The Maryland Campaign of September 1862 » Uncategorized

Update

Tom — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:08:16 +0000

For those wondering when Volume II of Carman will be out, the projected publication time is late August/early September. The manuscript is with the publisher and I am working on maps, photos, etc.

American Civcil War Round Table of the United Kingdom

Tom — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 03:33:36 +0000

Our trip to Oxford England is over, but it was a very pleasant experience. The depth of knowledge of the membership was quite impresssive, and over half had visited Antietam. Many had read the standard works, and could speak conversently about the various authors of these works. Tim Smith of Shiloh was also on the program, and did a fantastic job. One of my two presentations was “How George McClellan won the battle of Antietam.” It got good comments, not sure if I convinced anyone though.

Resuming posting

Tom — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 00:16:39 +0000

I hope to resume posting letters and other information in the near future. For now let me just say that I will speaking on April 14 & 15 at the Spring Seminar of the CWRT of the United Kingdon in Oxford, England. Yes, I am quite excited about this trip across the pond. On Saturday I will speak about “Lee’s Intentions in the MD Campaign” and on Sunday will talk about “How George McClellan Won the Battle of Antietam.” It ought to stir up some conversation.

Spring Schedule

Tom — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 02:48:24 +0000

I will be speaking at a Civil War seminar at Longwood College, VA, on March 3, 2012. I am looking at a couple of other events, and post them here when confirmed.

Awards

Tom — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 04:29:38 +0000

Follow this link to a press release announcing two awards recently given to me, OK, really to Carman, but he is dead.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hagerstowncc.edu%2Fnews-events%2F110622%2Fhcc-professor-wins-two-awards-civil-war-work&h=50b7f

Col. William A. Christian

Tom — Mon, 16 May 2011 02:04:50 +0000

As some of you may know, Carman only very obliquely mentioned Christian’s desertion as his brigade was going into action. Here is a sampling of the descriptions from men in the brigade:
George Watson, 90th PA said he “heard Christian say ‘He had a perfect horror of these shell’ and shortly after he passed to the rear.” Lt. W.H. Holstead, 26th NY, remembered “…as shells burst over our heads … he (Christian) would duck or dodge his head and go crouching along. He soo resigned on account of this.“
William Gifford, also of the 26th NY described “Col. Christian, who commanded the 26th “showed the white feather, and when we received the first fire he turned and fled to the rear and almost caused a stampede among troops in the rear.” Perhaps the most colorful is John Vautier, 88th PA, who wrote this; “…when the fire got very hot he (Christian) ‘walked spanish;’ cut and ran, an example that fortunately was not followed by the brigade.” Yet Carman only says the shelling “demoralized some senior officers of the brigade.” Again, is he being too kind, or recognizing that everyone in combat has a breaking point? Interesting.

Book Signing

Tom — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 00:31:37 +0000

I will be in Harpers Ferry next Sunday, April 17, signing books at the Author’s tent in the lower town. If you’re in the area, stop by!

McClellan at the front

Tom — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 02:56:15 +0000

A Sgt. in the 4th Penna. Reserves, John Burnett, mentions he was posted on the left of his division as they marched through Middlekauf Farm, just north of Joseph Poffenberger’s farm on Sept. 16. He noted that a lone Confederate soldeir emerged from the Middlekauf house and was captured. He mentioned the skirmish with Hood’s division in progress, and tearing down fences, with Middlekauf himself assisting. Most interesting is that in three letters he insists he saw McClellan at this time, riding near the Middlekauf farm with a few aides. What is interesting is that he says he has never seen McClellan’s book, and everything he has read says McClellan never crossed the creek until Sept. 18, but he is sure he saw McClellan on Sept. 16 near the front during the fighting. Interesting??!!

Abram Duryee

Tom — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 22:00:09 +0000

I have been thinking about Gen. Abram Duryee, commanding 1st brigade, Second Division, First Corps. His was the first Union brigade engaged on the morning of Sept. 17, aside from the PA Reserves skirmishers. Up to this point his record was solid. He’d raised and led the Fifth New York Infantry, Duryee’s Zouaves. He led them at Big bethel, and was promoted to Brig. Gen. to rank from Aug. 31, 1861. After assigned to training recruits, he asked if he could be assigned to active service. He led a brigade in Ricketts’ Division at Second Manassas, South Mountain, and Antietam, and was wounded several times. Everything seems fine, right? But Carman sort of takes a “shot” at him in his manuscript, said Duryee, after 30 minutes of combat, without orders, ordered his brigade to retreat. Sources for this are scarce, but an undated detailed notation of events from H.J. Sheafer, 107 PA Inf. (Gould papers) which referring to the retreat of his brigade, stated “when they went back they kept up no organization & Duryee saw nothing of them until the next day.” Another source, George Kimball, 12 MA of Hartsuff’s brigade, remembered falling back from the battle line and “About a half mile farther to the rear met General Duryee, alone — mounted. He asked in a tone denoting deep feeling, if we had seen his brigade, they were ‘all cut up.’ We told him ‘no’ and Lieutenant made a remark more sarcastic than complimentary.” So what gives? Was Duryee failing here? Any other evidence? Here is another piece of evidence: When he returned from a 30 day leave Duryee found his brigade broken up, a new Corps commander, John Reynolds, and Gibbon, junior in rank to him, commanding the division. Duryee resigned and went home.
There has to be more to this story. Any thoughts????

A seldon seen report

Tom — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 06:41:57 +0000

Has anyone ever read Col. J.W. Fisher’s Official Records report for the 5th Penna. reserves at Antietam? It is very different from most reports. At the end of his report he openly accuses two of his officers of what is essentially cowardice. Here is an exceprt: In thus speaking of the gallantry of my officers and men I regret that candor compels me to give the other side of the picture. Captain Collins, of Company K, by some strange fatality finds his health to fail about the commencement of almost every battle, and I regret to say that in our late struggle, on which so much depended, the captain did not make his appearance, and is now absent without proper leave. Lieutenant Shaw, of Company F, disgracefully fled when the regiment was fired upon in the night, and gave an alarm which to others, had they been as cowardly as himself, might have proved disastrous. My only regret is that his cowardly legs were not equal to the task of carrying him out of reach of the regiment. I will forward at an early day an application for his prompt dismissal.
How about that for candor? Evidently he couldn’t follow up as Collins was wounded at Fredericksburg, and transferred to the VRC. Shaw was discharged, but not until April of 1864!