The Minnesota 1st Regiment at Gettysburg.

[renrich]

Some interesting facts about the Texas Brigade. It was the only unit with a sizable amount of Texans in Lee's Army of Northern Virginia as most Texans fought in the armies in the West. They were not yet there in 1861 when the first major battle was fought, First Bull Run(First Manassas.) Arriving in the winter of 61-62, the Brigade was put under the command of a new brigadier, John Bell Hood, under whom they played a major role during the Seven Days at Gaines Mill. Hood went on from there to become a division commander in Longstreet's Corps and later the commander of the Army of Tennesee. When the Texas Brigade was formed in Virginia there were three Texas regiments, the 1st, 4th and 5th, plus the 18th Georgia and Hampton's Legion. Later in the war the 3rd Arkansas supplanted the Georgians and Hampton's boys. When the 18th Georgia was in the Texas Brigade they were known as the Goober Grabbers. The Texas Brigade played a major role in the following battles: Gaines Mill during the Seven Days, Second Manassas(Second Bull Run), Sharpsburg(Antietam), Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Wilderness. They were in every action the Army of Northern Virginia fought except Chancellorsville when they were in the part of Longstreet's corps that was in North Carolina and they were in the contingent that went to fight for Braxton Bragg at Chickamauga and subsequently spent the winter of 63-64 in East Tennessee. They were in the rear guard when Lee's army was retreating toward Appamattox Couthouse. During the war there were approx. 4000 men enlisted in the three Texas regiments. Around 1000 died. Interestingly in both the Union and Confederate armies the number of men who died from disease was about twice the number who died from battlefield wounds. In the Texas Brigade that trend was reversed. Twice as many died from wounds as from disease. Perhaps that can be explained by Lee's words about the Texans, "When the Texas Brigade is out foraging, the chickens have to roost mighty high." In my opinion there is no unit on either side with a more illustrious record than the Texas Brigade.

[syscom3]

One thing I remember about the Battle of Antietam was the SHEAR CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE of McLellan and his staff in planning the battle.

Noone thought to coordinate the three attacks for a unifed assault time.

If only two of the three attacks went off within an hour of each other, the Confederates would have collapsed at one of them, and their whole position and army rolled up at once.

[Njaco]

I'm not too impressed with McClellan either.

Only place I've been to for the Civil War was Bull Run. It was amazing to stand at the spot where Jackson was declared to be standing like a "stonewall". Amazing place.

[syscom3]

I like what Lincoln said about him a month later.

Upon visiting him at his camp bivouac, Lincoln was said to have said with exasperation ... "This isn't the Army of the Potomic".... this is General Mclellans bodyguards".

[renrich]

McClellan failed to co ordinate his attacks or the battle could have been a worse disaster for the South than it was. The Union had around 90000 troops at Sharpsburg and Lee barely got 40000 on the field. The whole story of the war on both sides was lost opportunities because of poor coordination or inept leadership or just plain bad luck. The "Fog of War" and "the enemy always gets a vote" played a big role. However, I believe excuses may be made for the generals because communications were so poor. The armies were huge for that day and once the battle was begun, a commander could not see very far and messages were limited to the speed of a horse. A lot of crucial decisions had to be made by small unit commanders and many of them had little or no training. The war was a tragedy, especially for the South as that region was practically destitute for many years after the war was over. In some ways, though, I believe that it may have been the finest hour of the American Experience. The character, fortitude, the devotion to a cause and the sacrifise for that cause displayed by both sides in that conflict are an example for future generations.

[syscom3]

All the Union general staff had to do was to tell the corps commanders to begin their attacks at a unified time.

And Renrich, one thing I noticed while touring the battlefield, was how compact and narrow the front was. Messages could be passed from corps commander to corps commander with ease.

[Njaco]

I agree Sys. When I was at Bull Run it was amazing how you could fairly see the whole field. Lee certainly took advantage of horse recon with Stuart and others. Why the North couldn't do so....?

I am in no way qualified to discuss the Civil War...I know a few battles and characters. But would a recon or communications have made a difference at Fredricksburg and the Maryeville Heights? I thought that was just old time Spartan war-gaming - along the lines of Pickett's Charge. Adaptablity to new and changing tactics was sorely lacking, and IMHO McClellan was stuck in it.

[syscom3]

Even by the standards of that day, there is no excuse for corps commanders adjacent to each other to not coordinate assault times.

If the Union right at the cornfield and union center at the "sunken lane" had attacked simultaneously, one of the two union lines would have broken through, with devestating results for Lee.

And that would have enabled Burnside on the left to cross Antietam Creek with impunity.

[renrich]

Sys, I envy you your actual visit to the battlefield. I have got to go and visit so I can gain your personal perspective. I have the "West Point Atlas of American Wars" and it shows on a straight line the distance from the Burnside Bridge to the North Woods is about 3 miles. The Confederate line there overlapped about one half mile and the Confederate line overlapped at the Burnside Bridge about one mile, so Lee's lines in aggregate were about four and one half miles. The Gettysburg front was about 8000 yards for the Confederates. The Union fighting on interior lines was much shorter. In the atlas, after the Union gained control of Bloody Lane, the narrative states, " The last Confederate regiment north of Sharpsburg had been committed. Lee's artillery, though still fighting back gamely, had been overwhelmed by the mass of expertly handled Federal guns. Sharpsburg was filled with demoralized soldiers; famous commands, like Hood's Texans, were completely shattered; most of the left and center was held only by devoted handfuls, hanging on by sheer courage. One more vigorous Federal attack and the Army of Northern Virginia would face destruction." IX corps under Burnside did not attack until about 3 PM and had gained the outskirts of Sharpsburg by 4 PM where Hill's light division crashed into their flank, drove them back toward the creek and the battle was over. I bought the two volumes of the the atlas many years ago. One day, talking to retired Lt. Gen. Hal Moore who co wrote the book "We Were Soldiers Once and Young" and who the movie was about, I mentioned I had those books and he told me they were text books at the Point when he attended. If you have a chance to buy them, I think they are invaluable.

[syscom3]

Theres an excellent book about Antietam.

Amazon.com: Landscape Turned Red: The Battle of Antietam: Stephen W. Sears: Books

An excellent addition to anyones library.

[timshatz]

Went to Gettysburg about 10 years ago. That and Antietam are only 3-4 hours away. Want to get back down there but time just doesn't come around often.

However, on PA State Cable, every July 4th, they have a series of hour long walking tours (maybe 20 altogether) done by Park Rangers at Gettysburg covering the first day through the 3rd. It is very cool. No commercials, very little editing, the Rangers just stand there and tell what happened at each site. Saw a really good one on the first day and the Iron Brigade last year. Really great show.

[Njaco]

Its so close to us, Tim, and I haven't gone - want to so badly! Been to all the revolution sites by the Civil War ones I've missed. My brother lives outside Front Royal and thats how I've been to those places.

Wasn't Antietam the single bloodiest day in US history?

[renrich]

Yes, The battle of Antietam(Sharpsburg) was the bloodiest single day in American history. According to "West Point Atlas of American Wars," Lee had 39000 troops, McClellan had 70000. Total Confederate casualties were about 13700, Union, 12350. More than 6000 total KIAs.