Civil War Blog

The year 1911 was the 50^th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. In a memorial to the war, a ten volume set of books was published entitled The Photographic History of the Civil War. This series attempted, through photographs, to do what no other books had previously done – to bring the war close and personal through previously unpublished and unavailable photographs. The series was edited by Francis Trevelyan Miller.

This post is part 6 of a 12 part series and will focus on the contents of Volume V, Forts and Artillery.

Contents of Volume V of The Photographic History of the Civil War.

“The Federal Artillery and Artillerymen,” O. E. Hunt. “The Confederate Artillery – Its Organization and Development,” David Gregg McIntosh. “Memories of Gettysburg,” Frederick M. Colston. “Defending the National Capital,” O. E. Hunt. “The Defenses of Charleston.” “The Ordnance Department of the Federal Army,” O. E. Hunt. “The Ordnance of the Confederacy,” J. W. Mallet and O. E. Hunt. “The Ammunition Used in the War,” O. E. Hunt. “Entrenchments and Fortifications,” O. E. Hunt. “Engineer Corps of the Federal Army,” O. E. Hunt. “Reminiscences of the Confederate Engineer Service,” T. M. R. Talcott. “Federal Military Railroads,” O. E. Hunt. “Defending the Citadel of the Confederacy,” O. E. Hunt.

The following men from the Lykens Valley area have already been identified in the Civil War Research Project as part of Pennsylvania artillery regiments:

1st Pennsylvania Artillery: Andrew H. Hyte

2nd Pennsylvania Artillery: Abraham L. Boyer —Abraham F. Fairchild —John Wesley Pike — Joseph R. Zeiter

3rd Pennsylvania Artillery: William Anderson — John B. Armstrong —Conrad Caslow —John Davis —Henry Gessner — Henry Helt —William Blackstone Hoffman —George Long —John D. Messner —Lorenzo Michaels —Frank Patrick — Jonathan “John” Powell —John Alred Salen —Adam M. Snyder — Peter G. Starr —George Nicholas Stier —Henry Walborn —Simon Wolf

5th Pennsylvania Artillery: Alexander Day

6th Pennsylvania Artillery: Henry Miller

There are probably many others. And, very little is known about most of the men who have thus far been identified. This volume in the Photographic History will shed some light on specifically what the artillery units were responsible for and how they performed during the war.

The picture below shows some of the “instructional” material in this volume. The cannon shown are “12-pounder Napoleon field-guns.”

Click on picture to enlarge

In drill, the soldiers are in “correct position” for action. The duty of the soldiers with long swabs (right) is to sponge them out and “ram home the new charge.” The men on the left (near the muzzle) place the charge in the gun. The men on the right (back of the wheel) cover the vents until the charge is rammed home. The men on the left (back of the wheel) prick the cartridge, insert a friction primer attached to a lanyard, step back, and wait for the order to “fire.” At the order, they explode the primer. The sergeants stand still further to the left and they are the “chiefs of pieces.” The men behind the limbers cut the fuses for the length of time required and insert them into the shell. The men at the left carry the charge from the limber and deliver it to the loaders who put it in the gun. The corporals behind the cannon are the men who sight the piece. The others help with whatever is needed and replace any men who are disabled.

For a free download from Google Books, click here and select “PDF” in the upper right corner of the page. When the “PDF” file opens in your reader, save the file to disk. Use of the file is subject to restrictions that are spelled out on the first page of the PDF. Essentially, the restrictions specify that the digital book may be used for personal, non-profit use only and that the Google Books “watermark” should not be removed from the pages.

Monday, part 7 of this series will examine Volume VI, The Navies.

Category: Research, Resources | Comments Off on Forts and Artillery
Tags: Regiments

The Cavalry

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on February 3, 2011

(Part 5 of 12). Contents of Volume IV of The Photographic History of the Civil War: The Cavalry.

The year 1911 was the 50^th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. In a memorial to the war, a ten volume set of books was published entitled The Photographic History of the Civil War. This series attempted, through photographs, to do what no other books had previously done – to bring the war close and personal through previously unpublished and unavailable photographs. The series was edited by Francis Trevelyan Miller.

This post is part 5 of a 12 part series and will focus on the contents of Volume IV, The Cavalry.

Contents of Volume IV of the Photographic History of the Civil War.

