The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Edward S. Bragg-- Part 8: Spotsylvania and Petersburg

I am certainly finding out a lot about this man whom I had never heard of since I saw his name put up as a possible new name for Fort Bragg in North Carolina.  They wouldn't have to change the name.  He had quite an honorable history of military command.

At the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Bragg's Pennsylvanians  participated in four attacks  on entrenched Confederates over four days, the one on May 12th was at the infamous "Bloody Angle."  Colonel Bragg was announced as having been killed at this battle, but he wasn't.  However, the story alarmed folks back in Wisconsin.

They were engaged with Confederates over the next two weeks and then Bragg was returned to the command of the Iron Brigade.

On June 12, they made a quick move and crossed the James River, engaging in what became known as the Siege of Petersburg.  On June 18 they participated  in a futile charge that led to  what is called the Second Battle of Petersburg.  The Iron Brigade charged across a half mile of open field, under Confederate fire and were ordered to halt to await reinforcements which did not come.

After two hours, they were forced to retreat after heavy casualties.

--Old Secesh


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