Gettysburg: The Program That Changed the Battle

I finally got around to watching the Military Channel's special "Gettysburg: The Battle that Changed America".

Needless to say, the two weeks of anticipation I felt leading up to this were sorely mispent. I've seen inaccurate history documentaries; in this day and age, receiving a truly accurate lesson in history is a rare thing. But this is one of the more blatant episodes of historical revisionism I've ever seen. Not only were facts misrepresented, but the makers of this show saw fit to simply create events that never happened.

I could rant for paragraphs on end, but in my internet quest to find those of like mind, I stumbled upon a thoroughly incensed writer who seems to agree with me point for point. Thus, I'll save myself the time, effort, and negative energy, and simply post that here.

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"Gettysburg - The Battle That Changed America"

Just got done watching it. "The Program That Changed the Battle" might
have been a better title.

This was one of those shows you watch not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
If I had to come up with a short description, the words "horrifyingly
awful" come to mind. Or may, just plain sad. Not to mention, all too
predictable.

I counted at least one howler every three to five minutes. There were
probably more, but I started to loose count. Just as a sample of some of
the ones I can remember::

1. The battle starts when Union infantry comes running around a bend in
the road and start shooting up Confederate troops sitting by the roadside,
writing letters to Mother and talking about how they need those shoes in
town.

2. News of the battle is delivered to Meade by a Brigadier General (didn't
say which one), who immediately asks him "Do you want to fall back toward
Washington?"

3. Lee learns of the battle while he's eight miles away. First thing he
does is pull out his binoculars and start looking that way.

4. The second day consisted of the Confederate attack on Culp's Hill,
followed by the Confederate attack on Little Round Top.

5. By the end of the fighting on the second day, there were 25,000 dead.

6. The next day, Meade pointed to the Copse of Trees, and said that's
where the attack would be.

7. Stuart's mission on the third day was to ride into the rear of the
Union line on Cemetery Ridge, at the same time Pickett's Charge hit it
from the front. The two big arrows on the diagram showing how this was
supposed to take place meet perfectly, right by the Copse of Trees.

8. Custer and a small band of Michigan cavalry (or words to that effect)
are patrolling off the Union flank, and spot Stuart's column riding down
the road toward the Union rear.

9. Custer shouts "Come on, you Wolverines!", and they go charging into
the front of Stuart's column, which gets backed up along the road like a
train (or words to that effect), after which Stuart retreats. Computer
graphics show exactly how it happened. Them poor rebels never stood a
change, all stacked up on the road like that.

(This nonsense in numbers 7, 8, and 9, BTW, is straight from the Tom
Carhart playbook, not surprising since Tom Carhart himself is there to
explain it all in person.)

10. Lee personally orders the cannonade to start, while, in fact, the
fighting at Culp's Hill is still going strong.

11. Wesley Culp is killed on Culp's hill.

12. The Union troops on Cemetery Ridge all flee in a panic when Pickett's
men break through.

13. The Confederates are forced to retreat when Stuart doesn't show up,
like the diagram referred to in # 7 says he was supposed to. Thanks again
Tom. Also for pointing out that Meade was scared during the entire
battle.

14. Despite 25,000 men being dead by the end of the second day, by the
end of the third day the death toll is down to 10,000. Maybe the other
15,000 got better.

The program itself was built around what might for lack of a better term
be called "reenactor based dramatization", which I've become convinced is
a very mixed blessing. Good, in that people show up in realistic looking
uniforms, with proper weapons and equipment. Bad, in that too many of
them are middle aged, overweight, and have gray hair. But I suppose they
work cheap. This is supplemented by computer annimation, of such things
as Cuters's patrolling band waylaying Stuart's maurauding column along
that road to the Union rear - it's just shocking how old Jeb let himself
be surprised out in the open like that - and Picket's troops breaking
through and driving off the panic stricken Yankees.

