The Civil War Books of Jeff Shaara

It never ceases to amaze me how people can only read a book through once. As hard to believe as it sounds, I know such people exist, because my mother is one of them.  She used to question why on earth my sisters and I would want to buy a book we've already read, now I think she just shakes her head in bewildered resignation.

But with a good book, a truly good book, once through is just not enough.  No matter how many times I re-read my favorites, something new always jumps out at me.  I always close the cover with some revelation that I had not realized before.  A new perspective, new symbolism, new insight into the characters.  Sometime it's a slight gain, sometimes I sit back and go "Wow!  I never knew that!"; it's like a whole new book.

I have been reading to beloved old favorites of mine lately, and so I thought I would take the opportunity to share them with you.   They are "Gods and Generals" and "The Last Full Measure".  Written by Jeff Shaara, son of author Michael Shaara ["Killer Angels"], they complete the tale of the Civil War that "Killer Angels" began.

As much as I love them and want other to read them, I am afraid that they will be... unappealing to the casual reader who is just prowling about for a fast paced, action packed, adventure novel to read.  These books are certainly action packed - I mean, it's the Civil War and therefore it would follow that there be battles and action - but the pace does drag a bit in between the battles, while Shaara gives a narrative of the armies movements - or non-movement, as the case may be.

Yet Shaara makes up for those lulls in the story by bringing the characters of history vividly to life.  By the time you reach only the half-way point, you feel like you know these people, that you could look up from reading and they'd be standing there across the room from you.  That is what made me fall in love with these works of historical fiction, and that is why I read them over and over again.

I'm not shy about saying that I would not be the lover of Civil War history that I am today if it were not for the Shaara's Civil War books, "Gods and Generals" in particular.  I read "Killer Angels" first, and liked it, but it wasn't until I saw the movies "Gods and Generals" and "Gettysburg" [the film version of 'Killer Angels'], directed by Ron Maxwell that I fell in love with them.  I ran and borrowed the book "Gods and Generals" from the library and fell further in love still.  They opened my eyes to a period in American history that I had glossed over before.  I met great and heroic men that I otherwise never would have met, or maybe never even really heard about.

Another, slightly trivial, reason why I love reading these books (and the reason why I prefer reading them over "Killer Angels") is Jeff Shaara's writing style.  All authors have their own writing style, of course, but I've never read anyone else who had a style quite like Shaara's.  I've given it quite a bit of thought, and I think the reason why it is different is because it just flows... the words come out naturally, particularly the dialogue.  Actually, now that I think about it, it is the dialogue that makes it unique.  When the characters speak, think, Shaara puts pauses in their sentences, natural pauses.
I suppose the best way to describe it would be to quote the book.  (Hang on while I try and pick just one paragraph...)                                                                                              

He let go of the flag and fell forward, his hands in the mud, and now there were hands under his arms, lifting him up, pulling him back.  He looked at the faces of the young men staring down at him, said "Thank you... I am shot."
He tried to see across the creek, to sit up, but there was no strength, and he looked again at his side, thought, Too much... too much blood... you are dying.

So maybe this whole discussion is irrelevant to a review, but hey, aren't reviews about what the reviewer thinks of the book?  So yes, his style is... very unique.  Actually, it's so unique it is can be quite annoying, because by the time I've read a quarter of the book, Shaara's style of narrating, talking, thinking is so ingrained in my sub-cranium that I start narrating my thoughts.  No, not only do I start to write everything Shaara style, I start to think Shaara style.  My thoughts go into third person!  It is... annoying.  (That last sentence was my exact thought when I was thinking about not thinking in Shaara style.  It didn't work.)

I should note that a less than desirable side-effect of thinking in Shaara is that all the 'd--ms' jump in every once in a while as well.  But lest you be concerned that I am hiding something from you in my review, d--m is the only swearing in the book.

Going back to my opening statement, about seeing things in a new light or gleaning something new... I think that this time through, what I got out of them the most was a greater empathy for the emotions of the main characters.  I could understand better how frustrated General Hancock was when the commanders of his army just wouldn't move, would give pointless orders, or would run away when they didn't need to.  I felt a greater understanding of the loss the Confederates took when Jackson died, what that meant to the army, what it meant to Lee.  I was able to grasp the shock of Stuart's death, wondering myself how he could just - be killed.  When Chamberlain was promoted to Brigadier General, I knew some of the excitement he must have felt, because I couldn't keep the smile off of my own face.  This time through, these people became even more real to me and more beloved, and I hadn't known that was possible.

So that is my love story with Jeff Shaara's Civil War books.  The next time you are looking for a good, solid, meaningful read, read Shaara.  It's so cool and satisfying to read a novel, and for once, you don't have to wish that the characters were real, because they are.

Now I could leave you with that last paragraph, which makes a veddy good closing paragraph if I do say so myself... but I just have to tell you about something that happened to me this past week, while I was in the depths of "Gods and Generals".  This will attest to 1) the overpowering power of Jeff Shaara's narrative style and 2) my own delicious insanity.
Setting: I was making sweet tea to have with dinner, and I was pouring it into a larger pitcher, these words popped into my head unexpected and unbidden...
(Note, this was my thought, word for word).

"The dark brown liquid flowed out, clear and strong.  She placed the spoon in the pitcher, stirred it around in a swirl."

I promptly hit myself in the head and laughed for about five minutes... then kept thinking in Shaara.

A Lovely Night

The other evening, my family and i were wonderfully fortunate to be able to attend A CIVIL WAR BALL!!!! It was simply lovely - the weather was absolutely perfect and i was able to wear the skirt i'd been working on and finished that day. (Thank you Saint Ann!)

We got to the battlefield just in time for the candlelight tour, which was quite fascinating and informative. Because it was dark out, we were able to see just how far the flames can shoot out from a cannon. (If your wondering how far... at least 4 feet.)

