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Battle of Chancellorsville Ends: May 6, 1863

Fold3 Image - The Battle of Chancellorsville, Va., including operations from April 29th to May 5th, 1863.
May 6, 1863, was the final day of the Battle of Chancellorsville, which ended in a Confederate victory that is often considered General Robert E. Lee‘s “perfect battle,” as he successfully defeated an army more than twice the size of his own.

In April, Union general Joseph Hooker—the new commander of the Army of the Potomac—decided to move against Lee, whose Army of Northern Virginia was situated at Fredericksburg, Virginia. Hooker wanted to avoid attacking Fredericksburg head on, as that had proved a disaster in the past, so he planned to send a third of his army to Fredericksburg to hold Lee there, while his cavalry would cut Lee’s communication lines and the majority of his army would sweep around to outflank Lee from the rear and left.

Hooker’s movement to Chancellorsville, a crossroads not far from Lee’s left flank, was well-executed, but Lee—although outnumbered more than two to one (roughly 130,000 to 60,000)—left only a small part of his troops at Fredericksburg and moved the rest under Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson to face Hooker rather than retreat. When Jackson began to push back against Hooker’s vanguard, Hooker lost his nerve and had his troops take up defensive positions in a brushy, difficult area known as the Wilderness.

Fold3 Image - Wilderness, near Chancellorsville, Virginia
Defying conventional military wisdom, Lee and Jackson decided to split the army once again, leaving a portion of troops under Lee to distract Hooker’s front, while Jackson would take the bulk of the troops on a 12-mile march to hit the Union’s exposed right flank. The gamble paid off, and on the evening of May 2, Jackson’s troops caught the Union right by surprise and it crumbled.

The fighting continued for a few more days, with the most intense occurring on May 3. Besides fighting around Chancellorsville, there was also fighting at Fredericksburg and Salem Church. Eventually, Hooker retreated across the Rappahannock River, giving the Confederates the victory, despite heavy casualties on both sides.

However, although the battle was a Confederate triumph, the Lee sustained a major loss in the death of Jackson, one of the best Confederate generals. On the night of the 2nd, Jackson and some others had been returning from scouting Union positions when they were fired on by their own pickets. Jackson was wounded, and his left arm had to be amputated. Complications arose following the surgery, and on May 10, Jackson died of pneumonia.

Lee’s victory at the Battle of Chancellorsville would give him the necessary momentum for his campaign into the North, where he would face the Union on its home soil at the Battle of Gettysburg that July.

Do you have ancestors who fought at Chancellorsville? Tell us about them! Or learn more about the battle on Fold3.

252 Comments

  1. Mildred Brady Venitucci says:

    Col. John Williford Henagan, Marlboro Co., SC
    Army of Northern Virginia, via Kershaw’s Brigade, SC Volunteers
    Captured, died at Johnson’s Island, Sandusky, Ohio.

    1st cousin, 3x

    • John Atkins says:

      Mildred: Not at Chancellorsville, but my ggguncle also died at Johnson’s Island after capture at Champion’s Hill, MS. 1Lt William Newton Swift, 34th Georgia.
      Grave 103. Find A Grave Memorial# 7805824. Your cousin’s grave, you probably know, is at findagrave.com, Memorial# 7775932

    • Mildred Brady Venitucci says:

      John, A cou0ple of years ago, a man on ebay was selling copies found in an autograph book from the POW camp where those kin of ours died. He had bought it at an auction for $5.00 – it had the signature of Col. John W. Henagan on the page I bought (a copy)–apparently, it was not unusual for guards to buy a blank autograph book and have the prisoners sign it…maybe the prisoners would get a little more food, or other care. It was worth $5 or $10 to have a copy. I might be able to dig up the transaction, if you like. I don’t know if we can post jpg files on here. Did you know that the University of Heidelburg/Chicago is doing an archeological dig at the POW Camp? I have sent them files of the autograph, and also a photo I found at last of Col. Henagan. He had been a General in the SC Volunteers before the war, and that group morphed into Kershaw’s Brigade. He may have been captured at Winchester, but I lack total recall! It is in my files.

    • David McGuff says:

      My great, great grand father was captured and sent to Johnson’s Island. He was paroled from there. Capt. J. H .George. Your ancestor’s name my be on their role but many documents were destroyed by a fire. Ancestor is on my mother’s side.

      David McGuff
      Chattanooga.

  2. Tom says:

    Mathew Henry Holvenstot D Co. 3rd Inf Reg. Wisconsin

    my 2nd great grand uncle

    Injured May 3, 1863 at Battle of Chancellorsville.

    Died from wounds 01 Dec 1863 in Washington, DC.

  3. Barbara Ware says:

    Joseph Campbell Ware, my great grandfather, served as a private in the 16th Reg Mississippi, CSA. He was in battles around Fredericksburg (Chancellorsville) where he was wounded on the 3rd of May 1863 by a ball through dorsum of the big toe of the left foot. On April 9, 1865, he was on the list of those paroled at Appomattox Courthouse. He went to Georgia, married, farmed, moved back to Mississippi. Later he moved to Texas where he farmed until his death in 1904 while working in his field.

    • Kathy Day says:

      We are Wares also. Not sure on same line. My mother was Barbara Ware also.
      Gggf Jonathan Kellogg.

    • charles says:

      We have a relative in the 18th Mississippi.. he was killed may 3 1863,at the stone wall at Marye’s Heights..name was Sabastian B. Kraft.born/from Canton,Madison county Mississippi……..wpoul like to hear from you with any additional information about your relative and share our history..thank you..Charles..:o)..

    • Dolores (Hook) Gheen says:

      Unfortunately, I have no other information and am trying to see what I can find out there. I know where he is buried, but can not even find where he was born or the date!
      Thank you for the contact

    • Susan Mason says:

      You say you know where he is buried so is that on findagrave.com? I wonder if he has a grave stone or marker? Just wondering how you know where he is buried? if you check on ancestry.com you should be able to find a lot about him on there.

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      Charles, do you happen to know what unit he was in, for example, “1st Mississippi Infantry”? That would be the most effective way to begin your search. I know you may not readily know this, especially if what you know already has been handed down verbally over time. I had the same issue involving one bloodline ancestor years ago and thru older family members and census records I was able to find where my ancestor lived and track the location where he likely was inducted at. From there info became available through roster and muster roll call documents. Sometimes a Regimental History (usually compiled by a survivor after the war) is also out there.

      Over the years one of the best source of info I have used is the Official Records (O.R.) A lot of libraries and some historical societies have this on microfish. Again, you will need your ancestors combat unit or a battle that he was in, such as The Battle of Fredericksburg where Maureen Heights is located but this is wonderful information and in many cases it is actually transcribed info from real-time Offical Reports filed by acting officers from the Company Level right up to the Commanding General and written shortly after the actual battle giving a unique view into the “nuts and bolts” of the battle before the memories of the authors became obscured.

      Records for both Federal and Confederate early in the War were usually filed and have been documented. As the War progressed some Reports are a little thin or missing all together. Still worthwhile looking into however.

      Good luck with your search.

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      Oh boy, pardon me Charles but I now notice that you did indeed invlude your ancestors Unit. Sorry, this has been a long day involving travel.

      Anyway, when all other leads grow cold please consider the Official Records.

      Again, good luck.

  4. MY Great grandfather, Nathaniel Bailey From Company F, 24th Georgia Infantry was wounded in the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia on May 3, 1863, His brother-in law John Williams had been killed a short time before in the same battle.
    They took Nathaniel to Camp Winder Confederate Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. They later send him back home by train without removing the slug. Eleven years later he passed the slug in 1874. They put an article about the passing of the slug in the Atlanta Georgia News paper

    • Marqueta Bentley says:

      Gerald,

      I am also related to Nathaniel Bailey. I have just recently found this out and would be interested in any more information you may have on the family. My Grandmolther’s father William Benjamin Bailey died when she was only 6 years old and therefore, we know very little about this side of the family. Totally shocked to see this today on the fold3 story. I usually never read these, but for some reason today I did. I will never miss another one.

      Marqueta

  5. Army of the United States
    CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY FOR DISCHARGE

    Charles Taylor, Corporal, of Captain Tillotson’s Company, F of the 8th Regiment of United State (O.V.I.) was enlisted by Capt. Tillotson of the 8th Regiment of O.V.I. at Fremont, Ohio, on the 7th day of June 1861, to serve 3 years; he was born in Fremont in the State of Ohio, is 18 years of age [NO, he was actually 15 years old, so lied about his age] 5 ft 9 inches high, light complexion, blue eyes, light hair, and by occupation when enlisted a Clerk. During the last two months said soldier has been unfit for duty. He is this day discharged by reason of Surg(eons) /sigs/ Approved March 12th, 1863
    A.B. Dod
    Capt.. 15th U.S.I. Ohio

    I Certify, that I have carefully examined the said Charles Taylor, Corporal, of Captain Tillottson’s Company, and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of gun shot wound of the left arm, fracturing the humurus. Ball still remaining in all probability in the joint and causing partial anchylosis of the same. Received at Fredericksburg 13th Dec. 1862, as he says. Disabled ½ for one year.
    Colin Mackenzie
    Assistant Surgeon U.S.I.
    Frank Taylor, Charles Taylor’s eldest son wrote a letter to his sister Nellie Taylor Child, in 1913 – (a year before he [Frank] died) – in which he stated the following regarding his father’s military service during the Civil War: …”he enlisted at about the age of 17 [no, he was 15 – see above — born Feb 14, 1846 — enlisted June 7, 1861.) He started to school with his books under his arm one morning, and, while his parents found them later where he had thrown them away, they did not know of his whereabouts for about one and a half years, when they were informed that he was in a hospital with a bullet in his right arm received at the battle of Fredericksburg. … I have this bullet now mounted with gold bands into a watch charm, although I do not wear it on account of the lead being so soft and wears away so fast. It is a Rebel minie ball and is almost square where it struck the bone. This battle where our father was wounded was a Union defeat and was one of the most desperate fights of the war. …Father was always very reticent about discussing his war record with us children, simply, I presume, because we were children. He was not given to boasting anyway, but I have heard him by the hour discussing the war with other veterans. His record was like our Brother Fred’s, one that we do not need to be ashamed of …” [Brother Fred Taylor died in Manila during the Spanish-American War, not of wounds, but of yellow fever.]
    Charles Taylor died in Dunlap, Iowa, of tuberculosis at age 46.
    Charles Taylor was a first cousin, once removed, to Rutherford Birchard Hayes,19th President of the United States.

    • Theron P. Snell, Ph.D says:

      An aside: Rutherford B. Hayes attended or taught Sunday school at the Hopewell Methodist Church near Gambier OH while he attended Kenyon college. The church was part of a Methodist charge that included several other small churches centered around the Gambier Methodist Church in Gambier OH.

  6. Sigrid Stiles says:

    My husband’s gg grandfather, Louis Bisky, born Friedrich Ludwig Bisky in Genthin, Prussia, was killed at Chancellorsville 2 May 1863. He kept a diary in his native language which has been translated into English. I published the diary on a blog 150 years to the day after it was written. You can access it at .

    When he died his wife was three months pregnant with my husband’s great grandmother.

    We attended all but one of the commemorations of the battles in which he fought during the sesquicentennial.

  7. Fred Ray says:

    My ancestor L. Jason O. Patton of the 12th Alabama was a sharpshooter in O’Neal’s brigade. These were the men who screened Jackson’s march as flank guards and were the skirmishers, under Maj. Eugene Blackford, who formed the tip of the spear that afternoon. Records are uncertain but he appears to have been wounded May 4th or 5th, but not badly enough to miss Gettysburg.

  8. Andrew Humes says:

    Is this how the great John Lee Hooker was named?

  9. I lost a great great uncle Robert Hugh Gaston and his brother returned from the battle of Sharpsburgh, Pennsylvania. His brother was Captain William Henry Gaston of Tyler, Texas.

    • Jim Horn says:

      Not aware of a battle at Sharpsburg PA. Is it possible that you are thinking of Sharpsburg MD, aka Battle of Antietam?

  10. Steven C Wampler says:

    Charles Virgil Donahoe, 2nd Virginia Cavalry, my Great-Great Grandfather who was with the 2nd Cav from it’s inception in Lynchburg, VA until beyond Lee’s surrender.

  11. Virginia KInzey says:

    My great grandfather was present (sitting up in a tree) when “Stonewall” Jackson rode into camp and was shot by a picket on duty.

  12. Robert Keeler says:

    Maternal Great Grandfather, John Singleton Kasey, Regimental Bugler, 2nd Virginia Cavalry and Paternal Great Grandfather, Daniel Grant Emory, Private, Company C, 1st Maryland Cavalry. Also, Great, Great Uncle Richard Schenk, Company F, 28th Virginia Infantry. His younger brother, John William Schenk, same company and regiment, had been killed at South Mountain the previous September. Another Great Grandfather was in the 34th Virginia Infantry stationed near Charleston, South Carolina at the time of Chancellorsville. Lots of other kinsmen and neighbors from Bedford County, Virginia were at Chancellorsville, too.

  13. Allwood Stevenson Scott says:

    My great grandfather Archibald (Archie) Henderson Aisquith was a private in Co. G, 2nd Regiment Virginia Infantry (1845-1894) who went into the war from the Charles Town Academy at age 17 and lost his right arm in the battle of Chancellorsville, VA. Married Mary Rutherford July 13, 1868 and had nine children.
    Died November 3, 1894 in Charlestown, WV, buried at Zion Episcopal Church in Charlestown, WV.

  14. Jack R. Preston says:

    My Great Great Grandfather Isaac H. Bryant of Clear Creek, Chautauqua County, New York was wounded and died at Chancellorsville on about 2 May, 1863. He was a private in Company H, 154th New York Infantry. The casualty sheet says his commander was Col. P. H. Jones. Some information says that he was captured by the South and died on the 6th of May. His daughter was born on the 4th of May, 1863 and I knew her. My mother who just passed away at 98 knew the widow who died in 1927. There is an organization of descendants of the 154th that holds a commemoration each summer. The unit was form mostly of Cattaraugus County, New York. I too was able to attend the reenactment of the battle at the sesquicentennial. We are fortunate to have two letters that he wrote and a photo of him.

  15. Frederick Fisher says:

    My Great Great Grandfather was Lt. Evan Thomas who commanded the 4th US Artillery under Cpt Rufus Pettit, in Hancocks First Division. He also fought at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. He was killed in the Modoc war in CA in 1873, leaving behind a wife and 2 young daughters, Marion Thomas (my great grandmother and Josephine. His father was Gen. Lorenzo Thomas.

  16. Kay Holmes says:

    Pvt Joseph William Holtzman, of Company B, 2nd Virginia Infantry, was wounded on Sunday May 3, 1863, possibly in the effort for Hazel Grove or Fairview, where he fought with Frank Paxton’s brigade. He died some days later in hospital at Chancellorsville. In her application for a pension in 1908, his widow Mary Ellen (my great grandfather’s sister) described his injuries as a shell wound in the shoulder and a gunshot or shell wound in the knee. Pvt Holtzman’s daughter Kate, his third child, was born May 4, 1863.

  17. Mike Johnson says:

    Mildred: my 3rd ggf Benjamin William Keely,3rd Lt 60th Tennessee was captured at Big Black River, the day after Champion’s Hill (John) and was imprisoned at Johnson Island til the end of
    the war. Chk your book for his signature please. Some union records from J.I. show him as B W Kelly. Thks

    • Mildred Brady Venitucci says:

      Mike, the book is not mine…the seller of autograph copies bought the book at an auction, and an ebay search for John W. Henagan brought up the name…I don’t know what possessed me to search ebay..on 2nd thought, I may have googled that and the reply page listed it…I will search my records for the name of the seller.

