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“There stands Jackson, like a stone wall”

Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson is one of the most famous military men in history. He came from tough stock. His great-grandfather was born in England, but fought against the British in the American Revolution. Jackson graduated from West Point in 1846, was a hero in the Mexican American War, and taught at the Virginia Military Institute. Jackson wanted his home state of Virginia to stay in the Union, but when he was called to Confederate service, he was decisive. One of his most outstanding qualities was to be decisive and resolute. He made decisions with no second guessing. No one was better at it.

Jackson also excelled at deception and had the astounding ability to understand terrain and maneuver his army to be at the right place at the right time.

How Jackson got his nickname “Stonewall” is one of the most repeated battlefield stories. The first major battles of the Civil War was First Manassas (Bull Run to the Feds). When he learned the Federal were advancing to try to break the Confederate line he called out,  “We will give them the bayonet!” Confederate General Bee saw how the brigade took the shock of battle with great steadiness, and exclaimed, “There is Jackson, standing like a stone wall.”                                                                                          Jackson’s battle style and tactics have influenced war in the 20th century, with its ultra-fast movements and quick strikes. The German blitzkrieg is partially based on Jackson and his style of fighting.

Jackson’s Valley Campaign of 1862 has never been surpassed in the view of many military men, and has been taught in military courses around the world since. One British officer, who taught strategy at a great European college, used this campaign as a model of strategy and tactics, dwelling upon it for several months in his lectures. When Jackson died in 1863, there was the greatest outpouring of grief for a fallen hero in American history. His casket was draped with the Confederate Second National Flag (in fact the first one produced). His death touched every heart and hearth in the South and took away one of their great heroes. Robert E. Lee said, “I have lost my right arm.”

 

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“Raise Me One Notch Higher”

Here’s the story of how Confederate Private Sam Watkins got promoted to corporal. You may remember from earlier stories that Sam was a Rebel, in uniform from one end of the Civil War to the other. It seems that one day he was involved in several charges at the Battle of Atlanta. On the final charge, Sam was shot in his ankle and heel. He took cover in a ditch, but managed to pick up a flag from the battlefield. Sam got patched up and then promoted. Here is how he tells it. You’ll see that he as quite a sense of humor:

“Why, hello, corporal, where did you get those two yellow stripes from on your arm?” said Sloan.

“Why, sir, I have been promoted for gallantry on the battlefield, by picking up an orphan flag, that had been run over by a thousand fellows, and when I picked it up I did so because I thought it was pretty, and I wanted to have me a shirt made out of it.”

“I could have picked up forty, had I known that,” said Sloan.

Sam goes on to explain:

“Reader mine, the above dialogue is true in every particular. As long as I was in action, fighting for my country, there was no chance for promotion, but as soon as I fell out of ranks and picked up a forsaken and deserted flag, I was promoted for it. I felt ‘sorter’ cheap when complimented for gallantry, and the high honor of fourth corporal was conferred upon me… had I only known that picking up flags entitled me to promotion and that every flag picked up would raise me one notch higher, I would have quit fighting and gone to picking up flags, and by that means I would have soon been President of the Confederate States of America.”

Sam Watkins

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The Hessians Are Coming!

The British had tens of thousands of troops in America throughout the war, but still found it  necessary to increase their numbers by hiring foreign troops. German rulers hired out some of their regular army units to Great Britain to fight against the Patriots in the American Revolution.  By 1776 thousands of soldiers called “Hessians” were pouring into America via New York.

The term “Hessians” refers to the approximately 30,000 German troops hired, principally drawn from the German state of Hesse-Cassel, as well as other German states.

One of the battles where American troops met Hessian fighting forces happened in Rhode Island.  

Rhode Island, a small state, located about 6 miles south of Boston, was the first of the 13 Colonies to declare its independence from Britain, May 4th, 1776.  It borders the Atlantic Ocean, but is not  actually an island. It got its name because there were early settlements on Aquidneck Island, which was then called “Rhode Island.”

A fierce battle was fought on Aquidneck. The British had strengthened the town of Newport, but the Americans wanted it. A French fleet set up a blockade forcing the British to scuttle their own small fleet. Then Colonial soldiers landed on the island, and the British withdrew.

But soon, a much larger British fleet appeared to take on the French ships. As the two fleets set for battle, a hurricane came up and damaged and scattered both fleets. The French withdrew for repairs.

