New Book

[Albert Sailhorst]

If I post this in the wrong area, please move it to the proper area......If I am not allowed to post this, then forgive me......
My friend, and my Reenacting unit Lieutenant, Bruce Kindig has written a book about the history of Bankhead's Scott's Tennessee Battery. It is called "Courage and Devotion: A History of Bankhead's/Scott's Tennessee Battery In The American Civil War".
For those interested in histories of specific units, the lives of soldiers, etc, this is a good book.
With your indulgence and permission, I have posted the link to amazon.
I appreciate your time and hope you enjoy the book!
Thanks!!

Albert Sailhorst

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L1ZGIOK/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

 

[Pat Young]

Is that the unit you represent.

 

[chellers]

Courage and Devotion: A History of Bankhead's/Scott's Tennessee Battery in the American Civil War

AuthorHouse (June 12, 2014)

This is a regimental history of a Confederate Battery in the American Civil War. Originally recruited by Smith P. Bankhead in Memphis in 1861 the book gives a breakdown of all of the members of the unit. This case study examines the reasons the men were joined the unit and their background. Although slavery is often a reason for the war, most of the men fought for other reasons as few of them owned any slaves. The book touches on the trials of training and the difficulties of army life. Why men deserted while others fought to the very end is discussed. After the battle of Shiloh, Bankhead was promoted and William L. Scott assumed command. The history of the battery explains the part the men played in the battles and campaigns in the Western theater. When the battery was overrun at Missionary Ridge many of the men continued to fight in other units while others went home. Every man that served in Bankhead/Scott's Battery is described with information about recruitment, occupation, wounded or killed in battle or died of illness or deserted. Four men were still serving when the Army of Tennessee of Tennessee surrendered in April 1865.

About the Author
Bruce R. Kindig is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and holds a B.A. and M.A. degree in History. He taught history in the Davenport Community School District and served as an adjunct professor teaching U. S. History at Scott Community College until he retired after 39 years of teaching. His life long passion of studying the American Civil War can be seen in "Courage and Devotion" which is his first book.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1496918355/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

Disclaimer: This post is neither a recommendation nor solicitation by CivilWarTalk or Chellers. The post is solely for informational purposes.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

Is that the unit you represent.

Yes, that is us!!....We portray Scott's Battery!!

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

Thanks, Chellers!!

 

[Pat Young]

Yes, that is us!!....We portray Scott's Battery!!

Thanks. Looks like a good book.

 

[chellers]

Thanks, Chellers!!

My pleasure, Mr. Sailhorst.

 

[dahenry]

Hello all, thought I would give this thread a bump and see if I can get some additional information from someone who actually has this book. I'm looking for the types of artillery pieces in Scott's Battery at Chickamauga and am a little confused by Mr. Kindig's account on page 139 "The six-pound howitzers were in the lead and entered the field, turned about and stopped, with the guns at the edge of the woods. This was the left section. The right section made up of the Napoleon and the twelve-pound howitzer did the same maneuver on the right." I'm wondering if he meant six-pounder guns instead of howitzers, as the only other reference I can find about the armament of Scott's Battery before Chickamauga is a mention in "Tennesseans in the Civil War" (page 150) which lists (as of May 19th '63) "two six-pounders and two 12-pounder howitzers". My other question is about the Napoleon; I understand that according to Vaughan's account in "Personal Record of the Thirteenth Regiment Tennessee Infantry" that it had been captured at Stone's River and then given to Scott's Battery in honor of the fallen Lt. Col. W.E. Morgan but how did Mr. Kindig determine which gun the Napoleon replaced? Why one of the twelve-pounder howitzers rather than one of the six-pounders or why not just add the gun to the existing battery?
The Google preview (where I found "Courage and Devotion") is naturally missing quite a few pages so I'm hoping that some kind soul, having read the entire book, can answer the above questions.

Dave

 

[BelleBlackburn]

Be sure to post in the Our Authors thread in the book and movie forum as it stays pinned.