The dance itself was just lovely. We met up with some friends, met new people and danced a lot! I realized later... this was the first dance (other than the Daddy-Daughter Ball) that i've ever been to! That was the first time i'd ever danced with a guy... and the first time a guy had ever asked me to dance! So what if there was only one guy that was anywhere close to my age. *cough* I danced with him twice. (Hee hee, and got to use my southern drawl - he was a Confederate.) All my partners were very nice. =)

The dances - period to the Civil War - were quite fun as well. I hope i'll be able to remember some of them and teach them to the homeschooling group. (We only know the Virginia Reel. =P )

We didn't take any pictures from the ball, (too dark. =P ) but here are some of my sisters and i and my outfit!

Our period no smiling photograph.

Me as a fainting southern belle. ;)

HOOPSKIRTS ROCK!

The Battle of Gettysburg

Gettysburg, PA
July 1-3, 1863
Total Casualties: 48,040 men

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

These Dead Shall Not Have Died in Vain

The evening of the March for Life, after the crowds had all dispersed, the sun had set and we had all eaten our dinner, the "Awesome Group" went on a tour of some of the many monuments of Washington D.C. The first one we stopped at was the Lincoln Memorial. I was awestruck at it's size, which you would never guess from looking at photographs of it. It is huge, almost as grand and imposing as the words inscribed inside. I raced up the stairs and attempted to take photos of the statue, but alas, in dim lighting, that doesn't work so well. All blurry. Naturally, on the bus driving away from the Lincoln Memorial I discovered a setting on the camera that said "Use for taking pictures in especially dim lighting". Of course.

After I attempted to take some photos, I strolled over to the side of the monument where the immortal Gettysburg Address is engraved in the wall. Leaning up against one of the towering columns, I read the words written so many years ago, soaking it in. I read it as I always have, thinking of the Civil War, when I came to the last paragraph. I gasped slightly and read the words in a way I have never read them before. New meaning lept out at me and I re-read them again.

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

I read them again, and felt my eyes well up with tears. That was why we were there, why everyone there that day was in Washington D.C. Why there is a March for Life.

It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

President Lincoln was speaking about the soldiers, but in a way, he could have been speaking about the unborn. Those children gave their lives, maybe without a choice, but they gave them anyhow.

I read somewhere once that everyone was created for a purpose, and that you will not die until that purpose, that mission is fulfilled. It is my belief that the mission of the aborted unborn children is to bring about the conversion of their mothers, to serve as an example to all those contemplating abortion and bring about their conversion, so that our nation, and the world, might someday realize and repent of the evil it has been allowing for far too long. During their short lives, they were part of the Church Militant, they were soldiers too. Now that they are in heaven, they are part of the Church Triumphant, but they are still fighting with their prayers, so that not another child will have to die in the war against The Enemy.

In the words of President Lincoln,

It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain!

We must continue the fight, those of us who were given the chance to be born, to grow up, to live our lives for the honor and glory of God.

When I read those words, my throat tight with tears, they gave me such comfort. I admit that I was struggling with disappointment at not having been able to meet up with some friends I'd dearly wanted to meet, and I was brought back to the remembrance of why I went to D.C. I was so thankful to God for not only healing my disappointment, but for reminding me of the reason I was there. Not to have fun and experience history - though I did do both as well - but to save lives. HE gave me renewed dedication to fighting for the cause.

It is my hope that all you who read this blog post, will read that last paragraph of the Gettysburg Address, and then read it again and again. Then resolve in your heart to fight for the pro-life cause

So that these dead children shall not have died in vain.

The Angel of Marye's Heights

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him... Then the king will say to those on the right... 'I was thirsty and you gave me to drink...'
Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you ...thirsty and give you drink?'...
And the kind will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'

~ Matthew 25:31-32, 35, 37, 40

Sergeant Richard Rowland Kirkland was enlisted in the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. He fought with his fellow soldiers on December 13th in one of the bloodiest battles of the entire war, repelling the Federal Army of the Potomac. In the closing of the battle, and all through the night, Sergeant Kirkland listened to the cries of agony and pleas for mercy from the Federal soldiers lying wounded on the battlefield.
The cries continued on into the next day, many begging for water.
At last Kirkland could stand it no longer. He approached his commander, General Kershaw, and asked for permission to bring water to the suffering men. Kershaw replied, asking Kirkland, "Don't you know that you would get a bullet through your head the moment you stepped over the wall? ..."

Kirkland responded with these words, "Yes, I know that I may, but if you will let me, I am willing to try it." The General could not refuse this gallant and earnest request and allowed Kirkland to go out on his mission of mercy. He was greeted as expected with bullets from the Federals on the other side of the field, but once he began administering aid to the wounded men, they ceased fire. Both sides watched and cheered, and after Kirkland had done all that he could do, he returned to the Confederate lines.
Sergeant Kirkland went on to distinguish himself at Gettysburg and later fell on the field at Chickamauga. He truly followed out the orders of Our Lord, Kirkland's chief commander,

'But to you who hear I say... love your enemies and do good to them.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.'

~ Luke 6: 27, 35, 36

The Battle of Fredericksburg - 146 years ago today

Embarrassed by General McClellan's repeated defeats and apparent lack of commitment in prosecuting the war, Lincoln replaced him on November 7 with General Ambrose Burnside. Burnside launched a winter campaign against the Confederate capital, Richmond, by way of Fredericksburg, a strategically important town on the Rappahannock River. The Federal Army of the Potomac, 115,000-strong, raced to Fredericksburg, arriving on November 17. There were only a few thousand Confederates on hand to challenge them, yet the Federal advance ground to a halt on the eastern bank of the Rappahannock, opposite the city. Burnside's campaign was delayed for over a week when material he had ordered for pontoon bridges failed to arrive. Disappointed by the delay, Burnside marked time for a further two weeks. Meanwhile, Lee took advantage of the stalled Federal drive to concentrate and entrench his Army of Northern Virginia, some 78,000-strong, on the high ground behind Fredericksburg.