Without the French, American land forces could not breach the British fortifications. As they withdrew, the British attacked. The Rhode Island regiments fought fiercely and well, and broke the British line, driving them back.

One of the Rhode Island regiments met up with Hessian troops, who attacked them in three waves. This particular regiment was predominantly made up of men of African descent, and  many Native Americans. The Rhode Island regiment beat back the Hessians so fast and furiously that after the battle the Hessian commander asked for a transfer: It seems he was afraid that his men would kill him if he went into battle with them again, because he had subjected them to so much slaughter.

Although the campaign failed in its overall goal, the new American nation took pride in its fighting troops. The Hessians were known as tough, professional soldiers, but the Americans were pretty tough themselves, chasing them out. The Continental Army was clearly an effective hard fighting force.

American General Greene was at the battle, and wrote:

“To behold our fellows, chasing the Hessians off the field of battle, afforded a pleasure which you can better conceive than I describe.”

He went on to say, “I had the pleasure to see them run in worse disorder than they did at the Battle of Monmouth.”

So for now you can say, See! The Hessians are going!

 

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At Olustee  “We Whipped the Yankees Badly”

The Battle of Olustee, also called Ocean Pond) was the largest Civil War battle in Florida. The battle lasted for six hours in the woods close to Olustee station on February 20, 1864. It has been described as one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War. Nearly 3,000 men out of the 11,000 who fought were lost.

The Union army’s goal was to  launch an expedition from the coast to cut off supply lines to the Confederates. A second goal for them was to find African Americans to join their side. Three regiments of African American troops did fight well in this battle on the Federal side, but many of these men were lost.

Union Brigadier General Truman Seymour with 5,000 men began moving towards Lake City, west of Jacksonville, to destroy a railroad bridge and secure northern Florida. Confederate General Joseph Finegan with his 5,200 men met him near Olustee railroad station. A fierce battle raged on.

The Confederates, close to breaking the Yankee lines, were running low on ammunition. But more cartridges arrived and the attack continued. By late afternoon, Seymour realized the fight was lost and retreated back toward Jacksonville.

One of the men who fought at Olustee, Henry Shackelford of the 19th Georgia Infantry wrote home,

“The Yanks couldn’t stand before ‘Georgia Boys’ and finally gave way and ran, our boys pursuing. We got all their artillery, 8 pieces, took about 400 prisoners…”  

He continues,  “…we built big fires and then how we did enjoy captured coffee, sugar, hams, bread and everything else. We…then returned to our old camps ‘kivered’ with honor and glory.”

“To sum the whole thing up, we whipped the Yankees badly and they acknowledge it themselves. Our brigade did honor to themselves and their country. Proud old Georgia will never have cause to be ashamed of Colquitt’s Brigade.”

Brigadier General ALfred Colquitt, praised as the “Hero of Olustee” for his leadership during the battle reported:

”The gallantry and steady courage of officers and men during this engagement are beyond all praise. For more than four hours they struggled with unflinching firmness against superior numbers until they drove them in confusion and panic to seek safety in flight.”

The massive Confederate victory at Olustee ended the first major Union attempt to penetrate the interior of Florida. The Confederates kept control of Florida’s interior for the rest of the war.

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French Pirate, American Hero

Last of the great Pirates of the Gulf, the legend of Jean Laffite is well known in Louisiana. We know little about his first 20 years, but by 21 we know that he had survived two duels. Ever been to  the Court of Two Sisters Restaurant in New Orleans? That’s where Laffite fought 3 more duels.

Laffite was a charming man who spoke French, English and Spanish. Today you usually see his name spelled “Lafitte,” but Jean spelled his own name “Laffite.” He made a fortune smuggling goods into Louisiana.  When the governor offered a reward of $300 for his capture, Laffite put up posters offering $1,000 for the governor’s capture.  This pirate had quite a sense of humor.

When the War of 1812 between America and Great Britain began, the British wanted Laffite on their side.  But that was not going to happen.  It seems at the time Jean Laffite’s brother was in prison and Jean had a warrant out for his arrest.  Laffite worked a deal to help America take back New Orleans from the British. His brother was allowed to “escape,” joining him to help the Americans.

