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.
__________________ 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
"He was censured by the New York State Assembly for escorting a known prostitute, Fanny White, into its chambers. He also reportedly took her to England with him, leaving his pregnant wife at home, and presented White to Queen Victoria, using as her alias the surname of a New York political opponent"
Its like Melrose Place except its actually happening.
Please don't don't take my 'defense' of Sickles to be altogether that serious and in no way a 'complete' defense of his charachter which we know to be lacking. I mean, can you imagine something like that happening today? Clinton introducing Monica Lewinski as 'Monica Dole or Monica Bush' Really what's amazing is that he's so 'out in the open' with it.
I cannot remember for the life of me where I read it, though I know it was in a Civil War periodical, but it said that there was a monument at Gettysburg that was to have a statue of Sickles encased within. But Sickles embezzled money from the fund and his statue was subsequently left out of the monument. If anybody has read the article or knows the story, do please fill in my gaps!
__________________ "The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize." George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796
You have it about the way I remember it J Man. Believe some old forums or threads on Sickles in this board might have some more detail on that. Someone will remember where. Or you could use the "search" function to get you closer.
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
In the latest issue of "America's Civil War" it says that in 1912, Sickles claimed responsibility for $28,476 missing from accounts of the New York State Monuments Commision, headed by Sickles for 26 years. Sickles escaped jail only when Confederate General James Longstreet's widow rallied friends to cover the debt.
__________________ "There must be more historians of the Civil War than there were generals figthing in it... Of the two groups, the historians are the more belligerent." David Donald, Lincoln Reconsidered (1961)
Why is everyone focused on Gettysburg, a pivotal Union victory?
I would look to a defeat such as Chancellorsville for the answer, and that would be Major General John Sedgwick. If you look at his track record, he was the ultimate "play it safe" general whose methods never won as a corps commander. In fact, he probably would have survived, ironically, if he had been smart enough to know his enemy and their capabilities to gun him down. Sickles may have been reckless, but an inactive general in the mold of Sedgwick or McClellan is FAR more dangerous.
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Remembering: Heavy Artillery
LOUIS LAROCQUE, 2nd Massachusetts, Co 'E' Infantry
ENOS SUMNER, 67th Ohio Co 'G'
ABRAHAM KUNTZ, 45th Wisconsin, Co 'I'
Why is everyone focused on Gettysburg, a pivotal Union victory?
Even though a pivotal Union victory, there were mistakes made that could have cost the Union that victory. I would not call Sedgwick the worst, because though he did not crush the Confederates at Salem Church, he did fight them, and he threw his men into the fight from what I remember of the action. He was in a no mans land, totally separated from the rest of the Union army and fighting an army better able to reinforce itself.
And no, we should not narrow it down to just one theatre, one battle. There were many others I can think of. General John McClernand comes to mind, and his foolhardy actions during the battle of Vicksburg that ultimately led to his being relieved of his command. And why stop at corps and go to the Army level. Gen'l Rosecrans botched the Battle of Chickamauga and then got himself cornered in Chattanooga. There are many who are worse, and many who should have been in command who weren't. Make your feelings known. We want to know opinions!!!
__________________ "The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize." George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796
__________________ 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
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