- Joined
- Sep 4, 2014
- Location
- Lexington, SC
Was Jackson justified with Richard Garnett's Court-Martial? When is it acceptable to call retreat? Do all Generals have to have the approval of the commanding General to call retreat? These are questions I have to ask. Richard Garnett was by all accounts a very brave solider. At the battle of Kernstown in 1862 Stonewall Jackson suffered a rare defeat. Richard Granett now commanding the Great Stonewall Brigade issued an order for his men to retreat. The confederate General (Jackson) had received bad reconnaissance information pertaining to the numbers of the enemy. Once engaged Garnett learned that the enemy he faced was 9000 strong (twice his numbers), running low on ammunition and outnumbered and almost surrounded Garnett ordered a withdrawal.
This infuriated Jackson who brought court-martial charges against Garnett for an unauthorized retreat. This tarnished Garnett's name. The exocentric Jackson and one of his aids were the only ones to testify against Garnett at the court-martial. Lee put an end to it and ordered Garnett back to his position. Garnett felt as if his reputation had been ruined. He came from a very proud Military family.
After the Jackson's charges Garnett desperately searched for a way to restore honor to his name. At Gettysburg he was sick and injured, He had a high fever and suffered from horse kick to his leg. He could not walk. He chose to lead the charge on horseback which made him an easy target. Longstreet predicted the manor of his death (Knowing his valor and what he must do to preserve his name), Armistead pleaded with Garnett not to take part in the battle. Garnett refused and lead his men to only a few yards from the stone wall where he was killed. Honor had been restored to his name.
My question is, were Jackson's charges justified? Richard Garnett was praised by everyone that knew him including Lee. After the battle of Gettysburg Lee said this about Garnett in his official report.
General Lee, in his after action report, would describe General Garnett's bearing on this day as "leading (his) troops with the courage that always distinguished (him)". [9]
Garnett's sense of service and uncommon commitment to cause would not allow him to hold a grudge. Stonewall Jackson was mortally wounded at Chancellorsville and Garnett returned to Richmond where Jackson's body lay in state. Despite his professional disagreement with Jackson, Garnett held no ill will against him and was observed crying beside the casket. He then served as a pall bearer along with Longstreet, Richard S. Ewell, and others.
http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/garnett.html
I think Richard Garnett was a victim of an exocentric Stonewall Jackson who could not accept defeat and as a result a good mans reputation and inevitably his life was compromised. What do you think?
This infuriated Jackson who brought court-martial charges against Garnett for an unauthorized retreat. This tarnished Garnett's name. The exocentric Jackson and one of his aids were the only ones to testify against Garnett at the court-martial. Lee put an end to it and ordered Garnett back to his position. Garnett felt as if his reputation had been ruined. He came from a very proud Military family.
After the Jackson's charges Garnett desperately searched for a way to restore honor to his name. At Gettysburg he was sick and injured, He had a high fever and suffered from horse kick to his leg. He could not walk. He chose to lead the charge on horseback which made him an easy target. Longstreet predicted the manor of his death (Knowing his valor and what he must do to preserve his name), Armistead pleaded with Garnett not to take part in the battle. Garnett refused and lead his men to only a few yards from the stone wall where he was killed. Honor had been restored to his name.
My question is, were Jackson's charges justified? Richard Garnett was praised by everyone that knew him including Lee. After the battle of Gettysburg Lee said this about Garnett in his official report.
General Lee, in his after action report, would describe General Garnett's bearing on this day as "leading (his) troops with the courage that always distinguished (him)". [9]
Garnett's sense of service and uncommon commitment to cause would not allow him to hold a grudge. Stonewall Jackson was mortally wounded at Chancellorsville and Garnett returned to Richmond where Jackson's body lay in state. Despite his professional disagreement with Jackson, Garnett held no ill will against him and was observed crying beside the casket. He then served as a pall bearer along with Longstreet, Richard S. Ewell, and others.
http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/garnett.html
I think Richard Garnett was a victim of an exocentric Stonewall Jackson who could not accept defeat and as a result a good mans reputation and inevitably his life was compromised. What do you think?
Last edited: