Civil War Technology-- Part 7: Longstreet, Railroads and Cannons

**  General Longstreet was able to move his corps from Virginia to Georgia by rail and took Union forces by surprise which led to victory at Chickamauga.

**  Improvements were made in steam engines plus safety measures.

**  Smoothbore cannons were best against infantry.  

**  Whitworth cannons had a range of 5 miles.  There were some at Fort Fisher.

**  Two main Union foundries:  West Point and Pittsburgh.

**  Trench warfare.

--Old Secesh

On Victor's Soldiers-- Part 2

The main regiment of soldiers from DeKalb County was the 105th Illinois Infantry, which had six companies of soldiers from the county.  The others were mostly from DuPage County.

It mustered in at Dixon, Illinois, and did training at Camp Douglas and then duty in Kentucky and Tennessee.  Took part in the Atlanta Campaign, March to the Sea and Carolinas.

There were also a lot of DeKalb County companies in other regiments.

Two of the soldiers from Victor died in March 1865, one in Pittsburgh, Pa. on March 17 and the other in Louisville, Ky. on March 30.  The 105th was at the Battle of Bentonville in North Carolina on March 17-19 and Goldsboro on March 24 and then the advance on Raleigh in April, so, unless the two men were on other duties, it is not likely they were in the 105th.

One man died in Alexandria, Va., on April 23, 1861, which was pretty early in the war and before the 105th was mustered in September 2, 1862.  So it is not likely he was in the 105th.  Alexandria wasn't occupied by Federal troops until May 24, when Col. Ellsworth was killed.

The other Victor man died in Alexandria as well on January 26, 1862.

So, not sure of the circumstances of their deaths.

--Old Secesh

More Mascots-- Part 3: "The Barking Dog Regiment" from Ohio, Custer and Jack of the 102nd Pa.

The 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry became known as the "Barking Dog Regiment" because of its mascot named Harvey.  He was one of three dogs the regiment had, but served the longest.  He would bark at the enemy and was wounded at least twice.

The first time he was wounded, he was also captured, but returned the next day under a flag of truce.

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George Custer was rarely without a dog during and after the war.

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The 102nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry had Jack.  Many of the regiment came from Pittsburgh and one company had men from a local fire department who had Jack before the war.  When they enlisted, Jack went along with them in 1861 and served until 1864.

Jack was in many battles and skirmishes and would run to the front and along the lines.   He twice received wounds.  The first time was a serious one at the Battle of Malvern Hill, but medics were able to save him.  The other time was at Fredericksburg.  And, he was captured twice.  The first time he escaped six hours later.  The second time, he was exchanged for a Confederate prisoner.

--Old Secesh

Rodman's 20-Inch Cannon Cast at Fort Pitt Foundry-- Part 2

"This gun is said to be the largest in the world, and to Pittsburgh belongs the honor of adding such a heavy piece of ordnance to the science of war."

The gun will remain in the pit where it was cast for the cooling process which expected to last between 10 days to two weeks.

It is not known where it will be sent, possibly to the New York City defenses.

The day of casting was secret, but a large number of ladies, scientific and military were in attendance.  Also, there was a Captain Goodenough of the Royal Navy there.

We've Got a Bigger Gun.  --Old Secesh

Rodman's 20-inch Cannon Cast at Fort Pitt Foundry-- Part 1

From the february 21, 1864 New York Times (from the February 12, 1864, Pittsburgh Chronicle "A Twenty-Inch Gun.; Casting  at the Fort Pitt Foundry."

"One of the most important events in the history of the rebellion, and which inaugurates a new era in the manufacture of heavy guns, took place on Thursday, between 12 and 1 o'clock, at the Fort Pitt Works.  A gun with calibre of 20 inches diameter, was cast on the Rodman principle, in some 22 minutes from the time of tapping the furnaces.."

