Addison Hart-Host - I'll be starting very shortly. It's the final episode of KIA Gens. Gettysburg to Farmville.
Addison Hart-Host - The rolling Pennsylvania hills were a beautiful sight to the Second Highest Union General in the Army of the Potomac. But this was no time to admire the scenary. He led his men into the wooded area in order to keep back the advancing Rebs. Long lines streched out along the plains and the grass. Rebel shells tearing gaps in his line. Bullets whizzed by their heads, killing several men and clipping branches off the trees. Then he shouted his final words, some say he called "Forward men, Forward. it's time to whip Bobby Lee!" Others think it was "Forward for God's sake. Forward!" Then he became a KIA General...
Aldie - Major General John F. Reynolds.
Addison Hart-Host - After the great victory at Chancellorsville, Lee had strated his campaign into Pennsylvania. On July 1st, the two armies clashed at Gettysburg.
bluelady - Yep Reynolds
Addison Hart-Host - John Buford's Union cavalry were busy keeeping Henry Heth's Rebs back when Major general John Reynolds arrived at the head of his 1st Corps. A veteran, crack officer, Reynolds rode up to Buford and cried ou: "How goes, John?" The answer was: "it' the Devil to pay!"
Addison Hart-Host - A Pennsylvanian by birth, Reynolds had first been a West Point instructor before becoming a General.
Addison Hart-Host - That day, July 1st, was a particularly bad day for Reynolds...
Addison Hart-Host - Reynolds rode to his men and started directing them forward to McPherson's Woods, were Buford held out. Riding into the Woods, Reynolds met with death.
Addison Hart-Host - One of James Archer's Confederates, behind a tree, fired a shot at Reynolds. It struck the back of his head, behind the ear. He was dead before he began to fall. He tumbled from his horse as his men ran towards him.
Addison Hart-Host - Despite Buford's efforts, July 1st was a disaster for the North. They were driven to the heights south of town, where they hastily formed a defensive position. July 2nd proved to be a worse day for both sides than the first.
Addison Hart-Host - One of the most famous spots on the battlefield of Gettysburg was the rocky hill known as Little Round Top.
Addison Hart-Host - The brigade that held the hill was that of Col. Strong Vincent. Vincent was another Pennsylvanian. he had seen action at Yorktown, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville.
Addison Hart-Host - Howdy, Shari.
Addison Hart-Host - Vincent, without orders had taken a defensive position on the hill, positioning his men in a fishook like line around the Round Top.
Aldie - He had orders they just weren't "His" orders.
Addison Hart-Host - A violent, hand to hand fight broke out on the hill, Vincent's men fighting desperately, instead of a sword, he held his wife's riding crop.
bluelady - Warren saw him first and he got there fast
Aldie - As far as his timely arrive on the spur it was a darned good thing for the Federal Army that he intercepted that staff officer carrying those orders.
Addison Hart-Host - Vincent, standing on an outcrop of rock, was shot through the groin and he tumbeled halfway down the slope. His men, however, won the day there. He was promoted rigadier General, but died of his wounds on July 7th.
Addison Hart-Host - Vincent was not the only man to become a legend on that day. Many o0thers did. Notably William Barksdale. The great politican and no less great a leader in war.
Addison Hart-Host - William Barksdale of Mississippi was perhaps the great political general. He had served at Bull Run, Seven Days, Second Bull Run, fredericksburg, and 2nd Fredericksburg, distinguishing himself in each fight.
Addison Hart-Host - At Gettysburg, Barksdale gained glory. He was the most effective brigade agaisnt Sickle's line at Peach Orchard. There he decimated three Yankee brigades and two artillery battalions. He then struck the brigade of Col. George Willard. Barksdale was shot five times and fell from his saddle, refusing to die. He did, however, die the next mroning in a Yankee hospital. Willard got worse off. As the Mississipians fell back he began to cheer as a canon ball tore off his head.