There was one special effect that was worth the price of admission all by
itself, though. Some poor Reb is standing there on Culp's Hill on the
morning of July 3, chatting with the soon to be dearly departed Wesley
while they get ready to storm the hill again. Which shouldn't have been
too much of a chore, since as I recall from Carhart's book (it got left
out of the program somehow, maybe he didn't have time to explain that part
of the plan), part of Stuart's job was to drop off some men to help
capture the hill while he was on the way to help Pickett. Since they
would have had "Enfield rifles with sword bayonets", it would have bene
practically a done deal. But anyway, they're just standing there BS'ing
with each other, just minding there own business, when the Union artillery
opens up and blows poor Wesley's friend away. And I mean, literally! Damm
shell comes flying in looking like one of those special effects meteors
from "Deep Impact" or "Armageddon" that take out the Chrysler Building,
or half of Paris, catches the guy right about in
the belt buckle, and he's just [i]gone[/i]. Looked like he was standing
in front of an 18" shell from the Yamato or something. All they needed to
really do it up right was to have just his shoes sitting there, with some
wisps of smoke coming out of them.

Frank Haskell was featured in the program, with a number of "quotations"
from his account of the battle. I say "quotations", because the program
writers alter and embellish what he wrote, when and where needed, to fit
the plot.

All in all, about as poor, and unfortunately, about as typical, as
anything I've seen lately.

The frightening part is, this sort of thing makes you wonder how much
mis-information and nonsense you're being fed, without even realizing it,
when the program is about a battle or event you may not have as much
personal knowledge of.

~Jim Cameron

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Well said, Jim. As for you, Military Channel...for shame.

ps - Did I mention that despite the abundance of reenactors and living historians featured in the show, President Lincoln was represented by CGI. Awful CGI at that. Why, oh why?

Back In The Saddle Again

It's been a month now since my last post. Sorry about that, folks. Louisiana came and went, and nearly took my life while I was at it: if you ever hear that hypothermia wasn't a killer in the war, you can call the offender out on their ignorance.

But I've recovered nicely and am prepping for my next authentic foray, off to participate in the Race to Knoxville in two weeks. After holding off Longstreet in East Tennessee the campaign season will start up in earnest, beginning with the national-sized Battle of Resaca a few weeks after that. This summer looks to be a good one for the hobby here in Georgia, as it's the 145th aniversary of the Atlanta Campaign. This will culminate with Bummers this November, as we trek across Georgia on the March to the Sea. That, combined with an authentic living history Marvin Greer and I are planning on hosting in Jonesboro, makes this a very promising year.

As far as battlefield studies, I've pre-ordered J. David Petruzzi's very exciting new Complete Gettysburg Guide (Savas Beatie, 2009), and also have Ezra Carmen's edited and compiled works on the Battle of Antietam on the way. Every review I've read on this work speaks of an indispensible volume for anyone studying that pivotal engagement, and since I plan on making Sharpsburg, MD a destination at least once this year, something tells me that this will be an invaluable asset.

Finally, the Military Channel is airing two specials on Gettysburg, this Friday, April 10: The Battle That Saved America and The Speech That Saved America, at 9:00 and 10:00 pm EST, respectively. This happens concurrantly with Patton 360, the History Channel's much-anticipated follow up to last year's Battle 360. 9:00 pm on Friday looks to be a busy evening for those of you with Tivos or DVRs. As for me...I'll be catching re-runs next week, as an old friend is coming into town for that evening, and I would be remiss in my manners were I to blow that off for (albeit fascinating) television specials.

I hope this finds you in as good spirits as this day has found me. All the best, friends.

The Heart of Secession

Well then, I'm off into the piney woods.

First Impressions

This weekend saw the 145th Anniversary of the Battle of Olustee, Florida. (An AAR of Saturday's tactical will be following shortly.) The time was spent largely with a contingent of the Southeastern Coalition of Authentic Reenactors (SCAR) known as the Salt River Rifles. I've followed the movements of the SRR and SCAR for some time now, and it was a pleasure to finally get to meet the members of these elite groups in person.

Apparently I made a good impression on them as well, for I've been invited by their commanding officer to join their ranks, effective immediately. This doesn't interfere with my primary unit affiliation, Company A of the 104th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but rather provides an outlet for authentic reenacting to supplement the mainstream/progressive actions of my band of brothers from the Land of Lincoln.

