Worst Regimental Performances

[Sheltowee]

Just finished Hafendorfer's text on the Battle of Richmond Ky. Throughout the book, there are numerous recounts of how pathetic were the actions of the 7th Kentucky Cavalry (Metcalfes). Sparing details- but these troopers did not represent well, at all.

Trying to tread lightly here, as not to offend more sensitive members. But I am curious about examples of horrific performance by regiments in some particular battle. Any examples of poor conduct that really stand out?

I know we have the luxury of second-guessing men involved in life and death struggles- maybe not fair. Still, I am sure there are numerous examples of regiments that turned in disastrous efforts (or none at all). Were these units ever able to wipe away the tarnish, at some later battle? Please share...

 

[Fenwick1863]

I suspect you could select any one of the regiments in Brockenbrough's brigade at Gettysburg

I was thinking the same thing. Suppose I may be biased though, with my attachment to the 26th NC, and the fact that I seem to recall reading that many blamed North Carolina's troops for the failure of the charge, even many years later.

 

[Sheltowee]

So sorry, but this link is still connecting on my lap-top equipment:

Was this the Worst Regiment in the Union Army?

The American Civil War Round Table (UK) July 2020 meeting presents a lecture by former Round Table President and current editor of Crossfire Greg Bayne in which he tells the extraordinary story of how an entire regiment was court-martialled in the winter of 1862-63. With some participation in...

www.acwrt.org.uk

Maybe you can connect by travelling on your own through the London (UK) Civil War Round Table site:

American Civil War Round Table (UK) | Home

A UK based membership round table discussing and learning about the American Civil War.

www.acwrt.org.uk

Good luck!

Thanks for sharing- very interesting, if a bit of a slow labor to review.
Being from the little Egypt region of Illinois, one has to question their dedication to the Union cause. Even implications of KGC sympathies within the officer ranks.
109th Illinois gets my vote.

 

[W Charles Young]

I would include regiments that failed to take the field. The 4th Pennsylvania Infantry decided their service was over on July 20, 1861, and despite the evidence that a battle would take place on the 21st, left Centreville and marched back to Washington. The 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry had a mutiny in the ranks as the Army of the Cumberland marched to attack Bragg. A significant number were arrested wile only a portion left with Rosecrans.

 

[Belfoured]

I would include regiments that failed to take the field. The 4th Pennsylvania Infantry decided their service was over on July 20, 1861, and despite the evidence that a battle would take place on the 21st, left Centreville and marched back to Washington. The 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry had a mutiny in the ranks as the Army of the Cumberland marched to attack Bragg. A significant number were arrested wile only a portion left with Rosecrans.

Fair points, although there seems to have been some confusion about those three-month enlistments and I also have some difficulty being overly critical of troops whose term was up.

 

[BrianB]

May I nominate the 128th Illinois? It had 700 desertions in its first five months of service and was then disbanded (probably there were very few soldiers left to disband!)

 

[Belfoured]

May I nominate the 128th Illinois? It had 700 desertions in its first five months of service and was then disbanded (probably there were very few soldiers left to disband!)

That would seem to get them into the second round. It would be interesting to know what the 5 or 6 who were left were thinking.

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

Tennessee 36th Infantry

36th Tennessee Infantry Regiment – Tennessee & the Civil War

 

[neyankee61]

Not only did some regiments behave poorly but within a regiment one company could assume some blame. Many times it was based on it's ethnic background. At Williamsburg, the 7th NJ 's 1st action Co D broke. The company had a distinct German and foreign background. Many wrote that "the **** Germans" became disorganized and needed to be rallied by other officers. That fact that it's captain was severed wounded and his son, a Lt, was killed was ignored.

 

[General JJ]

At Gettysburg the 54th and 68th New York Infantry regiments seem to be singled out a lot as poor units. They broke on the first day at Barlow's Knoll, and they broke again on East Cemetery Hill.

I'm not sure if these criticisms are fair or not, but I see them a lot reading about the XI Corps experience at Gettysburg.