Murphy's Law & the Peter Principle-- Part 4: Murphy Returns to Command

This was the topic of the presentation given to the McHenry County (Illinois) Round Table in June 2022.

On November 29, 1862, U.S. Grant established his headquarters at Walter Place.  In early December, Colonel Robert  Murphy returned to duty.  Grant hates Rosecrans and Rosecrans hates Murphy.

Grant promoted Murphy and posts him in charge of the huge Union supply base at Holly Springs.  Murphy's command, however, did not include his regiment, the 8th Wisconsin.

It did include:

six companies of the 2nd Illinois Cavalry

eight companies of the 29th Illinois Infantry

200 men of the 62nd Illinois Infantry

101st Illinois Infantry

--Old Secesh

McHenry Co. CW Round Table: Battle of Holly Springs

Of interest, the Spires-Boling House is located in Holly Springs,  Mississippi.  Famed Ida B. Wells was born there.

Robert Murphy, the colonel of the 8th Wisconsin was into Wisconsin politics and his family was well-connected to presidents.  He had, however, little military experience and didn't learn on the job either.  He was promoted to command of the 2nd Brigade  of Gen. Rosecran's Army of Mississippi.

George Driggs, a sergeant with the 8th Wisconsin kept a journal and said that Murphy was generally well-liked by his men.

At Iuka, Mississippi, Murphy was arrested for abandoning his post at the September 19, Battle of Iuka.  The Union Army retook Iuka, but the Confederates were able to get away. Grant blamed Rosecrans for it.  As a result, Grant and Rosecrans now disliked each other.

A court martial was held for Murphy and Murphy covered himself and was acquited.

--Old Secesh

MCCWRT June Meeting: 'Murphy's Law & the Peter Principle'

The McHenry County Civil War Round Table met Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at the Woodstock, Illinois, library and heard a talk onte Battle of Holly Springs by Jerry Allen.  We had earlier heard him give a talk about the 8th Wisconsin  The commander of the 8th Wisconsin was Colonel Robert Murphy.  He played a part in the Union disaster at Holly Springs, Mississippi, on December 20, 1862.

This caused General Grant's planned attack on Vicksburg to be delayed until the next spring.  Grant was depending the supplies at Holly Springs to support his advance on that city.

And, Murphy went far beyond his level of competence.

Earlier in 1862, the Union forces made great strides coming up the Mississippi River from New Orleans.  By April 29, 1862, New Orleans was in their control, followed by Baton Rouge on May 9 and Natchez on May12.  Union naval commander S.P. Lee even went to Vicksburg to demand its surrender.  James Autry refused to do so.

Then, came Holly Springs.

--Old Secesh

Old Abe and Friends-- Part 3: The Story of an Eagle

Old Abe was the War Eagle (and a Bald Eagle at that) of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

The eaglet was captured by local Indians and sold to a white settler who later sold it to a company of the 8th for $2.50.  Upon acquisition of the young eagle (who still did not have the "white" head), this company had its name changed from the Eau Claire Badgers to the Eagle Company.

The company's captain named the bird Old Abe after the president and the company quartermaster built a special Union shield perch for Old Abe.    James McGinnis became the handler.

Old Abe was not a favorite of the Confederates and sometimes referred to as the "Yankee Buzzard."  Special efforts were always made to kill him.

But, during the course of Old Abe's service, he was in 42 battles and skirmishes.

--Old Secesh

Dogs in the Civil War-- Part 1

From the June 2012 Dog Press by Fred Lanting. It was sad that the editors chose to note that the photo of Mr. Lanting posing as a Southern Rebel was appropriate for his column. It is a sad day when we have to come to that.

The article had several photos. One shows "Irish Wolfhound sleeps beneath a Celtic Cross commemorating The Irish Brigade. Another shows the symbol of "The Grayhounds" and another of "Sallie" on the 11th Pennsylvania statue. I have already written about her.

In addition to dogs at war, the 8th Wisconsin Infantry had the eagle "Old Abe" which had been given them by an Indian.

--Old Secesh