I think I've got a good impression in mind for these groups, as well: a Southern Unionist, who has left his home and love upon the outbreak of hostilities to fight for preservation of the union. I'd like to get a thorough first-person portrayal for this one going soon.

I know, I'm a dork for the hobby, but if you're reading this blog, you probably have some interest in it as well.

There's a yellow rose in Georgia
That I am gonna see
No other soldier knows her
No soldier only me
She cried so when I left her
It like to broke my heart
And if I ever find her
We never more will part

She's the sweetest little rosebud
This soldier ever knew
Her eyes are bright as diamonds
They sparkle like the dew
You can talk about your dearest June
And sing of Natalie
But the yellow rose of Georgia beats the belles of Missouri

Oh the Chattahoochee's flowing
And the starry skies are bright
She walks along the river
In the quiet summer night
I know that she remembers
When we parted long ago
I promised to come back again
And not to leave her so

She's the sweetest little rosebud
This soldier ever knew
Her eyes are bright as diamonds
They sparkle like the dew
You can talk about your dearest June
And sing of Natalie
But the yellow rose of Georgia beats the belles of Missouri

Well my feet are shod and ready
And my heart is full of light
I'm going back to Georgia
To give the Rebs a fight
You may talk about your McClellan
And sing of General Meade
But Uncle Billy Sherman's gonna show you can't secede

She's the sweetest little rosebud
This soldier ever knew
Her eyes are bright as diamonds
They sparkle like the dew
You can talk about your dearest June
And sing of Natalie
But the yellow rose of Georgia beats the belles of Missouri

The Battle Cry of Freedom

No, I'm not talking about James McPherson's masterful work (though, if you really wanted me to, I wouldn't mind doing that at all). No, I'm talking about the song, that glorious marching song used by both armies during the war. I've been around reenactors a while, and I always noticed that whoever is singing it, the lyrics are always slightly different. So, enter the Google.

Turns out there are many "official" versions (if you believe the Internet) of the song. Most have some common theme - usually the chorus - though I've found one or two that are vastly different.

So, using a mental Venn diagram of the whole combined works, I've put together this rather long composite of all the versions I've found of the Federal version of the song. It's a lot to remember, but it shouldn't be impossible - anyone who's recalled all the words to "Marching on to Richmond" while slogging their way through dense underbrush or tramping along country lanes should have no problem with the new words to a familiar melody.

Or maybe you all knew this already, and I'm just preaching to the choir. Either way...here ya go.

Yes, we'll rally round the flag, boys
Rally once again,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
We will rally from the hillside
We'll gather from the plains,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

The Union forever!
Hurrah boys hurrah!
Down with the traitor, up with the star,
While we rally round the flag, boys
Rally once again
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

We are springing to the call
of our brothers gone before,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
And we'll fill the vacant ranks
With a million free men more,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

The Union forever!
Hurrah boys hurrah!
Down with the traitor, up with the star,
While we rally round the flag, boys
Rally once again
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

We will welcome to our numbers
The loyal, true and brave,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
And although they may be poor
Not a man shall be a slave,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

The Union forever!
Hurrah boys hurrah!
Down with the traitor, up with the star,
While we rally round the flag, boys
Rally once again
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

We are marching to the field, boys, we’re going to the fight
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
And we bear the glorious stars for the Union and the right
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

The Union forever!
Hurrah boys hurrah!
Down with the traitor, up with the star,
While we rally round the flag, boys
Rally once again
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

We will raise the rebel host, boys, with fearless heart and true
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
And we’ll show what Uncle Sam has for loyal boys to do
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

The Union forever!
Hurrah boys hurrah!
Down with the traitor, up with the star,
While we rally round the flag, boys
Rally once again
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

If we fall amid the fray, boys, we’ll face them to the last
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
And our comrades brave shall hear us as they go rushing past
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

The Union forever!
Hurrah boys hurrah!
Down with the traitor, up with the star,
While we rally round the flag, boys
Rally once again
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

