Scenes I'd like to see in a CW movie

[scone]

Welcome to the board to all thoses i havent said hi to before.

I have seen post like this passed around on several boards and even on here i think..

A Civil war: "Saving Private Ryan" or "Band of Brothers" would be a great Movie Or a movie bassed on Co. H by Sam Watkin.

AS for a battle / battles to do.. would be to start off around Mount pleasant Tn nov. 28th and follow the army of Tennessee to thee retreat from Nashville.

But that e would make for one long movie. so I say have it end with what was left of the AOT marching on to Nashville Dec. 3 or 4th

regards, Steven

[Alabaman]

Hi Matthew,

One matter concerning civil war movies usually not shown is the great numbers of men present in various actions. Usually only a few hundred, up to a thousand re-enactors are shown at one time in current/past movies. Hollywood needs LOTS of extras to make CW films more realistic.

With that said, here is what I think they usually miss portraying in Hollywood. Much sybil-wah (thanks Gary action was pure, 100% unadulterated AMBUSH! Large numbers of men on both sides, led by green or incompetent officers were marched into column directly into an awaiting and hidden enemies muskets. One well directed volley...Boooomblapbaboom; and three seconds later 300 to 500 men fell killed or wounded. (Sadly, this was the true "action" in many battles) The "wounded in mouth" scene that you described could (then) be nicely inserted into the following 'regrouping' action that usually followed.

I agree with Admiral--Porter; great actions of the war in Georgia could and should be included. The western theatre battles such as the forementiond New Hope Church, Chicamauga, Bald Hill, the 'Dead Angle at Kennesaw Mt., etc. This filming would be "new ground" in Hollywood CW films and very well received by people like us, IMHO.

I've always thought a good western theatre CW movie centering on Gen. P.R. Cleburne & the Union 'Irish' commander (whose name slips my present memory??) who fought each other frequently in the western theatre, would be great! Of course I'm starving for western theatre action, as if you couldn't tell! :-)

Most Sincerely,
Rob Adams

[Admiral_Porter]

I've always thought a good western theatre CW movie centering on Gen. P.R. Cleburne & the Union 'Irish' commander (whose name slips my present memory??) who fought each other frequently in the western theatre, would be great! Of course I'm starving for western theatre action, as if you couldn't tell! :-)

Are you referring to Thomas Sweeney who asked Cleburne to join him after the war and liberate Ireland?

[nbforrest]

I would like to see a better production on Hampton Roads.
What, Ironclads wasn't good enough?



I think New Hope Church would be a good battle to portray. It was fought in the middle of a rainstorm and the Federals collected their wounded in a huge depression forever known as the Hell Hole. A relatively small but intense battle according to ACW standards.

Any of the three big fights in that area would be a good setting...miserable weather, close quarters, foolish assaults on both sides shot apart.

Respectfully

[Admiral_Porter]

What, Ironclads wasn't good enough?

I for one didn't enjoy the love/spy scenes.

[nbforrest]

I'm not sure there was a lot I enjoyed about the movie. Just too...hokey.


Respectfully

[Alabaman]

Admiral--Porter,

Yes, sir! You perceived correctly. Thank You! Gen. Thomas Sweeney, US & Gen. Patrick Cleburne, CS.

A movie following the personalities of these two military individuals would be a great movie, I think. Two fine combatants with an Irish twist and a penchant for war humor; but serious...deadly serious!

Sincerely,
Rob Adams

[Alabaman]

Regarding: New Hope Church Georgia-------My gggrandfather (maternal side) was Pvt. William Jefferson Robinson, Co. B, 37 Alabama Infantry Vols. He lost the sight in one eye during the severe Yankee artillery fire in which was concentrated on his regiment/brigade's position at New Hope Church. He told my grandmother post war: "the Yankees shot at us and hit high. An Oak tree limb 'frazzen' (southern coloquial for a small piece of the limb) hit my eye and blinded it. I continued fighting because we couldn't get to a dressing station."

My grandmother who talked to him said he had a 'moon' eye. I presume this was an opacity of the lense or cornea due to the trauma. Grandmother told me he was 5' 2" tall. I found his age to be 40 years, at the time of New Hope Church and Pumpkinvine Creek. He lived until around 1910. The 37th Alabama's battleflag hangs in the Library at Auburn University. This was one tough Confederate unit; please see their war record!

Sincerely,
Robin Adams (Alabaman)

[matthew mckeon]

All awesome ideas.

What about some specific incidents? What about the massive snowball fights in winter camps, that could involve entire brigades?

What about the people hiding out in holes and dugouts during the Vicksburg siege?

[memphis]

Personally, I'd like to see a factual "Saving Private Ryan" movie about the CSS Arkansas and her Captain Isaac Brown and crew. I think their exploits on the Mississippi River rank as one of the top adventures of the Civil War.