Addison Hart-Host - Nearby, Sickles line also crumbled at Roses' Wheatfield, where more heavy fighting began. It took the lives of three more generals and a man who should have been a general...
Addison Hart-Host - On the Confederate Side, Brigadier General Paul Semmes, brother of the famous raider Raphael Semmes, led a daring charge through the field when he was cut down but a volley and dissappeared into the wheat.
Addison Hart-Host - Three Union leaders died there as well. Brigadier General Samuel Zook was shot in two by Rebel volleys, coming to help him was Stephen Weed, a hard hitting soldier who was known for dependability.
shari - Addison, what did Zook command?
Addison Hart-Host - Weed himself fell within minutes caught by a ball in the head. At the same time, Col. Charles Mudge also gained a name. He was a Regimental Commander who was known most for being a pratical joker. His men loved him.
Addison Hart-Host - Shari-- He commanded a brigade.
shari - AH, what division, regiment, etc...he sounds verra familiar to me...
Addison Hart-Host - Mudge too, became a victim of the terrible fighting there. He was not the only Regimental Commander of Note who became a KIA there. More famous was Col. Pat O'Rourke who was killed on the Round Top.
Addison Hart-Host - Shari--Third Brigade of Caldwell's Division, II Corps.
Aldie - Sweitzer?
Addison Hart-Host - Last to die in the wheatfield was Col. Edward Cross, Brigade Commander, who deserved to be a General. A brave man, he had received a premonition of death. He dissappeared into the smoke and was found hours later, shot through the head.
shari - Thakee, Addison...now I know why he was familiar to me...the 148th PA was in Caldwell's division, and I recall seeing Zook's name in the battle order
shari - And Cross was commanding the brigade in which the 148th PA served at Gettysburg, If I'm not mistaken...
Addison Hart-Host - Last to become a KIA General that day was the brave Confederate Major General William Dorsey Pender, who died of a wound in the leg.
Aldie - Zook has also got a small monument on the north face of the Wheatfield as well.
Aldie - Pender huh?
Aldie - Was he the one that had a letter from his wife asking him to be extra careful during this particular campaign, and he was a bit timid about combat as a result.
Addison Hart-Host - Finally, on July 3rd, 1863, the battle ended at the infamous Pickett's Charge where Brigadier Generals Lewis Armsitead and Richard Garnett were killed. The latter, forgotten general, vanished from the field, only his horse, Redeye, was seen running from the field, it's saddle soaked with blood.
Addison Hart-Host - That's the one, Aldie.
Aldie - Solid Shot from a 3" rifle cannon in the chest.
shari - Now, that's quite a mystery...the Garnett body disappearance...i suppose the only explanation that i can think of for it is that the body was unrecognizable, and was labeled as an unknown...
Addison Hart-Host - Garnett's sword was eventually discovered in a Baltimore Pawnshop. Near Little Round Top, Judson Kilpatrick, just recovered from wounds at Aldie, ordered a charge on Hood's division at Devil's Den.
Addison Hart-Host - Probably right, Shari.
Aldie - Hi Sword was found in a Baltimore Pawn Shop some years later.
Aldie - Oh No! Farnsworth.
Addison Hart-Host - Kilpatrick, rarely leading charges, gave command to new Brigadier Elon Farnsworth, who immediatly argued against the charge as suicidal. he was right, but he carried on wih it. The charge failed as soon as it began, Farnsworth was hit by five bullets and died falling from a horse in full gallop down an open, rocky slope.
Addison Hart-Host - Gettysburg ended in defeat for the South. The finally KIA General of the Campaign was Johnston Pettigrew, shot to death by Union cavalry at Falling Waters.
bluelady - Kill cavalry did it again
shari - LOL, bluelady, how true...
Aldie - Hmmm...Bluelady knows something about Mr. Kilpatrick.
bluelady - Not much but I know I wouldn't want to fight under him
Aldie - I can name a few other cavalry commanders I'd think twice about fighting under as well.
