Welcome and good luck on your book.
Hello there and thank you very much.
I remember a recent thread that spoke to this very thing.
Can you quote me to that thread?
Generals on both sides were appointed by their president and confirmed by their respective Senates. Some were serving officers, others retired officers and still others politicians or businessmen with military ambitions and clout. As the war went on the incompetents and the unlucky were winnowed out and new generals were mostly promoted from regimental command.
Ok, so if Generals were appointed by presidents, does that mean that the bad generals usually had a lot of credibility out of them that the senators paraded around? Thanks for the info.
Regarding the source of high ranking generals, they got them from the US Army or retired US Army. Remember that the UNITED STATES had a small army before the war. And officers selected which side they would fight for. Both Union and Confederate Armies needed generals, officers and men.
It seems that in the South, many rich plantation owners or politicians used their money and influence to get into command positions whether it was just to command a regiment or a higher command. Of course some did not seek it but the men saw their leadership and they rose through ranks. An example is Nathan B. Forrest who went from an enlisted man to a colonel.
I tried to keep it short.
You make an excellent point, the US army was nothing before the civil war. That was shown with the wars with Mexcio even when they were outnumbered. So didn't southern regiments elect their own leaders? I think in the North they began to abolish it. Thanks again.
After reading the first sentence, I was going to post some information on the excitement in Charleston SC when secession was announced, then read the rest of the questions, and realized that would only be a useless drop in the bucket. You're asking for thousands of pages of material.
I don't mean to be discouraging--just trying to give some tips to help you get the most useful information. A lot of the topics you bring up are very interesting and would bring forth lots of discussion and incredible knowledge from the folks here, if you can narrow them down a bit.
Not thousands, the bare bones. If you could post me that information I would be very grateful. My knowledge of the civil war is sketchy so I understand what you're saying, I want to sharpen up my knowledge on this subject. I've tried looking at civil war sites, there was a good one which had lots of resources but the guy that set it up left and therefore most of the sites don't work any-more. I have tried to find on the internet what people lived and looked like, I even wrote a civil war story but found my research wasn't good enough, I mean when I wrote the Northern Viewpoint I found that the attitudes of my soldiers were very '' unrealistic ''. Let me show you what I mean from taking a few passasges from my story which was badly written:
Jack Kenneth eyed the Confederate grey uniformed battalions marching out of the town. War torn and weary faces were stuck in the battalions.vWounded after the defeat at the Battle of Tennessee;Jack Kenneth turned his head to see the city of Columbia burning. His eyes raged in anger.
Horrible. I've captured some of the feeling of the Southern mind but I haven't put much thought it.
Those **** northerners had burnt his land, his state and his city. He could clearly see the blue uniformed troops hoisting their muskets up into the air. The North was **** well too destructive. The torn and weary War-flags of the Confederates could be clearly seen, with the white stars and blue bars and the fine color of red as the background.
****? Why did I put ****? I could have made it sharper and even more better. Why include the description of the flags when I can use it to show shattered and damaged?
General E. Joseph Johnson walked at the column of his troops. He was the latest of the Confederate Generals to surrender against the North.His army being too small to defend the state of South Carolina, Columbia being the last city in north Carolina to surrender. A sullen look had been imposed on his face. Soldiers surrounded him as they held their muskets and withdrew from the city of Columbia. Artillerymen pushed their cannons while cavalrymen marched slowly with their horses.
Jack had been a plantation owner before the war, becoming one of the most powerful plantation owners across the entire Carolinian state. He owned more plantations than anywhere else. He'd personally believed that slavery should be held for those who were the scum of the Earth. He enlisted into the army in December 1860 swearing his loyalty to the Confederate cause..
That is just plain stupid. Judging from the resources, he should have gotten control of a reigment at least.
He didn't want to see the North winning the war and taking away his businesses. Since then, he had risen up the ranks becoming a Major. He had commanded battalions and driven of Yankee attacks. At the Great Battles of Gettysburg, First Bull Run and Fredericksburg, he had killed more Yankee men than the enemy could. His reputation in the army earned him the title '' The Butcher of Columbia.'' He was a Southerner, loyal to the Confederate cause and slavery.
No, No, this is too clichéd.
Despite the North's resounding success against the South, he, like any solider wanted the war done with. He silently cursed the Confederates for not giving up. All around him were white pitched tents, blue uniformed soldiers walked around in groups and circles. Most gambled, and most drank. Horses were being pushed by their masters.
'' My, My, if it isn't Private Tucky.'' A voice said behind him. Ned turned around to see a man taller than him.
'' Who are you? '' Ned asked suspiciously.
'' You don't remember me? I'm your long lost friend, Bucky. ''
Ned eyed him for a long time, and then he erupted into laughter and hugged Bucky.
'' Where have you been all this time? I gave up hope searching for you. ''
Bucky took a piece of grass and chewed on it.
'' I escaped to New York, had to make my fortune over there as an actor. ''
Bucky's face expressed something more of someone who had been rejected.
