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Commander’s Intent Of Major General Joseph Hooker During The Chancellorsville Campaign
By Major William M. Jurney USMC. 2014
Did "Fighting Joe" Hooker of the Army of the Potomac lose his nerve during the Chancellorsville Campaign of 1863? Perhaps…
history has failed to recognize Major General Joseph Hooker's true commander's intent for this campaign. Hooker's intent was simple: maneuver forces to Lee's flank and rear in order to force a withdrawal of Confederate troops from Fredericksburg. Hooker had no intention of engaging in a "risky confrontation" with General Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia.Hooker's approach for planning his spring offensive would focus the Army of Potomac's efforts toward outmaneuvering Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Hooker had put forth the idea of moving on Richmond and Lincoln advised him that his objective was Lee's army and not Richmond. Hooker does pursue Lee's army, as the main objective and not Richmond as the President had directed but the means that Hooker pursued to that end are misleading. Hooker entered what he considered the initial stage of his spring offensive at Chancellorsville thinking that he would first defeat Lee's army by maneuver. Prior to Chancellorsville, however, Hooker was already making preparations for driving to Richmond.Hooker had intended to confront Lee with the dilemma of being threatened from all sides. Unfortunately, Hooker had failed to communicate his intentions for his army's movements of May 1, 1863 and confusion ran rampant among his subordinate commanders. Almost exclusively, Hooker developed the actual details of the plan himself. This flaw would result in numerous disconnects in Hooker's plan.Hooker's plan would fail due to his own steadfast belief in the ability of his plan to force Lee to withdraw. To say that Lee defeated the Army of the Potomac is misleading because Lee did not defeat the army, he defeated Hooker as he fought a very effective defensive battle that removed the Federal threat from Virginia due to Hooker's failings as an army commander.Staff Ride Handbook For The Vicksburg Campaign, December 1862-July 1863 [Illustrated Edition]
By Christopher Gabel. 2014
Includes over 30 maps and IllustrationsThe Staff Ride Handbook for the Vicksburg Campaign, December 1862-July 1863, provides a systematic approach…
to the analysis of this key Civil War campaign. Part I describes the organization of the Union and Confederate Armies, detailing their weapons, tactics, and logistical, engineer, communications, and medical support. It also includes a description of the U.S. Navy elements that featured so prominently in the campaign.Part II consists of a campaign overview that establishes the context for the individual actions to be studied in the field.Part III consists of a suggested itinerary of sites to visit in order to obtain a concrete view of the campaign in its several phases. For each site, or "stand," there is a set of travel directions, a discussion of the action that occurred there, and vignettes by participants in the campaign that further explain the action and which also allow the student to sense the human "face of battle."Part IV provides practical information on conducting a Staff Ride in the Vicksburg area, including sources of assistance and logistical considerations. Appendix A outlines the order of battle for the significant actions in the campaign. Appendix B provides biographical sketches of key participants. Appendix C provides an overview of Medal of Honor conferral in the campaign. An annotated bibliography suggests sources for preliminary study.Leadership In The Shenandoah Valley And North Africa: Historical Studies In Mission Command
By Major Colin P Mahle. 2014
Mission command, as outlined in Army Doctrine Reference Publication (ADRP) 6-0, Mission Command, is the contemporary philosophy through which army…
commanders combine mission, intent, and subordinate initiative to win in unified land operations. Though not known to them as mission command, prominent leaders such as Field Marshal Erwin Rommel and Major General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson used similar concepts.This study specifically examines how these leaders employed three of the six principles outlined in current mission command doctrine. They are: (1) build cohesive teams through mutual trust, (2) exercise disciplined initiative, and (3) provide a clear commander's intent. Determining the methods that these commanders employed during their celebrated campaigns through the framework of mission command highlights characteristics that will benefit military leaders at all levels. The linkages between these historical campaigns and current mission command philosophy are the focus of this study.First Kansas Colored Volunteers: Contributions Of Black Union Soldiers In The Trans-Mississippi West
By Major Michael E Carter. 2014
Over one hundred and eighty thousand black men fought for the Union during America's Civil War. From infantrymen, to artillerist…
