The famous McClellan fighting spirit. But this time flanked by bad luck.

@LittleWarsTV

2 жыл бұрын

Luck is always such a huge factor in any battle or campaign. And for Baldy Smith, getting thrown by his horse at the critical moment was really bad luck. McClellan's role here, however, was pure incompetence. No luck involved. It's a rare case when he was actually on the spot at the right moment to make a difference, but inexplicably chooses to literally ride away.

A small point to an outstanding presentation -as always. As a combat veteran myself, I submit that no one "wins" a medal. Medals/citations are awarded/earned a distinct and important difference. Believe me, for a combat award NOBODY's in a competition.

I now understand how Lincoln felt waiting for McClellan to get his rear end in gear. I find myself thinking, for god sake do something. Anxiously anticipating the first real battle.

I offer two period newspaper articles on this attack: “Under cover of the artillery four companies of the 3d Vermont, Companies F, D, K and E, press on to the works. Plunging through a stream directly in front, and waistband deep, on they go like so many devils, all the time their ranks being thinned by the rifles of the enemy. They enter the works, and for three-fourths of an hour hold the same, but no reinforcement being ordered forward they are obliged to retire before reinforcements of the enemy, some three thousand strong. The assault of these four companies is not only heroism, but history will place it in a parallel line with the most daring achievements of the war.” The Green Mountain Freeman, Wednesday, April 23, 1862. This newspaper was established in 1843 to promote the political objectives of the abolitionist “Liberty Party.” * * * “On Wednesday afternoon, about three o’clock, the 15th North Carolina Regiment were in their quarters, with arms stacked, and a picket thrown in advance on the edge of a marsh which separated our line from the enemy. The men were lying about miscellaneously in their bivouacs, listening to the mutual cannonading which has been going on from both sides for the past week, when suddenly they were aroused to a sense of danger by the driving in of our pickets by the enemy, who made a bold and desperate charge, wading up to their waists in the dam, and so unexpected was the assault, that they almost succeeded in getting over to our breastworks. Before the line of the 15th North Carolina could be formed, and whilst forming, they were fired upon by the 3d Vermont and another Yankee regiment, when Colonel McKinney ordered a charge, nobly leading his men, with sword waving in the air, and cap in hand, and had nearly repulsed the foe, when he was shot down. The death of Col. M. caused a momentary panic, of which the enemy took advantage, and with large reinforcements endeavored to flank them on the left; but nerving themselves with desperation to avenge the loss of their beloved leader, they obstinately retained their ground until the gallant Seventh Georgia had hurried to their assistance, and who with a yell that made the welkin ring, at the point of the bayonet, drove the enemy before them to their skulking places, strewing the marsh with their killed and wounded.” The Western Democrat, Charlotte, N.C., April 29, 1862 NOTE: 'welkin' means the heavens.

@douglasherron7534

2 жыл бұрын

Excellent post, thanks. Proves that propaganda is nothing new...

Never interrupt your opponent when he is making a mistake.

As a Proud Vermonter and Civil War Buff I'm PROUD to see some acknowledgement of the 3rd VT. They mustered in my hometown of St. Johnsbury in July of 1861. They consisted of men and boys from several local towns. There is a nice momument on the site of Camp Baxter, the mustering site which was the Caledonia County Fairgrounds for years, then a football and baseball field until the 50's. Now it's a site for a hotel right off I-91 that passes next to the site.

@LittleWarsTV

2 жыл бұрын

That's a neat local connection, Tony. Thank you for sharing this!

Excellent presentation gentlemen, thank you.

Another great look at some of the many stories that add up to make the big picture of this campaign. Actions like this one could be glossed over as minor parts of the overall story, but as you note the lost opportunity could have been a huge turning point. The high casualties and the drummer’s heroism remind us that for many of the rank and file who were there this was one of the most important days of the war.

@LittleWarsTV

2 жыл бұрын

For all the poor decision making in the upper echelon of the Federal staff, there was some hard fighting by the rank and file. Too many examples to ever cover them all, but Dam No. 1 is a good one to spotlight!

Interesting that General Smith had a similar opportunity at Petersburg in 1864 and missed it as well.

