Category: Dan O’Connell’s Campaign Series
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The Marching Campaign – Bristoe Part 1
The Bristoe Campaign – Introduction On the night of July 14th, 1863 as the last of Robert E. Lee’s rain soaked troops scrambled over MAJ John Harman’s improvised bridge across the Potomac ending the Gettysburg Campaign the war in the east entered a new phase. Gone, at least for the immediate future, was any hope […]
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Iuka – Part 2
IUKA – VICTORY AS FAILURE (Part 2) Battle Rages As soon as the opposing batteries were brought on line they began exchanging fire. Amidst the barrage both sides had senior officers arrive. Rosecrans immediately called up reinforcements from BG Jeremiah Sullivan’s brigade to secure his flanks. The 10th Iowa and the 12th Wisconsin Battery (2 […]
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Iuka – Part 1
IUKA – VICTORY AS FAILURE (Part 1) Introduction It is traditional to judge the outcome of battles by standards that may ignore the original intent of the commanders involved. While territorial gain, dominance on the field, or inflicting greater casualties are noteworthy accomplishments in themselves they do not always satisfy a claim to success. These […]
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“Heavy” Fighting at the Harris Farm, Conclusion
Tall and Grand Ewell’s attack began on the right, where Rodes entire line charged forward into the area around the Harris residence. The 1st Massachusetts heavy Artillery received the brunt of the attack with assistance from the 2nd New York Heavy Artillery on their left. The massed firepower again proved too much for the attackers. […]
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“Heavy” Fighting at the Harris Farm, Part 2
Field Of Battle Preparations for the Confederate move lasted until about 1400. The route selected by Ewell was a wide arc, initially taking his column away from the Union defenses on the Brock Road. To speed the rate of advance and to thwart any Federal advance in his absence Ewell also opted to take along […]
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“Heavy” Fighting at the Harris Farm, Part 1
Introduction When U.S. Grant assumed command of all Union forces the nature of combat in the east was significantly changed. Gone was the battle/respite cycle that had predominated during the first three years of the war. When Grant designated the Army of Northern Virginia the objective point for the Army of the Potomac (AoP) he […]