      Mildred

  18. Theron P. Snell, Ph.D says:

    The outpouring of relatives listed here explains a great deal about the current disputes over removing statues and plaques commemorating confederates during the Civil War.

    • Kay Holmes says:

      Memory of the sacrifices of ancestors, north and south, cannot be expunged.

      Steven Sears recounts the battle in his book:

      Sears, Stephen W. _Chancellorsville_ . Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 1996. [Kindle Edition].

      ‘The fighting that morning of May 3 cost the Confederates 8,962 dead, wounded, and missing. [6905-6] …

      ‘Four out of five of the morning’s casualties were from [J.E.B.] Stuart’s command. [Command had devolved on the cavalry general because generals Jackson and Powell Hill were wounded in the incident of the night before.] …The toll of officers was staggering. Seven of Stuart’s brigade commanders were hit, with three of them (Oliver Edwards, Frank Paxton, and Thomas Garnett) killed or mortally wounded.’ [6909-11]

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      May I just say to all that I stand in awe of soldiers on both sides, Federal and Confederates alike. It is always with deep respect and humility that I always offer a sincere prayer and say “Thank You” when I stop at monuments on one of my many visits to sites dedicated to remembering this crucial time in our history.
      Their sacrifice and beliefs made us the Great Country which we really are today.

  19. Shay walters says:

    I had two ancestors that fought there. Both were on the flank march with Jackson Mack talking, my 3rd great grandfather and is brother Iredell Talton, both served in company h 2nd North Carolina infantry regiment, Ramseurs brigade. Iredell was shot just below the right elbow which in turn had to be amputated. The second nc sustained 80 percent casualties and lost their battle flag.

  20. Roy Hill says:

    My GrGrGrandfather was Giles Carter and he fought at Chancellorsville with the 14th South Carolina, along with two of his brothers in the same unit. One brother, James Morgan Carter died in the battle.

    A cousin, General Maxy Gregg, was killed at Fredericksburg.

  21. Jerry B. Hegwood says:

    Pvt. James H. Lancaster Co. H 16th MS INF
    my 2nd ggrand uncle killed May 3 at Chancellorsville.
    Cannot find any reference where his remains are located.
    I have a memorial CSA headstone for him here in Smith
    County MS. at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. it can be seen at
    findagrave.

  22. Candis Berge says:

    My great great grandfather, Adam Herlich, 58th Regiment, New York, infantry, was taken prisoner at this battle. He was in a German division at the end of the flank, considered a fairly weak group of soldiers. Due to his time held as a POW, he did not participate in the battle at Gettysburg where many many of his fellow soldiers lost their lives. Adam was a young German immigrant. He went on to live a prosperous life in Brooklyn, New York.

  23. Tom Fenner says:

    He was not at Chancellorsville, but my maternal grandmother’s uncle was General George Brinton McClellan. The Civil War would have changed greatly if he had been more assertive. Many lives would have been saved, and the war probably would have ended sooner if he wasn’t so cautious

    Thank you for sending out these messages!

  24. Wenona Best says:

    My great great grandfather, Charles Alexander Schools was with Company E, 40th Infantry Regiment, Virginia. He was wounded on 5/2/1863 at Chancellorsville and died of his wounds on 5/25/1863.

  25. Rick of Chancellorsville says:

    We discovered recently that both my and my wife’s great, great grandfathers fought for the Union at the Battle of Chancellorsville — 56 NY infantry and 155 PA infantry). Our home is located on the Chancellorsville battlefield.

  26. Charles Hartley Fratz says:

    Private Andrew Jackson Capps, Originally of McBride Artillery (Co B, 20th Heavy Artillery) and then to the Co. I 38th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Pittsylvania Regiment), Army of Northern Virginia. Captured at Petersburg, April 3,1865. Imprisoned at City Point, Va. April 13, 1865, released June 5, 1865. Many troops were kept beyond the end of the war because they didn’t sign or make their mark as they could not read the allegiance notices posted. This had to be read to them (when the union figured out the reason for not signing) and then their mark made to swear allegiance to the U.S. Capps was underage when he enlisted with his friend. He was a poor Orphaned farm boy from the Princess Anne/Norfolk area of Virginia. His daughter, my Grandmother, still had his Confederate Money when she died. She was proud of him and Dixie.
    Like it or not, this is part of our history.

  27. Bonnie Foster says:

    My ggfather was injured in his leg by a musket ball. He was in the 12th volunteers from New Jersey…a good surgeon did not cut off his leg, but extracted the ball where it impacted next to his femur…..he lived….although with quite a limp…..a good many years after, and I have the musket ball, as well as the letter that was sent home to his mother saying he would be home when he was released from the hospital….and please send a blanket….his name was Thomas Gardner Bunting….

  28. D Whiddon says:

    Mr great great grandfather, Henry Monroe Rich was wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville. He was a musician in the 13th Regiment North Carolina Infantry, Company E, Confederate States of America

  29. H Marie Hummel Heins says:

    One of my great-great grandfathers, William Truitt, was in the Battle of Pea Ridge in Arkansas. He was captured and went to Andersonville prison. He came home mentally ill.
    The other great-great Randolph Lawrence and two of his sons were doctors for the unionin the civil war. My great grandfather was John Randolph Lawrence.

  30. Scott Hottle says:

    My ancestor James Morgan Hottel, Lt., Co. C, 33rd Virginia Infantry, Stonewall Brigade was wounded and died on May 3, 1863. His uncle, Abraham Hottel, fought alongside him in Company C. Always looking for more info on these two men.

  31. Bill Dougherty says:

    My ggg uncle Edward “Ned” Hall was in Company C, 12th Virginia Infantry and later was killed at Bradshaws Farm in the opening of what would become the Battle of Spotsylvania 8 May 1864.
    My ggggrandfather James Hall later joined the same company when he became 16 years old and fought at Petersburg and in the last defenses of Richmond. In the 1880’s James, his wife Helen and my gggrandfather Edward W. Hall moved to Pennsylvania and James went to work in the Anthracite Coal Mines. Edward lived until April 1938, and his son, my grandfather William Edward Hall fought in WWI with the 316th Pennsylvania Infantry in France.

  32. Kathleen (Merry) Matta says:

    My gguncle, Isaac T. Merry Jr., was the first enlisted man for the war effort in St. Lawrence County, New York. He enlisted in the 16th Regiment, New York Infantry. My gguncle, brother to Isaac, Henry Merry also enlisted in the 16th Regiment, New York Infantry. The 16th Regiment fought at Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May6, 1863.

  33. I am nearly finished with Jeff Shaara’s book Gods and Generals. It is a wonderful read which includes this battle. The main participants (Lee, Jackson, Hooker, ect.) are beautifully woven together.

  34. Carolyn Troillett says:

    My paternal great-grandfather, Col. Charles Thornton Zachry, Company H, 27th Infantry, Georgia, also fought at Chancellorsville and Wilderness. Company H was comprised of men from Henry County, Georgia (Zachary Rangers). He is listed as one of the field officers (Lt. Col.) at the forming of the 27th infantry. They served mostly in Virginia until after the battle of Chancellorsville, when they moved into North Carolina and then to Florida with Colquitt’s Brigade. It is my understanding that he was put up for promotion to Brigadier General, but the war ended before he was commissioned. The people of McDonough refer to him as “general”, but he preferred “colonel”.

    After the war, he served in the legislature in Atlanta representing Henry County and his regimental flag was in the capitol building for some time. There is a statue of him in the McDonough town square and his town home was moved to a battlefield park just off I-75.

    It is easy to sit in judgement of a time long past, which happens all too often in today’s world. The compromise concerning slavery when our country was first formed was that the slave states would have 20 years to phase out the practice, but until that time slave states could not count their slaves in such a way as to gain unfair representation in the U.S. House. Unfortunately, this did not happen and eventually the Civil War erupted to remedy the situation. Our family, as so many others, have relatives who fought on both sides of this war. We are proud of them. They were remarkable men and women, especially Col. Zachry, and we can learn a lot by studying their character and lives. And it was his grandson, my father, who taught me to respect people of color, to judge them individually as to who they are and not by the color of their skin. Dad was Georgia born and reared.

    • John Atkins says:

      Col Zachry is my ggguncle. His sister Caroline Zachry is my gggrandmother. I have a photo of him postwar with his relatives Alfred H Zachry and John Morton Zachry on ancestry.com if you want to check my tree.

    • Carolyn Troillett says:

      John, Thank you for your comments. I have seen the picture on Ancestry. As a matter of fact, we used to have a copy of that picture. I will surely check our your family tree.

      Since submitting the above entry, my brother filled me in on a little more about Col. Zachry. He apparently was close to Stonewall Jackson (physically) when Jackson was wounded, but he was not under Jackson’s command. Col. Zachry was the Regimental Commander of the 27th Georgia Infantry Regiment from the Battle of Antietem until the end of the war. The 27th Regiment filed an accident report, but we have not seen it nor do we know the particulars.

      John, if you have anything further on Col. Zachry’s roll in the battles of Chancellorsville and Wilderness, please add it.

    • John Atkins says:

      Sorry, but no war information on him, except what I posted on ancestry – information and photos saved by my maternal gm. I was surprised to find that some of the Zachry kin, including his son, J Greer, had highly successful careers in NYC. Wondered how they pulled that off.

    • John Atkins says:

      Col C T Zachry’s brother, Lyman H Zachry, was a private in the 27th Georgia. He was not the success that the colonel was. He is buried in Roswell, NM.
      http://www.findagrave.com Memorial# 24183555 .

  35. Christy D says:

    My gggrandpa was James Hamilton Dowdle who fought for the 26 Inf. Co. F Alabama and is listed on the Roll of Honor for this battle. Listed as gallantry on the battlefield.

  36. John McGinley says:

    My great ancestor, Keith Boswell was the engineering aide de camp for Stonewall and was killed in the friendly fire fusillade that killed them both.

  37. Desiree St. Paul Wegmann says:

    Deo Vindice!

  38. Wendy Irvin says:

    Stephen Maloy from F Company, 50th Georgia Infantry was there.

  39. Bob Bosch says:

    My great great grand father Daniel Kinsley Co.K 88th Pennsylvania Volunteer infantry was wounded at Chancellorsville on May 3,1863. He also was a member of the 23rd Pa. Company A ,a three month regiment ,his first action was at Falling Waters.
    He mustered in : August 29,1861 and Mustered out with the Pa. 88th June 30,1865. he died April 28,1916 and is buried at Fernwood cemetery in Delaware county Pa.

  40. Scot Hux says:

    My GGG Uncle was in the front of Jacksons flank attack with the 12 th NC infantry in Iversons Brigade, Rhodes Division. Jesse E Hux was nominated for Gallantry in this battle
    and placed on the Roll of Honor, although he never got his badge, his hometown area paper put it in the local papers sometime later. His record in this battle is in Clarks 1900
    several regiments and battalions from North Carolina which covers each regiment from NC and written by survivors in the 1890’s, some by officers but a lot by privates. He is identified as JC Hicks instead of Jesse Hux but in the roll of honor in Richmond they wrote his name correct. He also survived the slaughter of Iversons brigade at Gettysburg, fought the rest of the battle with Ramsuers brigade. At Spotsylvania court house he was in Gordon’s division and was present during Gordon’s Lee to the rear and then counter attack to retake the Mule shoe
    That Maj Gen Ed Johnsons division was wiped out and 90% captured.
    His regiment along with Ramsuer’s were called out by Robert E Lee for saving the Confederacy in that counter
    attack that many veterans said was the worst battle of the war. Jesse was shot in the knee and spent 6 months in Chimbazo hospital in Richmond as never recovered from that wound which crippled him for life. That 2nd corps of the Army of NVA would later
    Go to the valley in June and cross the Potomac, fight at Monacacy, almost captured D.C. Then fought Sheridan
    At 3rd Winchester, Fishers Hill and Cedar Creek out numbered by 40,000
    men on average for Sheridan while Earlys men never exceeded 15,000,
    + the Yankees had the 7 shot Spencer carbines by then, what that 2 Corp did
    Against all those odds surely had old Stonewall smiling from Heaven. The 2nd Corp was called the Stonewall division and those men had to fight the Yankees just to get commisary! Most were barefoot and had little more than their britches to wear. I think those raggedy looking men of Lee’s were the
    Hardest fighting Army in the United States. Never whipped, just worn down.!

  41. A C Clyburn says:

    My GG Uncle W C Caston, 18th MS Co H was there.

  42. Nancy Fosburgh says:

    My 2X great grandfather, James L. Walker, who was listed as a blacksmith in the 1860 Iredell Co. NC census, was conscripted into the army on 6 Aug. 1862. He served as a private in Company H, 4th Regiment of the North Carolina Infantry (State Troops). He was killed at the Battle of Chancellorsville, VA on 3 May 1863. James, the son of Milas Walker and Elizabeth Moss, was 28 years old at the time of his death. He left a widow, Sarah Huie Walker, and young daughter, Mary Ellen. Mary Ellen Walker Crouch was my great grandmother. I have not been able to locate James’ place of burial.

  43. john devane lindsay was in the battle at chancellorsville. his wounds sent him home for several weeks. while home his wife became pregnant.

  44. Skipper Jones says:

    My great grandfather, James T Jones fought with the 13th MS aka Newton Rifles. He was wounded in the right lung at Fredricksburg during the Battle of Chancellorsville. Amazingly , he survived to my good fortune as he didn’t get married & have kids until after the war.

  45. herbert Marshall Jenkins says:

    I’m from W.V. & I have relative’s who fought on both sided, Stonewall was a distant cousin to me on my G-G-grandmother “Marshall’s” side of the family. Ironically her 2nd husband. James “Coe” Stanley Private, Co. E, 11th Regiment, (West) Virginia Infantry died in a Fredericksburg Hospital from chronic diarrhea and pneumonia on Jan. 1st. 1865.

  46. Donna Furman says:

    William Henry Shute, Company F, North Carolina 2nd Infantry Regiment. Enlisted on 27 May 1861. Killed May 3, 1863 at Chancellorsville. Aged 29. Great-great uncle.

  47. paula thom says:

    MY GGGrandfather, Laurence Bruton was in the 107th from PA, i think he was in Fredricksburg, but not at this battle, he was wounded, bur survived. TY for the info.

  48. Peter Chancellor Collins says:

    Chancellorsville: My family’s farm. My maternal grandmothers maiden name was Chancellor (Marion Louise Chancellor, daughter of William Brown Chancellor). When the battles were raging, as the family story goes, the family left the house and farm, packing what they could. They left the family silverware in a giant tree (hollow inside), and returned after the battle to retrieve it, and it was still there. My grandmother had one of the spoons, and passed it along. The house itself was taken over as a field hospital, but was later burned down. The foundations remain.

    • Rick Lowe says:

      I live 2 miles from the site of your ancestral home which is at the corner of Plank Road(Rt 3) and Ely’s Ford Road, and pass by the foundation remains almost daily. Thanks for sharing.

    • Tom R. says:

      That’s a fascinating family link to this battle!
      I recently discovered that I had two relatives (via marriage), Lt. Gen. Stonewall Jackson and Brig. Gen. Elisha Franklin Paxton and one via blood, Col. James Charles Sheffield McDowell die during this campaign.