With the arrival of the pontoons, Burnside crossed the river on December 11, despite fierce fire from Confederate snipers concealed in buildings along the city's river front. When the Confederates withdrew, Federal soldiers looted the town, from which the inhabitants had been evacuated. By December 13, Burnside was prepared to launch a two-pronged attack to drive Lee's forces from an imposing set of hills just outside Fredericksburg.
The main assault struck south of the city. Misunderstandings and bungled leadership on the part of the commander of the Federal left, Major General William B. Franklin, limited the attacking force to two small divisions - Major General George G. Meade to lead; Major General John Gibbon in support. Meade's troops broke through an unguarded gap in the Confederate lines, but Jackson's men expelled the unsupported Federals, inflicting heavy losses. Burnside launched his second attack from Fredericksburg against the Confederate left on Marye's Heights. Wave after wave of Federal attackers were mown down by Confederate troops firing from an unassailable position in a sunken road protected by a stone wall. Over the course of the afternoon, no fewer than fourteen successive Federal brigades charged the wall of Confederate fire. Not a single Federal soldier reached Longstreet's line.
On December 15, Burnside ordered his beaten army back across the Rappahannock.The Union had lost 13,000 soldiers in a battle in which the dreadful carnage was matched only by its futility. Federal morale plummeted, and Burnside was swiftly relieved of his command. By contrast, the morale of the Confederacy reached a peak. Their casualties had been considerably lighter than the Union's, totaling only 5,000. Lee's substantial victory at Fredericksburg, won with relative ease, increased the already buoyant confidence of the Army of Northern Virginia, which led subsequently to the invasion of the North the following summer.

Source: "The Atlas of the Civil War" by James M. McPherson

A segment of the Battle of Fredericksburg, as portrayed in the movie Gods and Generals

Today in 1863

Then

Now

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. ~ Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg PA November 19th 1863

Trivia: The Gettysburg Address was not given at the site of the monument commemorating the event in Gettysburg Soldiers National Cemetery. The stage was set at the approximate location of the statue in the "Now" photograph. The statue is not located in the National Cemetery, but is in the Evergreen Cemetery which immediately adjoins the Soldiers National Cemetery.

Civil War Days

A week and three days ago, my family and some friends were blessed to be able to attend the annual Civil War Reenactment in our area. Here are the photos from the event! (All taken by me, myself, and I.)

Er... well, except for this one, 'cause me, myself and I is in it. This one was taken by my dear mother, but the rest are taken by me! By I? By myself? I took them? Anyhow, it was really fun to be able to dress up and walk around the battlefield and camp even though my costume is not historically accurate. Everyone else said it looked perfect, but I knew that it wasn't correct. Ah well.

This was the sign by the Chaplin's tent. It was really neat to see a Catholic Priest at the reenactment. It was kind of funny, because the man was a Catholic Priest.. reenacting as a Catholic Priest!

The Union Camp

Confederate Artillery

The Battle. The Union troops won the day.

The priest attending the wounded in the field

GENERALS!!!!! I didn't get a shot of any Union generals, but these gentleman more than made up for it... even though they would not look at the camera!

General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. It was so neat how much he looked like him!

General Robert E. Lee!!!!
Alas, no sign of his dashingly handsome aide Colonel Taylor.

My favorite kind of photography... sepia. It adds such a nice old time look, don't you think?

This gun is 'Lady Molly'. While the wheels and all were replica's, the barrel is the real thing. Honestly... they were! Er, are! One of the soldiers told us that 'Lady Molly' was one of the guns used during Sherman's March to Atlanta and was fired in the battles of Atlanta, Chickamauga and Chattanooga. Pretty neat!

Courage in Blue

"War is a test of character. It makes bad men worse, and good men better."
~ Gen. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

Yes Sir!

Continuing in the Civil War/military strain, I thought I'd share with you something my siblings and I came up with last year, at the start of our (er, my) Civil War mania. A former acquaintance of ours had a relative or someone they knew in the army, so I asked them for a list of military ranks. She gave me them, and at the advent of our Civil War enthusiasm, my siblings and I instituted "The Army of the Plains" - a family army, as well as assigning ranks by using the sheet she gave us. I don't think this is a complete list, but it works for us!

How it works, is that for each year of your life, up until you are 10, you get promoted as an enlisted soldier. At age 13, you become an officer. From then on you get "promoted" based mostly on events in your life. Here is the list!

1 yr = Private
2 year = Private 1st Class
3 years = Specialist/Corporal
4 = Sergeant
5 = Staff Sergeant
6 = Sergeant 1st Class
7 = 1st Sergeant
8 = Sergeant Major
9 = Command Sergeant Major
10 = Sergeant Major of the Army

Officers
13 years = 2nd Lieutenant
Confirmation or Graduation from Grade School (which ever comes first) = 1st Lieutenant
16 years = Captain
18 years = Major
21/engaged = Lieutenant Colonel
Engaged/21 = Colonel*
Married = Brigadier General
1 yr anniversary = Major General
5 yr anniversary = Lieutenant General
25 yr anniversary = General
50 yr anniversary = General of the Army

Now you may be thinking, what if you enter the priesthood? Got that worked out too!

Seminarian = Colonel*
Deacon = Brigadier General
Priest = Major General
Bishop = Lieutenant General
Cardinal = General
Pope = General of the Army

*which ever comes first.

So currently, in the Grand Army of the Plains (My families army) I am a Captain. I suppose I should add that then to my "list of names" in my profile, eh? Hmmm, but should I attach something else to it, or should I just be "Captain"? I could be Captain Rose. Captain Rosemary Lee? Mary is not a part of my name, nor am I in anyway related to the Lee's (except via Adam and Eve), but it popped into my head, and I rather like it. Or I could be my Lee family counterpart. *grins* That's another thing we came up with.

