Reminder

[rivrrat]

Well it that time again. Time to remind all you easterners that there was a Civil War west of the Mississippi River and it was important. Today marks the beginning on Gen. Stirling Price's invasion of Missouri in 1864. An action which had the potential of costing Lincoln the election of 1864, and changing the outcome of the War.

[gary]

Thank you Doug. The Trans-Mississippi is largely overlooked and forgotten as most historians (and publishers) pump out books on Northern Virginia or the Army of Tennessee.

Gen. Richard Taylor's book is pretty important and he raises the inference that had the Confederates been more successful in that theatre (by capture of Porter's Squadron at Red River and the 19th Corps), the outcome in the East might have been different or prolonged.

[rivrrat]

Not to mention the blown opportunity to take St. Louis when that idiot of a Texas Ranger Ben McCulloch refused to follow Price in Missouri after the battle of Wilson’s Creek in 1861. Or Jeff Davis’ buddy Earl Van Dorn’s inability to defeat a numerically inferior force at Pea Ridge 1863, capped by his moving his force east of the Mississippi, essentially abandoning Missouri and most of Arkansas. I could go on and on.

[qwincbruce]

Speaking of the Price Invasion, a Civil War Reenactment is being held this weekend, Sept 25-26, at Pilot Knob. The federals will occupy the works of Ft. Davidson and the Confederates will charge across the open field.
It has been my honor to attend Pilot Knob 8 times in the last 24 years (it is hosted every 3 years by the State of Missouri).
A town festival is held in conjunction with the reenactment. Craft booths, concessions, and a beer garden are all within a stone's throw of the event. So the Pilot Knob weekend tetters very close to being a dog and pony show. However, the reenactors always have a lot of fun as it usually features a running 2 mile fight from Irontown to the fort. (Several companies of Union men were in nearby Ironton -Sept 27,1864. When Price's men came into the area, the Unionists slowly gave way through the town and back to the fort).
The following weekend I will be at Franklin. In late Oct, we will have a reenactment at Mine Creek, KS on the original site near Pleasanton, KS.

Robert W. Talbott

[illreb]

Robert ,
I too will be at Pilot Knob and Franklin, who will you be falling in with ?

[qwincbruce]

I thought all the Trans-Miss Confederates were going to Cabin Creek, OK?
Be that as it may, you may be surprised to learn I will be one of Gen. Tom Ewing's boys-a dreaded YANKEE-a member of Holmes Brigade.
I am an ordinary infantryman and merely a private at that.
At Franklin, I am once again a YANKEE with the Western Brigade.
Only southern garb I have is as a Missouri State Guardsman-civilian attire. I will be MSG at next years Athens, MO.

[illreb]

Thats ok Robert , we can't all be Rebs LOL.I'll be at both events with the 11th , maybe I'll see ya out there.

[5fish]

Originally Posted by gary

Thank you Doug. The Trans-Mississippi is largely overlooked and forgotten as most historians (and publishers) pump out books on Northern Virginia or the Army of Tennessee.

Gen. Richard Taylor's book is pretty important and he raises the inference that had the Confederates been more successful in that theatre (by capture of Porter's Squadron at Red River and the 19th Corps), the outcome in the East might have been different or prolonged.

There are only three events west of the Smokey Mountains that count during the civil war.

The first was Shiloh not because of Grant's gull but because of that one Confederate generals death.

The second was Vicksburg for it was the climax of one of the great campaigns in military history led by Grant.

The third was the fall of Atlanta for it insured Lincoln's reelection in 1864.

All the rest was a side show to what Lee was doing in the east. He was outmatched countless times and still bested his opponent countless times. He was the embodiment of the southern cause and when he finally fell bested by a better opponent the south fell with him.


Anything past the Mississippi well I will have to get back with you for that out there was more of a rogue and marauder type combat..

The CW west was just a side show the CW and Lee in the east...

[rivrrat]

Originally Posted by 5fish

There are only three events west of the Smokey Mountains that count during the civil war.

The first was Shiloh not because of Grant's gull but because of that one Confederate generals death.

The second was Vicksburg for it was the climax of one of the great campaigns in military history led by Grant.

The third was the fall of Atlanta for it insured Lincoln's reelection in 1864.

All the rest was a side show to what Lee was doing in the east. He was outmatched countless times and still bested his opponent countless times. He was the embodiment of the southern cause and when he finally fell bested by a better opponent the south fell with him.


Anything past the Mississippi well I will have to get back with you for that out there was more of a rogue and marauder type combat..

The CW west was just a side show the CW and Lee in the east...

Typical back east thinking. It is true that the Union had to win the war in the East. It is also very true that the Union could easily have lost the war in the West. You need to do a little more thinking and reading, my friend.

[5fish]

Originally Posted by rivrrat

Typical back east thinking. It is true that the Union had to win the war in the East. It is also very true that the Union could easily have lost the war in the West. You need to do a little more thinking and reading, my friend.

Doug,

What east thinking? I think it is western jealousy of the east for its dominance and importance in the war.

You do have a consolation prise because it took a western like Grant to tame Lee.

I guess the west was just a training ground for Grant before he went a play with the big dog Lee.

Do you have a better story?