Laffite furnished General Andrew Jackson’s army of 2,000 with 366 cannons, powder, and shot.  Jackson needed those cannons to go against 10,000 veteran British troops.  The cannon helped kill two British Major Generals and most of the British field officers, as well as devastating the now leaderless troops.  

America won the battle, which helped make the following peace treaty more favorable to the new nation. Plus it went a long way to help retain the great cultural heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana.  (Yes, gumbo, jambalaya, and shrimp creole!) Merci, Monsieur Laffite!

 

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“First in the Hearts of His Countrymen:”Light Horse Harry’s Eulogy to Washington

“First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” These famous eloquent words about George Washington come from a eulogy written by Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee.

Light Horse Harry was a highly-decorated officer in the Continental Army, member of the Continental Congress, governor of Virginia, father of the famous Civil War general Robert E. Lee, and close friend of George Washington.

The U.S. Congress was unanimous in assigning Lee to write Washington’s eulogy, believing he was best suited to eloquently express  “those sentiments of respect” for the beloved Revolutionary War General and First President of the United States.

Funeral service for George Washington

The term “Light Horse” refers to light cavalry, horses and men who are not heavily armored and are meant to be able to ride and maneuver swiftly. Lee had a renowned reputation for his excellent horsemanship and so earned the name “Light Horse Harry.”

Before the American War of Independence Light Horse Harry already had a reputation as a skilled commander of cavalry. In the Revolution, Lee led his men in many battles in the southern theatre of the conflict.  Lee distinguished himself as one of the Revolution’s most skilled and able guerrilla fighters. In 1773, he was promoted to major and took command of a mixed cavalry and infantry corps called Lee’s Legion.

He was known for his lightning raids, and was one of only eight men awarded a gold medal of valor by the Continental Congress during the Revolution.  When British General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, bringing the war to an end, Lee was there.

After the war, Lee was elected Governor of Virginia, serving three one-year terms, and  commanded the militia sent to put down the rebels during the Whiskey Rebellion.

House actually built by Light Horse Harry
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Alabama Says “Cease Holding On to Me!”

The Confederacy was growing. South Carolina started it all in December 1860, followed by Mississippi, and Florida. Alabama would be the fourth to secede from the Union. Within a month Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas would follow. A great Civil War between the Union and the Confederates was beginning.

In January of 1861 delegates met in Montgomery, Alabama. They debated for several days, but ultimately wrote a document declaring, “…the State of Alabama now withdraws from the Union…”  Russell Smith was one of the delegates, and wrote: “When the doors were thrown open, the lobby and galleries were filled to suffocation in a moment… Simultaneously with the entrance of the multitude, a magnificent Flag was unfurled in the centre of the Hall….  Gentlemen mounted upon tables and desks, held up the floating end…”

The ladies of Montgomery had sewn the flag, and it was one of a kind. The Alabama Secession Flag has a field of blue.  The front shows Liberty holding both a sword and a flag, one in each hand.  The reverse side has a rattlesnake underneath a cotton bush.  The rattlesnake is a traditional symbol of American independence and willingness to fight for liberty, dating from well before the Revolutionary War.  The Latin words “NOLI ME TANGERE” are written on the reverse.  A warning against meddling or interference, it is a translation of a Greek phrase meaning, “Cease holding on to me.”The flag was flown over the Capitol in Montgomery for a month after secession. It survives today, preserved by the State of Alabama.

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Hand-to-Hand Fighting in New York

There were plenty of fierce battles in the American Revolution, but few were as violent as six hours of hand-to-hand fighting that took place 100 miles from the Canadian border. Patriot General Herkimer and 800 militiamen were marching through a forest and bog so dense that you could not see a man 30 feet away. The British used that setting for a perfectly laid ambush that would become known as the Battle of Oriskany.

A blaze of musket fire erupted suddenly as the Americans entered a narrow ravine. The militia, mostly farmers with the support of 60 Oneida Indians, were taken completely by surprise. General Herkimer’s leg was shattered, and several of his senior officers died instantly, along with a dozen men leading the column. It should have been a complete route, with inexperienced, panic-stricken men fleeing for their lives.

But that was not to be. These men, without orders, immediately counter-attacked, rushing up the hills, surprising and bayoneting their attackers. Their courageous response saved the day. General Herkimer, crippled and in pain, had his men carry him up the hill so he could direct the fight, proclaiming, “I will face the enemy.”