Now if you have been around me when I enter "Civil War Buff" mode, you should know that I have an admiration (some call it an obsession) for General Lee. (I'll stop now before I get carried away... because I can feel a Civil War Buff mode coming on, and if I get started, I'll never stop!) So anyhow, my family has 7 kids, and the Lee family has 7 kids, so we matched eachother up and that is who we "are" in the Lee family. We've also done that with the VonTrapp family too. Any famous family with 7 kids, may become subject to our assignments.
So in the Lee Family, I "am" the eldest son, Custis. Captain Custis Rose. Captain Rose Custis?

I know! I shall turn it into a poll, and then you can all vote!

Guess What!!!!!

No, I did not forget to mention this in my last post.

MY GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GRANDFATHER WAS IN THE CIVIL WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*runs around screaming her head off with an excitement only a true Civil War Buff would understand* YAAAAAAHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EULAAAAAALLLLLLLIAAAA!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, think I got it out of my system. But any how HE WAS HE WAS HE WAS HE WAS!!!!!!!! And he DIED too!!!! Isn't that GREAT???????? He wasn't shot in battle - typhoid fever actually - but one can't be too picky about how their ancestors die.

*completely stunned and disbelieving looks from blog readers*

What? So I am excited that my great-tho-the4th-power grandfather died in uniform, is that so odd? *grins* Don't worry, I am terribly sorry for his family. Er, my family! But not so much, because obviously he left children behind. (Which sounds awful, but if he hadn't, where might I be?)

How did I just find out today? (When I told my mom, she shook her head and said something to the effect of "You knew if you looked hard enough you would find connections. Now you can die happy.") Well for a project, I needed just thre great-granparents, and asked my great-aunt -who did extensive geneology for her side of the family - for the names on my grandma's side of the family. God works in mysterious and splediferous ways, because instead of giving me just the names I needed, the dear sent me a copy of everything! Thus fufilling a dear wish and dream of having an ancestor in the Civil War.

I won't tell you his name (internet security and all that. The stalkers are just waiting for his name so they can find me and track me down. *grins* And yes, I AM making fun of it! *giggles and horrified readers who can't believe she joke about such a serious matter*)
I won't tell you his name, but he was in the 29th Wisconsin Infantry, Company D, and he died of typoid fever Feb 1st, 1863. Alas! He made it not to Vicksburg. BUT HE WAS IN THE CIVIL WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*lets out one more whoop of joy before leaving*
YEHAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

146 Years Ago - The "Bloodiest Day in History"

Events at Antietam (Sharpsburg)

Sept. 17:

6 am: Hooker's Federal Corps begins the attack but his left bogs down under artillery fire from Nicodemus Hill.

7 am: Hood's Confederates counterattack and stop I Corps' advance at the Miller cornfield.

7:30-9 am: Mansfield's XII Corps attacks to the Dunker Church but fresh Confederate reinforcements drive them back.

10 am: Sedgwick's division of Sumner's II Corps attacks into the West Woods but is flanked and repulsed with heavy losses.

1 pm: Richardson's and French's division of Sumner's II Corps capture Bloody lane and breach Lee's center.

10 am-1 pm: Burnside's IX Corps seize the bridge across the Antietam after repeated attempts to cross.

1 pm: Rodman's division of IX Corps wades through Snavely's Ford and flanks Toombs' Confederates above the bridge.

3 pm: Burnside launches a general assault pushing Longstreet's Confederates back to the outskirts of Sharpsburg.

4 pm: A.P. Hill's Confederate division arrives from Harper's Ferry just in time to cripple Burnside's advance with a counterattack against the Federal left flank.

From Civil War Home


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HEADQUARTERS,
Army of Northern Virginia.,
Near Frederick Town, 8th September, 1862.

TO THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND:

It is right that you should know the purpose that has brought the army under my command within the limits of your State, so far as that purpose concerns yourselves.
The people of the Confederate States have long watched with the deepest sympathy the wrongs and outrages that have been inflicted upon the citizens of a Commonwealth allied to the States of the South by the strongest social, political, and commercial ties.
They have seen with profound indignation their sister-State deprived of every right and reduced to the condition of a conquered province.
Under the pretense of supporting the Constitution, but in violation of its most valuable provisions, your citizens have been arrested and imprisoned upon no charge and contrary to all forms of law; the faithful and manly protest against this outrage made by the venerable and illustrious Marylander to whom in better days no citizen appealed for right in vain was treated with scorn and contempt; the government of your chief city has been usurped by armed strangers; your legislature has been dissolved by the unlawful arrest of its members; freedom of the press and of speech has been suppressed; words have been declared offences by an arbitrary decree of the Federal executive, and citizens ordered to be tried by a military commission for what they may dare to speak.
Believing that the people of Maryland possessed a spirit too lofty to submit to such a government, the people of the South have long wished to aid you in throwing off this foreign yoke, to enable you again to enjoy the inalienable rights of freemen and restore independence and sovereignty to your State.
In obedience to this wish our army has come among you, and is prepared to assist you with the power of its arms in regaining the rights of which you have been despoiled.
This, citizens of Maryland, is our mission, so far as you are concerned. No constraint upon your free will is intended ; no intimidation will be allowed. Within the limits of this army at least, Marylanders shall once more enjoy their ancient freedom of thought and speech. We know no enemies among you, and will protect all, of every opinion. It is for you to decide your destiny freely and without constraint.
This army will respect your choice, whatever it may be; and, while the Southern people will rejoice to welcome you to your natural position among them, they will only welcome you when you come of your own free will.

R. E. LEE,
General commanding

Found on Civil War Home.com

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The Battle of Antietam September 17, 1862

The date September 17, 1862 will forever be known as the bloodiest day of the Civil War. More than twice as many Americans lost their lives in the Battle of Antietam as fell in combat during the War of 1812, the Mexican War and the Spanish-American War combined.