  49. A A Bowen says:

    My ancestor, William Dunbar Holder, was Colonel of the Mississippi 17th Infantry. His left femur had been fractured by a minie ball at Malvern Hill in July 1862. His recovery took eight months, and his leg was permanently shortened, but he returned to his command in March 1863 in time to lead his regiment in the Battle of Chancellorsville. His military career ended at Gettysburg when he received a belly wound, but he survived, going on to serve as one of Mississippi’s representatives in the Confederate Congress and later as State Auditor of Mississippi.

  50. Caroline Bleil says:

    My great-great-grandfather,Charles Lanzendorfer, who served in a German-speaking Union unit from Illinois, the 82nd Illinois Infantry, was wounded in the Battle of Chancellorsville and sent home. It was an injury that plagued him for the rest of his life.

  51. Jon Gordon Vreeland says:

    Pvt Henry C. Vreeland 22nd NJ Volunteers made the “Mud March” to Chancellorville. He was my Great Grandfather.

  52. Cheryl Dawn Dixon says:

    Pvt. Stephen Spencer West, 23rd Infantry Company I North Carolina. Died May 2, 1863 in the Battle of Chancellorsville. He is buried in the Confederate Cemetery in Fredericksburg, VA in an unmarked grave. He is also located in the book, Rooster of the Dead and on the wall at the Chancellorsville Information Center. He is my 2x great grandfather. Very proud of him.

    • as you should be! my great grandfather was in Co.A,Washington Light Infantry,Hampton’s Legion;was just reading about him in the latest SCV magazine,Confederate Veteran,”The Life and Letters of James Conner”by Karen Stokes-he was my great grandfather’s commanding officer,and describing Seven Pines,said”Poor Coffin is badly wounded,and Charlie Hutson,i fear,killed on the field.”
      Luckily for for me wasn’t! However unluckily for him,he was captured,exchanged in ’63

    • John Lee says:

      Hey Cheryl, that’s great that you know about your GG Grandfather. I have relatives (Virginia) who fought, some who lived, and some who died. Its awe inspiring to think of what they went throught. The South suffered so much, and your GG Grandmother lost her husband, as many women did. May the good Lord be looking out for all of them. Americans like us still have that part of them inside us I believe- I hope we see them again someday… all the best John C. Lee

    • R.Dean Cornwell says:

      I also am proud of him

    • Tolford Young says:

      Dean, we all should honor our military deceased as you just did. Thank you,

      From a Maine Yankee,

      Tod

  53. Dennis Ruane says:

    Sgt Frederick Christmann, 41st NY Volunteer Infantry fought at Chancellorsville. The following month he was injured at Gettysburg, but served out his enlistment and mustered out in 1864. He enlisted at age 41 having previously served in the Schleswig-Holstein war in Europe. He was my Great Great Grandfather.

    • Tolford Young says:

      Thank you for recognizing your GGF’s valiant service, Dennis.

      From a Maine Yankee,

      Tod

  54. John Beck says:

    My maternal Gt Grandfather, Sgt. Horace C. Wood, was born in 1829. He lived and worked on a family farm in Sussex County, NJ. before mustering in as a 3 year volunteer with Co K, 15th NJ Infantry on 25 August 1862.

    While in transit from NJ to southern war zones via railroad, the 15th was dropped off in Washington, DC where they marched past the partially completed nation’s capitol on the way to Tennallytown, MD north of the city where, during September, 1863 they would complete construction of Ft. Kearney, one of the perimeter forts protecting Washington from Confederate invasion at the time.

    By late October, the 15th had relocated to Falmouth, VA, on the heights across the Rappahannock River (above Fredericksburg).
    The 15th NJ would participate in the 1st Battle of Fredericksburg, followed by winter camp at White Oak Church until the spring of 1863 when the Fredricksburg II campaign (aka Chancellorsville) was begun.

    Horace was wounded 3 May 1863 (at the Battle of Salem Church). That he happened to be in the vicinity of the events of 2 May 1863 when General Stonewall Jackson was taken out by his own troops still astounds me. Following transfer to a Convalescent Hospital in the DC vicinity, Horace spent roughly 3 1/2 months in recovery before new orders were issued transferring him to the newly formed Invalid Corp (Veteran Reserve Corp-VRC) where he would complete the remaining two years of his enlistment.

    Subsequent Muster Rolls never specified his exact duties with the VRC.. Yet the aggregate of his VRC service, depicted by the duty stations shown on those Muster Rolls suggest that he might have been utilized in various GUARD or patrol functions.

    Horace’s 1st post hospital assignment dated 15 Aug 1863 shows him stationed at Ft. Schuyler, NY for roughly two weeks. At that time, thousands of Union Troops were relocated to the NY City area to quell the infamous “Draft Riots” then occurring – (the rules of the original draft allowing those of means to pay someone else to take their place – in turn inciting serious rioting).

    Among the troops bought to the NYC area were battle hardened veterans of the just completed Battle of Gettysburg. Had he not been wounded at Salem Church, Horace would have been at Gettysburg – and who knows, might have been one of the Gettysburg survivors sent to NYC to quell the draft riots.

    On 27 Aug 1863, Muster Rolls find Horace stationed at Camp Rush, Washington, DC. This small camp like so many others was used for temporary hospitalization, barracks for those on duty or as bivouacs for those passing through. What made Camp Rush noteworthy for Horace is that it was physically positioned on what is now the ELLIPSE in front of the White House. Thus, for the few days he was temporarily encamped there, Horace got to be part of a brief moment in history – where he could see the uncompleted White House on one side and off in the distance, next to the cow pens housing thousands of head of cattle to feed all the troops, a foundation for what would become our Washington Monument.

    For the last four months of 1863 and first eleven months of 1864 Muster rolls confirm that Horace was part of Co. C, 6th Regiment, VRC – apparently stationed somewhere in Washington, DC, there being no other evidence of his being stationed elsewhere.

    Muster rolls for Horace’s final year of service show frequent reassignments. The 3 Dec 1864 Muster roll show him continuing with Co. C, 6th Regt., VRC – but transferred to Johnson’s Island to protect against possible Confederate raids from Canada. Then a 17 Dec 1864 roll shows assignment to Co A, 1st Regt, VRC – Camp Chemung, the infamous Union Prison Camp at Elmira, NY, The Muster roll for 17 Feb 1865 again shows him at Elmira. Based on what has been written about the Elmira prison camp conditions, perhaps almost as dreadful a place for members of the VRC as for those being held prisoner there.

    Special Order 104 “relieved Sergt. H.C.Wood from the Calling Roll in the Military Prison at Johnson’s Island”. He next appeared on a Muster OUT roll dated 22 June 1865 at Halls Hill, VA. Honorable discharge occurred 29 Aug 1865 at Cincinnati, OH.

    Horace left the service with the rank of 1st Sgt. He had not been paid since Feb, 1865 so was due six months back wages plus the $ 75 balance of the $ 100 bounty per terms of his original three year enlistment,

    But, not before the War Dept deducted $ 6 to cover the cost of “one Enfield Rifle musket and one set of equipments”. His service record had its share of minor blemishes. In late 1863, he was demoted – “1st Sgt. to the ranks – for drunkeness”.
    Then there were the deductions of $ 1.40 for two lost vices, and the $0.04 for one lost bugle. Compared to some, Horace did well and would eventually work his way back to the rank of Sgt.

    His war wound left him with the loss of a finger and ulner nerve damage in one arm – a progressive condition that led to eventual inability to work. Medical application \ eligibility for an $ 8\month disability pension provided modest support to the family. As his condition worsened, Horace would apply yearly for an increase. It would be years before he received one.

    Horace married Louisa Ellett in 1867. Only the youngest of their three children, Minnie Eleanor, born in 1875 survived. Following Horace’s passing in 1883, Louisa was able to secure a widow’s pension until her death in 1909. Minnie Eleanor, the surviving child of Louisa & Horace passed away in 1941.

    • Dennis Vaughan says:

      Wow! You brought this personal saga to life with brilliant prose and emotion. Thank you very much. May we never see brothers fight brothers again.

    • Ed Peterson says:

      Thanks John for that great piece of History. I’m more of a WWII history buff or what I really be saying is I don’t know Jack about the Civil War with the exception of the Battle of Gettysburgh. I’m guessing the importance of the Civil War is probably the most important war this country ever fought excluding the Revolutionary War.
      My Maternal Grandmother, who was born in 1880, had family ,the Fagan’s and the Kilbride’s who lived in NY’s lower East Side that had fought in the Civil War.

    • Robert Hand says:

      Terry, that is absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful link, and may G-d bless both you and Dixie! Deo Vindice!

  55. Barbara Reese says:

    Fantastic story and so complete!

  56. Katy Zero says:

    My Great Great Grandfather PVT Harvey Correll 27th Indiana Infantry B Co. fought and was injured at the Battle of Chancellorsville.

  57. Cheryl Leitzsey Kasprzyk says:

    My 2x great grandfather Jacob Godfrey Leitzsey (Litzsey) was taken prisoner at Five Forks and sent to Point Look Out in Maryland in June 1865. He was released and sent to another prison in Petersburg, Va where he died of chronic diarrhea in July 1865. He was buried “in the vicinity of the hospital”. He left 9 children in South Carolina who would sneak behind the Union lines and steal grain to plant. He fought in Holcombes Legion, from Newberry, SC. His nephew fought at Gettysburg and Manassas, was wounded 4 times.

    • Susan Mason says:

      He is probably buried in Blandford as that would be in the vicinity of the old hospital. I have quite a few ancestors that fought on both sides of the Civil War. My Great Grandfather, Alexander Robert Rives, survived the war and is buried outside of Petersburg in Ettrick Cemetery, Chesterfield Co., VA. in our Rives Family Square but there is a Confederate Veterans Memorial Square there for all those buried in unknown plots there (over 100) created by David Wright, SCV and dedicated with Color Guard and Honors in a formal ceremony. This was in Oct. 2014 as I recall but the year could be off a year or two. I can look it up if anyone needs to know. All markers were supplied by the SCV and David Wright with names and any known info. Quite a wonderful accomplishment.

    • Tolford Young says:

      Thank you for your public memorial to your GGF2. Well deserved.

      A Maine Yankee,

      Tod

  58. My great great grandfather Levi Jesse Bryant fought for the Wisconsin 3rd Infantry and was wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville. His right arm was amputated but he recovered and mustered out of the Union Army in August 1863. He worked for the War Department for the rest of the war.
    I visited the Chancellorsville Battlefield in September 2015 and Park Ranger Frank O’Reilly was on duty. Frank has studied the battle for years and has written about it in great detail. He is a dramatic story-teller who makes history come alive with his captivating, detailed account of events. When I mentioned that one of my ancestors lost an arm at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Frank was able to show me on the maps of the battlefield exactly where the Wisconsin 3rd was located during each day of the battle. Based on that and what he knew of the battle, he was also able to predict which day and where it is likely that my ancestor was wounded.
    Based on the position of Levi Bryant’s unit, Frank was also able to add details about my GG grandfather’s military service. The Wisconsin 3rd was at the front of the fighting on two of the three days. From their position on May 1st at the beginning of the battle, Frank could tell that they were likely to be a group of highly trained skirmishers who had a lot of experience being in the forefront of battles. They were specifically trained to go out and engage the enemy in skirmishes instead of firing from behind fortified positions. I felt very proud of my ancestor’s bravery and skill and thankful that he survived the War.

    • Sorry – it was his left arm that was amputated – just like Stonewall Jackson, but with a more favorable outcome.

    • Susan Beeler Anderson says:

      We had a similar experience when we stopped at Chancellorsville many years ago. Frank O’Reilly was able to determine the approximate location where our ancestor fell. He also directed us to the Confederate Cemetery in Frederickburg where we were very fortunate to find our ancestor’s name on a marker. The majority of stones were unmarked.

  59. John Hall says:

    2nd Lt. William Woodson, Adjutant, 7th North Carolina Infantry, 4th Brigade A.P. Hill’s Light Division, Jackson’s Corps. Born 1842 in Columbia, MO, he died in Shreveport, LA in 1909. He is my 2nd great grandfather.

    • Tolford Young says:

      Thank you, John, for your public memorial honoring your GGF2.

      A Maine Yankee,

      Tod

  60. Phyllis Clark says:

    My great grandfather was private Peter Wesley Hicks Co M 55th Regiment Virginia Infantry.
    He was capturedMay 3, 1863 at Fredericksburg Va he was paroled at headquarters, Army of the Potomac. He was forwarded on May 4 th 1863 to Washington DC and was sent toCity Point Va may 10 th where he was exchanged May 13 th and received by a Confederate agent

    • Tolford Young says:

      Phyllis, my great grand uncle, Sgt. Tolford Durham, experienced the same at Gettysburg – in the opposite direction! I believe those 2 men were both “heroes” – yours & mine.

      A Maine Yankee,

      Tod

    • Susan Mason says:

      I lived in Fredricksburg (*Chancellorsville) near the battlefield in the mid 70s and Manassas before that in 1970-72, but I lived in City Point, (outside Hopewell) Va. for 30 yrs on the banks of the Appomattox River where it joins the James River at Appomattox Manor Plantation. Full of early history and I have 3 genuine indian heads I found on our beach front there in front of our home. There is a cemetery nearby also where many of the Civil War soldiers are buried from both sides. I used to sit and look out and wonder about all those years ago and that war. Grant’s cabin is on the same location it originally stood at the end of the war alongside a picture of the original cabin. The tree next to it was only a sapling at the time and is still there full grown all these years later. We loved living there but when we retired at the end of 2010 we downsized and relocated to Florida. We have been back on trips since then. Just thought someone might be interested in that part of the war as it is today.

  61. Leslie Parish says:

    Pvt. John C. Twombly and Pvt. George W. Twombly both of Company D, 12th NH Regiment, wounded on May 3rd. John was captured by the Confederates when they overran the aid station, had his arm amputated, and was repatriated on May 15th in a prisoner exchange. He was discharged in September due to his wounds. George was reassigned to the Invalid Corps, and eventually worked at the POW camp in New York state until the end of the war. George was my great grandfather, and John my great-great grandfather. John lied about his age to get into the war, making himself seven years younger than he actually was.

  62. Nathalie C. says:

    My husband and son are first cousins of Stonewall Jackson, several generations removed (5 times for my husband, 6 times for our son). They share Colonel Edward Jackson as a grandfather (Stonewall’s dad and my husband’s fourth ggrandmother were siblings). There had always been a rumor in the family that Stonewall Jackson was somehow related but no one had any proof. Unaware of the rumor myself, I was able to confirm this when I worked on his family tree. Growing up in France, “Stonewall Jackson” was a name that I knew from my brother who was fascinated by the American Civil War when we were kids and so I was aware of his importance in American history. It was a big surprise when I uncovered his name in my husband’s family tree.

    • bojeol50 says:

      Did he have a sister Nancy Jackson

    • bojeol50 says:

      We had ancestors that 2 brothers fought against each other

    • Nathalie C. says:

      Do you mean did Stonewall have a sister named Nancy? Not according to my resources. However, two of his first cousins were named Nancy: Nancy Elizabeth Jackson (1843-1922) who married David Jackson Hays, and Nancy Norris Jackson (1813-1892) who married Minor Carr Hall.