Some 170,000 pounds (85 tons) of metal was used and the metal was melted in three furnaces and simultaneously tapped.  It is 20 feet 4 inches long and has a maximum diameter of 5 feet 3 inches.  It is estimated the the shot fired from it will be a half ton sphere or a 750-pound shell with a powder charge estimated at between 80-100 pounds.

A Big One.  --Old Secesh

Fort Pitt Foundry-- Part 3: Beezlebub, Satan and Lucifer

Of course, the Civil War resulted in a huge demand for cannons and the Fort Pitt Foundry was there to supply them and make money.

At peak wartime production, the foundry employed nearly 300 men and accounted for some 60% of Union cannons.  Partly through Fort Pitt Foundry's production, Pittsburgh became known as "The Arsenal of the Union."

Then, there was that huge 20-inch Rodman gun.

After the war, the foundry continued casting big guns, including a 20-inch Rodman smoothbore named "Beelzebub" for the Navy and a several huge cannons for the Army nicknamed "Satan" and "Lucifer."

In 1878, Fort Pitt Foundry was sold and shut down.

There is a replica of a Rodman gun in the Heinz History Center.

The Devil You Say.  --Old Secesh

Fort Pitt Foundry-- Part 2: Lincoln Wants a Super Gun

Fort Pitt was just the foundry to supply the huge demand for cannons.  It was ideally situated at the head of the Ohio River which made for easy shipment of both the materials needed to make them, but the finished product as well.  Plus, there was plenty of railroad connections.

In 1864, President Lincoln wanted a super gun that could sink an enemy ship with just a single shot.  Major Thomas Jackson Rodman oversaw the casting of a 60 ton, 20-inch caliber cannon capable of hurling a half ton iron projectile nearly five miles.

It took dozens of oxen to haul the monster from the foundry and railroad trestles had to be reinforced to allow the special flat cars that were made to transport it.

--Old Secesh

Fort Pitt Foundry-- Part 1: Maker of the Union's Cannons

From the May 5, 2011, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:Fort Pitt Foundry."

This continues with the thread that started with John Peter of McHenry County, Illinois, and then went to the 88th Illinois, Francis T. Sherman, Alexander McClurg and now back to the Fort Pitt Foundry.

Fort Pitt Foundry was known as the manufacturer of cannons, and especially the really, really big ones,. including the behemoth 20-inch Rodman once cast there.

The foundry provided weapons for U.S. troops in three wars: War of 1812, Mexican War and Civil War.  It was established by Joseph McClurg in 1804 at the corner of Fifth Aveue and Smithfield Street and later moved to the Strip District at 12th and Etna, just across the street from what is now the Heinz History Center.

Of course, wars create a huge demand for cannons, and the Civil War, being the biggest war the young country was yet in, meant that a lot were needed.

--Old Secesh

Captain Alexander C. McClurg, 88th Illinois-- Part 1

While researching about John Peter's 88th Illinois Infantry Regiment, I came across this name which caused me to remember a place in Chicago called McClurg Court which at one time was a theater, also a McClurg Building.

I did some research on the man in Wikipedia.

Alexander C. McClurg was a Civil War brigadier general and a partner in the A.C. McClurg & Co. publishing house, born 1832 and died April 15, 1901.  He was also a noted American bookseller and military advisor.

He was raised in Pittsburgh, Pa., where his father built Fort Pitt Foundry.  He moved to Chicago and became a junior partner in a bookselling house.  With the coming of the war, he became a captain in the 88th Illinois, but soon became a military advisor to Union generals when his abilities were recognized.

More to Come.  --Old Secesh

Pittsburgh's Role in the War

Aug. 4, 2011, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Let's Learn From the Past: The Civil War in Pittsburgh" by Lisa  Dundon.

No battles were fought in Pittsburgh, but it did serve as the "Arsenal of the Union."  It was also a major transportation hub with its three rivers and railroad lines.

The Allegheny Arsenal in Lawrenceville produced a vast array of leather goods and millions of cartridges for Union guns.  They built the first lead bullet-making machine and the arsenal superintendent, Thomas Jackson Rodman invented a new casting technique that allowed for the creation of the world' largest cannons (named Rodman Guns), including one that fire a massive 20-inch shell.

