Abstract This paper describes the battle of Wilson's Creek, which is often overlooked when recounting Civil War skirmishes. The writer includes a complete order of the battle and identifies several notables in this battle, among others - Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon and Colonel Franz Sigel.
From the Paper "On the edge of the meadow"was a low rail fence; the Rebels rallied under the shelter of it, and, as if by some inspiration or immediate change of orders, they broke it down in places and started for our artillery. As they got nearer to us, their own artillery ceased firing, because it endangered them. When they got close the firing began on both sides. How long it lasted I do not know; it was probably 20 minutes. Every man was shooting as fast, on our side, as he could load, and yelling as loud as his breath would permit. Most were on the ground, some on one knee. The foe stopped advancing.?(Bearss, 109) That's the way it was on August 10, 1861, as seen through the eyes of a soldier from Kansas in Union service. The field of battle is silent now, broken only by the occasional tourist, school group, historian, or Civil War reenactment group camped on the site. Now administered by the National Park Service, the area known as Wilson's Creek National Battlefield was the site of some of the most savage fighting on American soil up to that time. The carnage of Shiloh, Antietam, Gettysburg, and Cold Harbor were still far in the future."
Tags: arkansas, bloody, civil, corn, field, hill, history, lyon, mcculloch, missouri, pea, pearce, price, ridge, rolla, sigel, war, wilson
Abstract The paper discusses how, although it did not end the war, the Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War, and represented the true beginning of the end for the Confederacy. The paper examines how, in this costly battle, both the 21st North Carolina and the Iron Brigade experienced some of the heaviest losses, and both units were highly regarded as valorous and intrepid in their actions. The writer proposes that the first-hand accounts and reports of gallantry of both of these units confirm that the Iron Brigade lived up to its name, and the 21st North Carolina earned and deserved an honorary title of their own.
Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Figure 1. Uniform of the Iron Brigade
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "In fact, although the Union forces managed to exact a heavy toll on the Confederate forces at Gettysburg, Meade failed to take advantage of his strategic opportunity though and allowed the Southern forces to retreat without pursuing them across the Potomac. President Lincoln wrote Meade a letter written on July 14, 1863 (but it was never mailed) when he learned that Lee's Army of Northern Virginia had escaped back across the Potomac and had successfully avoided further battle with Meade's army; even though Meade never read the letter, it is illustrative of Lincoln's frustration with this lost opportunity and his general."
Tags: Pennsylvania, Northern, troops, casualties, reinforcements, Brigadier, General, John, Buford, Lee