and cavalry soldiers, these soldiers combined to form one hundred and sixty-six Union regiments. On 29 October 1862 at Island Mound, Missouri, the First Kansas Colored Volunteers, an infantry regiment comprised mainly of blacks from Kansas and Missouri, became the first black regiment to experience combat during the Civil War. Their courage and outstanding performance in battle, as recorded, are unquestioned. What have been omitted from research thus far are their contributions to overall Union successes in the Trans-Mississippi West. Their accomplishments are remarkable, for they came in the face of extreme obstacles of prejudice and hatred. "No Quarter" was ever given and "No Quarter" was asked of the regiment's black soldiers. The contributions of the First Kansas Colored Volunteers, in conjunction with those of the many regiments they served alongside of, resulted in a resounding Union victory in the Trans-Mississippi West.New England House Museums: A Guide To More Than 100 Mansions, Cottages, And Historical Sites
By Robert J Regalbuto. 2018
A photographic guide to historical homes and dwellings across New England The one hundred sites in this guide are in…
all six New England States, dating from the early 17th century to the threshold of our time and the architectural styles reflect those popular over a period of four centuries. The sites are varied and were the homes of leaders and literati, merchants and millionaires, poets and Pilgrims, philosophers and farmers, and seafarers and Shakers. Each chapter lists the museum’s location, web address, and telephone number and provide a description of the historical occupants as well as an in-depth look at the house's place in national and architectural history. Sites include: Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, Hartford CT Sarah Orne Jewett House, Souther Berwick ME Emily Dickinson Museum, Amherst MA Robert Frost Farm, Derry NH The Breakers, Newport RIDaniel Harvey Hill And His Contribution To The Battle Of Chickamauga
By Major Terrence W. Maki. 2014
This study investigates Major General Daniel Harvey Hill's performance during the Chattanooga campaign, focusing specifically on the Battle of Chickamauga.…
Hill's early life and performance in the Army of Northern Virginia are evaluated for character development. While Hill had proved himself a fearless division commander in the Army of Northern Virginia he nevertheless developed a reputation as an uncompromising, carping and sarcastic subordinate. When Hill arrived at Chattanooga in July 1863, relations between him and Braxton Bragg quickly began to sour. Hill's failure to act promptly at McLemore's Cove was a result of his distrust in Confederate cavalry and Bragg's situational awareness. After the first day of the Battle of Chickamauga, Bragg decided to change his command structure by creating two Confederate Wing Commanders. James Longstreet would command the Left Wing and Leonidas Polk commanded the Right Wing. Bragg's plan was for Hill's Corps to initiate the Confederate attack at daylight on 20 September. Hill was not informed of the attack until well after daylight. The delay allowed Rosecrans' Army to use precious daylight to fortify its positions. After the battle, Bragg relieved Hill of command. Though Hill's performance at Chickamauga was lackluster it did not warrant his removal.The Effects Of Southern Railroads On Interior Lines During The Civil War
By Thomas George Ziek. 2014
The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of the Southern railroad system on interior lines during the…
Civil War and determine whether or not the South enjoyed the advantage of interior lines. The use of railroads during this conflict placed an enormous physical strain upon the limited industrial resources of the Confederacy, and a great strain upon the intellectual agility of the Confederate High Command. Based upon the evidence studied, and the time-space comparisons of both Northern and Southern railway operations, several conclusions can be drawn: the South entered the war with a rail system that was unable to meet the demands of modern war; the Confederate leadership understood the importance of the railroad and its importance to strategic operations early in the war, but were unwilling to adopt a course of action that best utilized their scarce assets; Southern railroad speeds decreased dramatically by 1863 due to the inability of Southern railroads owners to perform needed maintenance on their railroad equipment; tactical reverses on the field of battle, especially the losses of both Corinth in May of 1862 and Knoxville in September of 1863 increased the distances that re-enforcements would have to travel to fight a mobile intra-theater war; Union control, maintenance, and organization of its railway assets ensured that it would be able to move large numbers of troops at the strategic level efficiently from early 1863 to the end of the war. Based on these conclusions, the Confederacy lost the ability to shift troops on the strategic level more rapidly than the Union by 1863. This was a result of its physically weakened railroad system and military setbacks which caused Southern railroads to move forces over longer distances.Wall Of Fire - The Rifle And Civil War Infantry Tactics