In the dense woods, it was a man-to-man battle, but Herkimer directed his men to fight in pairs, one firing while the other reloaded. This was effective, and casualties lessened on the American side.

A contingent of British rushed to reinforce the ambushers, turning their coats inside out to resemble the clothing of the militia. But one of the Americans spotted the ruse, and charged them, killing three immediately. More militia followed, sending the reinforcements into retreat.

The Oneida Indians were busy, too, fiercely battling along with the milita. Their chief’s 15-year-old daughter was present, and she grabbed a musket and fought alongside her tribesmen, war cry in full display.

The fight went on for a full six hours, but eventually British casualties mounted to the point that it made no sense to continue, so they withdrew.

The Americans had suffered greatly in the battle, but it should have been a complete massacre. The courage and tenacity of the militiamen and their Oneida allies had turned the tide.

 

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Traveller, A “Confederate Grey”

A high spirited and handsome young colt with the name “Jeff Davis” seemed destined for greatness.  And he certainly was. Described as a flashy dappled grey horse with a black mane and tail, he was striking and regal.

When Confederate General Robert E. Lee spotted the colt in the Virginia mountains, he knew he had to have him.  Lee later renamed him “Traveller” because of the horse’s ability and eagerness to walk quickly. They would would ride over 40 miles a day during campaigns. Lee rode a number of horses during the war, but Traveller was by far his favorite.

Traveller was difficult, high strung, a bit unruly, “pranced or jigged wherever he went.” One day Traveller reared when surprised by artillery fire. Just at that very moment, “a cannon ball passed directly under the steed’s belly,” saving his own and General Lee’s life.

Recounts of battle action include this story:

“Some of the most dramatic incidents involving Lee and Traveller occurred during the Overland campaign in 1864, when soldiers literally grabbed the horse’s reins to prevent their commander from personally leading attacks on six occasions…”

“The most notable incident occurred in the Wilderness…, when soldiers of the Texas Brigade surrounded Traveller and shouted, ‘Lee to the rear!’ That day Traveller carried Lee until well after midnight, and when they finally returned to camp, Lee dismounted, and overcome with exhaustion, he threw his arms around Traveller’s neck to hold himself up.”

It seems the love and respect between man and beast was mutual. Here’s what Traveller thought about Lee in this recount. One day Lee escorted his daughter’s friend back to the boat dock.

“He dismounted, tied Traveller to a post, and was standing on the boat making his adieux, when someone called out that Traveller was loose. Sure enough, the gallant grey was making his way up the road, increasing his speed as a number of boys and men tried to stop him.”

“General Lee immediately stepped ashore, called to the crowd to stand still, and advancing a few steps gave a peculiar low whistle. At the first sound, Traveller stopped and pricked up his ears. The General whistled a second time, and the horse with a glad whinny turned and trotted quietly back to his master, who patted and coaxed him before tying him up again.”

“To a bystander expressing surprise at the creature’s docility the General observed that he did not see how any man could ride a horse for any length of time without a perfect understanding being established between them.”

Traveller served the General well in battle after battle, throughout the entire war, coming through relatively unscathed. Traveller became increasingly famous after the war. Even his hair was a sought after memento of the war. Lee wrote to his daughter,  

“The boys are plucking out his tail, and he is presenting the appearance of a plucked chicken.” While travelling, he would write home and ask,  “How is Traveller? Tell him I miss him dreadfully,” Lee would ride his famous grey gelding for the rest of his life.

One of the most famous images of General Robert E. Lee was taken astride Traveller, “a Confederate grey.”

Traveller outlived Lee by a year. The stable where he lived his last days stood with its doors left open to “allow Traveller’s spirit to wander freely as he did when he was alive.” They are painted in  “Traveller Green.” His remains are buried a few feet away from where his master’s body rests.

“The great Traveller was considered gorgeous and difficult.  But, he was greatly loved, and still is.”

The Confederate Monument in Stone Mountain, Georgia showing Lee astride Traveller in center

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British Red Ensign and American Independence

The British Red Ensign Flag was well-known in the American Colonies during the 1700s.  The English Royal Navy adopted in in 1625, and it was used by English merchant ships from about 1650.

During the 1700s the British Red Ensign Flag was the official British flag, and since the American colonies were British, it was also their flag.  