Addison Hart-Host - The next KIA General resulting battle was battery Wagner on James Island near Charleston. There, George Strong, Yankee Major General, was shot through the head, dying instantly. Under his command others died. A Brigade Commander, Col. Haldimand Putnam, was shot through the leg, dying later that night. Then there's the more famous Col. Robert Shaw of the 54th Massachusetts. He died on the parapet of the fort. The Yankees were defeated with terrible losses.
Addison Hart-Host - September proved to be a bad month for the West. Bragg's Confederates struck Rosecrans and defeated him. The battle cost Dixie three Generals and the North one.
shari - Chickamauga, I presume, AH?
Xan - Evening all...I shall sit quietly in the corner and absorb Knowledge here.
Addison Hart-Host - James Deshler, CSA, was killed when a shell crashed into some cartridge boxes he was unloading. Ben Helm, Lincoln's Brother-In-Law, was shot dead at the fore-front of his Confederate Kentuckians, and Preston Smith was killed by a Union sniper.
Addison Hart-Host - The North lost one of it's most respectable Generals guarding it's retreat, the Chivalrous William Lytle.
bluelady - you're doing great AH
Aldie - I thought General Lytle was killed at Iuka?
Addison Hart-Host - Then came the general who caught a slug from a grunt in line.
Aldie - Actually I think it's spelled Little.
bluelady - McPherson or Polk?
Xan - Lytle, William Haines. 1826-1863. Wounded 2nd day at Chickamauga. Definitely spelt with a "y" according to Boatner.
Addison Hart-Host - Sorry Aldie, it's spelled Lytle.
Aldie - Well...I think Polk took part of a shell in the breast
Addison Hart-Host - Lytle, a poetry spouting writer, was a good general. There he was suddenly shot in the neck. An aide remembered his fall. "It was as if he floated to the ground."
Addison Hart-Host - He died within minutes.
KyReb - Reckon that translates into "he fell like a rock."
Xan - LOL KyReb, I find your version a tad more realistic. I think the aide had been reading too much of the boss's poetry.
Addison Hart-Host - Much of the remainder of that year was made up of skirmishing. At Bristoe's Station on November 13th, Carnot Posey, a Mississippian, was killed in a sharp skirmish. In Knoxville, Tennessee, Longstreet attacked Burnside, a Confederate disaster. There, Brigadier William Sanders was shot dead by a confederate SNIPER.
Addison Hart-Host - 1864 was the deciding year.
Addison Hart-Host - In April, Banks attacked Taylor on the Red River, the result was disaster. Banks was smashed. His men did, however, kill several Confederate generals. Alfred Mouton died in a charge at Sabine Crossroads on the 8th. He was shot through the heart attacking the remains of Bank's army.
Addison Hart-Host - Thomas Green was killed leading a cavalry charge on the trapped Union gunboats at Blair's landing. His head blown off by a shell. Finally, at Jenkin's Ferry, William Scurry was shot by a SNIPER.
Addison Hart-Host - May, 1864, will go down in history as being the bloodiest single month in the Civil War for Generals. In the East, Confederate Generals lost then read as following: John Jones, May 2nd, Lewis Stafford, May 11th, Abner Perrin, May 12th, James Gordon, May 12th, JEB Stuart, May 12th, Micah Jenkins, May 6th, Junius Daniel, May 13th, George Doles, May 30th.
Addison Hart-Host - Union Generals: Major General John Sedgewick (killed by a SNIPER), May 9th, Thomas Stevenson, May 10th, Alexander Hays, May 5th, James Wadsworth, May 8th, James Rice, May 10th.
Addison Hart-Host - That was 14 high ranking in 30 days. Countless more officers were lost in that month.
Addison Hart-Host - Perhaps the most notable KIAs in may were Stuart and Sedgewick. Stuart, a Cavalry Corps Commander is one of the most famous confederate leaders of the war, third only perhaps to Lee and Jackson. The dashing cavalier was shot in the chest by a dismounted cavalryman. He died on the 12th, listening to 'Rock of Ages' in his bed. Sedgewick, a beloved Corps Commander, had been shot under his right eye after shouting something to the effect of "Those Rebs couldn't hit the broadside of an elephant!"
