Josh The Lighthouse Guy
Major
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2012
- Location
- Jupiter, FL
Earthworks, fieldworks, fortifications: they were common in the American Civil War, and for good reason. Used by both sides.
Around Richmond, Confederate soldiers decried "Granny Lee" for his digging before the Seven Days, although that might have been more for whites resenting being forced to do the manual labor they associated with black slaves. Whatever the reason, the ANV doesn't seem to have ever complained again about digging fieldworks.
I was surprised reading Work For Giants that the Confederates defeated at Harrisburg/Tupelo (in 1864!) decried A. J. Smith for being "cowardly" for hiding behind fieldworks despite outnumbering Lee and Forrest. Some unhealthy copium, and hypocritical because the Confederates themselves erected fieldworks.
Are there other examples of soldiers, Union or Confederate, belittling their opponents use of fortifications during the war, especially in the latter part of the war after their value had been clearly demonstrated?
Around Richmond, Confederate soldiers decried "Granny Lee" for his digging before the Seven Days, although that might have been more for whites resenting being forced to do the manual labor they associated with black slaves. Whatever the reason, the ANV doesn't seem to have ever complained again about digging fieldworks.
I was surprised reading Work For Giants that the Confederates defeated at Harrisburg/Tupelo (in 1864!) decried A. J. Smith for being "cowardly" for hiding behind fieldworks despite outnumbering Lee and Forrest. Some unhealthy copium, and hypocritical because the Confederates themselves erected fieldworks.
Are there other examples of soldiers, Union or Confederate, belittling their opponents use of fortifications during the war, especially in the latter part of the war after their value had been clearly demonstrated?
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