When it was all over, the North had 2,108 men killed, 9,549 wounded, and 753 missing. The South reported 2,700 killed, 9,024 wounded and 2,000 missing.

This tragic confrontation occurred near Antietam Creek outside Sharpsburg, Maryland. The Union army had every reason to predict a successful outcome, for they had determined the tactics of the battle well in advance. In addition, their troops numbered 75,000 to Lee’s 25,000 Confederate soldiers. Unfortunately, General George McClellan did not fully coordinate his attacks. Consequently, Lee took advantage of the Union army’s weaknesses by shifting his men to different positions - thus plugging gaps in his line in the nick of time. He received further reinforcement later in the day when Confederate General Ambrose Powell Hill arrived to reinforce Lee’s right flank.

While the fiercely contested battle was inconclusive, the Northern army still outnumbered Lee’s rebels. Yet despite the massive superiority of McClellan’s army, he shocked the Union when he refused to resume the fight the following day and risk further losses. Although success beckoned him, he shied away from it. McClellan’s mismanagement of his army aroused nationwide controversy during the war…and remains the subject of heated arguments among historians to this day.

From www.mortkunstler.com

Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

Additional note: Today in 1787, the American Constitution was signed.

Happy Birthday General!

General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
Born September 8th 1882 - Died February 24th 1914
Commander of the 20th Maine Infantry
and 1st Brigade, in the 1st Division, V Corps.
Awarded Medal of Honor for his gallantry at Little Round Top in the Battle of Gettysburg,
July 2nd, 1863.
Also Professor of everything except science and mathematics at Bowdoin College.

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"In great deeds something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear, but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision-place of souls. And reverent men and women from afar, and generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field to ponder and dream; And lo! the shadow of a mighty presence shall wrap them in its bosom, and the power of the vision pass into their souls."

Speaking at the dedication of the Monument to the 20th Maine
October 3, 1889, Gettysburg, PA

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Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

The Battle of Gettysburg - Day 3

The High Tide at Gettysburgby

Will Henry Thompson

A cloud possessed the hollow field,

The gathering battle's smoky shield;

Athwart the gloom the lightning flashed,

And through the cloud some horsemen dashed,

And from the heights the thunder pealed.

Then at the brief command of Lee,

Moved out that matchless infantry,

With Pickett leading grandly down,

To rush against the roaring crown

Of those dread heights of destiny.

Far heard above the angry guns,

A cry across the tumult runs:

The voice that rang through Shiloh's woods,

And Chickamauga's solitudes:

The fierce South cheering on her sons!

Ah, how the withering tempest blew

Against the front of Pettigrew!

A Khamsin wind that scorched and singed,

Like that infernal flame that fringed

The British squares at Waterloo!

A thousand fell where Kemper led;

A thousand died where Garnett bled;

In blinding flame and strangling smoke,

The remnant through the batteries broke,

And crossed the works with Armistead.

"Once more in Glory's van with me!"

Virginia cried to Tennessee:

"We two together, come what may

Shall stand upon those works today!"

The reddest day in history.

Brave Tennessee!

In reckless way Virginia heard her comrade say:

"Close round this rent and riddled rag!"

What time she set her battle flag

Amid the guns of Doubleday.

But who shall break the guards that wait

Before the awful face of Fate?

The tattered standards of the South

Were shriveled at the cannon's mouth,

And all her hopes were desolate.

In vain the Tennesseean set

His breast against the bayonet;

In vain Virginia charged and raged,

A tigress in her wrath uncaged,

Till all the hill was red and wet!

Above the bayonets, mixed and crossed,

Men saw a gray, gigantic ghost

Receding through the battle cloud,

And heard across the tempest loud

The death cry of a nation lost!

The brave went down! Without disgrace

They leaped to Ruin's red embrace;

They only heard Fame's thunders wake,

And saw the dazzling sunburst break

In smiles on Glory's bloody face!

They fell, who lifted up a hand

And bade the sun in heaven to stand;

They smote and fell, who set the bars

Against the progress of the stars,

And stayed the march of Motherland!

They stood, who saw the future come

On through the fight's delirium;

They smote and stood, who held the hope

Of nations on that slippery slope,

Amid the cheers of Christendom!

God lives! He forged the iron will

That clutched and held that trembling hill!

God lives and reigns! He built and lent

The heights for Freedom's battlement,

Where floats her flag in triumph still!

Fold up the banners! Smelt the guns!

Love rules. Her gentler purpose runs.

A Mighty mother turns in tears

The pages of her battle years,

Lamenting all her fallen sons!

The Battle of Gettysburg - Day 2

Accounts of the Battle, in the words of the men who where there.

I arrived with my staff in front of the heights of Gettysburg shortly after daybreak, as I have already stated, on the morning of the 2nd of July. My division soon commenced filing into an open field near me, where the troops were allowed to stack arms and rest until further orders. A short distance in advance of this point, and during the early part of that same morning, we were both engaged in the company with Generals Lee and A.P. Hill, in observing the position of the Federals. General Lee -- with coat buttoned to the throat, saber-belt buckled round the waist, and field glasses pending at his side -- walked up and down in the shade of the large trees near us, halting now and then to observe the enemy. He seemed full of hope, yet, at time buried in deep thought. Colonel Freemantle, of England, was ensconced in the forks of a tree not far off, with glass in constant use, examining the lofty position of the Federal Army.

...You thought it better to await the arrival of Pickett's Division - at that time still in the rear -in order to make the attack;...