The Fort Pitt Foundry produced nearly 1,200 guns (I'm supposing cannons) which accounted for nearly 60% of the Union's guns.

A total of some 26,000 men served in the military from Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.  Several thousand of whom were killed in battle, mortally wounded or died of disease.

In 1864, a Sanitary Fair was held to raise money to benefit the wounded.

Now, You Know.  --Old Secesh

Pittsburgh Goes to War-- Part 2

Only Philadelphia County supplied more Pennsylvania troops to the Union war effort than Pittsburgh.

The Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, brought quite a "war scare" to Pittsburgh.  The city could get no reliable information on the location of Lee's Confederate Army.  Construction on a series of forts began immediately.  Rumors spread rapidly by telegraph.

However, Pittsburgh did suffer some war-related casualties when, on September 17, 1862, the same day as the Battle of Antietam, an explosion at the Allegheny Arsenal (formerly located in Lawrenceville, killed 78 women and wounded 25.  Females replaced men who had gone off to war.

This was the largest-ever loss of women during wartime and some of them were as young as 14.

Today, it is the site of Arsenal Park in the Lawrenceville neighborhood.

Never Heard of This Explosion.  --Old Secesh

Pittsburgh Goes to War-- Part 1

From the April 7th Duquesne Duke student newspaper.

No fighting occurred in the city, but Pittsburgh became a major producer of arms and war materials as well as an importing shipping route due to river and railroad transportation.

The Fort Pitt Foundry produced the Union's largest cannons as well as iron plate for ironclads.

Pittsburgh was also the only major Union city with a direct river route to the Mississippi (what about Cincinnati?)

Duquesne archivist Tom White said, "Most of the city, most of the industrial base and every industry gearing for war.  The city was very involved in the war effort just like it was later in World War I and World War II.

The site of Duquesne University was also important.  The Administration Building is on the site of a former Union hospital which took care of both Union and Confederate soldiers who could not return South for care.

Pittsburgh also was a center for medical care because of river access.

During the war, 29,430 Allegheny County men served in the Union Army and Navy.  Of those, 4,000 were killed in action, died from wounds or disease.

More to Come.  --Old Secesh

Fortifications at Pittsburgh, Pa.-- Part 2

Continued.

During the next three weeks, 11,000 men constructed 12 miles of earthen redoubts, powder magazines, and batteries around the city perimeters. A total of 37 forts and redoubts were built. Not all, however, were fully developed.

Only Fort Black in Greenfield was a true fort. Most everything else consisted of redoubts and earthworks.

Construction was completed July 3rd, the day Lee met his defeat at Gettysburg.

The fortifications are now mostly lost to erosion, urbanization, and vegetation. A rough map, known as "Defenses of Pittsburgh" was ordered on July 20, 1863. It shows 17 redoubts, 14 battery sites, and one fort.

Lee is a No-Show. --Old B-Runner

Fortifications at Pittsburgh, Pa.

Back in mid- June to early July. 1863, citizens of Pittsburgh fully expected Confederates in Robert E. lee's army to come a-knocking at any time. This was the only time the city was actually militarily-involved in the conflict.

Referred to as the "Emergency of 1863," Union Major General William Brooks, commander of the Department of the Monongahela in Pittsburgh received a dispatch June 11th outlining the possible invasion of the city.

Pittsburgh was uneasy throughout the war due to its 70-mile proximity to the Mason-Dixon Line. Known as the "Arsenal of the Union," the city with its location on both rivers and railroad connections as well as industries, was an ideal object for a sudden Confederate thrust. Large cannons were turned out at the Alleghenny Arsenal and Fort Pitt Foundry.

City business and federal leaders met June 14th at the Monongahela House, the finest hotel in the city and decided to close everything to use the manpower to build fortifications.

To Be Continued. --B-R