 

[Brenal]

Somehow missed this thread first time around and after reading found myself pressing buttons on Amazon UK , just to have a look, and of course having no will power I am now awaiting delivery. Another on the "to read" pile!

 

[Brenal]

Have finally gotten around to reading this and am about half way through it and am thoroughly enjoying it. It is a fast flowing, informative and,in my view , well written book. I have never been one for single unit histories and bought this on a whim after reading this thread and have been pleasantly surprised. Only negative I have found so far I that the included maps could, and should, be better.

 

[dahenry]

Brenal,

Have you run across the composition of the battery in 1863? I am interested in the number and types of guns (see post #8). I have just about finished David Powell's first volume on Chickamauga and Scott's battery is mentioned but no details on number of guns etc.; by the way, a well written book that I would strongly recommend for anyone with even a casual interest in the battle.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Chattahooch33]

Very nice. I love regimental histories. I read Cannoneers in Gray: Field Artillery of the Army of Tennessee and it left me wanting. I'd love to know tactics\ammunition but there wasn't much.

 

[Brenal]

Hello all, thought I would give this thread a bump and see if I can get some additional information from someone who actually has this book. I'm looking for the types of artillery pieces in Scott's Battery at Chickamauga and am a little confused by Mr. Kindig's account on page 139 "The six-pound howitzers were in the lead and entered the field, turned about and stopped, with the guns at the edge of the woods. This was the left section. The right section made up of the Napoleon and the twelve-pound howitzer did the same maneuver on the right." I'm wondering if he meant six-pounder guns instead of howitzers, as the only other reference I can find about the armament of Scott's Battery before Chickamauga is a mention in "Tennesseans in the Civil War" (page 150) which lists (as of May 19th '63) "two six-pounders and two 12-pounder howitzers". My other question is about the Napoleon; I understand that according to Vaughan's account in "Personal Record of the Thirteenth Regiment Tennessee Infantry" that it had been captured at Stone's River and then given to Scott's Battery in honor of the fallen Lt. Col. W.E. Morgan but how did Mr. Kindig determine which gun the Napoleon replaced? Why one of the twelve-pounder howitzers rather than one of the six-pounders or why not just add the gun to the existing battery?
The Google preview (where I found "Courage and Devotion") is naturally missing quite a few pages so I'm hoping that some kind soul, having read the entire book, can answer the above questions.

Dave

Dave ,
The passage that you quote is the only reference I can find to the composition of the battery at Chickamauga,
one 12 pound howitzer, 2 x 6 pound howitzers and the Napoleon. The 12 pounder going out of action after firing only 2 rounds due to a broken cap square. The remaining 3 guns managed 146 rounds between them.

As to the Napoleon, Mr Kindig quotes Vaughn as to how and why Scott's Battery were given the Napoleon but does not answer your question about why it replaced one of the 12 pounders . I would assume that it was not just added to the battery as the manpower needed to serve it would have become an issue, Scott's Battery like all others struggled throughout its existence to keep up the required numbers in post .

Mr Kindig goes on to say " Official records never showed Scott's battery having a Napoleon but the Thirteenth Tennessee fought beside the battery at Chickamauga and would have known if the gun was present. The gun was later captured by the Federals (at Missionary Ridge) and was taken to Gettysburg Military Park when it first opened in 1895. In the later twentieth century it was on display at the Stones River Military Park and is still on display today. This gun was truly an honor to Scott and his battery."

I think maybe you should contact Mr Kindig himself, his email is
scotts_battery @hotmail.com

 

[dahenry]

Brenal,

Thanks for the update, I'll have to ask him about the 6-pounder howitzers as well, as I've never heard of that particular piece before. I'll post his reply on this thread (if I get one).

