Western War Conf. Organization

[St. Leger Grenfell]

Hey all,

I had a question about the organization of the Confederate armies in the Western Theater of war. What were the major armies and where did they come from, Who commanded them, etc. Specifically, I was wondering about the various partisan cavalry units and guerillas. Lastly, and most specifically, was John Hunt Morgan and his command a part of the Orphan Brigade? Or totally separate and self-governed?

For a discussion point, what was the real impact of partisan and guerilla forces in the west? Did they actually provide any real positive outcomes for the Confederacy?

Keep in mind that I am just starting to really dig into this topic, so don't assume that I know anything already.

Thanks for educating me!

 

[Legion Para]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0786469277/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

Guerrilla Warfare in Civil War Missouri, 1862

This book is a thorough study of all known guerrilla operations in Civil War Missouri in 1862, the year such warfare became the primary type of military action there and the year that the state saw almost constant fighting. The author utilizes both well-known and obscure sources (including military and government records, private accounts, county and other local histories, period and later newspapers, and secondary sources published after the war) to identify which Southern partisan leaders and groups operated in which areas of Missouri, and describe how they operated and how their kinds of warfare evolved. The actions of Southern guerrilla forces and Confederate behind-enemy-lines recruiters are presented chronologically by region so that readers may see the relationship of seemingly isolated events to other events over a period of time in a given area. The counteractions of an array of different types of Union troops fighting guerrillas in Missouri are also covered to show how differences in training, leadership, and experiences affected behaviors and actions in the field.

 

[Legion Para]

 

[Legion Para]

 

[Legion Para]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1938905806/?tag=civilwartalkc-20


Guerrilla Warfare in Civil War Kentucky

Usually when people think about guerrilla activity during the Civil War, the border conflicts between Kansas and Missouri come to mind, enhanced by tales of Quantrill's Raiders and Bloody Bill Anderson preying upon innocent townsfolk and civilians. However, guerrilla forces roamed throughout the border states and beyond throughout the entire war, and similar tales can be found in Kentucky, the Virginias, and other areas at a time when loyalties could be found for both North and South. This is especially true for the Heartland of Kentucky, roughly defined by the Pennyroyal and Bluegrass regions in the central/west-central areas of the state an area declared neutral to the conflict but important to both sides. Guerrilla Warfare in Civil War Kentucky explores the real guerrilla fighters of the region, their exploits and their eventual demise, along with some of the infamous lawmen and soldiers assigned to bring them to justice.

 

[Legion Para]

 

[Legion Para]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0806137363/?tag=civilwartalkc-20


The Uncivil War: Irregular Warfare in the Upper South, 1861–1865

The Upper South—Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia—was the scene of the most destructive war ever fought on American soil. Contending armies swept across the region from the outset of the Civil War until its end, marking their passage at Pea Ridge, Shiloh, Perryville, and Manassas. Alongside this much-studied conflict, the Confederacy also waged an irregular war, based on nineteenth-century principles of unconventional warfare. In The Uncivil War, Robert R. Mackey outlines the Southern strategy of waging war across an entire region, measures the Northern response, and explains the outcome.

Complex military issues shaped both the Confederate irregular war and the Union response. Through detailed accounts of Rebel guerrilla, partisan, and raider activities, Mackey strips away romanticized notions of how the "shadow war" was fought, proving instead that irregular warfare was an integral part of Confederate strategy.

 

[Legion Para]

Welcome to the forum St. Leger Grenfell.

http://www.2ndkycav.org/2dkyhistory.html


2d Kentucky Cavalry History

John Hunt Morgan



John Hunt Morgan and the

Second Kentucky Cavalry, CSA


The Second Kentucky Cavalry regiment was formed from the remnants of John Hunt Morgan's cavalry squadron, "The Lexington Rifles" soon after the battle of Shiloh, in early 1862. A native of Alabama, but raised in Kentucky, Morgan was a tall, glamorously attired cavalry officer with French imperial-styled whiskers. His penchant for good Kentucky horseflesh kept him well mounted throughout the war.

John Hunt Morgan received his early combat education under the tutelage of the notorious Champ Ferguson. Morgan saw his first action in the ranks of Ferguson's Cumberland Mountain guerillas. He often rode as a scout along the Kentucky-Tennessee border. It was here, in the early war, that Morgan first came to know the tactics for which he and his men would become famous.

