behind AotW

I don’t intend to make a habit of simply linking to other blogs, but in this case I hope you’ll let me slide.

As sighted on the latest History Carnival, “Greenman Tim” Abbot has written a thoughtful piece called “Little Mac” Attack: History vs. the Soldier’s View on his Walking the Berkshires blog. Nothing earth-shattering, perhaps, but a different perspective from the average. Almost never a bad thing.

He gives a nice synopsis of the subject:

I have often wondered at the disconnect between the deep affection the Army of the Potomac had for its ill-starred commander and the verdict of history. His men by their own accounts adored him. Lincoln was certain the soldier votes of McClellan’s veterans would cost him re-election in 1864 when “Little Mac” ran on the Democratic ticket. Yet armchair generals and Civil War buffs alike condemn McClellan as a failed and self-promoting army commander who may have been an efficient administrator but who consistently over-estimated his foes and was outgeneraled time and again on the Peninsula.

He quotes from a letter of a Captain Read (of BGen Brooks‘ staff) talking about McClellan’s having been relieved of command of the Army of the Potomac soon after Antietam, in November 1862:

“… It is the feeling in the camp that a deep act of injustice has been done, purely from political motives, and there is a general indignation manifested. The demonstrations of affection with which little “Mac” was received by his troops as he paid them a farewell visit it is beyond the power of pen to describe …”

Later Tim makes a simple statement that also summarizes my own take on General McClellan

McClellan is a complex figure.

Aren’t we all?

As many others have observed, one of the best things about the Web is the great range it covers, and new contacts it brings. What ever else it is, AotW is a honeytrap – drawing people worldwide with interest in the battle. A small but impressive minority of these visitors have something to contribute. It’s always a thrill to hear from them.

Once such Internet-friend, Mr John Jackson, has been doing marvelous work in researching and documenting Kansans and Kansas in the Civil War. He has twice now suggested obituaries for Antietam soldiers from among his boys, both also Medal of Honor holders.

A great huzzah for Mr Jackson!

Last month he pointed me to the musically named Orpheus Saeger Woodward. This week he’s introduced me to Henry Seymour Hall.

Lt. Col. H.S. Hall, c. 1864

Hall was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1891 for bravery on two occasions during the War: for continuing to lead his company in the attack while wounded at Gaines’ Mill (June 1862) and for service in rallying troops at Rappahannock Station (November 1863).

From a farming family in east-central New York state, he was 25 years old and in his final year at Genesee College (later Syracuse University) when War began in 1861. He organized a Company of fellow students–later Co. G–and enlisted with them in the new 27th New York Infantry as Private in April that year. He was almost immediately appointed 2nd Lieutenant and served with the 27th on the Peninsular Campaign. He was promoted to Captain in command of the Company to date from April 1862. It was at that rank that he fought at Crampton’s Gap, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville.

He was honorably mustered out as the 27th Infantry’s term of service expired on 31 May 1863, but was back in service just over two weeks later, appointed Captain in the 121st New York Volunteers on 16 June.

In May 1864 he left to accept a commission as Lieutenant Colonel of the new 43rd Regiment, United States Colored Troops. He was severely wounded in action at the Crater, near Petersburg, on 30 July, losing his right arm.

While recuperating, he served as a mustering officer in Washington, but was back with the 43rd at Richmond by 3 April 1865. He was also with them at Brownsville, Texas under Sheridan, then on independent duty at Galveston until returning to Washington and mustering out of the Army on 13 February 1866.

He had been honored, in March 1865, by brevet to Colonel and Brigadier General of Volunteers for his exceptional War service.

Immediately after the War he returned briefly to New York, but soon moved to a farm he’d bought in Carroll County, Missouri, where he was also active in local politics. Some time later he was in Lincoln, Nebraska, and in 1888 he moved for the last time to Lawrence, Kansas where he lived his last 20 years.

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Information above from the (Lawrence) Daily Gazette obituary posted by Mr Johnson, Heitman’s Register, pg. 489, and Hall’s MoH citation. The photograph is from Generals of the Civil War.

A quick Huzzah! for the fine folks at the US Army’s Military History Institute (USAMHI), Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. I’m sorry to say I’ve never visited in person, but they have been immensely helpful to me over several years by snail and email.

Most recently, I heard from Mr Richard Baker, a Technical Information Specialist at the Institute. I had asked for a copy of a standing portrait photograph of Major Edmund Rice, 19th Massachusetts Infantry. I’d also noticed some confusion in the caption in another picture of the Major–grouped with officers of the 17th Michigan Infantry–published in William C. Davis’ Touched by Fire. In addition to sending me the requested photo, Mr Baker went above and beyond by also finding the original image Mr Davis used, and identifying all the officers therein (Rice; Lt. Harrison Berdan, 5th Michigan Cavalry; Captains Delos Phillips and Benjamin Safford, 17th Michigan Infantry).

This kind of service is probably the norm at the USAMHI, but it knocked my socks off.
Huzzah! Huzzah!

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Here’s a scan, by the way, of that portrait of Rice. One tough customer.