  63. Susan Beeler Anderson says:

    “As I stood at the grave of Lt. Andrew F. Paul, Confederate, 7th Tennessee Infantry, I wondered if I was the first family member to find his grave. He had enlisted in the Tennessee infantry but his parents and family lived in Texas. And here I was, standing at his grave in Fredericksburg, Virginia, a hundred and thirty three years later. Whatever remnant of identification that survived the original battlefield grave had been transferred to this marker in the Confederate Cemetery in Fredericksburg. The error “ S. F. Paul, Lt. Tenn” instead of “A. F. Paul, Lt. Tenn” made me question whether this was my ancestor’s grave. Subsequent research confirmed that it was his grave. No other soldier with that surname had fallen at Chancellorsville.
    Having answered that question, I began to think about what it might have been like to have a son, father or brother die so far from home. How did they receive the word of his death? What might have helped them cope with their loss?”
    (this is an excerpt from one of my stories about Andrew Franklin Paul, a member of Archer’s Brigade, who was killed at Chancellorsville.

    • David Pass says:

      My great great grandfather was also in the 7th TN. He survived the warehouse somehow , probably being wounded and captured the first day at Gettisburg saved him. Please let me know how to get a copy of your stories if possible.
      Not much I’ve been able to find on the 7th.
      Thanks

    • David Pass says:

      Please forgive the spelling, small screen and big fingers don’t mesh.
      The 7th mustered a lot of there numbers at Suggs Creek near Mt. Juliet a few miles west of Nashville. A lot of folks went to Texas from there before and after the war. Had both in our family.

  64. Susan Mills Montelius says:

    Mygreatgreatgrandfather Robert B Mills, was in the 37th NY Infantry. He was taken prison for 1 month at Chancellorville.

  65. Michael T. Hutson Sr. says:

    would the person Michael Hutson who commented on 7 May,2017 12:08 PM please contact me. My name is Michael Hutson i can be reached at [email protected]

  66. Ethan Myers says:

    I had at least two ancestors there. One in the Fluvanna Artillery (Nelson’s) and the other in the 49th Va infantry. If the 51st Va was there that would make three.

    • Mildred Brady Venitucci says:

      Please email me what you know about Fluvanna. My Bryant ancestors left Powhoton, Fluvanna, VA in the 1840s and arrived in TN by 1845. Maybe you could suggest some links for me.

  67. Brandon Lummus says:

    I lost my 3rd Great Grandfather at the Battle of Chancellorsville as we lost a great General, Jackson! It was a sad time!

  68. Dolores (Hook) Gheen says:

    I lost a my great grandfather in Chancellorsville ( Andrew Berryhill Hook) and can not seem to find any more info other than he was in 110th Regiment, PA Infantry Co H and that he died May 13, 1863.

    • Tom R. says:

      I did a preliminary search on Ancestry.com and was able to find some documents on your relative, such as the enlistment record, record of death (all handwritten), which mentioned the location of the wound as “U.S.(Upper Side?) Chest”, death certificate of one of his sons, census reports, history of 110th PA Regiment, etc.
      If you would like me to send you those files, just provide an e mail address and I’ll copy and send them to you. I hope the information will fill in some of the blanks on your ancestor.

    • Scot Hux says:

      Where you write U.S. It is most likely
      V.S. Which is the description of a gunshot wound back at that time.

      That V.S. Gun Shot abbreviation was
      used by both sides during the war

    • Tom R. says:

      I did a preliminary search on Ancestry.com and was able to find some documents on your relative, such as the enlistment record, record of death (all handwritten), which mentioned the location of the wound as “U.S.(Upper Side?) Chest”, death certificate of one of his sons, census reports, history of 110th PA Regiment, etc.
      If you would like me to send you those files, just provide an e mail address and I’ll copy and send them to you. I hope the information will fill in some of the blanks on your ancestor.

      Scot- re. your comment on U.S.: I can rationalize that may actually be a “V.S.” wound of the chest, but I have not determined what that abbreviation stands for, any ideas? Possibly some reference to the viscera (V.S.), the soft internal organs?

    • VS? Could it mean Volley Shot? More meaningful to a military mind studying losses. Just a guess.

  69. Jack L Adams says:

    I had 3 GRT GRT grandfathers that fought in the Confederate army and one was killed in Virginia his home state, one from NC and 1 from Kentucky both survived. I had 8 GRT GRT grt uncles that also fought from Kentucky that all survived, I will always hold their pride close that each had for the South. There is so much backlash from people now but it still makes me proud that they fought and none of my relatives were slave owners.

  70. Duane D. says:

    Natalie C – There is a book titled Colonel Edward Jackson 1759 – 1828 Revolutionary Soldier by Nancy Ann Jackson and Linda Brake Myers that I’m certain you would find very interesting regarding the history and genealogy of the Jackson family. I doubt it is in print and might be difficult to find. I also am a cousin 4 times removed to Stonewall.

    • Theron P. Snell says:

      Hi…

      For out of print and used books, try ABE books.co

      I have found a great of material this way…and it provides multiple listings when available from multiple sellers in the USA, Canada, the UK and Germany…maybe Australia as well.

    • Nathalie C. says:

      Thanks, I do own a copy of this book 🙂

  71. Theron P. Snell says:

    Oops. that is ABE BOOKS.com

  72. Pvt John H. Brubaker, Co. H, 3rd Virginia Infantry, Stonewall Brigade was apparently in Jackson’s surprise flank attack on the Union right.

    • Typo. 33rd VA infantry, not 3rd.

    • Scott Hottle says:

      Lt. James Morgan Hottel, Lt. Abraham Hottel…Co. C, 33rd Virginia are descendents…Abraham survived the war, hit in belt buckle at 2nd Manassas, and had a chunk of shell take off part of his nose at the Mule Shoe, Spotsylvania….

  73. Will Boyd says:

    My great great grandfather (same name) was a Captain in the cavalry under JEB Stuart. Had to provide his own horse, servants, and arms. Lost the horse and was wounded at Gettysburg, so when he recovered and the CSA would not supply a horse, was transferred to the Richmond Howitzers until he could buy another one. Little known fact, at Gettysburg, there were 10 thousand servants (some CSA officers had 1, some wealthier as many as 3) brought along. They provided a lot of intel to the Union about Lee’s troop strength, plans, and conditions.

  74. Susan Mason says:

    To follow up to my earlier comment I didn’t note my great grandfather’s Confederate service so I want to add that now: Alexander Robert Rives enlisted in Norfolk, VA to 16th Regiment, Co. B and fought in many battles surviving them all and returning to his home in VA. As for the Battle of Chancellorsville, he fought with his Regiment April 30, May 1 and May 3, 1863. He is a hero in our family and is buried in our Rives Family Square, Ettrick Cemetery, Ettrick, Chesterfield Co., VA with his daughter and other family members.

  75. Tolford Young says:

    My Grand-uncle Tolford Durham, served in the 4th Maine Infantry, Co. A, enlisting in June 1861 with his brother, Joseph. Joe went in Co. F. Tolford made Corporal before Chancellorsville, then to Sgt. just before the march to Gettysburg where he was captured July ’63. He & 7 other captured Sgts. were paroled, then mustered out in July ’64. He subsequently suffered from what is now known as combat-induced PTSD.

  76. Paul Muller says:

    My 2nd great-grandfather, Julius P. Hagerty, along with three of his brothers, served in the 3rd Alabama Infantry. Julius was wounded at the Battle of Seven Pines in 1862, but survived after a long convalescence. He returned to duty in 1864, serving as a captain with the 61st Alabama Infantry Regiment. Of the four brothers, only one was lost during the war: Pvt. Philip Hagerty, G Co., 3rd Alabama Infantry, died at the Battle of Chancellorsville, and is buried in the Confederate Cemetery in Fredericksburg, VA.

  77. John Crandell says:

    If not for the extraordinary command, control and inspiration exerted by W.S. Hancock this wouldn’t have been a defeat for Hooker, rather, the Union side would have been annihilated before it could get back across the river. Hancock’s accomplishment paved the way, enabled Lee’s northern invasion seven weeks later and there’d otherwise never have been a battle at Gettysburg. Although it was a defeat, Hancock was the northern hero of that battle, equal to his leadership on all three days at the battle in Pennsylvania. If Hooker’s force had been decimated, Lee would have advanced directly on Washington.

    • Will Boyd says:

      Lee might have advanced on Washington except he feared reinforcements were headed from there to Gettysburg. He relied on JEB Stuart to scout that area, but JEB decided not to do it. Lee was not happy about that.

    • John Crandell says:

      Why would Union reinforcements have been dispatched from the Capital to Gettysburg approximately six weeks before Lee’s army crossed the Potomac at Harper’s Ferry?

  78. Stephanie Charlot says:

    My 4th great grandfather, George Harpham, fought with the 7th Ohio infantry, which was at Chancellorsville.

    In looking for info about his involvement at Gettysburg (because my son was going there on a school trip), I discovered that George Harpham was discharged for “disability” in May 1863. Makes me wonder if he was injured at Chancellorsville? He did qualify for a Civil War pension during the years when it was still required to show that one’s disability was directly related to one’s service, but I have not had the chance to get the documents to see details. Hope to do that someday soon!

    • Theron P. Snell says:

      Hi…

      Was George at Cedar Mountain in August 1962?

      AND, in what Company did he serve?

      I have long been fascinated by the 7th OVI ever since I found a grave of Theron Haight, who died of his wounds at Cedar Mountain….same first name and it caught my attention in the grave yard.

    • Susan Mason says:

      Yes! I would definately say that Theron is a VERY unusual name and I have never hear it before. Do you have a family tree you are working on in Ancestry.com? If not, maybe you should do at least the free trail on it to investigate further. Anyone in your family know where you got your first name from? I always wondered where my sister got her first son’s name from Lamont. Never heard it before until later years only to learn while doing research on my Dad’s side of the tree that my Dad;s baby brother was named Lamont who died at birth. He was named for the physician that attended his birth and following days of life. I found that so fascinating and you may also find something equally interesting. My interest in my ancestry came unfortunately after my parents had passed or I could have leaned that from my Dad. Good luck

    • Stephanie Charlot says:

      From what I have found (not official documents), George Harpham seems to have entered the service in late August 1862, so that would be after Cedar Mountain. It sounds like they lost many men in that battle; I presume they needed replacements. George was about 38 in 1862 — a family man — so perhaps he joined only when the need became acute.

      He would have fought at Antietam and Chancellorsville.

  79. Will Boyd says:

    ??? Why would the battle of Gettysburg happen 6 weeks before Lee crossed the Potomac John?

    • John Crandell says:

      Key sentence – your’s, previous:
      “Lee might have advanced on Washington except he feared reinforcements were headed from there to Gettysburg.”

      At the time frame of Chancellorsville?

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      I had a gggrandfather and a gguncle in the 12th Virginia Infantry and our family later lost Uncle Edward “Ned” Hall in 1864 at Bradshaws Farm.
      All of my life, from a very early age (I am now 62) I have been a student of our American Civil War, or the War of Rebilliin, or The War of Yankee Aggression (depending on your viewpoint) and I consider myself to have a better than average knowledge of many aspects and events.
      Yes, unfortunately some are not true students of the War which has defined us and have attitudes and offer comments based more from conjecture instead of fact.
      I would highly recommend reading works authored by true historians such as Douglas Southall Freeman, Bruce Canton, Edward Bearess and Shelby Foote to gain a really solid, true and basic understanding of the individual battles as well as the volatile social and economic situations which were in place from about 1858 to the disaster of Reconstruction. That said, allow me to offer the generally upheld opinion that there was no chance that our great General Lee even remotely considered a march on Washington after the events at Chancellorsville. The Commanding General immediately fully realized the impact of the loss of General Jackson and reacted with horror when he learned of the amputation of General Jacksons arm. At that point General Lee absolutely realized that the Army was in no way able to sustain an invasion of the North at that immediate time. He also knew that even the wounding of General Jackson would take him from the Operational Theatre and would create a deep void to fill; and then the unanticipated death of Jackson was devastating to General Lee.
      Reorganizing the command structure of the Army became the top priority and only then moving Northward was possible.

    • Susan Mason says:

      Thank you Bill for sharing your vast knowledge on the subject. It has gotten so twisted these days with this political correctness farce and just the facts please as Sgt. Joe Friday on Dragnet would say.

    • John Hall says:

      Speaking of the facts, it is important to note that following the Battle of Chancellorsville (April 27 -May 6, 1863) the Union and Confederate armies were in a virtual standoff near Fredericksburg. This is important in context because Fredericksburg is situated roughly equal distance between the contemporary capitals of Washington & Richmond. It was less than one month after the Battle of Chancellorsville, on June 3rd, 1863 that Lee issued orders for the northern offensive into Maryland and Pennsylvania and began his march westward out of Fredericksburg and through the Shenandoah Valley. Hooker, wise to Lee’s movement west, sent Gen. Alfred Pleasonton and 11,000 men (including 7,000 cavalry) on the chase. Pleasonton’s cavalry clashed with Stuart’s cavalry at Brandy Station in one of the largest cavalry battles of the war. It was following the Battle at Brandy Station that Hooker, knowing that Lee’s entire Army of Northern Virginia was heading north, recommended to Lincoln that the Union army turn south and attack the capital of Richmond. Lincoln thought better of this strategy and ordered Hooker to send the Army of the Potomac north in pursuit of Lee. Less than one month following the Battle of Brandy Station, on July 1st, the two armies would meet again on McPherson Ridge just west of Gettysburg.

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      Thank you both Susan and John.

      And for everyone, please keep in mind that the 1863 Northern Campaign as first developed by General Lee was focused on Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His objectives were the multiple railroad bridges spanning the Susquehanna River (reports vary but 7 bridges seem to have been operational in May, 1863). These bridges provided a lifeline of men, livestock and material to the Federal Armies operating in the Southern theatre.
      Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtain may have been the most dedicated and proactive of all Northern Governors at the time, he was tireless and relentless in putting pressure on local municipalities to provide recruits and farmers to provide fresh beef-on-the-hoof and fresh vegetables for the Army.
      General Lee was very keenly aware of this and knew that if his Army could destroy these bridges and temporarily disrupt the flow of supplies overland to the South it would provide the Confederate armies time to regroup and then apply pressure against Baltimore or even Philadelphia in addition to causing panic among the Northern population.

      This was apparently the reasoning behind General James Longstreet being such an antagonist during what would become the Gettysburg Campaign; he was fully aware of the original plan and that the plan never called for a major battle or an occupation. Rather, it was originally designed to totally disrupt the Northern plan of pursuing the capture of Richmond and indeed, to totally disrupt the entire Northern campaign season in the summer and fall of 1863. The logic was that if General Lee could temporarily neutralize the Northern War effort, get between the great Northern cities and the Army of the Potomac which was then in Virginia and isolate it there thru the winter, then the Southern Ambassadors in Great Britain and France could prove that the Southern Confederacy was viable and self sustaining and those European powers would still intervene on behalf of the South in spite of The Emancipation Proclamation issued after Sharpsburg/Antietam. The “John Bulls” in England were hoping that the Davis Administration would accept the condition of the end of slavery as a negotiated point leading to recognition of the Confederate States of America by Great Britain and then France.

      All of these plans were thrown away of course through the events developed from the Battle of Brandy Station when Union General Alfred Pleasanton’s Troopers gained such confidence that General John Buford was emboldened to deploy his unsupported Brigade and fight as dismounted Calvary in those early desperate hours on 1 July 1863, as the advanced units of the Army of Northern Virginia first concentrated on roads leading over McPhersons and Herrs Ridges outside of Gettysburg.
      And so the Battle of Gettysburg developed and then spun out of control because 5 major roads led into Gettysburg and provided reasonably easy travel for artillery and wagons for both armies and because General JEB Stuart was not on hand to personally direct the Confederate Calvary; there still were enough Confederate Troopers to adequately scout ahead of the Army and mask the movements of the Army but General Lee trusted Stuart like no other and was handicapped by his absence.