'' And you didn't make it. ''
'' Pretty much, how's Ma and Pa doing? ''
'' Fine, they're not crying as others would. ''
'' Think we're going to win the battle? ''
'' Of course we will, those **** Southerners don't stand a chance now.''
'' Sure on that? ''
'' Look at it this way, Ned, when the War first started, we had Generals that couldn't lead. Now with Grant and Sherman with us, and good ol' Abe Lincoln behind us, there's no doubt about it that the rebs over there are gonna lose the war sooner or later. Not even General Lee can fight of us off. Before you know it, we'll be in Richmond! ''
'' I sure do hope so. ''
Now look at this scene. Is it realistic? No it isn't. Why? The dialogue is too unrealistic.
Then the sound of horns rippled throughout the camp. Soldiers hustled and hurried to get their battle stations. Sergeants shouted orders as a sea of blue uniformed battalions massed. Calvary jumped in and out of the camp, the officers blowing the horns as loud as they could.
Ned and Bucky ran as fast as they could to their battalion. The 23rd New York Company it was called.
'' Atten-hut!! '' The Colonel raised his voice. The battlefield was a plain stretch of grass and rolling green slopes. Ned and Bucky could see the Confederate troops amassed in their groups. Both sides clearly saw each other.
'' New York Company.... Load your weapons!!! '' The Colonel barked.
Both the soldiers bit their cartridges off and loaded the powder into the muzzle while they smacked their muskets in the hard earth. Once done, they fixed bayonets and then pulled it up to waist level. Others solider rehearsed the loading technique in an instant. They raised their muskets to waist level form a sea of bayonets.
'' The 23rd Battalion....will march! '' He said, scratching his blonde beard.
The Battalion marched. The sounds of marching and beating drums could be heard as they stomped the ground alive, shaking the tiny pieces of grass and soil up into the air.
Major Kenneth shot a glance at a cluster of soldiers in thread-bare uniforms, sighing as he observed their pitiful state. Dixie's finest were being treated no better then slaves. He eyed the Union masses advancing forwards to them. He grunted.
'' Texans! Virginians! Colombians! Missourians! '' He shouted.
'' There stands the heathen Yankees Those dastardly cowards over there think they're gonna win! I'm not gonna lie to you, Men of the South, it is true we have lost the war, but if we fight on, we can win this battle. '' He silenced himself for a minute, letting the information he had just said absorbing into his men.
'' If we destroy those Yankees now, then we will have won the battle for the South!!! '' He roared.
A loud roar came from his men. Their roared reached to the enemy lines.
'' Bucky? Those backstabbers over there seem to be very confident. '' Ned said nervously, shaken by the confidence of the Confederate soldiers. He hadn't expected them to be so confident despite the fact that they were losing the war.
'' Confident? '' Bucky s******ed.
'' We'll smash them rebs up like a onion in a tomato. '' Bucky replied with a hint of arrogance.
'' Silence in the ranks! '' The Colonel barked.
'' Now, Men of the South, draw your weapons!!! I am the Butcher of Columbia!! And therefore I feel privileged to lead such men into battle. ''
At this moment, the rebel yell roared through the field, spreading to all parts of the battlefield.
Do you see what I mean here? My story is badly written because of a lack of proper research( I am currently researching but don't have the time because of exams) But this is why I needed to know the bare bones so that I could say to myself that yes you've done it well and full.
. I've tried to find how people lived, and the internet's not giving me anything, its mostly about the battles. Would you know any good websites about civil war life?
Welcome, good luck in your research, but your questions are not simple and will require a lot of digging on your part, as it has on ours. Do some searching on this site and you will find many of the answers you are looking for.
If you can have any links towards civil war life threads, I would be grateful. Even though I'm not a historian( Though I love it) How can these questions not be so simple for you?
Now look at this scene:
Here is what I want you to identify:
Is it historically accurate?
Is it historically authentic?
Is the dialogue believable?
Is the writing any good? ( Ignore that question)
Have I captured the feelings of the generals on both sides?
Does it to you feel any realistic?
Any mistypes or errors?
Major Kenneth spat into the ground with frustration. Three years, three long **** years he had experienced defeat after defeat against the Yankees; Was it right for his side to lose all the time? Even with Lee around, their fortunes had not succeeded. The Union was too powerful to defeat. Let alone Europe.
The discipline however, in the Confederate Army hadn't declined. Perhaps it had been the legendary toughness of the Southerners that still wanted to fight of the Yankees once and for all. This he had noticed.
General Johnston appeared in front of him wearing the same uniform as the major. The Major saluted him. Johnston nodded.
'' The battle's lost, isn't it General? '' The Major began.
Johnston slowly nodded.
'' We just don't have enough men to finish the battle off, ''
The Major couldn't deny the fact. The Confederate armies had suffered huge amounts of desertion when it was made clear that they were losing the war. It was the same with the North as well.