“The Evolution of the American Cavalryman,” by Theodore F. Rodenbough. “The Federal Cavalry – Its Organization and Equipment,” Charles D. Rhodes. “The Confederate Cavalry in the East,” Holmes Conrad. “Federal raids and Expeditions in the East,” Charles D. Rhoads. “Federal raids and Expeditions in the West,” Charles D. Rhoads. “Morgan’s Christmas Raid, 1862-1863,” John Allan Wyeth. “Partisan Rangers of the Confederacy,” Charles D. Rhoads. “Outposts, Scouts, and Couriers,” Charles D. Rhoads. “A Ride Through the Federal Lines at Night,” John Allan Wyeth. “Cavalry Battles and charges,” Charles D. Rhoads. “Cavalry Leaders – North and South,” Theodore F. Rodenbough. “Famous Chargers,” Theodore F. Rodenbough. “Mounting the Cavalry of the Union Army,” Charles D. Rhoads.

Many men from the Lykens Valley area were connected with cavalry regiments. Previously mentioned was the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry, which had heavy enrollment from Dauphin County, Schuylkill County and Perry County. Other cavalry regiments had significant membership as well. For example, there have been twelve persons thus far identified who were part of the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry who should be included in the Civil War Research Project. These twelve veterans are: Jacob Beiler — William H. Bogar — Aaron C. Etsweiler — George W. P. Freeland — Thaddeus S. Freeland — Joseph H. Kawel — William F. Polm — William P. Seal — Elias “Eli” Thomas — Solomon S. Updegrove — Isaac Newton Williamson — and George F. Wingard. Information is being collected on each of those named, but more information is always sought.

A picture of the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry appears on a two page spread in Volume IV:

Click on picture to enlarge

The text accompanying this picture reads:

Just Before Sheridan Came, 1864 – The 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry

This photograph shows the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry in winter-quarters near Brandy Station in March, 1864, a month before the most important event in the history of the Federal cavalry – the unifying of the cavalry branch under the aggressive Sheridan. After Kilpatrick’s raid on Richmond, ending the 2nd of March, these troopers rested in camp until Sheridan left for his Richmond raid on May 9th. A month in camp is a long time for a cavalry, and here one has a good opportunity to see with what rapidity and ease a trooper had learned to make himself comfortable. Barrels have been placed upon the chimneys in order to increase their draft. Light enclosures of poles have been thrown up for the horses, and fodder has been stacked up on the hill. With stumps and cross-pieces the McClellan saddles are kept out of the wet and mud. The saddles were covered with rawhide instead of leather, and were more uncomfortable when they split than an ill-fitting shoe. The troopers themselves look fairly contented, and some of them are not so lean and angular as in the days of scouting and hard riding. There is plenty of work ahead of them, however, nearer Richmond, which will quickly enable them to rid themselves of any superfluous flesh.

For a free download from Google Books, click here and select “PDF” in the upper right corner of the page. When the “PDF” file opens in your reader, save the file to disk. Use of the file is subject to restrictions that are spelled out on the first page of the PDF. Essentially, the restrictions specify that the digital book may be used for personal, non-profit use only and that the Google Books “watermark” should not be removed from the pages.

Tomorrow, part of this series will examine Volume V, Forts and Arillery.

Category: Research, Resources | 1 Comment »
Tags: Regiments

The Decisive Battles

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on February 2, 2011

(Part 4 of 12). Contents of Volume III of The Photographic History of the Civil War: The Decisive Battles.

The year 1911 was the 50^th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. In a memorial to the war, a ten volume set of books was published entitled The Photographic History of the Civil War. This series attempted, through photographs, to do what no other books had previously done – to bring the war close and personal through previously unpublished and unavailable photographs. The series was edited by Francis Trevelyan Miller.

This post is part 4 of a 12 part series and will focus on the contents of Volume III, The Decisive Battles.

Contents of Volume III of The Photographic History of the Civil War.

Text by Henry W. Elson

Part I: Grant Versus Lee

“The Battles in the Wilderness.” “Spotsylvania and the Bloody Angle.” “Attack and repulse at Cold Harbor.”

Part II: The Simultaneous Movements

“Drewry’s Bluff Impregnable.” “To Atlanta – Sherman versus Johnston.” “The Last Conflicts in the Shenandoah.”

Part III: Closing In

“Charleston, the Unconquered Port.” “The Investment of Petersburg.” “Sherman’s Final Campaigns.”

Part IV: From War to Peace

“Nashville – The End in Tennessee.” “The Siege and Fall of Petersburg.” “Appomattox.”

Part V: “Engagements of the Civil War from May, 1864,, to May, 1865,” George L. Kilmer.