... This movement was accomplished by throwing out an advanced force to tear down the fences and clear the way. The instructions I received were to place my division across the Emmetsburg road, form line of battle, and attack. Before reading this road, however, I had sent forward some of my picked Texas scouts to ascertain the position of the enemy's extreme left flank. They soon reported to me that it rested upon Round Top Mountain; that the country was open, and that I could march through an open woodland pasture around Round Top, and assault the enemy in flank and rear that their wagon trains were packed in rear of their line, and were badly exposed to our attack in that direction. As soon as I arrived upon the Emmetsburg road, I placed one or two batteries in position and opened fire. A reply from the enemy's guns soon developed his lines. His left rested on or near Round Top, with line bending back and again forward, forming , as it were, a concave line, as approached by the Emmetsburg road. A considerable body of troops was posted in front of their main line, between the Emmetsburg road and Round Top Mountain. This force was in line of battle upon an eminence near a peach orchard....

...I found that in making the attack accorded to orders, viz.: up the Emmetsburg road, I should have first to encounter and drive off the advanced line of battle; secondly, at the base and along the slope of the mountain, to confront immense boulders of stone, so massed together as to form narrow openings, which would break our ranks and cause the men to scatter whilst climbing up the rocky precipice. I found, moreover, that my division would be exposed to a heavy fire from the main line of the enemy in position on the crest of the high range, of which Round Top was the extreme left, and , by reason of the concavity of the enemy's main line, that we would be subject to a destructive fire from flank and rear, as well as in front; and deemed it almost an impossibility to clamber along the boulders up this steep and rugged mountain, and, if the feat was accomplished, it must be at a most fearful sacrifice of as brave and gallant soldiers as ever engaged in battle...

...A third time I despatched [sic] one of my staff to explain fully in regard to the situation, and suggest that you had better come and look for yourself. I selected, in this instance, my adjutant-general, Colonel Harry Sellers, whom you know to be not only an officer of great courage, but also of marked ability. Colonel Sellers returned with the same message, "General Lee's orders are to attack up the Emmetsburg road." Almost simultaneously, Colonel Fairfax, of your staff, road up and repeated the above orders...

...After this urgent protest against entering the battle of Gettysburg, according to instructions -- which protest is the first and only one I ever made during my entire military career -- I ordered my line to advance and make the assault...

...As my troops were moving forward, you rode up in person; a brief conversation passed between us, during which I again expressed the fears above mentioned, and regret at not being allowed to attack in the flank around Round Top. You answered to this effect, "We must obey the orders of General Lee." I then road forward with my line under a heavy fire. In about twenty minutes, after reaching the peach orchard, I was severely wounded in the army, and borne from the field....
I am, respectfully, yours,
J.B. Hood

~ General John Bell Hood to General James Longstreet

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"Captain, what are your orders?" The captain replied, "Where is General Barnes?" [Colonel] Vincent said, "What are your orders? Give me your orders." The captain answered, "General Sykes told me to direct General Barnes to send one of his brigades to occupy that hill yonder," pointing to Little Round Top. Vincent said, "I will take the responsibility of taking my brigade there." Returning to the brigade, he directed Colonel [James C.] Rice, the senior colonel, to bring the brigade to the hill as rapidly as possible, then rode away toward the northwest face of the hill. I followed him.

... think the regiments which had followed the same route we took, arrived in the following order: Forty-forth New York, Sixteenth Michigan, Eighty-third Pennsylvania and Twentieth Maine. As the head of the column came up, Vincent said to Colonel Rice, "Form your regiment here, Colonel, with the right at the foot of this rock." Colonel Rice replied, "Colonel, in every previous battle in which we have been engaged, the Forty-fourth and Eighty-third have fought side by side. I wish it could be so today." Vincent appreciated the feeling and answered, "It shall be so, let the Sixteenth pass you." The order was sent back, the Forty-forth was halted until the Sixteenth had reached its place, then under Vincent's direction the Forty-forth, Eighty-third and Twentieth took their respective positions and set out skirmish lines to the front.

--Pvt. Oliver W. Norton

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"It was imperative to strike before we were struck... At that crisis, I ordered the bayonet."

"The two lines met and broke and mingled in the shock. The crush of musketry gave way to cuts and thrusts, grapplings and wrestlings. The edge of conflict swayed to and fro, with wild whirlpools and eddies. At times I saw around me more of the enemy than of my own men; gaps opening, swallowing, closing again with sharp convulsive energy; squads of stalwart men who had cut their way through us, disappearing as if translated. All around, strange, mingled roar—shouts of defiance, rally, and desperation; and underneath, murmured entreaty and stifled moans; gasping prayers, snatches of Sabbath song, whispers of loved names; everywhere men torn and broken, staggering, creeping, quivering on the earth, and dead faces with strangely fixed eyes staring stark into the sky."

~ Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

The Battle of Gettysburg ~ Day 1

Today dawned bright and early. My company got up and had breakfast right away, so that we could be out riding and scouting the countryside. We are several miles ahead of our forces, us being the cavalry under General Buford; company E, the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 8th Illinois Cavalry. The rest of the army is down Emmitsburg way. We believe the Confederate Army to be up northwards of us, somewhere.

We have been scouting out the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania since yesterday. When we rode through the townspeople came out of their houses, waving and cheering. We found good ground, up on what is called seminary ridge.

It is now about 7:30 in the morning; we are a few miles west of town on McPhearsons Ridge. All is calms except for… what is that? General Buford has just ordered us to halt and several of the men are looking out with their field glasses. I pull out mine. They are troops, Confederate troops. Out of nowhere, a shot rings out.

“Who was that?” General Buford barked and I am surprised to see Lieutenant Jones step forward.

“I fired the shot, sir”, he confessed.

The General stares at him, and then turns away. “Do not fire again without orders.”
After the sighting of the Confederate troops, they pull back slightly, and General Buford sends for General Reynolds asking for reinforcements.

I dismounted from my horse, and walked to over to my friend, Private Jenkins. “Think they’ll come and fight?” I asked.

A shot echoed from across the field. He nodded in the direction it came from. “It would seem so.” The distant boom of a canon cut off his next words. The orders came for us to take up positions behind the rail fence and ready our guns.