The Second Kentucky's ranks included farmers, planters, and the First Families of Kentucky, but also a colorful cast of characters. A fiery British soldier-of- fortune, Lt. Col. George St. Leger Grenfell declared, "If England is not at war, then I will go find one!" A wily Canadian-born telegraph operator, Pvt. George "Lightning" Ellsworth could, after moments of listening in, mimic any operators style (hand) and thus mislead pursuing forces. Muster sheets included a band of Kentucky outlaws led by the notorious bushwacker, Capt. Champ Ferguson. He, in tern, joined Morgan as a scout after first promising not to kill any Yankees taken as prisoners. Also reported among the Second Kentucky's ranks were Black Mississippi Confederates whom were recruited by John Hunt Morgan, as he felt they were "loyal and fierce fighters".

This cavalry unit was noted for being as good fighting dismounted as they were on horseback. The Second Kentucky was most noted for its skill at house-to-house fighting, discipline under fire, and maintaining rearguard actions. John Hunt Morgan would always affectionately regard them as his "Regulars".

Throughout 1862-63, Morgan's cavalry conducted a series of bold, and sometimes reckless raids through Tennessee and Kentucky. Unnerving Northerners, he launched a final, daring raid across Indiana and Ohio. Morgan moved rapidly on these famous rides, cutting general supply lines, tearing up railroads and bridges, destroying large quantities of enemy supplies, and rounding up thousands of Federal prisoners. They monitored pursuing enemy forces by tapping into telegraph lines, avoiding unnecessary combat, and dispersing to elude capture.

Morgan's famous Ohio Raid of July 1863 was the longest Confederate cavalry raid of the war, covering more than 1100 miles in about three and a half weeks. However, on this foray, he and most of his troopers were surrounded and captured. Morgan was imprisoned in the Ohio State Penitentiary. Not long after being locked away, he and some accomplices tunneled out and escaped back to Dixie. It was the Second Kentucky, attached to General Nathan Bedford Forrest, that fired the opening and closing shots of the battle of Chickamauga.

Morgan was a superb cavalry officer and an expert leader. His raids had mixed results, but they undeniably disrupted Federal operations in Kentucky and Tennessee. News of his daring exploits provided a much-needed boost to Southern morale in the Western Theater.

John Hunt Morgan was killed by hostile fire in a minor action in 1864. In preparation for an attack on Federal forces at Knoxville, Tennessee, Morgan halted his command overnight in nearby Greenville. It was there, on September 4, 1864, he was surprised and murdered by vengeful enemy cavalry after surrendering.

Morgan's brother-in-law and second in command, Basil W. Duke, assumed leadership of the remnants of "Morgan's Men", and as the war came to a close, he took his command, including the Second Kentucky (re-designated as the Second Kentucky Special Cavalry Battalion) to link up with Gen. Robert E. Lee. In route, and upon hearing of Lee's surrender, Duke's command instead went to Charlotte, North Carolina, joining Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's army. While Johnston negotiated surrender with Gen. Sherman, Duke's command elected to join President Jefferson Davis, thus making up the bulk of Davis', (along with the Confederate Treasury's gold) mounted escort. As Federal forces were closing in, Davis dismissed his escort and continued on with a small bodyguard detachment. Upon Davis' capture, it was discovered that 11 of the 12 troopers in his bodyguard were of the Second Kentucky.

Basil Duke and his cavalry command entered Woodstock, Georgia on May 8, 1865. Before surrendering to a larger force of Federal cavalry, these Confederate cavaliers gathered into ranks for one last formation of "Morgan's Raiders".

Footnote: During its four years of service, the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry, of which General John Hunt Morgan was the first Colonel, lost sixty-three commissioned officers killed and wounded; Company A of that regiment, of which Morgan was the first Captain, losing during the war seventy-five men killed. It had on its muster roll, from first to last, nearly two hundred-and-fifty men.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Hey all,

I had a question about the organization of the Confederate armies in the Western Theater of war. What were the major armies and where did they come from, Who commanded them, etc. Specifically, I was wondering about the various partisan cavalry units and guerillas. Lastly, and most specifically, was John Hunt Morgan and his command a part of the Orphan Brigade? Or totally separate and self-governed?