      One can only wonder “what if” Stonewall was not dead and was still in command of his old Second Corps instead of Richard Ewell?

      Would The Battle of Gettysburg ever even have occurred?!

    • John Crandell says:

      I have Jackson’s photo mounted out on my porch, to humor my next door neighbor who looks just like he looked in that photo. Unfortunate that as compared to his service at Gettysburg, Hancock’s accomplishment at Chancellorsville has remained in the shadows and is relatively unknown.

      After regrouping, would Lee have directed his army into the Shenandoah and then invaded the north if his forces had managed to decimate Hooker’s army
      63 miles south of Washington, D.C.? If his regroupments was sufficient as to allow the invasion at Harper’s Ferry, where would he have crossed his army if Hooker’s army had become inert, if substantial numbers of Union troops had been killed or surrendered being unable to escape across the river?

      Otherwise, the old legend re. Hancock, Armistead and Garnett – about the farewell event in California at the Hancock residence in June of 1861 – used so effectively by Michael Shaara in ‘The Killer Angels’, well, it was all a myth. However, there is a substitute story of the three (as well as Hancock’s landlord), based on primary sources. This new story is as good as the deconstructed myth; perhaps even better. For an illustrated copy (incl. citations), respondents can message me at – [email protected] and I’ll forward them a PDF copy.
      It was Jackson’s demise and Hancock’s success at Chancellorsville which enabled the engagement at Gettysburg.

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      That is a great observation John.
      I will be among the first to agree that Winfield Scott Hancock was a General who had very few equals among contemporaries and his leadership not only at at Chancellorsville but in other battles as well has been far too long overlooked and underestimated. Indeed his entire military career is well worth studying, and those that do will come to appreciate Hancock now almost as much as the common soldier did 154 years ago.

      The phrases “Hancock the Superb” and “Hancock the Magnificent” have often been applied to him and with good reason; he had that very rare ability to view a battlefield situation, size it up quickly and make decisions which were impactful and lasting. He rarely made poor decisions and was very cool under fire, he was a highly visible leader who did not panic and was able to envision the cause and effect of his immediate decisions.

      One of the best descriptions of General Hancock I ever came across was from a National Park Service Ranger who I once overheard claim that that “Hancock was able to see through the fog of war.”

      And your comment about displaying a photo of General Jackson to humor your neighbor brought a smile to my face….Well Done!!

    • John Crandell says:

      Thanks, Bill.

      With the approach of Christmas five months after Gettysburg, the Union’s Second Corps took possession of the Thom plantation near Cullpepper. Hancock continued to recuperate from his wound at his father’s home in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Corps command was established in the mansion, the boyhood home of Cameron Erskine Thom – Hancock’s next door friend and landlord who had had Hancock’s dwelling house constructed expressly for his use at Third and Main Streets in present day downtown Los Angeles. Following the death of his wife in early 1863, Thom had put all of his holdings in the name of his infant son and departed for the east to join the Confederate war of secession. With all of his family’s connections, Thom ended up at the Fish Hook at Gettysburg in the Fourth Virginia Brigade serving as an honorary captain on the staff of William ‘Extra Billy’ Smith who he had known in northern California. Thom’s father had been a childhood friend of Smith.

      And it was atop Berry Hill, the former home of his former landlord where Hancock returned to duty, resumed command of his Second Corps on March 24th, 1864 near nine months following the High Water Mark. Thereafter, Grant moved the Union army southward on its overland campaign towards Richmond. As forces departed Berry Hill, the lower rooms of the residence were filled with brush and the structure was set ablaze. The plantation slaves departed in company with the fedrerals.

      Hancock, Armistead, Garnett and Thom all had socialized at Third and Main in Los Angeles previous to June 1861. The old legend of all of them having gathered one last time in company with Almira Hancock, her report of the tearfull parting of ways was only a myth, one which she created in her memoir following her husband’s death in 1886. According to David Jordan, Hancock’s foremost biographer, she likely had destroyed all of his official papers and her publisher, Mark Twain, would surely have had no way to ascertaining the truth of her revelations. She even had suggested that George Pickett was present at the farewell reception.

      Thom and Hancock reunited only once, on the very last day of 1883. Thom was then the mayor of Los Angeles and stepped forward to welcome the warrior as he stepped from his train in the San Fernando Valley. Thom accompanied the Hancock’s into downtown and had the carraige stop at Third and Main. The roof of the dwelling house was nearly covered by a climbing rose that Hancock had originally planted. The couple burst into tears. They had departed California twenty years before at perhaps the most crucial and excrutiating point in American history. They were celebrated on New Year’s Day, 1884 as cannons rang out from Fort Moore Hill. The central business district was packed with the largest gathering of citizens in the history of the city.

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      Thanks for sharing this John, and for helping to clean up the bogus story of “the tearful goodbye” among the Generals. Also for all it is interesting to note that in the spring of 1861 Los Angeles was not a city and in fact was not much more than a small town in the process of developing and evolving from being a frontier outpost.

      This is good info, I never realized that Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) was the then contemporary biographer of the General and Mrs. Hancock.

    • John Crandell says:

      Twain was allied with a guy named Webster in publishing. Previous to Allie Hancock’s memoir, they had published that by U.S. Grant and made a killing. They lost money on the Hancock memoir though. Webster ultimately misled Twain; done ripped him off big time.

  80. Allan R. Burlison says:

    Pvt. William W. Burlison, 23rd Georgia, was in the Campaign of the Army of North Virginia from Williamsburg to Chancellorsville. He was taken prisoner (POW) and sent to Fort Delaware. Ten days later he was paroled and exchanged for Union prisoners and sent back to his unit then fighting in Florida. He returned after April, 1864 and in September 1864 enlisted in Union Army in Tennessee. He was mustered out in July 1865.
    William and Amanda Pettit were married January 6, 1866 in Gilmer County, Georgia by Rev. James Mulkey. They lived near Burnt Mountain, Georgia until after the birth of their first child.
    This information was provided by Allan Burlison, Kingfisher, Oklahoma. Allan is a great, grandson of William and Hannah Burlison. His lineage is; Allan . Howard . Solomon . William Burlison

  81. Michelle Robinson-Cory says:

    2nd Great Grandfather

    Robert J Blakely
    Residence: Occupation: Farmer
    Service Record:
    Enlisted as a Private on 18 April 1862 in Rude’s Hill at the age of 40
    Enlisted in Company E, 5th Infantry Regiment Virginia on 18 April 1862
    Hospitalized on 20 April 1862 at Lynchburg, VA
    Dropped from the rolls on 15 December 1862 at
    Returned on 12 March 1863 at
    Killed on 03 May 1863 in Chancellorsville, VA
    Sources:
    The Virginia Regimental Histories Series. (VARosterC) Published in 1987

  82. I am a cousin to Gen Philip Sheridan on my mothers side. I met his neice and my aunt in 1959 and she was a spry 98yrs I was 8. I have a cousin named Philip Sheridan. Don’t know too much of what i writing about. I should look this up

  83. Susan Mason says:

    Bill, Can you tell me anything about the Torbit’s’ Raid battle at Gordonsville, Orange Co., VA.? I have ancestors that fought on both sides of the Civil War and my George Stein Herring’s record is as follows (he was KIA there and I don’t know where he was buried) :
    Military
    Sept. 27, 1862 • Entered Union 17th Calvary Regiment Co H PA under Captain William Thompson as Corporal
    12-7-1863 Promoted Full Sgt.~6-30-1864 Promoted Full 1st Sgt-Mustered out 12-23-1864 , Torbit’s Raid, Gordonsville, VA. He is on the Pennsylvania ROLL OF HONOR~KILLED IN ACTION

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      Hi Susan,
      While I am not aware of a “Torbits Raid” this may be helpful:

      During General Grants Overland Campaign in May-June 1864 there was The Battle of Trevillian Station in June if 1864. During this battle General Union General Philip Sheridan attacked Confederate General Wade Hampton and Fitzhugh Lees Calvary with Torberts and Greggs Divisions in an extremely savage and bloody two day struggle.
      Could Torbert be your Torbit?
      The dates were June 11-12, 1864.

      I went thru one of my research notes and scrapbooks and came across this brochure info:
      Gordonsville was originally called Gordon’s Tavern and is shown as that on some maps. On the site of the original Tavern there is a museum called:
      The Exchange Hotel Civil War Museum
      400 S. Main Street,
      Gordonsville, Va.
      Phone was 540-832-2944.
      I recall that it was a really impressive multi story building that prior to the War served as a Railroad Hotel and during the War was used as a Military Hospital.

      This is a very nice area of Virginia with the Town of Orange nearby and very close to The Wilderness and not far from Chancellorsville and Salem Church.
      Nice area to visit if you have the opportunity.

      Hope this is helpful.

    • Susan Mason says:

      Oh wow, Bill, this is some great info for me to add to this particular ancestor’s war record. I do know he was taken to a nearby hospital so that is probably the one you wrote about. The names certainly could be exchanged as this is from the CW records I gleaned from Ancestry and also from a good couple of friends who do CW research, one being in the SCV at Petersburg, VA. I am from that area but we moved to Florida when we retired end of 2010 and don’t get up there much now, but the next time we do I want to visit the museum and in the meantime, one of the friends I spoke of lives in Lynchburg area and I will see if he can find more on it. You are certainly outstanding in the field of the Civil War and what a great asset you are to this site. We all thank you for sharing your vast knowledge so that we can fill in the gaps on our ancestors as much as we can. I will probably never know where my George Stein Herring is buried but from what I can find out he was not returned to PA. I want to keep this info you posted for me here and add it to his page in my ancestry tree. THANK YOU again so much. He was one of my cousins down the line.

    • Susan Mason says:

      Bill, just one thing though is that my George Stein Herring was killed in action on the 2nd day of the battle at Gordonsville 2 days before Christmas, 1864 so if this is the same battle it must have raged on or else they returned there? I wrote my other two CW buddies to see if they can shed any further light at they live in VA. If so, I will add it here.

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      Hi Susan,
      If you do find anything more please share, it is always interesting to follow and see how these avenues develop.

      That museum may be able to provide help and insight, as I remember the folks there were very helpful when I was researching the battles in the timeframe from The Wilderness to Spotsylvania.

      Also just a heads-up as a possibility, your December Battle may be known by another name; very often there were multiple names given for the same battle, even in Official Reports filed by Officers in the same Army Corps.
      We are all familiar with Antietam/Sharpsburg and some know that Boynton Plank Road and Hatchers Run are the same but then there are references to The Jerusalem Plank Road and the First Weldon Railroad Road being one and the same battle.

      Good luck, I hope that you find your answer, and closure.

    • Susan Mason says:

      OK, Bill, not to keep you tangled up with this but I just did a little more work on my George Stein Herring and I found the info below. He was buried in the National Cemetery in Culpeper, VA. Here is the record just for your information. Although I am a Southerner and side with the South, I am proud of all of my Civil War soldiers and their courageous battle, but hate the idea that my ancestors were fighting and killing each other. To me that is the saddest thing. A war that should never have had to happen, it could have been worked out in other ways but it IS history and I don’t like politically correct people trying to change it. Thanks, Bill and others for all you have contributed here.

      Name
      Sgt George Stein Herring
      Birth Date
      14 Aug 1833
      Birth Place
      Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA
      Death Date
      23 Dec 1864
      Death Place
      Gordonsville, Orange County, Virginia, USA
      Burial or Cremation Place
      Culpeper, Culpeper County, Virginia, USA

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      Hi Susan,
      Interesting info; I agree with you 100% on the “political correctness.” Let me say that I proudly fly the Stars and Stripes along with the Confederate Battle Flag and the Republic of Ireland tri-color to honor and remember my ancestors and display my heritage and convictions, I despise discrimination and really do not care what people think of my bloodlines and beliefs.

      I spend my year residing mostly in North Florida and a little in Northeastern Pennsylvania. My Confederates (Hall) came from Virginia on my Mothers paternal side. On my Mothers maternal side are Sharkeys and at least one of them went directly from his immigration point in New York to a recruiting station in The Five Points in Manhattan. Literally weeks later he wound up in The Cornfield at Gettysburg with Company K of the 81st Pennsylvania, was captured and apparently died in captivity.
      My fathers paternal side (Dougherty) came over as a result of The Famine and at least two of them were identified as Molly Maguires, incarcerated as a result and worked as miners in the Anthracite Coal Fields. They settled in the Greater Hazleton Area of Luzerne County which is a neighboring County to Schuylkill where your ancestor was born. And in Freeland, Pennsylvania near Hazleton there is a strong presence of a Herring family, some who I know.
      My fathers maternal side were also coal miners and settled along the Carbon-Schuylkill County line in Pennsylvania and at least one was also identified and persecuted as a Molly Maguire.

      Thought you would find all of this to be interesting.
      It truly is a Very Small World.

      Good luck with your continuing research.

    • Susan Mason says:

      Oh my gosh, YES! PA is my Dad’s side (Stine) and his family were from Northumberland (Mt Carmel), Schuylkilll Berks and Weisenburg, Lynn Cos. My great grandfather John Stine was inside foreman of the Reliance Colliery but none of them every worked as a miner. On the Herrings, I am flabbergasted that you actually KNOW some of them. They are all related, my Herring line goes all the way back to the daughter of my first Stein ancestor from Germany, Anthony Stein. Her name was Lydia Stein and she married Benjamin Herring in Berks Co. area. That is the line that my George Stein Herring is down from. If you can recall the names of your Herring friends and don’t mind maybe you can let me know their first names. If you rather have my email address for personal info it is [email protected] Either way is ok s with me but this is so amazing to me. I don’t have any Halls or you Irish ancestors in my family that I know of but I am 25% Irish on this side of my family. My mother is the one from Petersburg, VA and her Rives/Vaughan line. That is the one that her grandfather, Alexander Robert Rives, was in the Confederate side as a Corp. and did survive the war. I have others on both sides in my family. You know it’s funny, but I never liked history in school but once I started working on my family tree in Ancestry.com I found out how fascinating it is and became completely absorbed in it. That is one reason I feel entitled to stand my ground with these history “hope to changers” because I have soldiers on BOTH sides. Slavery really had nothing to do with why that war started as you already know. If you want me to find you something in my ancestry tree let me know. Happy to help.

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      Hey Susan,
      I will be happy to send some info regarding the Herrings to your email in a short while for privacy. purposes.

    • Theron P. Snell, Ph.D says:

      Hi…

      Many large libraries hold the volumes (the correct titles of which I cannot remember, of course) that provide a chronological record of the Civil war through the unit records created by the various echelons in the UNION Army. I THINK there is a similar set for the Confederate forces (hope I used the PC terms for both sides).

      I remember using them and finding a fascinating version of the war through the eyes of the units: what they think they saw and did. I was researching the 7th OVI…and this was some 40 years ago……

  84. T. Monfort says:

    Great Grandfather Captain Elias Riggs Monfort, 21 year-old company commander of Co. F, 75 Ohio. served at Chancellorsville. His company was among the first to encounter Jackson on the evening of May 2. The 75th was driven back, suffering heavy losses. Elias later was severely wounded at Gettysburg, on the evening of July 2 at the base of Cemetery Hill during the assault of the “Louisiana Tigers”, ending his service.

