Battle of Shepherdstown (Civil War) and Battle of Princeton (American Revolution)

I must admit that I was entirely unaware of this Battle before I wrote about it in this blog.  On the scale of the Battles of Antietam and Gettysburg, it was not a huge battle, but important in the Maryland Campaign.

The two commanders were Fitz John Porter for the Union and  William N. Pendleton on the Confederate side.

Casualties for the North were 366 (73 killed, 163 wounded and 132 captured or missing).  For the Confederacy 307 (36 killed,  267 wounded and 6 missing or captured).

From what I've read, this was not William Pendleton's proudest moment.

Of course, learning new stuff is a big reason I started this blog.

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BATTLE OF PRINCETON

This was a key battle during the American Revolution and, like with the case of the Battle of Shepherdstown, one that I was unaware of.  It was a follow up to George Washington's much more famous crossing of the Delaware River and surprising the British at Trenton the day after Christmas, December 26, 1776.  The Battle of Princeton took place January 3, 1777.

I have been writing about this one in my Cooter's History Thing blog.

Like I Said, I Do These Blogs to Learn Stuff.  --Old Secesh

Civil War Slang-- Part 2: Secesh (Hey That's Me) and Bust Head

6. SECESH

Hey. that's my name!!    Short for secessionist.  Northerners used this as a put down to Confederates and Southerners.

7.  OPEN THE BALL

Starting the Battle.  Let the party begin.

8.  TIGHT

Slang for drunk.  From the old expression "Tight as a Tick."  So full of blood or liquor as it were.

9.  BUST HEAD / POP SKULL

Other names:  Moonshine, Booth  Terms for whiskey.  Well, cheap whiskey to be precise.  The whiskey was so strong that it could pop your skull or bust your head open.  You get what you pay for.

10.  LIGHT OUT

Not turning out the light as we might figure.  In the Civil War light out meant to leave in haste.

Secesh Who?   --Old Secesh

Seven Critical Civil War Battles-- Part 1

From March 5, 2021, History by Patrick J. Kiger.

These battles were among the most pivotal of the war.

There is more information than I have written, but I am summing up why it was pivotal.

1.  FIRST BATTLE OF BULL RUN:  Both sides became aware  that the struggle would be longer and more grisly.

2.  FORT DONELSON:  The victory here and at nearby Fort Henry opened up the state of Tennessee to Union invasion.  Also brought U.S. Grant to national attention.

3.  BATTLE OF ANTIETAM:  Stymied Lee's invasion,  gave Lincoln the confidence to go ahead with the Emancipation Proclamation which redefined the war.  Matthew Brady's photographs of the battlefield brought the horror of war to the home front.

--Old Secesh

Nebraska in the Civil War-- Part 2: 1st Nebraska Raised for Territory Defense

No battles or skirmishes were fought in Nebraska Territory during the war nor was it invaded by Confederate soldiers.  But Nebraskans did serve as soldiers in the Union armies.

When the war started, U.S. regular soldiers were withdrawn from Fort Kearny and Fort Randall to fight the Confederates.  This left Nebraska territory open to Indian attack.  The federal government asked that the territory form a volunteer regiment, with some companies to stay behind as defense against the Indians.

The territorial legislature  met in a special session in Omaha and  and agreed to raise the force.

Thus, the 1st Nebraska Volunteer Infantry was formed in June and July 1861, with future governor of Nebraska and Wyoming Territory, John Milton Thayer, as its first colonel.

However, the government reneged on its promise to have part of the regiment used for territory defense, and all of them were sent east to fight in August 1861.

--Old Secesh

A Beautiful Day Out At Hainesville's Civil War Encampment & Battle-- Part 1: A Battle Log?

Saturday, October 19, I drove out to Hainesville, Illinois, for their annual Civil War encampment and it sure was a perfect day for it, especially after the horrible weather we had last weekend.  There was a good-sized crowd on hand and quite a few children and other young folks, most of whom were not on their cell phones.

