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I believe Steven introduced the term water. William Oates never did. Did Mr. Oates have the grace of Joshua Chamberlain? Not by a long shot (no pun intended). Soon to be Governor Oates was a fugitive from justice, a rough survivor of hard times both in Alabama and Texas, much of his own creation. He was there to defend Alabama and do harm to any unlucky regiment that had the misfortune to rest on Little Round Top. He did his best though as observed earlier, it was an uphill fight.
I must confess, I know nothing of Oates' pre war life. He did seem, however, slightly less than gracious is some of his post war comments on the fight for Vincent's Spur, and who can forget the acrimonious court battle he and Chamberlain had over the AL monument, which never got placed. Not to say he was a bad person, there were those who couldn't let go of their bitterness on both sides.... Take Appomattox, Chamberlain's recounting paints Gordon as the consummate southern gentleman, gracious and proud even in defeat, while his friendly overtures were not well received by Gen. Wise who told him plainly "We hate you, sir." and spoke of undying rancor in his heart....
__________________
.."This was the turning point; if won
By Southern arms their work was done.
Were ours the day, a Northern sun
Are you referring to the Alabama monument at Gettysburg? I have not read about the court action and would appreciate a brief recount if possible? Oates was a brawler with a very bad temper, no, not a Southern gentleman by any stretch. I'll try and post a little background next.
William C. Oates
Colonel in command of the 15th Alabama at Gettysburg
William Calvin Oates was not only an accomplished leader of men, but lived a most “colorful” life. He was born in Pike County, Alabama, the home county and birthplace of private Hershel V. Glenn, two men destined to serve in the 15th Alabama who were to share the day’s events at the battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 2 July 1863.
Prior to his service in the Civil War, William managed to fracture a man’s skull in a fight in Alabama in 1850 and quickly left for Florida where he remained several years working both as a house painter’s assistant and on board a schooner. Moving to Louisiana, he had a warrant issued for his arrest in the matter of his choking and hitting his boss eight or nine times. He quickly moved on the Marshall, Texas and gambled in addition to painting houses. He managed to get into another fight in Marshall and “nearly gouged out the eyes of his opponent” resulting in yet another warrant. Shortly thereafter he moved on to Waco and became a shingle cutter before witnessing a murder. As he was ready to leave town, he was in another fight, but left for Bastrop, Texas very quickly where he won some money from his co-workers and decided to move on to Port Lavaca where he fell in love and moved to Henderson, Texas where he met his brother and headed back toward Alabama. A card game in route to Alabama resulted in his almost gouging the eyes of another adversary, but he was able to return to his home state though he avoided the warrant still out for his arrest in Pike County and moved to Eufaula where he became a school teacher and read the law and managed to get admitted to the bar in Alabama and Georgia in 1858. As his law career began he worked owned the local newspaper in Abbeville, Henry Co., Alabama. The war interrupted that phase of his career, but he returned to Alabama, practiced law and was elected to Congress. He was elected governor of Alabama in 1894 and served one term. He ran and lost a race for the US Senate, but was appointed Brigadier General by president William McKinley. Afterward he served in the Spanish American War at Camp Meade, Pennsylvania commanding training brigades.
Oates wrote about the war : "We were not all of us as brave as Caesar, nor were men with few exceptions, at all times alike brave. Much depends on the nervous system at the time." One of his soldiers wrote:He was "too aggressive and too ambitious but he usually was well to the front and did not require his men to charge where he was unwilling to share the common danger."
Are you referring to the Alabama monument at Gettysburg? I have not read about the court action and would appreciate a brief recount if possible? Oates was a brawler with a very bad temper, no, not a Southern gentleman by any stretch. I'll try and post a little background next.
Larry,
A brief recount I can do, as it's been some time since I read this. I cannot recall the book, though I believe it could have been Pullen's. Apparently Oates wanted an AL monument placed too close to the ME monument for Chamberlain's liking. There was some extensive letter writing between the two, which became increasingly antagonistic. Oates went before some organization, probably the GBA or some such that had authority of the placement, and that resulted in a "court" battle. After stating their respective arguments, Oates was told the monument could not be placed where he wanted it, so he opted to not have one placed at all.
Sorry if this is a bit vague, but this is all from memory.
__________________
.."This was the turning point; if won
By Southern arms their work was done.
Were ours the day, a Northern sun
there is a joint biography of Oates and Chamberlain, fairly recent. Shelby Foote noted that is struggle for Little Round Top, the Alabama and Maine men were equally far from their homes.
These two were a good example of the tragedy of this war. A gentleman scholar and educator from Maine standing on a rocky ridge facing a brawling hell raiser from Alabama with much energy and self-assuredness, but not much culture in the normal sense. Two men who never should have met, sharing a moment in the spotlight of the world's stage.
Say what you may. Chamberlain was a class act...all his life
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
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