Yes, for liberty and union we’re springing to the fight
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
And the victory shall be ours for we’re rising in our might
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

The Union forever!
Hurrah boys hurrah!
Down with the traitor, up with the star,
While we rally round the flag, boys
Rally once again
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

So we're springing to the call from the East and from the West,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
And we'll hurl the rebel crew from the land we love the best,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

The Union forever!
Hurrah boys hurrah!
Down with the traitor, up with the star,
While we rally round the flag, boys
Rally once again
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

One day, hopefully soon, I'll put up a similar composition for the Confederate version of the song. Until then, my secesh friends will have to wait it out, or sing to the tune of the Union.

Ghosts of Shiloh

Jim Butler of the Salt River Rifles recently put out a request for any neutral-voiced individuals who wished to try their hand at narrating some voice-overs on a documentary covering the April 1862 Battle of Shiloh (alternatively the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee). Well, I've been told a more than a few times that I should be some sort of voice actor, so I decided to give it a shot.

After emailing Jim, he asked me to record and send him this quote from the 11th Iowa:

“The calm was first broken by the sound of gunshots far in the distance. Soon began the "blood curdling sounds", so one soldier thought, of the "long roll." In a little while several cannon shots passed over the camps, followed by others that plowed up the ground and tore through the tents. Trees were splintered nearby, and a shell struck a horse in the hind leg, mangling it's hoof.”

This done, I sent it on it's way, expecting nothing. However, lo and behold, my audition was successful, and I've now somehow netted myself a credited job on this documentary, and likely others in the future.

Next, I've got to take care of some quotes from both the 8th Illinois, as well as from General John McClernand. And I have to admit, this is kinda exciting.

During the Battle of Shiloh, April 6 & 7, 1862, four cobbled-together Confederate corps (designated the Army of Mississippi) launched a dawn attack on General Ulysses S. Grant's unprepared Army of the Tennessee. The attack succeeded to great effect throughout April 6, despite considerable confusion on the part of the southern commanders. This confusion was compounded, no doubt, by the death of Albert Sidney Johnston before the Confederate victory could be fully exploited.

The Federals rallied, finally holding their ground even as their backs were pressed against the Tennessee River. During the night, a reinforcement army under General God Carlos Buell arrived, replenishing the ranks with fresh troops. This infusing of new blood allowed for an early morning Federal counterattack that reclaimed the ground lost the day before to the Confederates.

During the battle, General John McClernand commanded a division under Grant that was attacked by Leonidas Polk's corps; of note is Polk's order of battle in this assault - he commanded a division led by Benjamin Cheatham. Cheatham, like Patrick Cleburne, was one of the south's most tenacious commanders, and it is of little doubt that this fiery subordinate did a great deal to push McClernand's division back toward Pittsburg Landing.


Confederate General Benjamin Cheatham would become known as one of the South's greatest fighters

At the landing, McClernand held the center of the newly established defensive line - a line that existed, some would argue, solely due to the delaying, sacrificial stand made by Benjamin Prentiss' division at a spot later known as the Hornet's Nest for the ferocity of the fire there. Prentiss aside, the new line held until the next morning, when the counterattack began and secured a victory for the Union.


In the coming months, Union General John A. McClernand would become one of Grant's greatest rivals as he strove to eclipse the latter's rise to glory

Shiloh is most known for its statistics and its repercussions. The battle - the first truly pitched fight of the war, and one fought entirely by green troops - resulted in more casualties than the War of Independence, the War of 1812, and the Mexican War combined: 23,746 men fell killed, wounded, or captured in the two day engagement. The battle also cemented the close relationship Grant would have with his subordinate William T. Sherman for the rest of the war. Despite the terrible attack that April morning, both men kept their heads and, together, planned the defensive stand and counterattack that would finally repel the Confederate army.

Though the Union prevailed at Shiloh, the initial unpreparedness that characterized the Army of the Tennessee led to calls for Grant's removal from command. After facing so many setbacks in the East, however, President Abraham Lincoln famously replied to the detractors, "I can't spare this man. He fights."

And fight he did.

January 21, 1824