Category: Dan O’Connell’s Campaign Series
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The Other Western Siege – Port Hudson Part 1
Introduction When Confederate MG Earl Van Dorn declared in July 1862 that “I want Baton Rouge and Port Hudson” it was for good reason. From the earliest days of the war control of the Mississippi River was seen as vital to both sides. The Union high command saw control of the river as a means […]
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Whiting’s Failure
The actions of Confederate MG William H. C. Whiting at Fort Fisher painted this soldier as a true Southern patriot but it wasn’t always this way. He was also the author of one of the great Confederate military failures in the east. Gen. P.G.T Beauregard’s magnificent break out attack from the Drewry’s Bluff fortifications during […]
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Night Fight at Wauhatchie Conclusion
The Relief Column At Brown’s Ferry the sound of the battle to the south alerted Hooker that his rear may be in trouble. MG Oliver Howard, commanding XI Corps, was ordered to double quick his nearest division to Geary’s aid. MG Carl Shurz got his two divisions ready for the rescue mission. The division of […]
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Night Fight at Wauhatchie Part 3
Battle Joined Bratton’s efforts to get into position continued for two hours after the appointed attack time. The nearly full moon was obscured by clouds and the darkness made it impossible, according to Geary, “to see a body of men only 100 yards distant.” Bratton’s skirmishers finally made contact with the Federal pickets about 0030 […]
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Night Fight at Wauhatchie Part 2
Geary Deploys BG John Geary took his responsibility seriously although he felt he was operating under difficult circumstances. On the 25th he had reached Bridgeport with only one regiment and 2 sections of artillery because his command was stretched from “Tullahoma to Murfreesboro guarding the railroad.” By the 27th he had gathered four regiments ( […]
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Night Fight at Wauhatchie Part 1
Introduction The autumn of 1863 found Union forces in southern Tennessee in a very difficult position. The post-Chickamauga retreat into Chattanooga left the commander, MG William Rosecrans, in an impossible political/military predicament. Nearly every entry into the city was covered by the Confederates making adequate logistical support for his army impossible. Unfortunately, abandonment of the […]
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The Affair at Morton’s Ford Conclusion
Butler’s Raid BG Isaac Wistar was ordered to advance to Bottom’s Bridge by 0300 on the 7th. Although he was given command of 6200 troops (4,000 infantry and 2.200 cavalry) he elected to begin his movement cautiously. An advanced “picked company”, under the command of CPT Hill, 1st New York Mounted Rifles, was assigned to […]