@LittleWarsTV

2 жыл бұрын

He had an interesting career, that's for sure. Some highs and some lows for Baldy Smith!

Excellent!

I live just 5 miles from the park. I love walking the nature trails there and seeing the remains of the earth works.

@LittleWarsTV

2 жыл бұрын

So much history in your backyard! We had a great time checking out this region and could have easily spent a full week or more just on ACW battlefields and sites.

Mind boggling McClellan, indeed!

Whew. Watching the World War 2 channel and now this; it has been an entertaining day.

The x on the map is at the location of Lee's Mill Bridge and Dam, not Dam No. 1. The dam location is clearly visible on the map as the crossing in the "middle". McClellan's orders were to push skirmishers forward to the waters edge to allow a small party to cross a perform what we now call a "close target recce", and to establish a forward position on the Garrow Ridge which dominated the One-gun Battery. This was done, and McClellan left. Let me reiterate, McClellan had left before what was about to happen, happened. Inexplicably, the colonel of the 3rd Vermont ordered 4 coys to wade across, against the orders of Brookes, his brigadier. The piquets on the waters edge (a small detachment of the 15th NC and Coy D, 16th GA) withdrew up the ridge and started shooting at them. A runner went to alert the main body of the 15th NC, who were about 300 yards behind the wood line, working on digging a reserve trench. Their colonel immediately formed them in column and marched them to the front. Rather than ploying into the trench and shooting at the Vermonters, who were pinned down only a few yards from the waterline, he decided to charge them in column. He was killed prettymuch as they broke out of the woodline and the column disintegrated. They fell back and occupied the first line of trenches. The 3rd Vermont det was stuck at the waters edge with an entrenched regiment on a ridge in front of them, two coys of the 2nd La who moved rough to enfilade their right, and parts of the 7th and 8th Ga who moved round to enfilade their left. Their ammunition had been destroyed by the water, but they didn't have permission to fall back. They stayed there, unable to return fire, for some time before retreating on their own initiative. Fortunately, the rebel artillery on the ridge couldn't depress enough to hit them. Of interest is that the captain detailed to lead the detachment of the 3rd Vermont didn't actually cross the Warwick, citing that the water would cause health problems. However, he then handed in an official report which was basically a pack of lies, including them charging the trenches, the Colors being shot down (which were back at HQ) and the captain (who didn't cross the creek IRL) rescuing them. The engagement with the 3rd VT and the rest of the days skirmishing (including the attacks of the 4th and 6th VT*, which didn't even get across the Warwick because the rebels raised the level of the creek by directing water into that section) cost the rebels 48 casualties, of whom 43 were in the 15th NC. Most of those probably fell when their colonel lead them forward of the woodline, under the fire of upto 16 artillery pieces. I find it bizarre that people think the "line was (almost) broken." * After the repulse of the 3rd VT, Smith decided to make an attack and actually ordered one. A detachment of the 6th VT plunged into the Warwick and the point the 3rd VT did, but didn't get across the river, whilst the 4th VT tried charging the Dam, but the fire was so intense they aborted.

Hey guys, love the videos. Please post some more wargame rules reviews and wargame battles. Have any of you played / reviewed "Et Sans Resultat"? Thanks

@LittleWarsTV

2 жыл бұрын

We have indeed played ESR in the club and did a podcast review. We definitely have some fans of ESR, but that's not a universal opinion.

@EricAlainDufresne

2 жыл бұрын

@@LittleWarsTV Thanks guys for the reply. I'll try finding your podcast review of the rules.

@EricAlainDufresne

2 жыл бұрын

@@LittleWarsTV Thanks! I just subscribed again.

I’m sure this war will be over by Christmas

Comment

Very young soldiers like the drummer may have been shot towards but few actually aimed to hit them. Same applied to those few survivors of an attack whose bravery was obvious, they respected them and simply scared them back to their own lines. Shooting wounded men and children was not manly.

PLease speak the Queen's English - Warwick is pronouced "waah rick" not War Wick! Like Arkansas is not pronounced "R Kansas"!

@LittleWarsTV

2 жыл бұрын

Bill, you can ALWAYS reliably count on us to mispronounce just about anything we set our minds to....