Addison Hart-Host - Perhaps not the broadside of an elephant, but less than an inch under a right eye certainly!
Addison Hart-Host - By June the Eastern confederates were digging in around Petersburg. At Bermuda Hundred on the 4th, Butler launched an assault that was pushed back. Brigadier Arthur Dutton was hit several times by confederate bullets, several times after he was dead.
Addison Hart-Host - More bloody fighting continued William 'Grumble' Jones had become famous with Stuart was shot in the head by one of Sheridan's men at Piedmont.
Addison Hart-Host - Bye, Camp.
Addison Hart-Host - At that time, Johnston was already being pushed nearer and nearer into Atlanta by Sherman. On June 14th a heavy blow struck the South, the beloved Fighting Bishop, Leonidas Polk, was killed by a shell at Pine Mountain. Hardee and Johnston ran towards there friend and broke out in tears. When Hood received the news he at first didn't believe it. When he realized the truth, he began to sobb.
Xan - Polk must have been beloved for his spiritual gifts, pleasant nature or good looks (not that I have ever heard of him having the latter two) as he sure wasn't worth squat as a combat commander.
Addison Hart-Host - A few days later on the 27th, Johnston had his revenge. He won the battle of Kennesaw Mountains, whipping Sherman's invaders. Brigadier Charles Harker, US, was shot in the head and killed instantly on the slopes.
Addison Hart-Host - Xan-- You don't want to get me started on Polk.
Xan - No I don't Addison, not tonight anyway. I just threw that in to liven up the conversation.
57oh - The South would have been in good shape if Hood had died of a heart attack when he heard the news! Johnston gets a bum rap by everyone! BUT he still had an army! Hood should rot in hell!
Addison Hart-Host - On the same field of battle, Kennesaw Mountain, a SNIPER shot Daniel McCook in the chest. he died on the 17th.
Addison Hart-Host - Xan-- Why did you have to say that?
Addison Hart-Host - On July 6th, the long suffering Sam Rice, US, who had recieved a mortal wound at Jenkin's Ferry, finally died.
Xan - Ouch! Poor Gen. Rice probably wished that the Sniper had got him too. At least that boy was quick and efficient.
Addison Hart-Host - At Atlanta, things were really stirring, Hood replaced Johnston and immediatly assaulted Sherman at Peach Tree Creek.
Addison Hart-Host - Brigadier C.H. Stevens, a short, humorous man with a strange appetite for war, was leading an attack against the center of the Union line. He died before the charge got underway, shot down by a bullet in the throat.
Addison Hart-Host - On July 22nd, the major fighting began. Early in the morning, Major General WHT Walker led the assault on James Birdseye McPherson's Yankee Corps. Walker, arguing against the assault died early in it. Killed by a picket 80 feet away from McPherson's line.
Addison Hart-Host - The beloved McPherson rode into Confederate lines while reconnoitering. When he realized his mistake he quickly rode off as a volley was fired behind him.
Xan - Oooh, Addison, I just reread your comments on C. H. Stevens again. Talking about his "strange appetite" then noting he died of a bullet in the throat. Very sick! I like it! Did not want you to think your subtlety had gone unappreciated.
Addison Hart-Host - You noticed that Xan! Good! Keen eyes!
57oh - By July 22nd there was no fighting that made any difference, except for adding to the reapers list!
Xan - BTW, speaking of "sick", we were just discussing the location and circumstances of the bullet that got McPherson the other night. No need to go into THAT one again!
Addison Hart-Host - That day, after Hood was driven back, McPherson's men discovered his horse standing in an open field, without a rider. Later they found him. His body partially hidden by his cape. Shot several times in his attempt to escape. It was now Sherman's turn to break down sobbing.
Addison Hart-Host - Finally, Hood tried again at Ezra Church, where he lost one more good fficer, Samuel Benton, a relative of the famous Thomas Hart Benton. It is not clear on exactly how Benton met his fate.
