Civil War Q&A

[Airchallenged]

Paul told me to repost this because it got lost in the data crash. The basic principle is that you post a question on anything about the Civil War and myself or someone else tries to answer it for you.

Ask Away.

[Holly6]

Originally Posted by Airchallenged

Paul told me to repost this because it got lost in the data crash. The basic principle is that you post a question on anything about the Civil War and myself or someone else tries to answer it for you.

Ask Away.

Thanks AC. I've always been interested in the aspect of the "citizen soldier" in their relation to the War. So many of those men performed incredibly with little formal military training. I was a J.L. Chamberlain fan long before "Gettysburg". Soul of a Lion was an early favorite. From Professor to Maj. General in 3 easy years?

Do you have a favorite CW personality that successfully made the transformation from civilian to soldier?

[Airchallenged]

Originally Posted by Holly6

Thanks AC. I've always been interested in the aspect of the "citizen soldier" in their relation to the War. So many of those men performed incredibly with little formal military training. I was a J.L. Chamberlain fan long before "Gettysburg". Soul of a Lion was an early favorite. From Professor to Maj. General in 3 easy years?

Do you have a favorite CW personality that successfully made the transformation from civilian to soldier?

I don't really have a favorite. One that would be near the top was Col. Henry K. Burgwyn of the 26th North Carolina. He was the youngest Colonel in the Confederate Army. He was born in Jamaica Plains, Ma (Its a suburb of Boston, my Aunt lives there) to wealthy planters while they were on vacation. He grew up in North East Nc along the Va border. He graduated from UNC-CH at the age of 16 in 1857. He then went to VMI and graduated in 1861. He got a personal recommendation from T. J. Jackson to be a Confederate Officer. He was the Lt. Col. at first and then replaced Col. Vance when he became the Governor of NC. The 26th NC was in Ransom's brigade, where it fought the Battles of New Bern and Malvern's Heights, until this point at which it was transfered to Pettigrew's Brigade. On July 1st, 1863 The 26th NC and 11th NC charged up the slop of McPherson's Ridge against the Iron Brigade. In the ensuing fight, in which Burgwyn was leading from the front, he was killed moments after being the 12th (approximately) standard bearer. He was shot through the Lungs and died at the base of the hill in the arms of Pvt. William Cheek. Cheek was one of the few member of the Regiment to make it through day three of the Battle. Out of the 800 men that began the charge that day 86 were killed and 502 were wounded, including 13 color bearers. On day three the Regiment only with the 11th NC and the rest of Pettigrew's Brigade made it the furthest in Pickett's charge, an additional 100 or so yards. Only 3 officers and 86 men made it back across the field. Company E had three men left and Company F was gone. Maj John T. Jones, was commander of the Brigade (after Pettigrew was killed in the retreat to Va) and Capt. Henry Albrieght commanded the Regiment.

[Holly6]

Originally Posted by Airchallenged

I don't really have a favorite. One that would be near the top was Col. Henry K. Burgwyn of the 26th North Carolina. He was the youngest Colonel in the Confederate Army. He was born in Jamaica Plains, Ma (Its a suburb of Boston, my Aunt lives there) to wealthy planters while they were on vacation. He grew up in North East Nc along the Va border. He graduated from UNC-CH at the age of 16 in 1857. He then went to VMI and graduated in 1861. He got a personal recommendation from T. J. Jackson to be a Confederate Officer. He was the Lt. Col. at first and then replaced Col. Vance when he became the Governor of NC. The 26th NC was in Ransom's brigade, where it fought the Battles of New Bern and Malvern's Heights, until this point at which it was transfered to Pettigrew's Brigade. On July 1st, 1863 The 26th NC and 11th NC charged up the slop of McPherson's Ridge against the Iron Brigade. In the ensuing fight, in which Burgwyn was leading from the front, he was killed moments after being the 12th (approximately) standard bearer. He was shot through the Lungs and died at the base of the hill in the arms of Pvt. William Cheek. Cheek was one of the few member of the Regiment to make it through day three of the Battle. Out of the 800 men that began the charge that day 86 were killed and 502 were wounded, including 13 color bearers. On day three the Regiment only with the 11th NC and the rest of Pettigrew's Brigade made it the furthest in Pickett's charge, an additional 100 or so yards. Only 3 officers and 86 men made it back across the field. Company E had three men left and Company F was gone. Maj John T. Jones, was commander of the Brigade (after Pettigrew was killed in the retreat to Va) and Capt. Henry Albrieght commanded the Regiment.

Burgwyn's courage was remarkable, and had the assult been supported correctly, might have been a life lost with advangtage.
I didn't state my original question well. I was interested in your view of those not militarily trained prior to the war. B. Forrest for example would be a case. However, the South's culture led to dynamic calvery leaders. Any idea of infantry leaders that might fit the bill?

[Airchallenged]

Oh, um....well most of my favorites went to a military school. E Porter Alexander, Pete Longstreet, Stonewall, Shanks Evans, Hancock, Sherman. Or they served during the Mexican American War as officers.

[cyberia]

Matt, was there difference in the ranks of the Confederate Army than that of the Union? That is to say did officer ranks follow the same progression on both sides?

[Airchallenged]

Originally Posted by cyberia

Matt, was there difference in the ranks of the Confederate Army than that of the Union? That is to say did officer ranks follow the same progression on both sides?

Sort of yes and sort of No. All of the Noncom ranks were the same (Pvt, Cpl, Sgt, 1Sgt) Plus Ordnance, QM and master Sergeants had chevrons as well. The Officer's ranks were different. Union had 2Lt, 1Lt, Capt, Maj, Lt Col, Col, Brig Gen, Maj Gen, Lt Gen, plus Full Gen (only US Grant). Confederate had the same up to Col then just Gen. Later they went to the same four levels of General as the North but the insignia stayed the same for all four (one big star flanked by two smaller surrounded by a gold wreath).

[Holly6]

Originally Posted by Airchallenged

Oh, um....well most of my favorites went to a military school. E Porter Alexander, Pete Longstreet, Stonewall, Shanks Evans, Hancock, Sherman. Or they served during the Mexican American War as officers.

Interesting list AC. But I gotta ask, Nate Evans a relative? I admit that he had guts and elan, that he showed well at the Bull Runs, Sharpsburg and Ball's Bluff etc. but the boy seemed to have been fueled by 80 proof whiskey.
In no way am I demeaning your choice, but he just seems a bit out of place with the others you mentioned.
I'm not asking you to defend him, but I'd love to hear how you chose him.

[Brett]

Hi Airchallenged:

I wonder if you have an opinion on the strategy the 2 sides used.
Do you think there was a better strategy for them?

[Airchallenged]

Originally Posted by Holly6

Interesting list AC. But I gotta ask, Nate Evans a relative? I admit that he had guts and elan, that he showed well at the Bull Runs, Sharpsburg and Ball's Bluff etc. but the boy seemed to have been fueled by 80 proof whiskey.
In no way am I demeaning your choice, but he just seems a bit out of place with the others you mentioned.
I'm not asking you to defend him, but I'd love to hear how you chose him.

nope no relation. but I mostly like him because of those battles not the alcohol.