In 1776 George Washington and the Continental Army surrounded Boston. General Washington had the British Red Ensign Flag raised at Cambridge, but strips of white cloth were added to create red and white to make white stripes.  This was before America declared itself independent in the following July.  The point was that the colonists were still loyal to the king, while in open protest against the British Parliament’s abusive practices in the America.

The British Red Ensign Flag that was modified by the American Colonies became known as the Continental Colors, and later as the Grand Union Flag.  It was in use for some time (the Stars and Stripes flag was not officially adopted until 1777).

Throughout the American Revolution, British soldiers fought under the British Red Ensign Flag.  This is the flag British General Cornwallis was using when he surrendered in 1781.

Note: The red ensign is in informally called the “red duster”. There does not seem to be any agreement on how the expression arose. One theory is that Red Ensigns were hoisted and left until they were so dirty and tattered that they looked more like dusters than flags. Another is that on British ships old flags were often used as rags before being thrown away.

 

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Harassing Sherman Texas Ranger Style

The legendary Terry’s Texas Rangers is named for the man who formed the unit, Benjamin Franklin Terry. The group’s official name was the 8th Texas Cavalry.  Every man who joined had to bring a shotgun or rifle, Colt revolver, and a Bowie knife (this was Texas, after all). They pinned a five-pointed star, the one worn by the original Texas Rangers, to their hats as you can see in the above photo.

These formidable, high spirited Texans displayed their valor in Civil War battles at Shiloh and Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and Chattanooga, just to name a few. They excelled at conducting lightning raids in Kentucky, and cleverly harassed Sherman as he burned his way to the sea.  

For a time, they served under Lt. General Nathan B. Forrest.  Forrest intimidated the commander of the 9th Michigan to surrender, telling him that he had “…five hundred Texas Rangers he couldn’t control in a fight.”  The Federals considered this, and “to a man, they voted to surrender.”

Captain Shannon led the Rangers’ scouts, nicknamed “Shannon’s Scouts.”  The Scouts followed and ran raids on Sherman’s troops across Georgia and the Carolinas.  One of their aims was to disrupt Sherman’s “bummers,” the general’s men that “requisitioned” food from Southern homes. Though often outnumbered, the Scouts were very successful, capturing many of the bummers.

One of the Scouts wrote about how his unit of 18 men encountered a force of hundreds of Federals:

“We were quite as much surprised as they were, but rather than let them discover our weakness in number, we began yelling and shooting as we came, making enough noise and bedlam for several times our number … they evidently thought the entire Confederate army was after them, for they started to run.”

The tradition of these men lives on in today’s rough and ready Texas Rangers, members of one of the world’s most respected law enforcement agencies.

Texas Ranger Badge

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“Follow the Lone Star Flag”

It is always inspiring to hear stories of about the courage of soldiers during battle. George Bravard was a flag bearer serving the 1st Texas infantry regiment during the Civil War.

Confederate Colonel Philip A. Work, the commander of this famous “Ragged Old First,” pointed to a rise in the distance and said,

“Follow the Lone Star Flag to the top of the mountain.”  

At that moment a Union cannon shell landed in their midst. Branard vowed he would wave his flag over the gun that fired that shot. He set out toward the mountain with his fellow Texans as shells fell all around him. Nearly a third of the men were killed or wounded during the advance, but Bravard kept on going.

He passed well beyond the rest of the men. The regiment left behind shouted and urged him to turn back.  His death was near certain, but Branard was on a mission. He had made a vow. All of a sudden they heard this command coming from the Federal lines,

“Don’t shoot that man! He is too brave to kill!”

For a brief time, all gunfire stopped. But then a shell suddenly exploded at Branard’s feet. A fragment struck him in the forehead, gashing his face, blinding his left eye and destroying hearing in his left ear. The blast ripped the Lone Star colors from his hand. He managed to recover it and clutched it closely again. As he struggled to move forward, he passed out. Fellow soldiers thought he was dead and carried him off the field.

But that was not the end of Bravard, as he did survive. Amazingly, after only one day of recovery, the brave color bearer was back on duty. He was wounded again in following battles, but he never quit.

He proudly carried that Lone Star flag and wore his uniform until the very end of the war.  

George Branard, Flag bearer of 1st Texas

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