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In reference to Cold Harbor I've read in several sources where there were approx 7000 Union casualties in 30 minutes or thereabouts on June 3, 1864. If what you say is correct, that Grant did not ask for a truce to remove the wounded until two days later, solely because protocol dictated that the request would somehow signal defeat for him, and victory for Lee, then that's truly astounding. If that's truly the case, then I'd have to say that in my opinion, it speaks strongly to Grants basic character or lack of it, or his really poor judgement, and/or a callous disdain for the men under his command, and for simple common human decency in general. I can't see General Lee allowing that to happen to his wounded, should he find himself in the same position. I believe Lee would have requested a flag of truce long before 48 hours had elapsed, protocol be ****ed.
William42,
You speak of june 5th, the wounded are now Mewing not calling out, Where is Grant?? He is in his tent crying or mulling over Bobby Lee`s message. While his troops as for the last month lay where they fell. From crossing the Rapidan to Cold Harbor Grant has a lot of boys behind him, Truce Flag or not. I`m sorry sir I don`t like the man.I will try to keep that from judging the mess he`s in. Siege is next -what Joy!!!
Thank you for your posts Paul, Gary, Ole. As I told Dawna once, it is reading all these different viewpoints here on this board, from everybody who contributes, that forces me to clarify my position in my own mind, so that I can present it in writing here. Once in a while there are posts that are compelling and persuasive enough to actually cause a change in my viewpoint. It's an invaluable resource for information and informed opinion on the Civil War. Thanks again.
Many times the dead were left on the battlefield because no one had the time or the strenghth to retrieve them. A grisly fact was that Union dead turned black and swelled up. Rebel dead turned white and shrank. It is said that this was due to the differences in their diet and the amount of food they consumed. Yucky enough for yous?
Calicoboy
__________________ 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
"What's another 8 thousand." I can't tell if you're kidding or not. You seem to be saying that Grants decision to allow the wounded to lay dying there for two days was justified by the tactical advantage he supposedly gained in doing so.
That reminds me of Chickasaw Bluffs.
Sherman was upset about losing 1500 men and Porter told him he would lose 15,000 by the time the campaign was over but Vicksburg would still be theirs.
Quote:
a callous disdain for the men under his command
Does a man who cries in his tent after finding out his casaulties in the Wilderness show callous disdain?
Does a man who cries in his tent after finding out his casaulties in the Wilderness show callous disdain?
I always believed Grant's little, uh..."episode" was due to the fact that Lee stole a march on him and gave him a drubbing in his first big movement in the East.
If he were going to cry due to losses, Cold Harbor would have, and should have, been the place. Just my opinion.
Regards,
John W.
__________________ Ancestors in CSA Army: 51st VA, 54th VA, 45th VA, 50th VA, 24th VA
Yep, that's pretty dern yucky. But I've always been under the impression that the diets of both armies were pretty similar. Hardtack, salt pork, coffee and such. Am I wrong on that?
The diets were different. Confederate rations more often included a few handsful of corn meal. Hardtack was not included.
Salt meat was universal because it was the only known way to preserve meat. Fresh meat, when available, was a rare treat.
The Federal boys were more likely to have canned milk, dessicated vegetables and some such while the Confederates remained with cornmeal and salt-meat, supplemented when available with scavenged chicken, corn and fruit. (Think about that "scavenged" thing. Scavenging is available only to armies moving quickly across an impressive number of miles. How often did the boys in grey do that in the east?)
Add to that the Confederate government's ineptitude in delivering supplies. The Confederate boys were operating under a severe handicap with regard to food. There was no equivalency.
Regards,
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
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But I've always been under the impression that the diets of both armies were pretty similar. Hardtack, salt pork, coffee and such. Am I wrong on that?
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