By Major Richard E. Kerr. 2014
This thesis examines the effect the rifle had on infantry tactics during the Civil War. It traces the transition from…
smoothbore to rifle and the development of the Minie ball. The range and accuracy of various weapons are discussed and several tables illustrate the increased capabilities of the rifle. Tactics to exploit the new weapon are examined, primarily those of William Hardee. Using Hardee's tactics as the standard rifle tactics before the war, the change in how infantry soldiers fought is documented with two battle analyses. The 1862 Maryland Campaign shows the start of tactical evolution as soldiers seek cover, expend large quantities of ammunition and are decisively engaged at greater distances. During the 1864 Wilderness-Spotsylvania battle, the concepts of fortification defense and skirmish offense take hold. Examining several current books that deal with the rifle and its effects, the thesis concludes that the rifle's increased firepower was a major factor in the move away from Hardee's formation tactics.The Gettysburg Campaign: Birth of the Operational Art?
By Major Kevin B Marcus US Army. 2014
While hundreds of volumes exist on the Gettysburg Campaign, most examine the battle's tactical framework and focus on the activities…
of brigades and regiments. However, of more interest to the serving military professional may be an analysis of the degree to which the Confederacy's design and execution exemplify attributes of what is now known as the operational art. This monograph provides just such a study.The importance of the operational level of war and its supporting art cannot be overstated. Only with a recognition of this level between those of strategy and tactics and a mastery of its art can commanders have the appropriate frame of reference to link strategic goals assigned by national authorities with the tactical activities of their subordinate commanders. Although U.S. Army doctrine may have been late in formally recognizing the existence and significance of the operational level of war and its supporting art, it may have appeared very early in our military history. Indeed, without being named as such, the concept may have been placed into effect as early as the American Civil War.Confederate Staff Work At Chickamauga: An Analysis Of The Staff Of The Army Of Tennessee
By Major Robert L Johnson. 2014
One of the critical variables in the successful completion of a military campaign is the functioning of an army's command…
and control system. In the American Civil War, a commander's primary command and control tool was his staff.Large Civil War armies like the Army of Tennessee required significant numbers of staff personnel. Staffs existed at each level of command from regiment through the army level. Staff officers had responsibility in three broad areas: personnel and logistical support to the army, military administration, and command and control.This thesis analyzes the roles, functional organization, and performance of the staff of the Army of Tennessee and its subordinate corps during the Chickamauga campaign, 16 August-22 September 1863. Primary sources for staff personnel include the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, and the Compiled Service Records of staff officers. Staff performance is evaluated in terms of doctrine and practices as embodied in regulations and military literature of the day.This thesis concludes that, while staff performance was adequate in administration and logistical support, the performance of the command and control system was inadequate. The staff's failure in this area had a significant negative impact on the performance of the army as a whole.Bones Behind The Blood: The Economic Foundations Of Grant’s Final Campaign
By Col James W Townsend. 2014
This monograph explores the economic foundations behind General Ulysses S. Grant's 1864-1865 campaign, the final campaign of the American Civil…
War. This paper will compare and contrast the economic conditions in the Union and the Confederacy with respect to manpower, social systems, finance infrastructure and industrial capacity. This will result in calculus of relative strategic power to analyze the strength and protracted military capability of the two belligerents.The campaign was long and bloody--truly a campaign that destroyed vast resources in people and national treasure. While the fighting was both protracted and vicious, the outcome was never in doubt. Based upon a strategic calculus of power, particularly industrial capacity and economic power it was clear that the Union had a decisive advantage. While the South was primarily a traditional society with an agriculturally based economy, the North was in the stage of precondition for take-off fully on the road to industrialization. Simply stated the South could ill afford to use up resources in manpower, military equipment and treasure at a rate near equal to the North. General Grant's final campaign was successful because it flowed from conditions set by a strong, vibrant economy and was guided by a strategy that thrived on this productive strength. Pressed into a corner due to Grant's final campaign, the South was sure to lose.The Evolution Of Joint Operations During The Civil War