“If they’ve got canon’s over there” I muttered, “I sure hope reinforcements come soon.”

By ten-twenty that morning, the Confederates had pushed us off the ridge, it was then that General Reynolds and his Iron Brigade finally arrived. We began pushing forwards again. I was thick in the fighting and was near General Reynolds. I fired at every Reb I saw, and was in the act of reloading my gun, when I saw General Reynolds fall from his horse. Everything seemed to freeze for a moment. Gathering my wits, I ran to his side, but it was too late. He was dead. He was carried off the field and the fighting went on.

By now we had figured that we were fighting against troops led by General Heth and General Early with more coming. We were doing our best and had some of us gotten to Seminary Ridge, but the facts of the matter were we did not have enough troops. Soon though, the Sixth Corps led by General Howard arrived.

About two-forty in the afternoon I saw my friend again. “The Confederates have just about got us flanked!” he yelled over the din.

“Who and where?” I yelled back, picking off another soldier.

“First and Sixth Corps! North and Northwest of town. Led by Generals Rhodes and Early!”

“And how did you come across all this information?”

He shook his head, “You don’t want to know!”

I shrugged and left the matter aside, for now the orders were coming from General Howard to withdraw from our positions. Retreating through the town of Gettysburg, we took a stand on Cemetery Ridge, south of the town. I thought it slightly ironic that the Confederates were now north of town and the Union troops in the South. The battle had started out that way as well, I reflected.

Darkness fell, and General Winfield Scott Hancock –sent by our new commander General Meade – to control of the troops stationed here in Gettysburg.

Today in 1863

"The South suffers a huge blow as General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson dies from wounds suffered in battle and accidenally caused by his own men. His last words: "Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees".

Music!

We started watching Gods and Generals tonight, and I remembered how much I love the opening song "Going Home", sung by Mary Fahl. It is so beautiful! I was searching the web for the music video of it (beautiful as well,) when I found this video of a ...person... who figured out how to play the song on the piano! (There is no sheet music for it. :(

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Oh, and the second one is the same person playing the main theme from Gettysburg. (Love that song as well!) Sadly, there is no sheet music for that song either... mayhaps, if I watch these videos enough, I shall figure it out. One can hope anyways!

By the way, I have tried singing "My Country 'Tis of Thee" to the tune of the main theme, and it sounds very nice! The words and the melody go very well together.

And I did find the music video, so I shall post that within the next year, along with another video that was really beautiful as well! (I just discovered how to put videos on my blog, so you may see a lot of them for a while!) =) Good Night!

The Begining and the End: April 12th 1861 and 1865

April 12th, 1861 - Confederates, commanded by General P.G. Beauregard, fire on Fort Sumter from Fort Johnston. The Civil War begins.
The following account is taken from the April 20th, 1861 edition of the Harper's Weekly. Found on Son-of-the-south.net.

Beginning of the War

On Friday, 12th, at 27 minutes past 4 A. M., General Beauregard, in accordance with instructions received on Wednesday from the Secretary of War of the Southern Confederacy, opened fire upon Fort Sumter. Forts Johnson and Moultrie, the iron battery at Cumming's Point, and the Stevens Floating Battery, kept up an active cannonade during the entire day, and probably during the past night. The damage done to Fort Sumter is stated by the Confederate authorities to have been considerable. Guns had been dismounted, and a part of the parapet swept away.
Major Anderson had replied vigorously to the fire which had been opened upon him, but the Charleston dispatches represent the injury inflicted by him to have been but small. The utmost bravery had been exhibited on both sides, and a large portion of the Charleston population, including five thousand ladies, were assembled upon the Battery to witness the conflict.
Down to our latest advices, the battle had been carried on solely by the batteries of the revolutionists and Fort Sumter. The Harriet Lane, Captain Faunce, the Pawnee, and another United States vessel, were said to be off the harbor, but had taken no part in the conflict. The Harriet Lane is said to have received a shot through her wheel-house.
The opinion prevailed in Charleston that an attempt would be made during the night to reinforce Fort Sumter by means of small boats from the three vessels seen in the offing.
No one had been killed by the fire of Major Anderson, and the casualties among the Confederate troops in the batteries were inconsiderable. There is, of course, no account of the loss, if any, among the garrison of Fort Sumter.

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April 12th, 1865 - The Army of Northern Virgina formally surrenders to the Army of the Potomac. This account is taken from "The Passing of the Armies", by General Joshua L. Chamberlain, the commander who oversaw the ceremony.

It was now the morning of the 12th of April. I had been ordered to have my lines formed for the ceremony at sunrise. It was a chill gray morning, depressing to the senses. But our hearts made warmth. ...We formed along the principal street, from the bluff bank of the stream to near the Court House on the left - to face the last line of battle, and receive the last remnant of the arms and colors of that great army which ours had been created to confront for all that death can do for life. We were remnants also...
Instructions had been given; and when the head of each division column comes opposite our group, our bugle sounds the signal and instantly our whole line from right to left... gives the soldier's salutation, from the "order arms" to the old "carry" - the marching salute.
...As each successive division masks our own, it halts, the men face inward towards us across the road, twelve feet away; then carefully "dress" their line.... The field and staff take their positions in the intervals of regiments; generals in read of their commands. They fix bayonets, stack arms; then, hesitatingly, remove cartridge-boxes and lay them down. Lastly, - reluctantly, with agony of expression, - they tenderly fold their flags, battle-worn and torn, blood-stained, heart holding colors, and lay them down...
And only the Flag of the Union greets the sky!

What Happened on April 9th, 143 years ago....

He passed through the door, and into a hallway, did not wait. He saw Babcock off to the left, a warm room, dark, and Grant moved to the doorway, stopped, looked at three men, all standing, waiting for him.