Pertaining to the Civil War Research Project, one sample pictures from this volume is provided:

Many men from the Lykens Valley area fought at Petersburg. “Digging” with picks and shovels was one of the required activities and men of the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry took part in this as well as other regiments at the front. Perhaps, because the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry was composed heavily of miners from the coal regions, they were the best at it. Those from this regiment who have already been identified for this Civil War Research Project are: Daniel Emanuel Artz — James W. Brennan —Charles Curtis — George W. Daniels — James Dempsey — John W. Derr — James W. Elliot — William Evans — Jacob Forbes Ferree — Thomas W. Garland — Horatio Grim — Richard M. Jones —William B. Kershner — John Kessler — Benjamin Klouser — Jacob Klouser — Daniel Kopps — Christian Lauer — William Loeser — Patrick Mallen — Emanuel F. Matter — Lewis A. Maul — William Maurer — Thomas McGee — William D. Murphy — William Owens — Peter B. rank — Edward J. Robson — Franklin B. Shriver — William Straw — Robert B. Thompson — William Otis Tyson — Samuel Wenrich — Jerry Willoner — William Young. If anyone can supply any others from the 48th Pennsylvania who should be included in this Civil War Research Project, please do so.

For a free download from Google Books, click here and select “PDF” in the upper right corner of the page. When the “PDF” file opens in your reader, save the file to disk. Use of the file is subject to restrictions that are spelled out on the first page of the PDF. Essentially, the restrictions specify that the digital book may be used for personal, non-profit use only and that the Google Books “watermark” should not be removed from the pages.

Tomorrow, part 5 of this series will examine Volume IV, The Cavalry.

Category: Overviews, Research, Resources | Comments Off on The Decisive Battles
Tags: Regiments

Two Years of Grim War

Posted By Norman Gasbarro on February 1, 2011

(Part 3 of 12). Contents of Volume II of The Photographic History of the Civil War: Two Years of Grim War. (also part 4 of ongoing series on the Battle of Gettysburg).

The year 1911 was the 50^th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. In a memorial to the war, a ten volume set of books was published entitled The Photographic History of the Civil War. This series attempted, through photographs, to do what no other books had previously done – to bring the war close and personal through previously unpublished and unavailable photographs. The series was edited by Francis Trevelyan Miller.

This post is part 3 of a 12 part series and will focus on the contents of Volume II, Two Years of Grim War. Since this volume also contains a main section on the Battle of Gettysburg, it can be considered part 4 of an ongoing series on that battle.

Contents of Volume II of the Photographic History of the Civil War.

Text by Henry W. Elson

Part I: The Rise of Lee

“Cedar Mountain – Pope’s Advance is Checked.” “The Second Battle at Bull Run.” “Antietam – The Invasion of the North.” Fredericksburg – Disaster for a New Union Leader.” “Chancellorsville and Jackson’s Flanking March.”

Part II: Opening the Mississipi

“Baton Rouge – An Arsenal Recaptured.” “The Assault on Corinth – Rosecrans Holds Firm.” “The mid-Winter Combat at Stone’s River.” “The Sieges of Vicksburg and Port Hudson.”

Part III: The Crisis

“Gettysburg.”

Part IV: Along the Tennessee

“Chickamauga – The Bloodiest Conflict in the West.” “The Battles on Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge.”

Part V: “Engagements of the Civil War from August, 1862, to April 1864, Inclusive,” George L. Kilmer.

Some photographs that are pertinent to this Civil War Research Project are reproduced below:

The above picture is captioned: “Ready to Cover the Rappahannock – the 150th Pennsylvania, Three Weeks Before the Battle of Chancellorsville.” More information is sought on a James H. Haskins who served in the 150th Pennsylvania Infantry and was married to a woman named Adella P. Did this James Haskins have a connection to the Lykens Valley area? Information is sought on James Haskins as well as any others from the 150th Pennsylvania Infantry who should be included in the project.

The above picture shows General George G. Meade and his staff. Previously posted in part 3 of the series on Gettysburg were photos of memorials to Gen. Meade as well as his home in Philadelphia and portrait of him. The picture of the general and staff is one of many such pictures throughout the ten volumes of The Photographic History of the Civil War – posed photos taken of the military leaders of the war for both the Union and the Confederacy.

Many gruesome pictures accompany the section on the Battle of Gettysburg and it is not the intention of this post to show them here.

For a free download from Google Books, click here and select “PDF” in the upper right corner of the page. When the “PDF” file opens in your reader, save the file to disk. Use of the file is subject to restrictions that are spelled out on the first page of the PDF. Essentially, the restrictions specify that the digital book may be used for personal, non-profit use only and that the Google Books “watermark” should not be removed from the pages.

Tomorrow, part 4 of this series will examine Volume III, The Decisive Battles.

Category: Research, Resources | Comments Off on Two Years of Grim War
Tags: Haskins family, Regiments

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