Which Battle?

[Jules362]

A while back (actually, several years ago) on presenting myself to my doctor's office for the bi-annual draining of my blood by her genial vampire nurse to see what the liklihood is that I'll survive a few more days, I took along with me one of my CW books to read during that lengthy wait that doctors are famous for inflicting on their patients.

When finally allowed to enter the inner-sanctum, said nurse, brandishing a needle no less than a foot long with a square tip, happened to notice the book in my hand, and cheerfully informed me that she and her husband were also Civil War scholars. I was rather startled when she said that her favorite battle is Shiloh. I'd never thought of having a favorite battle since they all seem brutal and gruesome to me, but on second thought I realized that some of them are more fascinating than others.

I've thought about that off and on, but have never come to a firm conclusion as to what might be my favorite battle. So in the spirit of Name your poison, pardner, I'm asking if you have a favorite battle, and if you do, which one is it and why?

 

[Bobbie]

It's a good question.

I do have a favourite battle- Fredericksburg. But why this battle seems so fascinating?
Sure, it was a great victory for the Confederacy.
However, I have more reasons to detest the battle at Fredericksburg: it was excessively bloody; my favourite Civil War general died after being wounded in this battle; one of Union generals that I peculiarly like made his biggest blunder there; the beautiful town was destroyed and looted...
So, I cannot explain why this battle is so particularly special for me.
​

 

[ole]

Antietam was my first love. It still holds a large attraction, but I've moved west. Shiloh it is.

ole

 

[OpnDownfall]

Best Battle?

Although I usually do not think of battles in 'best' terms, I too think of Shiloh.
A battle fraught with history. Most of the major actors in the war in the West were present at this battle and it was a pivotal battle of the Civil War.

 

[Blockaderunner]

My favourite changes over time. Chancellorsville used to be number 1, but now I am torn between Antietam and Wilderness. Actually my favourite tends to be which ever one I last visited.

 

[timewalker]

If I may choose a campaign, rather than a battle, I have to say the entire Vicksburg campaign.

The campaign shows Grant's brilliance and doggedness, the first real abandoning supply lines to march cross-country, the "brown-water navy", political intrigue with McClernand, and a couple great battles. Granted, the siege itself is only marginally interesting to me, but the campaign to bring the army to Vicksburg is, IMHO, the most brilliant of the war.

 

[PvtClewell]

Six posts in and nobody's mentioned Gettysburg?

OK, I'll bite. The battlefield holds a strong fascination for me for a number of reasons: for the way the battle occurred and was conducted, for the unique topography, for the size of the armies and the personalities involved, for its significance in our historical memory, and not the least of which I can walk the same ground as my ancestor, the original Private Clewell.

Lately, there are other reasons. The ongoing program to restore the battlefield as closely as possible to its 1863 appearance, with the tree cutting projects, fencing projects and putting many power lines underground, has been amazing to watch. I'm glad it's happened in my lifetime. There's been a trickle down effect, I think, in that the city residents have worked to make the downtown area as attractive as possible, too. Commercial? Sure, but there's something to be said for being able to spend a day on the field and then walk back to your hotel room or get a bite to eat at a decent restaurant.

Purists might complain that there's too many monuments and markers on the field, but the flip side to that is I think I remember reading somewhere that Gettysburg, with about 1,600 monuments, has the largest collection of outdoor statuary in the western hemisphere, if not the world. So it's an art museum, too.

I live in North Carolina, but I've probably been to Gettysburg 30-40 times in the past 20 years, sometimes even with my wife. And I always look forward to my next trip back.

 

[ole]

Although I usually do not think of battles in 'best' terms, I too think of Shiloh. A battle fraught with history. Most of the major actors in the war in the West were present at this battle and it was a pivotal battle of the Civil War.

Golly! I wish I'd have said that half so well.

ole

 

[M E Wolf]

Dear List Members;

I don't think of 'favorite' battlefields as a measure of 'entertainment' however; I am in the vein of 'exploring, studying, understanding, and the lessons learned of historical value.'