For a discussion point, what was the real impact of partisan and guerilla forces in the west? Did they actually provide any real positive outcomes for the Confederacy?

Keep in mind that I am just starting to really dig into this topic, so don't assume that I know anything already.

Thanks for educating me!

You've asked some good questions.

The answers are very complicated.

To oversimplify:

The major organizational forces in the western theater can be summed up by the CS Army of Tennessee (AoT) and the various CSA Military Departments.

An internet search of the AoT and these Confederate geographic departments can provide specific answers to your questions. West of the Mississippi River was the Confederate Dept. of the Trans-Mississippi. However, that's an entirely different theater.

Regarding the partisan/guerilla units, I would say in the "big picture" they didn't effect the strategic outcome of the War. Although, at times they did achieve some tactical success at the local level.

We have a separate forum dedicated to the South & Western theater that you may enjoy. . . and perhaps discover additional information:
http://civilwartalk.com/forums/the-south-western-theaters.91/

 

[AUG]

Hey all,

I had a question about the organization of the Confederate armies in the Western Theater of war. What were the major armies and where did they come from, Who commanded them, etc. Specifically, I was wondering about the various partisan cavalry units and guerillas. Lastly, and most specifically, was John Hunt Morgan and his command a part of the Orphan Brigade? Or totally separate and self-governed?

For a discussion point, what was the real impact of partisan and guerilla forces in the west? Did they actually provide any real positive outcomes for the Confederacy?

Keep in mind that I am just starting to really dig into this topic, so don't assume that I know anything already.

Thanks for educating me!

Well first off, major armies and independent cavalry commands are two totally separate things. Are you also wondering about the Army of Tennessee and Army of the West, or solely independent cavalry commands?

Lastly, and most specifically, was John Hunt Morgan and his command a part of the Orphan Brigade? Or totally separate and self-governed?

Morgan commanded a small contingent of cavalry attached to the Kentucky Orphan Brigade at Shiloh, which afterwards separated, became the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry, and fought independently. The Kentucky Orphan Brigade continued serve as an infantry brigade in the Army of Mississippi/Army of Tennessee in John C. Breckinridge's Division.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Keep in mind that I am just starting to really dig into this topic, so don't assume that I know anything already.
Thanks for educating me!

I forgot to add, I invite you to check out our Nathan Bedford Forrest forum.
He was another major player in the "West".

 

[St. Leger Grenfell]

Thanks to all for your replies, and to Legion Para for the sources! That clarification on Morgan's relationship to the Orphan Brigade was perfect, thank you Aug351. I've been reading Basil Duke's "History of Morgan's Cavalry" but he never really clarified that point.

I response to what you asked Aug, what I was really trying to get at was how those partisan units were organized, and what their relationship was to the "official" armies. I understand people like Quantrill were not really associated with anyone, but Morgan took and followed (with exceptions) orders from Confederate superiors unless I'm mistaken.

Would Morgan and his raiders be considered partisan cavalry or were they as "official" as the other legitimate Confederate forces in the area?

 

[Patrick H]

Welcome from Boonville, Missouri--about 12 miles west of Anderson's "capitol" of late summer 1864--Rocheport. Also just a few miles from Quantrill's '64 hideout (precise location unknown to me) in Howard County, Missouri. You're digging into a fascinating field of study.

Most of Quantrill's guerrillas did operate under a fairly well organized system of small bands through much of the war. Occasionally, some of them scouted for regular army groups--especially during Price's invasion of 1864 as his army neared the Independence area. Prior to that, some became disenchanted with the guerrilla role and joined regular units.
William Gregg and John Thrailkill are two such.

Oddly enough, some came to the guerrilla camps in a roundabout way from regular units. Frank James and John McCorckle were both left behind state guard units because of sickness. Captured, paroled and sent home, they later went to the bush.

The Confederate recruiting officer, Col. Upton Hays utilized Quantrill's forces as he operated in western Missouri on a recruiting mission.

Perhaps most oddly of all, Col. Joseph Porter recruited a substantial number of volunteers for regular Confederate service, but was unable to cross the Missouri River with them for a long time. His regular recruits were forced to operate as guerrillas for months.