    For three generations, Elias’s battlefield letters and his military memorabilia were maintained by his family. Recently, the family donated Elias’s letters and loaned his memorabilia to his alma mater, Hanover College in Indiana. Hanover has done an exemplary job preserving and transcribing the letters, along with many of his sister, Margaret Monfort and his brother-in-law J. Gordon Taylor. The letters can be viewed at http://history.hanover.edu/texts/HC/Monfort-ER.html, and include some from Chancellorsville.

    Elias’s great-great grandson is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute. The family found it poignant and somewhat amusing that as a “Rat” at VMI, the great-great grandson, when leaving barracks, was required to salute the statue of Jackson. Elias went on to a career of public service and ultimately served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic.

    • Theron P. Snell, Ph.D says:

      Your point about donating the material is a good one. As a historian, I find that personal records hold the key to any historical period. Instead of letting these letters, photos, diaries etc get thrown out by the distant family, PLEASE follow this example and donate them to a reputable museum or archive. This goes for all wars…and even just ‘mundane material. Hard to write about a period in time without such a window that these personal papers provide.

  85. Joseph Perkins says:

    My Great grandfather, Private Charles Perkins, wounded on the third of May, 1863 fought there in the GAR, I HAVE HIS DISCHARGE, on it it states he was wounded there…..Joseph Perkins

  86. George L. Swanson Jr. says:

    Haven’t really followed any of this ancestry data. However, just wondering if any of my distant relatives were in the civil war. My two Grand fathers were Huckaby and Spears from central Louisiana. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

  87. Tolford Young says:

    To Dr..Snell & T. Monfort & others who have donated family papers to institutions:
    any preference as to which institutions? I assume that a university with a thriving history dept. would like to be recipient, as would historical societies of the locale. (To which I have donated several family Bibles.) Any other suggestions?

    Thank you both,

    Tod

    • Theron P. Snell, Ph.D says:

      My suggestions would depend upon the kinds of records. If you have published unit histories from the various wars, consider the US Army Military History Research Institute (or the historical sections of any of the appropriate services) If you have records pertaining to a specific locality, consider local, county or State Historical Societies.

  88. Matt Berry says:

    Thomas Berry. 37th Virginia Co H. Confederate soldier. He is my 3X Grandfather. His 1st commanding officer was Thomas J Jackson, 2nd commanding officer was A Fulkerson (As it states in his records). He was shot through both kidneys on July 3, 1863 on culps hill at Gettysburg. He lived another 46 years after being shot. I carry his name with honor. God Bless.

  89. And now, in our time, our history is being destroyed as our Civil War Monuments are being removed in Louisiana & Mississippi. Although some people object to these signs of past struggles, racial hatred, injustice to many people, both Black & White, they must recognize that IT Happened!! It is part of the history of this Country, and unlike what is going on across our world with the destruction of Significant and Sacred Places, this should not be allowed to happen in this Country.

  90. Janet Stollmaier says:

    Someone mentioned a source for out of print books. I have found a good place for out of print books pertaining to geneology and history is RootsPoint. It is $4.99 to join and then all books are free to download. The book The Life and Times of Reverend John Corbly ( my 5th ggrandfather ) would have cost me $380 from a book dealer because it’s out of print.

    • Theron P. Snell says:

      Hi…

      Another good source is ABE Books.com

      Multiple dealers from the USA, Canada, the UK and Germany. You can get multiple prices, different conditions of the book and differing shipping costs. a LOT of dealers too.

  91. Betty says:

    I never knew this. How wonderful. I named my golden retriever Chancellor Von Golden after his show dog grandfather. And I never knew about this battle. Yeah to Robert E. Lee and his fighting men that lived and died for the South.

  92. Kay Holmes says:

    To Tom R., post of May 11
    Vulnus Sclopeticum – Relating to a wound caused by a gunshot

    Medical terminology used during the Civil War
    https://civilwartalk.com/threads/medical-terminology-used-during-the-civil-war.117814/

    Cites:
    Multiple Sources: November 7, 2002

  93. Ed Middlebrook says:

    When requesting info on my great grandfather Daniel Harrison Smith, I received the following from the NPS (2004): Daniel Harrison Smith, was in fact wounded at
    Chancellorsville. In that battle, the 153rd Pennsylvania Volunteers had
    the misfortune to be one of two regiments to hold a position on the far
    right flank of the Union army. When “Stonewall” Jackson’s Confederates
    came dashing out of the woods onto the Union army’s flank on May 2, 1863,
    the 153rd Pennsylvania received the initial blow. The men in the regiment
    fired off as many as three rounds before discarding their rifles and
    fleeing for their lives. Your ancestor was one of those who did not escape
    unscathed. He was wounded in the battle and remained in the hospital until
    his regiment was mustered out of service later in the fall.
    For additional information about the battle and the 153rd’s role in it, I
    recommend that you read Stephen Sear’s book Chancellorsville, (Boston:
    Houghton Mifflin Company, 1996). I have more detailed information on DHS if anyone is interested. I can be contacted at [email protected] or on ancestry.com.

  94. Susan Mason says:

    This from one of my civil war sources (buddies) on General Alfred Torbert if interested and don’t already know:
    Click here: Alfred Thomas Archimedes Torbert – Wikipedia

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      If I recall, Union General Alfred Torbert was from Delaware and is remembered best for being the only Officer in our Civil War to have been bestowed an Ifficer in both the Frderal and Confederate armies.

      At the start of the war Confederates believed he would go with them and commissioned him as a Lieutenant; instead he went Federal as a Colonel. He also had the unique distinction of having been both an Infantry and later a Calvary Commander for the Union.

      He had an active War Career and again if I remember right, he drowned off what is now the Florida “Space Coast” in the vicinity of Cape Canaveral when a ship he was on sank.

  95. Bill Dougherty says:

    Pardon the spelling, did not wear my “readers” when typing the above!

  96. Susan Mason says:

    Very interesting on Torbert’s unusual career. A sad ending though.

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      Sue, as a follow up to your ancestor George Stein Herring;

      his 17th Penna. Calvary was assigned to the First Calvary Division under General Torbert. The Brigadier Generals were George Armstrong Custer, Wesley Merritt and Thomas Devin.

      Your ancestors unit very likely was part of the forces deployed about 3pm on 12 June 1864, with both Merritt and Devin Brigades ordered to the attack by Gen’l. Sheridan. They attacked 7 separate times and were beaten back 7 times with very heavy losses by Confederate General Thomas Rossers troopers. The final advance ended at nightfall.

      I am having some difficulty pinpointing actual individual unit battlefield deployment locations but will keep looking as time allows.

      Also, there is a tiny cemetery adjacent to the Trevilion Station Battlefield for Confederate heroes who fell there but who never had their remains returned home. It is called the “Oakland Cemetery.”
      This possibly may be the resting place for your George Stein Herring.

      Good luck with your continued search.

    • Susan Mason says:

      Thank you so much Bill for this additional info on my ancestor. George Stein Herring was a Union Calvaryman so do you think they would bury him with the Confederates? It would be nice to know where he is and I do appreciate this info on the Oakland Cemetery!

    • Theron P. Snell, Ph.D says:

      sue…

      I suspect you have, but if not, have your tried “Find a Grave?” Also, try the US Battlefields and Monuments Commission. Not sure if they can help in the States, but they helped me track down the grave of a merchant seaman who died and was buried in Morocco during WWII.

    • Susan Mason says:

      To Bill Dougherty, I was working on my tree in ancestry and found records I had not added for some reason and some that I had and hadn’t remembered. George Stein Herring is buried at the site set aside for the Union soldiers by PA at Culpeper National Cemetery. I will try to attach the plaque set up for their memory. Will have to post it in an email to you.

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      Hi Miss Sue,

      That is wonderful news that you found your ancestor, a very well deserved Congratulations to you!!

      I am very happy for you and for the closure this brings.

      What is your next project?

      Billy.

  97. It is so nice to find a place where you can post about either side of the
    War. Just wanted to tell that some people don’t want anything posted
    about the Confederate side of the War. My Great Grandfather was a
    Confederate soldier. On my family tree, I posted a poster of Wiley Jackson Bean from Alabama and the comment I received was : Better watch out what you post: I don’t have all of his info in front of me but
    now I know I have found a place to post about him , I will . My poster was telling about him being captured and while there died of scurvy. more later.

    • Susan Stine Mason says:

      Betty, I have had that happen also. My reply to them is I am PROUD of the service of my Civil War ancestors on BOTH SIDES and I will defend their honor regardless of how any politically correct people feel about it because they obviously don’t know the true facts about the war. usually it is my Confederate great grandfather that I was posting about and also during all that whining about the Confederate flag and Lee, etc. I posted the flag on my facebook profile picture. I had one of my 4th cousins (PA/Union side) tell me I should be ashamed to post a symbol of hatred. I told him that is NOT what it’s about and it stays and it did until I later changed it for a holiday picture which I do anyway. If anyone doesn’t like it they are offending ME not the other way around. I remember how courageously all of my CW ancestors fought and I am of their blood and do the same. Stand your ground and don’t let them push you around Betty. Just my take on it.

    • Thanks Susan for your reply. That is encouragement to me. I will find time
      to get all info about him and post. I have almost all of my info on paper.
      I did find where in 1861, Wiley Jackson Bean enlisted as a private in Company E of13th AL. Infantry for the Confederacy. Company E was known as ” The Randolph Rangers” and was a regiment in General Robert Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. He participated in the following
      battles : Seven Pines, Yorktown, Boonesboro, Fredricksburg, Cha cellorsville, & Gettysburg & was captured there in 1863, sent to Ft, Delaware as a POW & died 1-13-1864 buried at National Cemetery,
      Finn’s Point, (Salem) , New Jersey. His name is on the Memorial for
      the soldiers who died in the war, His wife died while he was in the was before he died and she left the children to be raised by their Mother’s
      Parents. Wilson and Frances Falkner/ Faulkner

    • Susan Stine Mason says:

      That is so interesting Betty. Fredricksburg and Chancellorsville I lived for a couple of years in the early 70s and I have the CW ancestors that fought there also so maybe they ran into each other along the way. If you are not on ancestry.com it is a great place to find info on your family and post info about the CW soldiers on their page, pictures and all. If you are on facebook.com I hope you will post things there too when it is appropriate like special Confederate War memorial days, etc. I have never had a problem posting things except the one 4th cousin about my rebel flag and someone else said something but my family comes first and if they have a problem they can stop reading my wall, right? Haha. Nice to see this on your ancestor and others feel that way, too, especially on HERE!

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      Miss Betty,

      Welcome to this blog; it is not mine, but it is friendly and with very helpful with wonderful people!

      I have at least 2 relatives who were killed in our American Civil War:
      1 Federal–Patrick Sharkey, 81st Pennsylvania-wounded and captured at The Wheatfield in Gettysburg, taken prisoner and later died of his wounds. His body has never been recovered, burial site unresolved and unknown.
      1 Confederate–Edward W. “Ned” Hall, 12th Virginia Infantry-killed-in-action the afternoon of 8 May, 1864 in The Battle of Bradshaws Farm, during the opening hours of The Battle of Spotsylvania. His comrades witnessed his death by multiple gunshots while posted along a fence. His body was left on the field, never recovered, his burial site remains unresolved and unknown, likely in a mass grave.

      There are other family participants on both sides of the Mason/Dixon and all are American Heroes, just as your relatives are, and just as everyone’s ancestor who fought in our Civil War are.
      They are Americans one and all, heroes one and all.

    • Susan Stine Mason says:

      Yes, agree 100%. I heard the Union left he Confederates to die in the fields in the Gettysburg battle. I think the ones though in VA were buried by someone at some point. There is a small confederate soldier cemetery there outside of Fredricksburg. You probably know of that one. If not, let me know and I will check my info.

    • Scott Hottle says:

      I to have ancestors on both sides of the conflict..upwards of 80 plus in fact. The original homestead near Woodstock, VA was where Custer camped during the ‘Woodstock Races’. Several served in the Stonewall Brigade, as well as the VA cavalry. I have portions of Jared Henry Hottel’s diary, Co. K, 12th Virginia Cavalry, who was killed in action near the Plank Road, Spotsylvania on May 6, 1864…I visited his homestead this past August near Toms Brook, the home is no longer in the family, but the trap door where he hid while home in the Valley was under the current kitchen floor. Also have the privilege to be related to Lt. Crockett East, 19th Indiana, Iron Brigade…KIA on McPherson’s ridge, Gettysburg…so I can trace relatives to both the Stonewall Brigade and the Iron Brigade. What a cherished gift! Also, James Calvin Hottel, KIA at Brandy Station riding with JEB Stuart’s men, while his brother, Martin Van Buren Hottel, was in the 59th Indiana Infantry… Really studying on Jared Henry Hottel, Co. K, 12th Virginia Cavalry, so if anyone can add to my info, I would appreciate it.

    • Susan Stine Mason says:

      Great info to have on your ancestors and to share with us. Thank you!

    • Indeed, all on both sides were fighting for a belief in something, whether right or wrong, the Civil War is part of Our history, Our American history. It should be a violation of the National Historic Landmarks Act to remove those monuments in New Orleans to three of our Confederate Generals. This is also a violation of the history of Our Nation. Too reminiscent of what is being done to many of the historic Buddhist Religious figures by Radical Muslim madmen..

    • Susan Mason says:

      Yes, I agree 100% with you Jennings Bunn and wonder why the Historic Society of these cities doesn’t step in and help. Not a word that I know of. The SCV and the Rolling Thunder motorcycle groups are the only ones I know that have actively stepped in along with local and bussed-in citizens taking time out of their busy days and off of work to try to defend our history. If it was the statue of MLK you can believe the town would be brought down and that’s not the way to do things. The law protects our historical statues yet it is ignored.

    • Thank you for contacting me on this. I worked for many years in Historic Preservation, both State & Federal, and see these removals as a violation of 36CFR (Code of Federal Regulations)60.4, of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. Under 36 CFR60, Criteria for evaluation, (a) & (b) apply. Also all three monuments were at least 100 years old, which makes them very eligible for protection by 50 years. The State Historic Preservation Officer for that Region, New Orleans, was probably put under strong political pressure to cause no problems. Especially since the SHPO is a politically appointed position. Caca occurs!!

    • Sue says:

      THANK YOU Jennings Bunn for this info. Seems like it doesn’t matter what the law is if riots are feared they back down. That is pathetic in my opinion. If they don’t consider it THEIR history that’s up to them but we know it is OURs and we want it preserved. So very tired of all this petty bickering every time this Confederate war issue comes up.

    • Thank you for responding to whoever that other person is. I almost did, but decided he or she is entitled to their opinion, and we know about opinions, don’t we? I, too, am sick of all the controversy. We should be more observant, more truly concerned, about the anarchist burning, desecrating, the American Flag. That should be a felony, with suitable jail time.

    • David Pass says:

      It’s only fair. If your going to erase the confederacy from my heritage and the history books then slavery and the heritage of the ones who suffered from it should be removed as well.

    • Theron P. Snell says:

      Fairness?

      Please, if neither act makes sense, there is no fairness whatsoever.