Babcock saluted, and Grant nodded, returned it with reflex. Then he straightened, removed his hat, stepped slowly into the room. He could not help but stare at the calm dignity, the grace, of the man in the gray uniform facing him, straight and tall, the white beard not quite hiding the firm jaw, the dark weariness in the man's eyes.

Babcock said quietly, "Sir... General Grant, may I present... General Robert E. Lee."

Grant made a short bow, and Lee's expression did not change. Grant realized how well Lee was dressedm saw the red silk, the extraordinary sword. There was a quiet moment, and Grant felt something odd, something he did not expect, thought, How difficult this must be. What would this be like if it were me?

He moved closer, held out a hand, said, "General Lee, thank you for meeting with me."

Lee did not smile, took the hand, a brief firm grip, said, General Grant, it is my duty... to be here."

...The room was quiet again, the officers now still, and Grant began to realize what he was wearing. He glanced down, saw the mud on the boots, the dust on his clothes, was suddenly embaressed, wanted to say something, realized he still held the cigar in his teeth. He slowly raised his hand, rmoved the cigar, said "I hope you will forgive my appearance. I have ridden all morning to get here. There has not been time to change... I'm not even certain where my tunk is, at the moment." He tried to be casual, relieve the tension, the quiet strain in the room, but no one spoke.

Lee simply nodded, said, "Quite all right, sir."

Grant could not take his eyes from Lee now, began to feel a growing sadness, did not know what to expect, thought, How would we ever know? We will never be in this position again. Lee's face was still hard, firm, and Grant looked for something, some sign, but could see now, thought, No he will give nothing, he is holding it all in.

... Lee looked to the side, focused on a small oval table. "Perhaps, General, we should discuss the matter at had. I have come to meet you in accordance of my letter this morning to treat about the surrender of my army. I think the best way would be for you to put your terms in writing.

Grant nodded, scanned the faces, saw Ely Parker, his secretary, a pad of paper, an order book emerging from the young man's blue coat... He moved to a small table, sat, put the cigar in his mouth, stared at the blank paper in front of him.

... He suddenly began to write, did not think, felt his mind pouring out on the pages. He kept writing, the only sound in the room the scratcing of pencil on paper. He paused again, saw Lee quietly moving across the room, sitting now at the oval table. Lee's sword bumped the floor, and Grant stared at it, thought, Yes, there will be none of that, the stuff of newspaper stories, the rediculous dramatics of handing over swords. He wrote again, another page, then stopped.

...Grant put the book down flat, took a deep breath. Then he stood, with the book, moved across the room and handed it to Lee. ...Grant stepped away, nervous again, felt like a student, his words put before the grim judgment of the professor. He scolded himself, It's fine, it's simple, and it's what I want. He is taking his time, of course, give him a moment.

Lee now raised the book slightly off the table, and read.

Headquarters, Armies of the United States

Appomattox Court House,

Va., April 9, 1865

General R.E. Lee, Commanding C.S. Army

General:

In accordance with the substance of my letter to you on the 8th instant, I propose to recieve the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia on the following terms, to wit: Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in duplicate - one copy to be given to an officer to be designated by me, the other to be retained but such officer or officers as you may designate; the officer to give thier individual paroles not to take up arms agains the Government of the United States until properly exchanged, and each company or regimental commander to sign a like parole for the men under his command. The arms, artillery and public property are to be packed and stacked, and turned over to the officer appointed by me to recieve them. This will not embrace the side-arms of the officers, nor thier private horses or baggage. This done, officers and men will be allowed to return to thier homes, not to be disturbed by United States authority so long as they observe their paroles and the laws in force where they reside.

Very Respectfully,

U.S. Grant, Lieutenant - General

Lee nodded slowly, said, "Your concern for the dignity of the officers, their private property... this will have a positive effect on the army."

...Lee handed the book to Grant, who turned, gave it to Parker and said, "Colonel, you may copy this in ink."

...Grant reached for a chair, pulled it closer to Lee, sat now, said quietly, "General... I am aware of the lack of supply... of the difficult situation your men may be in. May I offer to assist?"

Lee straightened in the chair, nodded slowly...

"If I may ask, General, how many rations would you require?"

Lee shook his head, and Grant saw the eyes close. Lee said, "I am not entirely certain. Twenty-five thousand perhaps."

Grant turned, looked at Sheridan, said, "General, can you produce twenty-five thousand rations to General Lee's men?"

Sheridan seemed surprised, said..."Uh... yes, sir. It is not a problem. We will make the arrangements."

Grant said nothing, turned to Lee, and Lee now looked up at Marshall, who still stood close behind him. Lee said, "Colonel, you may prepare a response to General Grant's letter."

Marshall wrote, and Lee scanned the letter, then slowly handed it to Grant.

Headquarters, Army of Northern Virginia

April 9, 1865

Lieut.-Gen. U.S. Grant,

Commanding Armies of the United States

General:

I have received your letter of this date containing the terms of surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia as proposed by you. As they are substantially the same as those expressed in the letter of the 8th instant, they are accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper officers to carry out the stipulations into effect.

Very Respectfully, your obedient servant,

R.E. Lee, General

...Grant looked back at Parker, who handed him the permanent letter, and Grant read it carefully, leaned down, took the pen from his secretary and signed his name. He moved across the room, handed the letter to Lee. Lee now took Marhsall's letter, read it again. Grant watched Lee, saw Lee staring at the letter but not reading, was staring beyond, past the page, perhaps past this room, in this simple house, out past all the men and guns and horror of the past four years. Grant waited, would say nothing, felt the sadness coming again, the room bery quiet now, the men understanding what was happening, what this moment meant.

Lee blinked hard, took a pen from Marshall, read the letter one more time, the acceptance of the terms, the surrender of the army. Grant saw the paper shake slightly, saw Lee clench his fist, then slowly Lee signed his name.

~ taken from The Last Full Measure, by Jeff Shaara.