Civil War History - "What if..." DiscussionsWhat if they had attacked instead of digging in...? What if he was in charge of the army instead...? Did you ever have a "What if..." question, and you weren't sure where to post it? Here's the place to ask these speculative questions!
I can only speak for myself. However, I must offer these words to consider and hope that those who read will understand.
This forum to me, is built in the spirit of intent, to honor all of those who fought in the Great American Civil War, regardless of how low their rank, or how high their rank, with all ranks in between; as well as the Blue, Grey, Butternut and civilian attire who contributed in their own way.
Those we study, have long past given all they had, all they were and many gave their blood as to permit a Nation to continue as it was dreamed to be imagined by their creative members. Blood of those who gave their lives have been invested in this National bank, for which these brave patriots from so many wars have died for, lived for, served for, been injured for and or forever wear their battle scars for. Our daily lives have been paid for thanks to our military, regardless of which branch.
I am personally sorrowful, when anybody creates a negative in this opportunity for 'learning,' 'sharing' our brave ones who for a specialized focus is just on the 'Great American Civil War.' I am honored to be allowed to look at the blood/life investment of those of the Civil War and those historians to whom add more to the overall picture. If any one lesson has been learned by those who fought in the Civil War--was that they had always been --American.; the end of the Civil War was just the end of a 'disagreement.' If the Grey and Blue could rush to one another after Appomattox and embrace one another, and so many years later until they perished of old age--should not this be the same 'spirit' all should take(?). Learn and move on with what has been learned. They had--and, the best way to honor these brave souls--is to practice what they had lived.
That said, there is no 'perfect' war and 'perfect' humans --there has always been those who are cruel and use power to harm beyond necessary for their own intentions--not by the intentions of civil military behaviors/conducts. The Military did it's dead-level best by spelling out the conduct of those in uniform in Rules and Regulations. To make them work--it takes people to follow them. I believe men like General Morgan understood these military principles as to cap the emotions of the anger so easily raised in such war, battlefields and exchanges with others.
If any offenses have been made by those during the Civil War--it is up to that generation of Warriors to cry for justice. None of the Civil War offenses have not occurred to us--thus, we should not be offended by them. Just saddened by them and pray, that we (in a general sense) repeat them not.
This forum is an extremely positive place to really discuss the nitty-gritty of things involving the Civil War studies. Negativity only thwarts those wishing to participate --and, this is sad to see for me. I applaud those to whom have been so patient with me and others. Please know that I am just one person expressing my gratitude for a pleasant place to expand my Civil War knowledge and understanding.
We should all strive to be and do such as you describe in your excellent post.
Thank you for your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Unionblue
__________________ "The American people and the Government at Washington may refuse to recognize it for a time but the inexorable logic of events will force it upon them in the end; that the war now being waged in this land is a war for and against slavery." Frederick Douglass
"Loyalty to our ancestors does not include loyalty to their mistakes." George Santayana
__________________ 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
The Confederates made an attempt to occupy Kentucky and failed. By the fall of 1862, the Union army could field a large army backed up by the supply bases on the Ohio River.
Bragg had to live off a supply base as far away as Chattanooga. There was insufficient forage for the Confederates in Kentucky, due to a severe drought. An old artilleryman liked Braxton Bragg would have clearly recognized that his artillery and supply animals could not live long in northern Kentucky.
Bragg was too far away from his supply depots and had to retreat. There were no options to stay and fight after Perryville.
Wikipedia
"Stephen Gano Burbridge (August 19, 1831 – December 2, 1894), also known as "Butcher" Burbridge or the "Butcher of Kentucky", was a controversial Union Major General during the American Civil War."
Early life
"Burbridge was born in Georgetown, Kentucky. He attended college at Georgetown College and the Kentucky Military Institute in Frankfort, and subsequently became a lawyer. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, Burbridge formed his own Union regiment and ultimately officially joined the Union Army as a colonel.
[edit] Civil War
After participating in several Civil War campaigns, including the successful final Battle of Cynthiana against John Hunt Morgan, Burbridge in June 1864 was given command over the state of Kentucky to deal with the growing problem of Confederate guerrilla campaigns. This began an extended period of military siege that would last through early 1865, beginning with martial law authorized by President Abraham Lincoln. On July 16, 1864, Burbridge issued Order No. 59 which declared: "Whenever an unarmed Union citizen is murdered, four guerrillas will be selected from the prison and publicly shot to death at the most convenient place near the scene of the outrages."[1] During Burbridge's rule in Kentucky, he directed the execution and imprisonment of numerous people, including public figures, on charges of treason and other high crimes, many of which were baseless."