By LCDR Michael A. Reed. 2014
History has demonstrated that amphibious assaults are among the most complex and challenging of all joint operations. The myriad of…
factors that evolved independently throughout the war did not become fully integrated until the winter of 1864-65. This thesis explores the maturation of joint amphibious operations during the U.S. Civil War, specifically through the assaults on Fort Fisher. This analysis will use modern joint doctrine as the framework to compare and contrast the two assaults. It will elaborate on how seaborne assaults differ from riverine assaults. Utilizing Fort Fisher as the focus develops an understanding of the interrelationship of these various factors and the challenges posed in their synchronization to achieve success. This study concludes that the operations reflected jointness, but also marked the emergence of modern amphibious assault concepts.The Impact Of Mine Warfare Upon US Naval Operations During The Civil War
By LCDR Edwin D. Lindgren USN. 2014
This study investigates the impact of Confederate naval mine warfare against the operations of the U.S. Navy during the Civil…
War. Mine warfare was a cost effective method for the Confederacy to defend its long coastline and inland waterways. A wide variety of fixed, moored, and drifting mines were deployed and used with effect at locations along the Atlantic coast, the Gulf coast, and along rivers, including those in the Mississippi basin.Despite loss and damage to thirty five Union naval vessels, mine use had virtually no strategic impact upon the course of the war. At the operational level, effects were apparent. Federal naval operations at Charleston and on the Roanoke River were frustrated, in large part because of the mine threat. The impact of mines was great at the tactical level. These cost effective weapons caused delays in Union operations, resulted in involved countermine operations, and caused fear and apprehension in crews.The lessons from the mine warfare experience of the Civil War are still applicable in today's warfare environment. Naval mines are a preferred weapon of minor naval powers and the U.S. Navy will be required to deal with this threat when operating along the World's coastal regions.Buford At Gettysburg
By Lt.-Col. D. Devlin US Army. 2014
During the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, then Brigadier General John Buford commanded the First Cavalry Division,…
Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, U.S.A. He is generally credited with determining the importance of, and holding the ground near Gettysburg for the coming battle. This study examines the controversies surrounding Buford's actions and discusses whether the controversies have overshadowed the importance of the lessons to be learned from the events.Factors Affecting Joint Cooperation During The Civil War
By LCDR Timothy R. Hanley USN. 2014
This study is a historical analysis of selected joint Army Navy operations conducted along the East Coast during the American…
Civil War. It begins with a description of the ante-bellum conditions of the Army and Navy and the organizational structure of the War and Navy Departments. Three joint operations are analyzed; the Fort Sumter Relief Expedition of 1861, the Port Royal Expedition of 1862, and the Charleston Campaign of 1863.In none of the joint operations covered by this study was there a unified command structure between the Army and Navy. Mutual support between the services was dependent upon voluntary cooperation between the respective service commanders.This study determines what factors influenced the degree of cooperation between the service commanders of joint operations during the Civil War. Many of the factors which either facilitated or hindered joint cooperation during that time could affect contemporary joint operations, particularly in the early stages before a unified command structure is established. An appreciation of those factors is both helpful in understanding the outcome of Civil War joint operations as well as providing some insight into the problems faced by contemporary commanders in a joint environment.Women Of Valor In The American Civil War
By Lt Col Cheryl A. Heimerman USAF. 2014
The role of women in the Civil War has often been overlooked in history. Women's roles prior to the Civil…