Addison Hart-Host - Actually, Scarlet. That was Kearny, who died in a similar way as did McPherson.
Dameron - Scarlet, sort of like Phil Kearney then?
Xan - Oops, maybe it was Kearny we were talking about the other day. I will go sit quietly in the corner and play with a sponge.
Addison Hart-Host - By August, the siege of Petersburg had really gone underway. Attacks on it's defenses became frequent, on August 6th, a particularly deadly fight broke out. Brigadier Griffin Stedman's men led the initial thrust. He was cut down by canonfire early in the fight and his men withdrew. For the South, Carolinian Stephen Elliot, JR was killed, also by canonfire.
Addison Hart-Host - Then came 1st Deep Bottom on the 16th. Mainly composed of cavalry charges, it claimed the life of another cavalry officer, James Chambliss, with Stuart at the dawn of his career.
Xan - Hey, dammit, that was Gen. JOHN Chambliss there!! Not that I have any reason to pay attention to people with that name.
Addison Hart-Host - Finally, August's fighting ended with the dismal fight for Weldon Railroad. Young Brigadier J.C. Saunders died with his Confederates there, raked down by an endless bombardment.
Addison Hart-Host - John Chambliss, whose son was Avalon.
Basecat - Xan...LOL...Only 2 Chambliss's that mean anything to me...Chris for hitting a home run to win the 1976 Pennantfor the Yankees...and some lady I know in Tennessee...
Addison Hart-Host - September brought more violence. On the 4th, legendary cavalry leader John Hunt Morgan was sleeping in bed at Greenville, Alabama. Fighting became dirty. Morgan awoke as an aide told him that the house was surrounded by Yanks. he had one alternative, surrender. Some believe that he was then murdered.
Addison Hart-Host - Next major fighting was at 3rd Winchester, or Opequon, where both sides were struck heavily. Major General David Russel, USA, by a SNIPER, was the heaviest for the North.
Addison Hart-Host - The South lost Brigadier Archibald Godwin and then the great Major General Robert Rodes.
Abolitionist - For all that the war in the East is covered, the Petersburg siege seems to be least studied and talked about. There were a good many corps sized battles that get little press. Hatchers Run, Reams Station, Jones Farm, Burgess Mill. We dissect, say, Gettysburg to death. But the Confederacy died in and around Petersburg.
Addison Hart-Host - Many idolized Rodes as a Norse Godlike man. He was hit by a shell in the head.
Xan - Abolitionist, I suspect Petersburg is just too darn depressing for most people to be able to work up any enthusiasm for studying.
Basecat - Abolitionist....Great book n the Petersburg part of the war is "Richmond Redeemed" by Richard J. Summers...Deals with the opening of the campaign there...and is so in depth ...an unrecognized classic in CW historiography...
Addison Hart-Host - That's true, Xan. The siege was 'The Winter of Discontent'. It was very depressing.
Xan - Sort of like watching a man bleed to death and trying to figure out which PARTICULAR drop of blood caused the death.
Basecat - Rodes is also a subjectof a new book by James Swisher....and a very interesting General as well...
Addison Hart-Host - October proved to be as depressing as ever for the defenders of Petersburg. Battles were now fought for roads, such as Vaughn Road or Darbytown Road. On the days those battles happened, October 1st to 7th, two confederate generals died, John Gregg and John Dunovant.
Addison Hart-Host - Then came Cedar Creek...
Abolitionist - Depressing yes, but fascinating. You'd think with overwhelming force Grant could have easily flanked the Rebs out. But Lee juggled his meager resources brilliantly and against all odds kept the Yanks at bay for months. It is almost like the Yanks saw the end of the war approaching and want to go out of their way to be killed at the late juncture.
Addison Hart-Host - Stephen D. Ramseur, Major General, was happy. He received word that he had a new baby son. He was filled with joy on October 13th, as he led his North Carolinians into battle. He would never see his son, for his wound was fatal. Ramseur died on the 19th, after being shot in the chest by a Yankee.