    • Scot says:

      My fathers line came to Jamestowne in 1632 and migrated around 1700
      Right over the border in Halifax County, NC ( There is also one in Virgina not far away) the County is still
      populated with with quite a few of us
      315 years later. My Great Grandfather,
      born right after the war lived a very long life, lasting until 1962. As he grew up all his freinds and playmates were
      almost all sons of veterans some alive
      and some killed or died from disease
      During the war. My dad was born in the 1920’s and his Grandfather,( my Great) gave my father a treasure of
      Information, both battles stories and
      Also what it was like right after the war, during the reconstruction period.
      One of the stories that stuck with my dad was about how that war was taught in school, in the south during
      that immediate period. The North, Yankees had control of all the books
      And ciriculum’s and the school books( much like today!) was nothing close to
      The truth, which eventually lead to the
      Great”Lost Cause” that came about in the late 1880’s and 90’s, mainly fueled
      by surviving CSA generals like Jubal
      Early. My G Grandfather was a great thinker and he told my dad a line that
      Sums up the history, not just of the civil war, but probably most wars, he said “The winners always write the history” which is probably the brightest
      truth when one researches history.
      You must know about the writer before
      you take for gospel what’s written in the book. Not as much about the battles but the specific time or era of
      the period. The majority of what’s in
      the school books today is one narative, all slavery, which of course
      Was a part, but not neccesarrily why
      Each of the southern states left the union and when they were” readmitted” one undeniable fact during that time, ones loyalty was ones state
      first, country second, as far as the south is concerned. I’ve studied it
      somewhat and find that the people of the south in majority had roots in Scotland and Ireland, and being very
      close to family blood lines they were
      arroused much easier when feeling threatened and retaliated. I’m convinced of it, that is why despite being outnumbered 3 or 4 to 1, having
      Very little infrastructure, no weapons plants when the war broke out, every
      Thing against them, especially when the northern repeating rifles came out
      In 1864 where the Yankees could shot
      7 bullets at the same time a confederate could only get off one is truly amazing. I m in the opinion that the Army of Northern Virginia was the
      greatest Army ever assembled in this
      Country.

    • Theron P. Snell, Ph,.D says:

      Actually, instead of merely knowing ‘about’ the writer (that can be construed as reading only those with whom you know you agree), you need to read MULTIPLE writers from multiple perspectives. You should also begin doing your own research into the records and documents upon which all history is based. Read secondary sources like unit histories; read the records generated by the units at the time; compare these with the second and third hand accounts that make up what most people think is history.

      Too often, people seek out writers they have already read and know to be ‘correct thinkers, correct because the readers agree.

      Time to challenge perspectives…THAT is what historians do.

    • Sue says:

      Replying to Scot, What a great recap of the war as it is perceived and thank you for sharing your own ancestral history with us. Yes, I agree, the Army of Northern VA was the greatest. My great grandfather as I stated much earlier in the discussion was a Confederate soldier who survived the war and returned to his home in Chesterfield Co. VA where he is buried in our Rives family square at Ettrick Cemetery. I love the great remark your grandfather I think it was passed down that the winners of the wars are the ones that write the books and when you think about it that is correct. How smart he was/ Enjoyed your info.

    • Scot says:

      He worked in one of the mills that the
      Yankee’s from the North built in quite a few small communities all over the south, the main criteria was all the mills to my knowledge were built next to rivers to use for a power source.
      Sally Fields might have one an Oscar back in the 70’s about Union organizing in the mills, I think the one in the movie was a JP Stevens plant.
      To me, I think the mills were a small step above slavery for rural southerners that started being built in the 1870’s and this will give you some
      Idea that you won’t read much about either. When the mill in Halifax County was built, 1880’s the location wasn’t even a town. But it had one of the most important rail lines that saw more use than any others in the civil war, located in the Town of Weldon NC
      This was Lee’s major supply line in the civil war as it is only 50 miles or so below Petersburg and ran up to Richmond, and it started in Wilmington NC the most heavily fortified port in the south, guarded by Fort Fischer, the
      last port open open until the huge assault by land and sea, maybe the first of its kind, which this port was
      Full of those Rhet Butler characters who ran the blockades, then the goods, mainly weapons were railed up to Weldon, and forwarded to Richmond and later Petersburg. So the mills used this same rail line to send by train all the textiles and goods back up north. When the mills came they built housing, and also provided with stores to supply the workers that
      Lived and worked at the mill.So the mill kept books on everybody that worked and lived in their housing. So at payday, you had your rent deducted from your check, and then all the goods a family bought at the company store, food, soap, every necessity needed to live, were taken out as well.
      So the mill made a profit on your labor, but more telling was they made money on the housing AND especially at the store where they tripled profits off the workers. If you had a large family and worked at the mill it was possible that at payday your rent and food and durables might be more than your check. The mills were built on land taken from the original southern owners during reconstruction by levying taxes on the property by the
      US Military district, which resulted in
      A huge amount of people loosing their land to their old enemies. The most ridiculous thing or hypocritical was the North built these plants in the south, and would not allow blacks to work in
      These southern mills, although in the north they did, but they put these mills in the south to hire Whites at less wages than their plants up north, no matter the color up north, the wages paid to the white southerners was up
      To 50 % less. The mills had a large population of rural farmers who lost their land to taxes or they couldn’t find sharecropping opportunities. It was just enough to keep you alive, they worked men and women and kids 10 years old + when they first opened and worked 12 hour days except the sabbath. So these people not only lost the war, but they lost their pride and dignity. Most southern now are a generation or two removed, but the northern created more anger during this period than during the war. Once again they don’t mention any of this
      In today’s schools and universities and this also created a huge migration west, starting in 1866 and continuing to shortly before WW1. Texas was the
      Biggest draw but many went to California and other areas in the expanding west. There was a total rape of the south by the north after the war, a good example can be seen that
      The southern states were generally the largest contributors of tariff and taxes before the civil war and today
      The poverty resulting from that war can still be seen in parts of Mississippi
      and other former states.I had a GG uncle who fell in to one of the textile looms and was killed instantly, who had 9 children in 1899 when he was killed and the mill paid for his burial
      And 4 of his sons worked in that mill
      All their life. By the way, I forgot to mention the mill town is now called Roanoke Rapids, but until the mill came you couldn’t identify it on a map.
      Most of the anger is gone there now,
      But in the 60’s the anger and hostility to northerns was right below the surface.

    • Theron P. Snell, Ph,.D says:

      Does one dare to suggest that this exploitation you illustrate was echoed over and over: the railroad workers who “”worked all day for sugar in their tea; in the coal mines in WV, KY; , in the steel mills in the Midwest; in the car factories in MI; in the looms in MA, in the copper mines in the Southwest; the factories in and around Chicago etc. From the 1880’s through the 1930’s, Labor history makes for fascinating reading…and revelations.

      Interestingly, since you mentioned the looms and the mills in the south: large mill owners in MA and elsewhere in the northeast moved mfg over the years to the South; from the south, they moved to Central America…and from Central America to China, and now Vietnam, Indonesia and India. Owners looking for profit at the expense of wages. Capital and jobs flow across borders even more easily since WWII. And now, the wealth differential is the largest ever. The Civil War and is aftermath is one more riff on this on-going reality.

    • Scot says:

      Theron P Snell PHD in what?
      My story is not about exploitation all over the world. In fact it is fact based
      and is only one of many misconceptions not taught in school these days or any days. It’s just like the biggest tribes of slave sellers were tribes of Nigerians and Ghana. With the exception of a short period of time pre-USA the Portuguese where the only Europeans that ever hunted down slaves. The warring tribes sold the less aggressive tribes to not only white europeans but Aran countries both on and off the African continent. They started the trade around 900 AD, about 200 years after the founding of Islam. I hear that trade continues to this day. Finally FYI the head of the American slave trading cartels were all
      Situated in northern port towns. The family that founded Brown University
      Was probably the biggest. They were the wholesalers. They set up sales in
      All of the southern ports, and then southern involvement was actually secondary as the North provided
      The product ( humans) which created the markets in the south. At one time
      Early in our history it was possible for a free man of color to own both white and black slaves. From this point the first lawsuit in our history was brought about by a free person of color who
      sued in court as he sued for time remaining on his indentured servitude,
      Just like the white slaves or indentured
      Service. If I’m not mistaken it was this lawsuit brought by this man Antonio Johnson that resulted in the argument
      That blacks could be held in forever
      Instead of a time limit as originally set up for many poor whites brought to the new world to work of debts or crimes
      To the ones they served, or their indentured time could be bought off
      The original Holder of the deed of indentured service.
      Perhaps you would care to comment on this dr.

    • Theron P. Snell, Ph.D says:

      I was commenting on the wide spread exploitation of people of all colors and NOT upon who held what slaves or who participated in the slave trade. My comments focused on post Civil War since most of the dates you mentioned were post-war.

      I did draw some parallels between wage-slavery and holding slaves regarding the impact upon the workers and the growth of disparity of wealth between owners and the workers. I did so to suggest that the issue you illustrated did not stand alone and had been repeated many many times. That is not, for the record justification of anything…just an observation. That such exploitation occurred before, during and after the Civil War should suggest issues a bit more complex that who was ‘right’ during the war.

      Personally, I am not quite sure why the posts here have devolved into refighting the Civil War.

      My Ph.D, by the way is in American Studies: a cross-disciplinary study of the culture/s of the United States. My B.A. is in US intellectual history and my M.A. is in American Studies. I answer your question only out of courtesy since I was put off by your demanding tone.

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      Ladies and Gentlemen,

      I have remained quiet now for just about a week, having been monitoring this blog and shaking my head in both amazement and disappointment.

      First, amazement that there is still such a disconnect and disagreement in the root cause of our American Civil War.

      Second, disappointment that this blog has been turned from discussing the elements of the Battle of Chancellorsville and the subsequent march northward of the Army of Northern Virginia and the reaction of Mr. Lincoln and the reorganization of the upper echelon in the Army of the Potomac; turned from a wonderful space to share and learn additional historical insight into this historical timeline, instead it is turning into yet another ugly polarized political site. There are enough such sites within the mainstream media. Please take your arguments there.

      Personally, I will continue to monitor this site but will only participate in non-political and non-ideological conversations relevant to the timeframe of May 1863 to 1865.

      Thank you.

    • Katy Zero says:

      You’re right, Bill. I commented a few weeks back that my GG Grandpa fought and was injured at Chancellorsville. Just adding to the history. I enjoyed reading other descendants’ similar comments. But WHY do others feel this is the place to argue the causes of the Civil War?? My other GG Grandpa was in the Confederate Army and died in Little Rock. I am proud of both of them and their service. That’s it. The end. This is not the place to haggle. There are other places to do that. Fold 3 would be justified in shutting this feed down because of the dopes that need to start an argument. I was happy to learn more about the battle and move on.

    • Theron P. snell, Ph.d says:

      Bill..

      Since you responded to me, I thought I would reply.

      I agree with you and noted that in at least one or two posts.

      I would add, though, in my own defense that as a historian, I thought (obviously in error) that I could add some insight to the posters.

      Sorry about that.

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      Theron,

      My response was not focused entirely on any one person in particular, rather an at-large general comment.

      Nothing personal intended.

    • Sue says:

      SCOT, That is a wonderful explanation of true history. You are so educated on this subject and we thank you for taking the time to share it with us. I find the comments of Theron Snell off the mark and made from a biased view. Just my observation.

    • Theron P. Snell says:

      I’ll try again….

      I find it amusing that you wave the American Flag in reference to the Confederate monuments.

      Please. With all due respect:

      “What thou lovest well remains
      the rest is dross
      What thou lov’st well shall not be reft from thee
      What thou lov’st well is th true heritage….”
      –ezra pound, Canto LXXXI

      The current politics will not change this. Only your anger can corrode this.

      Keep in mind:

      In “The Spring and the Autumn”
      There
      are
      no
      righteous
      wars.”

      ezra pound, Canto LXXVIII

      May they all rest in peace and may we all seek wisdom in their actions.

    • And yes, sadly, if it were MLK’s larger than life edifice, the walls would come tumbling down.

    • Theron P. Snell says:

      I had sympathy until the ” if it had been” comment. The snarky comment you ended with is inappropriate.

      As a historian, by the way, I do not agree with obliterating the past.

    • Sue says:

      You are entitled to your opinion on our comments but we are also entitled to comment as we feel factual and that IS a fact like or not. No one was being “snarky” as you put it. It’s all POLITICAL CORRECTNESS.

  98. Jerry B. Hegwood says:

    Our country has been built on obeying and enforcing the laws, it
    has gotten to this point in time that the political leaders can enforce
    what laws they like and look the other way when they find it convenient
    and politically correct for them to do so.

  99. Tolford Young says:

    Here I am again, the Maine Yankee: destroying those N.O. statues was not only illegal, but offensive to us all. There are Union Army soldiers’ statues all over New England. Imagine the reactions to any of THEM being ripped down in the dead of night!
    Put ’em, back, New Orleans.

    • Sue says:

      YES, Tolford, THANK YOU it is so true. I say if they are taking down certain statues then they should take down ALL statues ALL OF THEM from all states, etc. and see how far they get with that. Just so wrong,

  100. Theron P. Snell says:

    I would suggest to all that they consider the old, old comment: Rich man’s war; poor man’s fight.”

    In the north, one could buy himself out of the draft…or find a substitute usually bought as well. In the south, how many brave men died in the name of honor of the South but who did not own slaves and, in fact, were the laborers and small-time farmers?

    Instead of the current anger, how about looking at the war: The North initially fought to keep black people out of the border States; the South fought for the right to keep slaves and expand slavery. At the same time, the North managed major factories that created poor wage slaves. Economic differences provided a context for the clash…as did international markets…eg England and its desire for southern cotton.

    So, take a hard look at the context for the war in which so many brave people gave their lives on both sides….

    I suggest that this thread go back to honoring those who fought.

    • Sue says:

      AGREE!! You are exactly right in your comment here. The war started due to economics NOT slavery but that is the politically correct road it’s gone down and most of these people today have bought into it and to be honest they are brain-washed. If schools would teach the facts to kids they wouldn’t grow up with these incorrect beliefs.

    • Bill says:

      Theron,

      Regarding your comment of May 19, I am not quite sure what to do with your comments about “Rich man’s war, poor man’s fight”. I usually hear such words in the context of anti-war sentiment and class warfare, I think it better to see war in a more complete sense.

      First, let there be no more war. Such is my dream and I trust yours but we both know uptopia is not to be found and deep resentments will come and wars will come.

      Second, the nature of society and freedom necessitates that while we could all be poor, we cannot all be rich. All wars will be “rich man’s wars” for they are the ones with enough leisure to understand and study the threats that come and the capital to raise armaments and armies. All wars will be “poor men’s fights” for there simply are not enough “rich men” to engage in significant struggle, ever.

      Third, saying this in no way suggests it is the will of the rich to fight and the will of the poor to be pacifists. The Southern armies as well as Northern, believed in their causes to the depths of their bones, rich and poor. The severity of this war and the sentiments expressed by all classes, demonstrate this.

      It seems to me this is a more holistic and realistic way to see war.

  101. Dennis Ruane says:

    An interesting article in today’s Washington Post electronic issue: “The truth about Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee: He wasn’t very good at his job” written by Post reporter Michael S. Rosenwald. Among other things he calls out Lee’s ineptitude in ordering Pickett’s charge at Gettysburg against the advice of his subordinate commanders. He cites the views of other historians who raise issues about Lee’s fundamental strategy that needlessly cost human lives in an offensive minded approach as opposed to a more defensive strategy.

    • Rick Lowe says:

      You can always count on the Washington Post to run stories that support their liberal agenda. They support removing Confederate statues so they now run stories disparaging long-honored and respected Confederate generals.

    • Theron P. Snell, Ph,.D says:

      As a historian, I wonder about this kind of ‘second guessing.” As for Gettysburg, I wonder how closely they writers studied the particulars….or much military history they have studied.