I have several favorites:
First Bull Run/Manassas - The opening of land battles to come, how unprepared both sides were; the first exclusive infantry use of US Marines, the real first threat to Federal City (Washington, DC); and how where I live is all involved from the silent invasion of Alexandria, Virginia and Arlington Heights (Lee's estate - Arlington House). The major players in their humble beginnings; so many generals would rise up in ranks and several remain alive to see it's ending, many witnessing Lee's surrender.

Gettysburg--For it's size, the amount of corps involved, the efforts of both sides, the massive lives lost, the many generals who fell, the first very major battle without General "Stonewall" Jackson. The shift of the war and as been described as the high water mark of the civil war. The Gettysburg Campaign in which moved President Lincoln to write such inspiring words that are just as fitting now, of any wars Americans fought then and since. The proof women were in uniform and died in the civil war, as one unidentified was found and buried there. The cause of so much grief for Generals in the CSA, after the war--the finger pointing and besmirching of character and or honor. The transformation from Napoleon tactics to American homespun tactics.

Appomattox - For the symbolism rendered by Grant, Chamberlain and others, the massive message it sent. The realization by the defeated, that the idea or 'cause' was lost but, dignity, duty, respect, sense of what is right/correct to do despite personal feelings; duty to others and not just to self. The civility of the entire surrendering process. The ability to embrace one another as Americans; not divided by sides.

Just some thoughts.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf

 

[ole]

The ability to embrace one another as Americans; not divided by sides.

Double-dog amen, M.E.

ole

 

[5fish]

Fickle...

Six posts in and nobody's mentioned Gettysburg?

It is now ten post and no one picked Vicksburg and it won it's Face Off against Gettysburg on another thread.

What fickle board we have....


A note: Vicksburg is not my choice I was just bring an observation to everyone....

 

[timewalker]

It is now ten post and no one picked Vicksburg and it won it's Face Off against Gettysburg on another thread.

What fickle board we have....


A note: Vicksburg is not my choice I was just bring an observation to everyone....

Hey! I mentioned Vicksurg!

 

[5fish]

Time..

Hey! I mentioned Vicksurg!

I must greatly apologise for my over sight of your early post.

A note: You did say campaign it does kind of throw one off a little. You know campaign verse battle is confusing at times.(LOL)


Have a grand day...

 

[bschulte]

I would have to say my favorite battles currently are those of the Seven Days' Campaign, with Glendale (June 30, 1862) being my favorite. The confederates had a great chance to cut off a large portion of the Army of the Potomac that day, but Stonewall Jackson, in one of his worst days in a Confederate uniform, did nothing, literally sleeping on the battlefield.

 

[5fish]

The Willy's

Lets go with the Wilderness and the whole Overland Campaign. Lee had only one good shoot at Grant and the Wilderness was it. The Wilderness marks beginning of the end of Lee's fable AoNV and the ascension of Grant as the Father of modern war(Total War)...

 

[DHPatrick]

How about Sabine Pass II. There were very few casualties and it is very clear who won the battle. It involved the forces of a Lieutenant against those of a Major General.

I guess I also favor it because I'm a Texan.

 

[bankerpapaw]

Favorite Battlefields

I agree with Blockaderunner. My favorite battle is the one I'm reading or talking about. That's like asking me
which grandchild do I love the most - - -the one sitting in my lap.

 

[ole]

We're gonna run out of July before we decide on a battle. There's barely enough time to work on it.

I'll be busy all the month of August, so I'll get my dog out of the fight, but we might want to consider alternating theaters.

ole

 

[mt155]

My favorite to read about is Vicksburg. I like it because it involves both parts on the navy, (ocean going and river going), soap opera drama, (McClernand, was Pemberton secretly still a yank stuff), civilians hardships during the siege, and who can forget the Texans that fought there.

As far as a favorite to visit I'd have to go with Antietam and Shiloh. No coffee shops or gas stations.... enough said.


Mike T.

 

[.Ol'WarHorse]

My all time favorite battle is Gettysburg. In the summer, it is my home away from home. There is so much about the battle I love. There is so much heroism, so much valor about that battle. All the men who fought there were brave men.

I also tend to like Spotsylvania, but I am still learning about it. A little rusty when it comes to that battle.