It is all very complicated and very fascinating.

 

[AUG]

Thanks to all for your replies, and to Legion Para for the sources! That clarification on Morgan's relationship to the Orphan Brigade was perfect, thank you Aug351. I've been reading Basil Duke's "History of Morgan's Cavalry" but he never really clarified that point.

I response to what you asked Aug, what I was really trying to get at was how those partisan units were organized, and what their relationship was to the "official" armies. I understand people like Quantrill were not really associated with anyone, but Morgan took and followed (with exceptions) orders from Confederate superiors unless I'm mistaken.

Would Morgan and his raiders be considered partisan cavalry or were they as "official" as the other legitimate Confederate forces in the area?

Yes, Morgan's men were actually mustered into Confederate service, so they were official. I believe Morgan did receive orders from superiors on occasion, but he and his men were considered to be 'raiders' and operated independently.

 

[Legion Para]

http://morgans_men.tripod.com/units.htm


Units under Gen. Morgan's Command
The following is a list of units that served under Gen. John Hunt Morgan. An ancestor that served honorably in any of the below units, either under the command of Gen. John Hunt Morgan or his brother-in-law, Gen. Basil W. Duke, qualifies a descendant for regular membership in Morgan's Men Association.

Alabama
53rd Alabama Partisan Rangers

Georgia
Company "A" 14th Battalion,
"Palmer's Battery" Georgia Light Artillery
16th Georgia Cavalry Battalion ***
***(part of Vaughn's Brigade in Dept. of West Virginia-East Tennessee, after April 1st 1864)

Kentucky
2nd (Duke's) KY Cavalry
4th (Giltner's) KY Cavalry
5th (Smith's) KY Cavalry
6th (Grigsby's) KY Cavalry
7th (Gano's) KY Cavalry
8th (Cluke's) KY Cavalry
9th (Breckinridge's) KY Cavalry
10th (Johnson's) KY Cavalry
10th (Diamond's) KY Cavalry
11th (Chenault's) KY Cavalry
13th (Caudill's) KY Cavalry
14th (Morgan's) KY Cavalry
1st (Ward's/Kirkpatrick's) Batt. KY Cavalry
1st Batt. KY Mounted Rifles
2nd Batt. KY Cavalry
2nd Batt. KY Mounted Rifles
3rd Batt. KY Cavalry
3rd Batt. KY Mounted Rifles
Quirk's KY Scouts
Byrne's KY Horse Artillery
2nd Kentucky Infantry**
9th Kentucky Infantry**
** Those that participated in the Hartsville Raid of December 6th and 7th 1862

Tennessee
4th (Murray's) Tennessee Cavalry
8th (Baxter Smith's) Tennessee Cavalry (Battles at Milton; Woodbury; Readyville)
9th (Ward's) Tennessee Cavalry
McCann's Tennessee Cavalry Battalion
Capt. Hugh L. W. McClung's Tennessee Light Artillery Co.

Ferguson's Tennessee Partisan Rangers
Independent companies of Captains Bledsoe and McMillen
Co A, 1st (McNairy's) Tennessee Cavalry Batt.****
****Capt. Hooper Harris and a detail of 25 men from Company served as guides for Morgan
through Tenn. into Ky. (May, 1862)


Vaughn's Brigade
(On 4/1/64 was added to Gen. Morgan command of Dept. of Western VA & East Tenn.)

Consisted of:
1st (Carter's) Tennessee Cavalry
3rd (Lillard's) Tenn. Mounted Infantry
39th Tenn. Mounted Infantry
43rd Tenn. Mounted Infantry
59th Tenn. Mounted Infantry
12th Tenn. Cavalry Battalion
16th Tenn. Cavalry Battalion
16th Georgia Cavalry Battalion
"detachments of 60th, 61st, and 62nd Tenn. Mounted Infantry Regiments"

Texas
Two companies of Gano's Texas Rangers

Virginia
64th Virginia Mounted Infantry

Miscellaneous
Independent companies of Captains Bledsoe and McMillen.
6th Batt. Confederate Cavalry
7th Batt. Confederate Cavalry

 

[Legion Para]

A thread on the 53rd Alabama Partisan Rangers:

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/isaiah-boles-53rd-regiment-alabama-partisan-rangers.21966/