Addison Hart-Host - What's that icon, Jim?
Basecat - Abo....Thing that has always mystified me...was hw long the lines were during the Petersburg Campaign....Amazes me to think what it must have looked like....Miles and miles of trenches....and in the worst of conditions...
Addison Hart-Host - The Union generals were hit hradest at Cedar Creek, George Wells died immediatly on the 13th, old Dan Bidwell on the 19th, and Charles Lowell on the 19th.
Abolitionist - If Grant and Lee's roles had been reversed, I don't think it would have taken nine months to settle Petersburg.
Jim TNO - Petersburg......... What a nightmare! And unfortunately my wifes relative played a significant part in it being that very nightmare by being indecisive when the door was wide open!
Basecat - Abo....You are probably right...but I feel Lee would have faced much the same probles as Grant did..as this was new warfare....but the poit I agree with...Lee would have never taken 9 months to figure out how to end it had the situatio been reversed...
Abolitionist - Come to think of it, did Grant ever use the flank attack in the campaign from Wilderness to Petersburg? He certainly moved to the flank but never got in a "Stonewall at Chancellorsville" type attack.
Jim TNO - I should add, GK Warren, B/G Corp commander, 5th Corp AOP
Addison Hart-Host - November 30th, 1864, was a bad day for the South. Hood attacked Franklin, TN and lost 6 good generals: John Adams (killed charging breastworks on horseback), Hiram Granberry (killed by a sniper in the trenches), Othro Strahl (killed by a sniper passing out guns), States Rights Gist (killed by gunfire while charging the fire line), John Carter (mortally wounded), and most famous: Patrick Cleburne.
Addison Hart-Host - Pat Cleburne, an Irish immigrant who had decided to be with Dixie. Won of the South's greatest generals, he vanished into the smoke while charging on foot. He was found just outside Yankee breastworks, hit by several bullets.
Basecat - Abo...Very good point....So much about what Grant did in the Overland Campaign is kind of interesting to me...sure his decisions were odd...but the fortitude he had to go on...something the AOP had never seen before...
Addison Hart-Host - At Nashville, Schofield struck back at Hood, defeating him at the cost of one of his best, Sylvester Hill.
Jim TNO - Addison Hart-Host, Patrick Cleburne, was he ever considered for Army Commander of any of the Southern Armies? I recall something somewhere about that.. ?
Addison Hart-Host - Then came the end. April 1865. The war's end. Petersburg abandoned. A.P. Hill, III Corps Commander, died abandoning the city. Grant launched a persuit.
Addison Hart-Host - On April 6th, at High Bridge, the brigades of Generals Theodore Read, US, and James Dearing met. Instead of brigade clash, the tow generals fought a duel, Read was killed immediatly, Dearing mortally wounded.
Addison Hart-Host - Jim---Pat Cleburne was considered for Army of Tennessee.
Addison Hart-Host - On April 9th, 1865, the last KIA General died. At Farmville, VA, Brigadier General Thomas Alfred Smythe, USA, was shot in the mouth by a sniper and killed.
Addison Hart-Host - Then the war ended.
Addison Hart-Host - THE END
Addison Hart-Host - G'night yall.
Xan - *Loud applause* Addison, this was a fine job you did here. I hope Henry collects it, takes out the chitchat, and puts it in the archives just for the data. Fine work, sir!
Jim TNO - Lets give Addison a standing 'O" thanks Addison!
Basecat - Addison...Good job...and to add to Franklin....and this is a partial list because the mind is not working...Other CSA Generals killed there....States Right Gist, Otto Strahl, Hiram Granbury....and there the mind draws a complete blank...
Addison Hart-Host - Basecat--- Othro Strahl, Hiram Granberry, John Carter, States Gist, John Adams, and Pat Cleburne.
Addison Hart-Host - Has Left The Camp. - from 207.112 using Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 5.0; Windows 95; DigExt) on 8/16 at 11:37pm EST)