There was plenty of educational and learning experiences available for young and old (like me).

I learned from a person describing Civil War ammunition about "Battle Logs."  He had one on hand and I'd never heard of the term.  It seems that after the war, people started touring battlefields.  Farmers who had suffered ruination from the battle would sell them pieces of fences or trees with bullets embedded in them as souvenirs.

The one he had with him had at least five bullets in it and he said it might have been from Shiloh.  At least that is what he was told when he acquired it.

That would be making the best of a bad situation.

A Big Ol' Log.  --Old Secesh

Small Battles, Big Results at Pamplin History Park

The 23rd annual seminar at Petersburg, Virginia's Pamplin History Park will take place this weekend, October 18-20 and will consist of seven presentations based along this year's theme "Small Battles, Big Results."

Of particular interest to me is Rod Gragg speaking about new perspectives on Fort Fisher which is my major interest in the Civil War and why I became interested in history and that war in the first place.  You can read more about him and his book "Confederate Goliath" in my Running the Blockade blog from yesterday.

Other battles presented will be:

Iuka
Ringgold
Mine Run
Ball's Bluff
Champion Hill
Fort Pillow

--Old Secesh

Charles C. Blacknall, 13th N.C.-- Part 4: Manassas Aftermath "I Have Seen More Dead and Wounded Men Than I Ever Expected To See"

Charles Blacknall and the 13th N.C. were too late for the First Battle of Manassas (Battle of Bull Run in the North) but they did see the horrible aftermath.

Blacknall wrote of the scene he saw:  "The morning was dark and lowering and gloomy in the extreme, torrents of rain had fallen during the night and nature seemed sad and mournful....  In every direction you behold the dead and dying -- sights so heartrendering that I turn sorrowfully away from them....

"Hundreds of men are coming in, some in small crowds, others alone, stating that their companies are entirely lost....  I have read a great deal in history about war and battles but I can assure you that I have never formed the most distant conception of the reality.

"I have seen more dead and wounded men than I ever expected to see.  I see many men with their arms and legs shot off who seem to be perfectly regardless of their loss and as cheerful as if nothing had happened...."

Certainly an Introduction to Real War.  =--Old Secesh

I Took Some Civil War Quizzes

These three Civil War quizzes were on the How Stuff Works site.

Some of the questions were very easy, others not so.

I scored 24 of 30 on A Nation Divided.

26 of 30 on Who Said It?  Famous Quotes of the Civil War.  Not all of them were quotes.

24 of 30 in the Famous Battles Quiz.  Some not so famous.

Take Your Best Shot?  --Old Secesh

Further Breakdown of N.C. Confederates Buried at ANC-- Part 4

North Carolina Confederates buried at Arlington National Cemetery.  Battles in which these men were captured:

Chester Gap July 21, 1863--  1

Bristoe Station October 14, 1863--  12

Rappahannock Station November 7, 1863--  6

Williamsburg May 5, 1863--  3

Fredericksburg--  1

Mine Run November 28, 1863-- 2

Spottsylvania May 12, 1864--  1

Chancellorsville May 3, 1863--  2

Kelly's Ford, November 7, 1863--  5

Falling Waters July 14, 1863-- 1

Sharpsburg September 17, 1863

--Old Secesh

Six Fascinating Civil War Battlefields Across the Continent

From the July-August AARP Magazine by Bill Newcott.

1.  PICACHO PASS, ARIZONA-- Westernmost battle.

2.  SAINT ALBANS, VERMONT--- Northernmost battle.

3.  CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA-- First submarine attack.

4.  FORT MYERS, FLORIDA--  Cattle Battle.

5.  GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA--  Deadliest Battle.

6.  PALMITO RANCH, TEXAS--  Final Battle.

Of course, the article went into more detail.

Firstest With the Mostest.   --Old Secesh