'' For four years, I've been fighting this war, you know that Major? ''
'' I know, General,''
'' And for those four long years, I have experienced victory after victory and defeat after defeat. It does not do me any good, I feel saddened that the South couldn't remain alive. ''
'' Agreed, we weren't fighting this war to conquer the North in the first place, we did it to preserve a new southern state, ''
'' Slavery is what they brand us, them Yankees. ''
'' General, what would you have me do? ''
'' Take Goldsbro, ''
The Major stared at Johnston.
'' Sir, taking the town will take no major strategic aims. '' He protested.
'' I don't care whether or not if it is a strategy, I have nothing left to do, The Yankees outnumber us from one to ten. This is my gamble, we take the town, we will have won a victory against the Union, hopefully this may alter the balance of this war. But we will have to conduct in such a way, that even Lee would be impressed. Is that understood? ''
'' Yes, sir, '' The Major inclined his head and withdrew.
'' So,'' Johnston briefed his generals the next day.
They were in a wide open tent; all the army's commanders had been summoned. This would be the last attack for the Army of the south. The Map showed the town of Goldsbro in a wide hook. The Union army had heavily fortified the town and remained in control. The red blocks, which were the confederates, were formed in a single line, each written with the names of their commanders.
'' Goldsbro is our main target. We shall begin by attacking the town early mid-day. ''
'' Major Kenneth and General Hardee shall attack with their divisions on the most weakest position of the Yankees. '' He pointed to where the bridge was.
'' From there on, me and my forces shall attack from the South east, causing Sherman's troops to withdraw. ''
'' Any objections? '' He turned his head around to see not many objections.
'' If I may, General, '' One of the commanders spoke out.
'' I do feel we cannot take Goldsbro. ''
'' And why is that, my good neighbor? ''
'' We don't have enough men, we've run out of supplies anyway, we don't have even have any more senior officers to lead the men, General Johnston, I say we stick to guerrilla attacks, ''
Kenneth eyed the conflict arising between the two generals.
'' No, sir, I will not resort to any **** brigand fighting. General Lee is out there fighting the Yankees and you sir request that I retreat from the enemy? Never! '' Johnston slammed his fist on the table.
'' We will follow this plan right to the page, do I raise any objections as of this moment? ''
'' No, I don't, very well then, Hardee and Kenneth, go and prepare for the attack, The others will come with me, '' He nodded, dismissing Kenneth and Hardee.
'' That bald man knows nothing, '' Hardee said as soon they left the tent.
'' I may second on that one, '' Kenneth agreed.
'' Attack on Goldsbro? My God, we've lost the battle; we don't have the men to even attack that **** town. Where's the arterially? No one knows, so, now, I'm gonna have to attack with them, ''
'' Even if we win, it won't do us any good. We've already had enough defeats , this one won't be different, ''
'' Remind's me of Gettysburg, Granny Lee wouldn't follow Longstreet's advice, ''
'' That's because he believed the army was superior, ''
'' Well , our's isn't! '' Hardee spat.
'' By God, we need at least one victory, just one. ''
'' I doubt we'll get that. ''
A strange looking ragged man appeared from the tents inside the Confederate Camp. He took his horse, mounted on it and galloped away to the Union Camp.
He arrived at Sherman's tent.
'' General, '' He gave a stiff bow and saluted him.
'' Wisconsin, '' Sherman acknowledged him.
'' Tell me now, what of the rebels? ''
'' The rebels are at their weakest, sir. I've seen through every one of them and they can't destroy us, ''
'' I know that,'' said Sherman annoyed.
'' They're aiming to take goldsbro, sir, '' the spy tried once more.
Sherman spitted from his glass.
'' They're trying to do what? '' He asked, incredulously.
'' Johnston's aiming to get goldsbro at once, he takes the town, we will lose it. ''
'' While's Johnston good at attacking, I'm not sure why he would take goldsbro, he's clearly lost the battle.'' Sherman said, engaging in deep thought.
'' He's attacking from the left wings, where the village is, that's where we're weak, general, ''
'' The thing is, I would already expect this from him.'' Sherman gave a mere smile.
'' Sir? ''
'' Wisconsin, let me tell you something, before this **** war, we were all friends at west point, I knew Lee and Grant, saw them in action in the Mexican war, I knew them all, most of my friends are southerners, '' He reflected
'' And who would have thought that we would face each other in this war ten years later? No one would have, so I know what Johnston's doing, he's going to fail on this one.,''
'' They will attack mid-day, general, ''
Sherman nodded
'' Tucker will defend the city, send one of my officers to instruct him, he'll know what to do, I'll give the rookie a chance, if he does well, it'll be good for us, but if he doesn't, then we are finished, ''
Sherman turned his head with intelligence sparkling in his eyes.
'' You have your orders, Wisconsin, ''
Wisconsin nodded and left the tent.
I do apologize for the long post, and the series of spam that I've posted, but I want to ask you whether any of these passages, are they authentic?
This is actually my book that I am writing at the moment, so research will be no problem, its just that since I live currently in the UK, I don't have that acess whereas in Amercia you'd find millions of resources. So I'll try and make sure and see what I can do, Also, the story is based on Sherman's march to the sea.
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