      It is easy to second guess illustrious figures, especially if writers are trying for the sensational.

      With that said, I doubt VERY much that it has anything to do with ‘liberal’ agendas. Don’t let your current politics cloud your own vision.

    • Rick Lowe says:

      My vision is clear. You are blind if you don’t see again and again how the liberal media like the Washington Post report issues, paint them to support their viewpoints, and join in the feeding frenzy that develops whenever an anonymous source creates new “facts.” Journalistic ethics and honest, unbiased reporting have sadly declined. You are naive if you don’t realize the Post story demeaning Lee is part of their support of an overall goal to eliminate or relocate Confederate statues, and change names of streets and roads. There are always multiple sides of an issue. Unfortunately, the Washington Post and other liberal media can no longer be relied on to report facts and fairly present both sides of any issue.

    • Sue says:

      Another great comment Rick, thank you. I saw an old news recast by one of the early tv anchors, think it was Dave Garroway or David Brinkley (I have a good memory) and the way he presented the news was so refreshing compared to those of today. He simply stated the news while those of today want to make facial expressions, stress words the way they want you to interpret what they are saying, and often add their own take on things on the sly. I don’t appreciate that and it’s frustrating to try to get the news so that we can make our own decisions on how we feel about the subject. Seems the news broadcasters are on the liberal side most of the time. Conservative talk shows are better but they are gagged with how much they can say so the whole thing is a joke.

    • Bill says:

      “He wasn’t very good at his job” written by Post reporter Michael S. Rosenwald”

      Even fools are allowed to write.

      Thank God they are usually not allowed to fight.

      Lee was a genius and is studied in war college even to this day. He was respected and feared by the North and almost worshipped by the South.

    • Sue says:

      Bill, I would just like to say on behalf of MY ancestors concerning the Civil War. I know from my research that at least a few of my PA Civil war soldiers joined because they needed the job. They had no personal feelings negative to the South but they had a wife and children that had to eat and have a decent place to live and at that time jobs were few. I know of one man, not in my family, who walked many miles to try to get a job as a last resort at a colliery who he heard was hiring. When he got there no job was available as grabbed up. He was so tired and distressed he stopped by a home of a friend of his who happened to be in my Stine family ancestors. They gave him dinner and a bed to rest when they heard a shot. He had killed himself out of total despair so there were few jobs up there which was part of the reason for the war as I understand it. Just a comment I wanted to add. I, too, feel like everyone should be able to comment on here but bantering back and forth seems like beating a dead horse, still if someone seems to be wrong in their comment a counter reply seems to be natural. Will you be posting a new battle for us to comment on soon? Looking forward Bill to them.

    • Good afternoon, I, too, apologize for inserting the removal of the Historic Properties in New Orleans. Just an issue for which I feel strongly about. Indeed, interesting articles. Thank you, J. Bunn II

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      Ladies and Gentlemen,

      Thank you all for your comments and please understand that my comments were only and purposely meant to refocus the direction of the blog for historical understanding and continued learning.

      For the record my Confederate ancestors were poor, small farmers (MISS SUE, they were members of the Hall family and also were from Chesterfield County, Virginia like your ancestors, and they were members of Company C, the “New” Petersburg Greys, 12th Virginia Inf), they were recent immigrants who fought and died because their farm and home were attacked, regardless of the underlying reasons.
      My Federal ancestors also were recent immigrants who joined and fought as an alternative to entering the Anthracite Coal Mines in Northeastern Pennsylvania. At least one of them went directly from the East New York Port of Brooklyn to a recruiting station at the Five Points in Manhattan and was paid a bounty to replace one of those cowards who could afford to buy his way out of the Draft. He then went onto a train to Washington where he was given a uniform, rifle, accoutrements, rations and perhaps some minimal training and then sent off as part of the reinforcements for the Army of the Potomac then marching northward to catch up to the Army of Northern Virginia. He was assigned to Company K of the 81st Pennsylvania and followed that old political General Dan Sickles into The Cornfield at Gettysburg. There he was wounded, captured and disappears from history.

      I really do not know thay any of them fought and died for anything other than their own dreams of freedom and choice in America.

      Anyway, to maybe get back on track kindly allow me to say that I have always been intrigued at the focus of General Lee in moving the War out of Virginia immediately after the Chancellorsville Battle. Even with the wounding and subsequent irreplaceable loss of General Jackson he was able to mobilize the Army and move it Northward with purpose.

      I have always wondered if he and Jeff Davis had thought and planned that far ahead so to have developed a Plan and kept it available, waiting for the right time and opportunity to put it in motion. It always seemed to me that such a movement had to be planned well in advance and that the Confederate Government and General Lee in 1863, after The Emancipation Proclamation, were much more organized than they have received credit for. It appears that Lee had some idea of a succession plan and was able to effectively move the Army quickly.

      President Lincoln was still struggling to find his best Commander in the East in 1863 and to be sure he had the whole picture to consider, both in the Eastern and Western theatres. And of course while Gettysburg was raging, General Grant was directing the investment of Vicksburg and forcing the Confederate surrender there.

      I guess where I am going here is twofold; does anyone have insight or commentary on the movements of the armies after Chancellorsville and leading to Gettysburg, and can I open the forum for commentary on the roles of Generals Longstreet and Ewell on the Confederate advance, the reconnaissance of Jubal Early to Carlisle and if his delay there was hurtful or helpful to Lees Plan, and the critical actions of Federal Generals Hancock, Warren, Slocum, Reynolds and Buford on June 29, 30 and early on July 1 eventually leading to the arrival of General Meade.

      Thanks,
      Bill

    • Theron P. Snell, Ph.D says:

      Bill…

      Have you tried the Lincoln and/or J. Davis papers…both official and personal? The work both men I think are collected in various volumes that you should be able to access in a large library or via interlibrary loan. You might also look for the papers of the US Secretary of State.

      If that doesn’t work, I would suggest you google NARA….the national archives and records administration. Using their search engines, you may find something there.

      NARA does photocopy…at a huge price since it includes their search time…but they do have some material on line. They also can provide the names of researchers whom you can pay by the hour…and in-house photocopies are cheaper. Or, if lucky, you go yourself. Doing research at NARA is quite an experience, complete with its own arcane rhythms and rules.

      If you set up a visit beforehand, it works best. They will have the document boxes ready..and you don’t have to submit pull slips and then have to wait to begin.

      PS…if you are the same Bill who commented about my rich man’s war….I respectfully disagree and was instead referring to the inherent contradictions and tensions within a capitalist economy. Both sides had the equivalent of slaves…one real and one wage-slave even though the participants on both sides believed in their hearts for their causes…or the enlistment bounty. These two positions are not contradictory, I think. I am NOT a pacifist, however.

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      Thank you Theron for the pathways, the suggestions are greatly appreciated.

      I did not comment on your “rich mans war.” I would not lower my credibility to express such an opinion and in fact prior to today have not posted since Miss Sue Mason posted about successfully finding the resting place of her ancestor in a Culpeper cemetery.

      To be honest since then I have focused on two ongoing projects I am working on, one for my family and the other for a close friend, helping in tracing her family tree in Templecrone Parish, County Donegal, Ireland which is also where three quarters of my ancestors called home.
      Quite simply what prompted me to post my comments today regarding the direction of this blog was driven by the very unnecessary and unprofessional assault on your educational background by “Scot” the other day; that was way too personal and uncalled for, it crossed the line of acceptability in my opinion.

      There are public forums for people interested in disparaging each other; actual historians whether they be professional or amateur generally have much, much higher standards and my read into the comments on this blog is that the participants here are truly historians.

      Stay well everyone, Miss Sue, I will contact you via email during the upcoming week between travel destinations.

    • Sue says:

      Ok, happy to hear from you then Bill.

    • Sue says:

      Hi Bill, We look forward to your updates and comments so thank you for those. On your Hall family in Chesterfield Co. VA. How about a Sue Hall? She lives or lived in Chesterfield Co and worked with my friend David Wright, SCV. He said he thinks her husband was Buddy Hall. Then I knew a Ron Hall in Hopewell, VA that went to school with my cousin 5 yrs older than me. Can’t recall his older sister’s name.

    • Tolford Young says:

      I think there may be enough of us – who are upset(?) about this to make it a separate blg subject. Let’s move it off this one.But HOW?

    • Bill says:

      Thank you for your comment Sue.

      Tragic story about your relative. I can almost feel his anguish. Hopelessness truly is a killer and we all have likely felt its touch at one time or another.

      Best regards,

      Bill

  102. Sue says:

    Yes, these reporters have only their own names and faces to be on the tongues of readers because they really don’t have much going for themselves otherwise. On the liberal agendas that Theron doesn’t think are part of all of this, they are the ones that are behind all types of things like this. The press itself is liberal so hard to agree with your statement on that but do agree on all the other remarks and also Dennis’ and Rick’s. The thing that really gets me is that it was against the LAW to remove those statues in New Orleans yet because of political pressure they went ahead and did it anyway. I can only hope the people stand up against them all when the time comes if they won’t do it now. HOW MANY PEOPLE would it take anyway to make these people stop and say “no”?

  103. As to what mistakes General Lee may or may not have made, what does that matter? Unless one has been the Commanding Officer in a combat situation, especially with the lack of adequate communication with “the front lines”, how can General Lee’s decision at Gettysburg be questioned? But again, what does that really matter 152 years after the Civil War ended?

    Dr. Snell, did you ever teach at Lee College in Cleveland, TN?

  104. Tolford Young says:

    Civilized comment. Thank you.

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      And just one last footnote, my blog ID signature contains my last name.

      Nothing to hide here.

  105. Bill Dougherty says:

    Hello,

    I am not certain that this blog is still active.
    Regardless I will post and share my hopes for a safe and purposeful Memorial Day 2017 for all.

    Safe for you and your families and purposeful in truly observing the service of not only our own individual ancestors but indeed remember the service of all Americans in all wars, past and present.

    Honor a veteran with a remembrance at a forgotten grave and shake the hand and offer your appreciation to a living Veteran.

    Stay safe and well.

    • Susan Mason says:

      Hi Billy, Yes, a sad day for me and many whose husbands didn’t survive the wars in action or otherwise. Thank you for your service and my hubby is also a veteran as are so many in my family. I usually save those salutes for Veteran’s Day mainly, Memorial Day for those who are with us in memory only. Thank you for your post and hope you have a safe day tomorrow. Wishing all those reading this a safe Memorial Day and share memories, flags, parades and love.

  106. Kay Holmes says:

    I’ve already remembered Joseph William Holtzman, who was wounded May 2, 1863, at Chancellorsville, and who died some days later, leaving a wife and three children. This Memorial Day, I choose to remember also the dead who rest in Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira, New York. The folks in Elmira have resurrected a building from the time of the prison camp, 1864-1865. ‘Reenactors representing the first 400 Confederate soldiers to be jailed in Elmira will march from the Erie Railroad station on North Main Street — where the initial prisoners were dropped off — to the Winsor Avenue camp site’, the weekend of June 24-25, 2017. Also of interest in Elmira, the John W. Jones commemorators have opened a museum to honor the man, an absconded slave from Leesburg, VA, who laid the Confederate inmates respectfully to rest. You also may see the cemetery itself, where the Confederate dead are buried in the field, surrounded by markers for the guards who kept them, who also died.

    For those of us who by accident of birth, were ‘on the wrong side of history’, may we be permitted to remember …

    • Bill Dougherty says:

      Hello Kay,
      Thank you for sharing this.

    • Scot Hux says:

      I have at least 3 ancestors buried at Elmira. The Yankee’s who ran that death camp should have been hung for murder. There is a book out about this camp I read years ago. The only southerner hung for running a prison camp was I think Henry Wirtz who in actuality was not starving anybody intentionally, the south didn’t have the
      resources to take care of that many men at Andersonville. I think the death rates were very similar by death rate
      Per 1,000 prisoners. At Elmira it was up near the Great Lakes and in the winter they would get temps to -10 or -20 F + Wind chill and most men didn’t get much in the way of blankets, it’s no
      Wonder so many died there in a short period of time. Actually it was Hen Grant who stopped prisoner exchanges in 1864, but prisoners from
      1863 spent the rest of the war.
      Most of my ancestors that were POW’s came from the Capture of MG
      Clubby Johnson’s ” Stonewall Division” in the fierce fights on May 12th at the mule shoe at Spottsylvania
      Court house. They first went to Point
      Lookout Maryland POW camp, but were sent to Elmira in the fall of 1864.
      The other large block of POWS came from the battle of Fort Fisher, NC in
      January 1865. My Gx3 Uncle got his ear shot off in this battle and was actually lucky, I think men who were wounded weren’t sent to Elmira.
      The tragic part was the death rate
      The last few months of the war and a couple of months after the war.
      From Feb 1865 through June 1865
      Up to 500 men would die in a week.
      2 of the 3 ancestors I had there died
      In the last couple of days of March.
      Men continued to die in big numbers
      Until June 1865. 2 months after the war. The prisoners released from Jan through March 1865 were lucky to survive the trip back to Richmond and many died a week or two after they were exchanged. The only good thing I can say about it is it is a very well maintained cemetery, and with the exception of misspellings on the names on the soldiers cross, it might be the in the nicest shape and maintained of all the Northern Prisons.
      Almost every prisoner who died their is
      Buried with a cross individually, no big
      Trenches of unnamed.They have a group of people whose ancestors have
      An active schedule for visitors every year. I had contacted them years ago
      That the last name of my Uncle was
      spelled wrong so they could change it in the records, but the misspelled name still remains on his cross but
      They were very nice when I called.
      I think the death rate between June 1864 to June 1865 was around 22 to 25%! It must have been hell on earth.
      A nice comment and reply for the Memorial Day holiday.

    • Scott Hottle says:

      The relatives of yours in Stonewall Brigade were from what area? I have a whole lot from Winchester, VA to Toms Brook, VA area…Edinburg to Woodstock

  107. Scot Hux says:

    Scott Hottie:
    Great name you have there!
    I mentioned the Stonewall Division, not the Brigade, It got the Stonewall Division ‘nickname” after the death of the beloved Jackson.
    Most of the men under Jackson were of the 2nd corps, and had served under Gordon, Rhodes, Steaurt (Maryland), Ramsuer,, DH Hill.
    I have many from Halifax County, Hux, Dickens, Waddell,etc
    As you probably know, Edward Johnson took over 1 of Stonewalls Divisions,
    and also the Stonewall Brigade.
    These men fought from 2nd Winchester through the May 12th battle of Spottsylvania Court House at the Mule Shoe.
    The Stonewall Brigade, Steaurts Brigade, and the rest of Johnson’s division was overwhelmed when General Lee removed the artillery out of that part of the line although Johnson had them recalled they arrived just in time to have most captured.
    As you probably know the Stonewall Brigade, 1 and 3 NC lost so many men they were brigaded with other regiments afterwards.
    I know for sure that only about 30 of the 1 st NC and less in the 3rd NC were all that
    was left of the men in the trenches before the battle.Some of the regiment ended up coming back that were AOL or wounded or prisoners exchanged.
    The leader of the 1st NC, Col. Hamilton Brown and up commanding General Rhodes crack outfit of sharpshooters.

    • Scott Hottle says:

      you did mention the Stonewall Division, my mistake. Yes, Abraham Hottel was wounded by a shrapnel piece at the Mule Shoe, part of his nose taken off, but he did avoid capture (which probably saved his life) and did survive the war.