Thomas F. (hardtack) -
Have you ever read a book which constantly screams, "Someone please edit me?" This is one of those books. Which is a shame as it has many good points to it. The author got so wrapped up in the book and its subject matter he often lost track of what he was trying to relate. Throughout the book there are pages of pages of material he repeats over and over again, often in the following paragraphs. There was one section of maybe 10-15 pages when that was all he was doing. And how many times did we need to be told Colonel Oates, the commander of the 15th Alabama was "young and handsome." For that matter, all of his officers were also described as handsome. As were most of the enlisted men. He describes how this regiment went so long without water on a hot, July day so many times I found myself getting up often to get a drink. In one section, when relating how the young, handsome men were getting killed at Gettysburg he goes on length describing one "gallant officer who was a great leader," but forgets to tell how us how and when he was killed. I think this happens because the author endlessly quotes from an almost 700-page book Colonel Oates wrote after the war about his regiment, its actions and members. Anyone familiar with mid-19th century writing knows how dramatic that writing can be. Sigh!
But lets cover some of the really good points of the book.
At some length he describes how the great casualty rate suffered by the Army of Northern Virginia in previous battles robbed it of its experienced combat leaders and veteran soldiers. He correctly attributes this to General Robert Lee "offensive tactics." So many Civil Historians avoid mentioning this. At the Battle of Chancellorsville, that army took 22 percent casualties, while the Union Army of the Potomac had a 13 percent casualty rate. And yet this is considered Lee's greatest victory. At Gettysburg, the Army of Northern Virginia had a 35 percent casualty rate. After a few such battles, there aren't many men left in the army. Lee had to be constantly reinforced by stripping other areas in the South of troops.
The author also does a good job proving the commander of the 20th Maine, Colonel Chamberlain, exaggerates his own version of the battle. This would not be the last time Chamberlain does this in relating his Civil War experiences. His 1890s book. "The Passing of the Armies" is full of "mistruths."
I disagree with the author's contention the Confederate could have emplaced artillery on Big or Little Round Top. The timber road which the author claims could have been used was on the east (Union) side of the hills, where units of the Union V Corps were. I doubt they would have giving the Confederates free access to that road.
The author also gives extensive credit to the other three regiments in Colonel Vincent's brigade which defended Little Round Top, the 83rd Pennsylvania, 44th New York and 16th Michigan. As well as actions by a unit of Berdan's Sharpshooters who inflicted significant casualties on the 15th Alabama. This latter unit is often not even mentioned in histories of the Battle of Little Round Top.
And finally, forget the impressive "swinging of the gate" charge downhill by the orders of Colonel Chamberlain in the movie "Gettysburg." This has been proven never to have happened. The most common explanation is that, as his men were low on rifle ammunition, Chamberlain gave the order "Fix bayonets." When such an order is given, soldiers were trained to then charge the enemy. And that is what happened. And it happened just as Colonel Oates was giving the order to retreat.
Despite the bad points, this book is worth reading.
Finally, I still remember being given a copy of "The 20th Maine" by John Pullen when I was thirteen. This book opened up an era of history then unknown to me and led me to a life-long study of the Civil War.
But lets cover some of the really good points of the book.
At some length he describes how the great casualty rate suffered by the Army of Northern Virginia in previous battles robbed it of its experienced combat leaders and veteran soldiers. He correctly attributes this to General Robert Lee "offensive tactics." So many Civil Historians avoid mentioning this. At the Battle of Chancellorsville, that army took 22 percent casualties, while the Union Army of the Potomac had a 13 percent casualty rate. And yet this is considered Lee's greatest victory. At Gettysburg, the Army of Northern Virginia had a 35 percent casualty rate. After a few such battles, there aren't many men left in the army. Lee had to be constantly reinforced by stripping other areas in the South of troops.
The author also does a good job proving the commander of the 20th Maine, Colonel Chamberlain, exaggerates his own version of the battle. This would not be the last time Chamberlain does this in relating his Civil War experiences. His 1890s book. "The Passing of the Armies" is full of "mistruths."
I disagree with the author's contention the Confederate could have emplaced artillery on Big or Little Round Top. The timber road which the author claims could have been used was on the east (Union) side of the hills, where units of the Union V Corps were. I doubt they would have giving the Confederates free access to that road.
The author also gives extensive credit to the other three regiments in Colonel Vincent's brigade which defended Little Round Top, the 83rd Pennsylvania, 44th New York and 16th Michigan. As well as actions by a unit of Berdan's Sharpshooters who inflicted significant casualties on the 15th Alabama. This latter unit is often not even mentioned in histories of the Battle of Little Round Top.
And finally, forget the impressive "swinging of the gate" charge downhill by the orders of Colonel Chamberlain in the movie "Gettysburg." This has been proven never to have happened. The most common explanation is that, as his men were low on rifle ammunition, Chamberlain gave the order "Fix bayonets." When such an order is given, soldiers were trained to then charge the enemy. And that is what happened. And it happened just as Colonel Oates was giving the order to retreat.
Despite the bad points, this book is worth reading.
Finally, I still remember being given a copy of "The 20th Maine" by John Pullen when I was thirteen. This book opened up an era of history then unknown to me and led me to a life-long study of the Civil War.
