyvania were abounding in cherries that summer. Try eating cherries for a week and see what happens to your bowels. They'll be clean...that's for sure
Calicoboy
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My dear mother:- I have come safely through two more terrible engagements with the enemy, that at South Mountain and the great battle of yesterday (Antietam). Our splendid regiment is almost destroyed. We have had nearly 400 men killed and wounded in the battles. Seven of our officers were shot and three killed in yesterday's battle and nearly 150 men killed and wounded. All from less than 300 engaged. The men have stood like iron....Maj. Rufus Dawes, 6th Wisconsin Volunteers
I have read sources that he was in great discomfort at Gettysburg. I believe he was either having heart troubles or something wrong with his digestive system. When you're in a lot of pain, it's hard to think straight.
That has been bruited about, but I've seen nothing conclusive. Heart trouble is possible -- he was at the top edge of life-expectancy in those days. Gastric disturbance is equally possible -- good food, including fresh fruit after months of army rations will do have most anyone stepping lively.
But Lee being out of sorts is a Lost Cause excuse. I'd believe that if Lee felt discombobulated, he'd have turned over command to someone less affected. But then, that's essentially what he did, isn't it? Lee blew it at Gettysburg. No amount of lipstick is going to make that pig look good.
Welcome back.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
But Lee being out of sorts is a Lost Cause excuse.
Welcome back.
Ole
I concur with the Welcome back part. Lost cause excuse is a phrase made up by you northern boys. This war ain't over, Wuz it? Trying to insert some understanding of the southern perspective into unreceptive craniums is an ongoing task of us losers. Hey, I had 3 Union ancestors, and can go either way. I enjoy the opportunity of learning from the many very knowledgeable folks on this list, Ole included.
Lost cause excuse is a phrase made up by you northern boys.
No, "Lost Cause" came from Pollard. It is currently used as a label to encompass the post-war efforts to make Lee look good at the expense of others, among other things.
Lee did not lose at Gettysburg because of thoracic or gastric discomfort. Nuff said. And you, sir, are a most able proponent of the southern perspective -- I don't envy your task.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Trying to insert some understanding of the southern perspective into unreceptive craniums is an ongoing task of us losers. Hey, I had 3 Union ancestors, and can go either way.
Many of us Do have a understanding of the southern perspective. However, it seems from similiar comments we are supposed to jump to the southern side,(or even Union side,) for that reason alone. Which is downright silly.
To Understand a postition does Not mean to accept that it is the only Truth and that it is Right.
I understand why the soldiers fought. I read their diaries and letters. I only wish I had sources to explain specifically why 27 of my family members joined the Confederacy.
I'd also like to find sources explaining why 13 of my family joined the Union, (outside of the idea they lived in those areas.) Personally I feel the Southern kin fought for the wrong side. But they did what They thought was right, and I honor them for that.However, I have others that didn't join, and have not a bit of info on why. Exempt? Hid out? No one knows. But they also did what they thought was right.
I also believe I have some Understanding of what the War was about.
Chuck in IL, by way of Memphis and Mobile
Well one of his first actions on assuming command was promoting 3 captains to brigadier generals: George A. Custer, Elon J. Farnsworth, and Wesley Merritt.
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"It was a very peculiar time." - Franklin D. Cossitt
Ancestors in USA Army: 6th IA Inf, 11th IL Cav, 1st AL Cav; 122nd NY Inf; 6th MI Cav; 35th MA Inf; 100th IL Inf; 1st CO Inf/Cav; 22nd IN Inf
Many of us Do have a understanding of the southern perspective. However, it seems from similiar comments we are supposed to jump to the southern side,(or even Union side,) for that reason alone. Which is downright silly.
To Understand a postition does Not mean to accept that it is the only Truth and that it is Right.
I understand why the soldiers fought. I read their diaries and letters. I only wish I had sources to explain specifically why 27 of my family members joined the Confederacy.
I'd also like to find sources explaining why 13 of my family joined the Union, (outside of the idea they lived in those areas.) Personally I feel the Southern kin fought for the wrong side. But they did what They thought was right, and I honor them for that.However, I have others that didn't join, and have not a bit of info on why. Exempt? Hid out? No one knows. But they also did what they thought was right.
I also believe I have some Understanding of what the War was about.
Chuck in IL, by way of Memphis and Mobile
Chuck, this is well stated and greatly coincides with my own thoughts. I think the individual reasons for being in one army or the other were personal in most cases or simply brought about by geography or local politics at the time. My ancestry covers both armies as well and I share your sentiments. One ancestor who was the right age to have been a soldier, was a cabinet maker in Taylorsville (now Mt. City), TN and has no record of serving. He sired a large family, so he must have been healthy. Several regiments, at least a half dozen, both Union and Cofederate were raised within 50 miles of his home, yet he didn't serve. Maybe contracts for supplies? I don't know. I have recently found that gg Grandpa Cockerham was a friend prior to and after the war of a man who became his company commander in the 10th TN US cavalry . His decision to join the Union was obviously conscious and he was proud of his membership in the GAR. I wonder if the fact that a US blacksmith was paid might have been a factor, since he had a large family prior to service. I suspect his patriotism was a factor. As you stated, I believe my decision, barring obvious physical attack by troops, seizure of property, or simply being conscripted, would have gone with the Union. I can understand Lee's decision to serve Virginia and with his background as both soldier and educator, he must have been burning inside knowing that the Confederate effort, while necessary, wasn't going to possibly be less than an uphill battle. Civil war. Brutal at best.
Last edited by larry_cockerham : 11-09-2006 at 02:24 AM.
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