Thanks again,
Dave

 

[dahenry]

Mr. Kindig kindly replied to my queries and with his permission I'll post them here. My questions -
"First off, I'm wondering about the 'six-pound howitzers'; are you referring to six-pound guns rather than howitzers? I have never heard of an 1841 six-pound howitzer and can't find one in any publication (or online for that matter). Also I wonder what your source might be for determining that the battery was made up of the Napoleon, one 12-pound howitzer and the two six-pounders."
Mr. Kindig's answers - "You are correct that the 6-pounders are guns and not howitzers. The Napoleon was the gun captured at Stones River and will be recaptured at Missionary Ridge. A reference to the Napoleon comes from A.J. Vaughn commander of the 13th Tenn. who commanded the Brigade at Stones River and would command it again on the second day of Chickamauga. This piece can be seen today at the Stones River Battlefield Museum. Vaughn mentioned it in his book he wrote after the war. The 12 pound howitzer was disabled on the first day of Chickamauga but was back in action for the second day(although it was not engaged). I do not know if this was a replacement gun or more probably a replaced cap square ." and "The guns were put into sections of two guns. The six-pounders were always sectioned together as they used the same ammunition. Same would be true of the 12-pound howitzer and the Napoleon which is also a twelve-pounder".
Oh, I also gave him the link to this thread and mentioned that he might know the fellow in the picture (post #1), he replied - "Not just him but the two fellows behind him too. Go ahead on CivilWarTalk and tell Sailhorst hello."
It's not quite the clarification I was looking for but on the other hand I'm very grateful that he took the time to answer my e-mails and his promptness in doing so.

Dave

 

[johan_steele]

I have to say that, IMO, Scott's Battery is THE premier CS Arty unit in the midwest. Having been around these men at several events over the last 15 years I have nothing but praise for the unit, their standards and their level of research are superb & combined with the original 3" Ordnance Rifle they are a must see at any event. Mr Kindig is a scholar and a gentleman. I missed the original post and wish I had commented prior.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

I have to say that, IMO, Scott's Battery is THE premier CS Arty unit in the midwest. Having been around these men at several events over the last 15 years I have nothing but praise for the unit, their standards and their level of research are superb & combined with the original 3" Ordnance Rifle they are a must see at any event. Mr Kindig is a scholar and a gentleman. I missed the original post and wish I had commented prior.

Thank you, Johann, I am flattered!!

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

Mr. Kindig kindly replied to my queries and with his permission I'll post them here. My questions -
"First off, I'm wondering about the 'six-pound howitzers'; are you referring to six-pound guns rather than howitzers? I have never heard of an 1841 six-pound howitzer and can't find one in any publication (or online for that matter). Also I wonder what your source might be for determining that the battery was made up of the Napoleon, one 12-pound howitzer and the two six-pounders."
Mr. Kindig's answers - "You are correct that the 6-pounders are guns and not howitzers. The Napoleon was the gun captured at Stones River and will be recaptured at Missionary Ridge. A reference to the Napoleon comes from A.J. Vaughn commander of the 13th Tenn. who commanded the Brigade at Stones River and would command it again on the second day of Chickamauga. This piece can be seen today at the Stones River Battlefield Museum. Vaughn mentioned it in his book he wrote after the war. The 12 pound howitzer was disabled on the first day of Chickamauga but was back in action for the second day(although it was not engaged). I do not know if this was a replacement gun or more probably a replaced cap square ." and "The guns were put into sections of two guns. The six-pounders were always sectioned together as they used the same ammunition. Same would be true of the 12-pound howitzer and the Napoleon which is also a twelve-pounder".
Oh, I also gave him the link to this thread and mentioned that he might know the fellow in the picture (post #1), he replied - "Not just him but the two fellows behind him too. Go ahead on CivilWarTalk and tell Sailhorst hello."
It's not quite the clarification I was looking for but on the other hand I'm very grateful that he took the time to answer my e-mails and his promptness in doing so.

Dave

dahenry,
I am SO sorry that I did not reply to your earlier comments or to have passed on your questions to Bruce....I just now found that you, and subsequent people, had responses. I apologize for having not seen this a few moths ago!!
If there is anything I can help with, please feel free to send a private message, and I will do my best to help!