War were primarily confined to the home and family. Single women or those who were financially challenged could find work outside the home but opportunities were limited. At the outset of the war, more women were forced into working in factories or for the government, not only to support the war effort but also to provide for the family when the husband was at war. Many women who stayed home also became the nucleus for the formation of ladies aids societies, gathering supplies and raising funds for the soldiers.Other women chose a more direct involvement in the war. These women, including daughters of the regiment, vivandières, militia members, spies, saboteurs, soldiers, nurses and doctors, proved that women could be aggressive, resourceful and patriotic. While little has been written about their contributions, in recent years more research has brought their stories to the forefront. By selecting a representative sampling of women in each category, a better understanding of women's changing roles was revealed.Since many of the roles of women during the Civil War were a departure from those considered traditional at the time, it is important to consider how these changing roles impacted life for women after the war ended. History shows both positive and negative impacts in areas such as careers and education, however, virtually no progress was made for the role of women in the military.So Rudely Sepulchered: The 48th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment During The Campaign For Charleston, July 1863
By LCDR Luis M Evans USN. 2014
The 48th New York was a Union infantry regiment that served in the Department of the South when it attempted…
to capture Charleston, South Carolina, during the summer of 1863.Recognized for its political, strategic, and maritime value, Charleston was targeted by the North early in the war. The Union Army's Department of the South and the Navy's South Atlantic Blockading Squadron were tasked with its capture. Despite their respective attempts to seize the city in mid-1862 and early 1863, Charleston remained firmly in Confederate hands.In June of 1863, Brigadier General Quincy Gillmore was assigned command of the Department of the South. The new commander believed that in order to capture Charleston, he first had to seize Confederate-held Fort Wagner on the northern end of Morris Island. He claimed that he and his men could take Wagner in less than a week. It would ultimately take them two deadly months.This thesis details the history of the 48th New York, and its contributions and exploits during this campaign. It also analyzes the profound effect this campaign had upon the spirit and character of the regiment for the remainder of the war.William Tecumseh Sherman: The Growth Of A Strategist
By LTC James M. Diamond US Army. 2014
This paper examines Sherman's growth as a strategic thinker and successful strategist. It explores how his life shaped him to…
fill the role that he did in the Civil War and what things contributed to his development into the soldier who could plan and execute the North's strategy in the last year of the war. It also focuses on specific instances of success and failure that led him to the position from which he could influence, if not actually author, the strategy followed by the Union in the last year of the war.It also examines what Sherman brought to his relationship with Ulysses S. Grant and how that relationship affected the evolving strategy that guided the Union Army after Grant ascended to the leadership of all Union Armies.Airborne Warfare
By General James Maurice Gavin, William C. Lee. 2014
To every member of the 82nd Airborne Division who dropped as part of the American paratroop landings during World War…
Two, they breathed a little easier knowing their commander "Jumpin' Jim" Gavin would be dropping with them. General Gavin would drop into the fierce fighting along with his men in Sicily, Normandy on D-Day and during the abortive attempt to capture the Rhine bridges during Operation Market-Garden. He shared the risks of all his men dropping into enemy territory, often only armed with his GI issue rifle and accompanied by a handful of men, leading from the front his memoirs are an outstanding addition to the literature of the Airborne in World War II.General Gavin had been at the forefront advancing the use of airborne troops in the US army, writing the first field manual for their combat use. In this volume of memoirs General Gavin recounts his many experiences in the Airborne and also writes of the need and use of airborne troops in the future.Patton And His Third Army
By Colonel Brenton G. Wallace. 2014
Ol' Blood and Guts' head of liaison officers tells the story of the famous general as he saw him at…
the head of the Third Army during World War II."THE powerful Third Army with its famous leader, General George S. Patton, Jr., which in ten months roared through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Czechoslovakia and Austria, crushing at every turn the German war machine which in 1940-42 was considered the most powerful army in the world, have now passed into history. Before the memory of the great days of these campaigns as well as the close association with this famous American fighter grow dim, it might be interesting to jot down the story of the events as they unfolded and a few personal impressions of our leader.This therefore is the story of The Third Army and its great commander."