After participating in several Civil War campaigns, including the successful final Battle of Cynthiana against John Hunt Morgan, Burbridge in June 1864 was given command over the state of Kentucky to deal with the growing problem of Confederate guerrilla campaigns. This began an extended period of military siege that would last through early 1865, beginning with martial law authorized by President Abraham Lincoln. On July 16, 1864, Burbridge issued Order No. 59 which declared: "Whenever an unarmed Union citizen is murdered, four guerrillas will be selected from the prison and publicly shot to death at the most convenient place near the scene of the outrages."[1] During Burbridge's rule in Kentucky, he directed the execution and imprisonment of numerous people, including public figures, on charges of treason and other high crimes, many of which were baseless."
Yes, Aquaint yourselves with Stephen Burbridge. He might ought to have been shot in the head for crimes against POWs. The actions of US Army MP's in Iraq pale in comparison to those that happend right here in the Gool Old US of A.
Isn't a Provost Marshal a common position in the army? Not unlike a Quartermaster? As I read this thread, it seems that you folks are talking like the Provost Marshal was strictly a product of the ACW. Somebody please clarify for me.
There were undoubtedly abuses and excesses on both sides. It seems to me that the lesson to be learned here is that we must be vigilant against this kind of behavior in the here and now. Unfortunately, we don't learn our lessons well; and we have seen history repeated at Abu Ghraib, Mi Lai, and others. (Please pardon my spelling, but I am limited to English, and a little bit of German-My knowlege of middle eastern or Vietnamese language is non-existent.)
As to our former "friend"....I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed man!
I can only speak for myself. However, I must offer these words to consider and hope that those who read will understand.
This forum to me, is built in the spirit of intent, to honor all of those who fought in the Great American Civil War, regardless of how low their rank, or how high their rank, with all ranks in between; as well as the Blue, Grey, Butternut and civilian attire who contributed in their own way.
Those we study, have long past given all they had, all they were and many gave their blood as to permit a Nation to continue as it was dreamed to be imagined by their creative members. Blood of those who gave their lives have been invested in this National bank, for which these brave patriots from so many wars have died for, lived for, served for, been injured for and or forever wear their battle scars for. Our daily lives have been paid for thanks to our military, regardless of which branch.
I am personally sorrowful, when anybody creates a negative in this opportunity for 'learning,' 'sharing' our brave ones who for a specialized focus is just on the 'Great American Civil War.' I am honored to be allowed to look at the blood/life investment of those of the Civil War and those historians to whom add more to the overall picture. If any one lesson has been learned by those who fought in the Civil War--was that they had always been --American.; the end of the Civil War was just the end of a 'disagreement.' If the Grey and Blue could rush to one another after Appomattox and embrace one another, and so many years later until they perished of old age--should not this be the same 'spirit' all should take(?). Learn and move on with what has been learned. They had--and, the best way to honor these brave souls--is to practice what they had lived.
That said, there is no 'perfect' war and 'perfect' humans --there has always been those who are cruel and use power to harm beyond necessary for their own intentions--not by the intentions of civil military behaviors/conducts. The Military did it's dead-level best by spelling out the conduct of those in uniform in Rules and Regulations. To make them work--it takes people to follow them. I believe men like General Morgan understood these military principles as to cap the emotions of the anger so easily raised in such war, battlefields and exchanges with others.
If any offenses have been made by those during the Civil War--it is up to that generation of Warriors to cry for justice. None of the Civil War offenses have not occurred to us--thus, we should not be offended by them. Just saddened by them and pray, that we (in a general sense) repeat them not.
This forum is an extremely positive place to really discuss the nitty-gritty of things involving the Civil War studies. Negativity only thwarts those wishing to participate --and, this is sad to see for me. I applaud those to whom have been so patient with me and others. Please know that I am just one person expressing my gratitude for a pleasant place to expand my Civil War knowledge and understanding.
It is my understanding that, unlike a unit Quartermaster, the position of Provost Marshal was quite transitory. In a static army, the position might be filled by the same person for a relatively long time. But in a moving army, the responsibilities were quite different and assigned by the commander on a rotating basis -- sorta like, "Captain, it's your turn."
I'm also of the understanding that the rankless, universal term, "Provost Marshall" carries a standing according to the size of the unit for which the marshall was provosting (with the only rank being that which was carried in). A regimental Provost Marshall had the same appellation as the Provost Marshal of the all the armies.
Just some thoughts to stimulate responses from those who know.
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
I believe taht at the Army Level the Provost Marshal is a position on the staff then and now. I know currently that Army and Marine MP's are subordinate to the Provost Marshal of their base.
Provost Marshals are responsible for maintaing good order and discipline, Pow's etc.
I know in the civil war in Missouri that the state was broken into districts each having a Provost Marshal who reported to St Louis.
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