Two Generals, Two Towns, Two Tornadoes

My thoughts this week are with my fellow Texans who were struck by a series of tornadoes earlier this week.  Two of the towns hit by the storms were Granbury and Cleburne.  Now, I am sure that Civil War Addicts already knew this, but the towns were named for Confederate generals.

Hiram Granbury, a Mississippi native, moved to Waco, Texas as a young man.  He enlisted in the 7th Texas Infantry and was elected Major.  By the Tennessee Campaign of 1864, he commanded a brigade made up of several Texas regiments.  None other than General Patrick Cleburne called Granbury's Texas Brigade a "Band of Heroes".  Granbury was killed leading his men into battle at Franklin on November 30, 1864.  His last words were "Forward, men, forward!  Never let it be said that Texans lag in a fight!"

General Patrick Cleburne, a native of Ireland, served in the British Army before immigrating to the United States.  He found himself living in Arkansas prior to the war.  When the Civil War began, he enlisted as a private in the Yell Rifles and was later elected captain.  By 1864 he was a division commander in the Army of Tennessee.  His chances for greater promotion were destroyed by his proposal to free the slaves in exchange for military service.  But his troops were some of the best the Confederacy had to offer.  Like his subordinate Hiram Granbury, General Cleburne was killed leading his division into combat at Franklin.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the citizens of these towns as they recover from Mother Nature's wrath.

My name is Lee Hutch and I am a Civil War Addict.

P.S.  Sherman, Texas is named after Sidney Sherman, not William T. Sherman!

Civil War Dream Team

I have been thinking lately about Civil War commanders.  We all have different opinions on what makes a good leader.  I have always thought that the best commanders (or the best bosses in the regular world) put the needs of their people first.  Somewhere along the way I read a quote that said the best commanders put their butts on the line to protect their people, not their people on the line to protect their own butt.  I have tried to consider the Civil War in light of that quote.

As I ponder Civil War commanders and their leadership abilities, I look at one commander from each side.  First, I think of General Hancock.  What Civil War Addict could forget his famous quote at Gettysburg?  When urged to remove himself from the field of fire during Pickett's Charge, he replied "There are times when a Corps commander's life doesn't count."  He was wounded during the attack and refused to go to the rear, instead choosing to remain behind and see his men through the engagement.

On the Confederate side, I think of General Patrick Cleburne.  With his many battlefield successes, he always gave credit to his men.  At his last battle, Franklin, he was killed leading his troops into battle.  General Cleburne was last seen on foot with his sword raised and kepi in the air.  He died leading brave men into battle.

Both of these men are, in my opinion, good leaders and good commanders.  I think we'd all love to have a boss like this in the modern world.  If you are looking for examples of good leadership, look no further than Generals Hancock and Cleburne.  These are in my opinion two of the best commanders of the war.

Who are your picks?

My name is Lee Hutch and I am a Civil War Addict.

Civil War Fiction

I received my copy of Hell or Richmond by Ralph Peters today.  Obviously I cannot comment on it yet since it just arrived.  But it got me thinking about Civil War fiction.  I have a large collection of Civil War novels.  It is not as large as my collection of non-fiction, of course.  I know there are quite a few history types out there that don't read historical fiction.  However, I have always read both.

I have my favorite Civil War novels just as I have my favorite battlefields, non-fiction books, and generals.  I am far from being a literary critic, though my minor was English literature/creative writing.  Many people have asked me in the past what my favorite Civil War novel is.  The answer surprises some folks who think that I'll go along with the "industry standard" which seems to be The Killer Angels.

My favorite Civil War novel is The Black Flower by Howard Bahr.  It concerns my favorite battle.....the Battle of Franklin.  So I guess it is only natural that I prefer this novel to all others.

What is your favorite Civil War novel?

My name is Lee Hutch and I am a Civil War Addict.

Civil War Time Traveller

If you could go back in time and witness one (and only one) Civil War event, which would it be?  Would you want to see Jackson standing like a stone wall?  Perhaps you would want to see Robert E. Lee attempting to lead the Texas brigade into combat at the Battle of the Wilderness.  The options are endless.

For me the answer is simple.  I would like to return to the afternoon of November 30, 1864 at around 4 pm.  I want to feel the ground shake as 19,000 Confederate soldiers march in unison across what will become a valley of death.  I want to see the battle line which stretched for 2 miles across the valley.  I want to see 200 battle flags bathing the column in a sea of red.  I want to hear the rebel yell echoing through the air.

Yes friends, I would like to witness the opening minutes of the Battle of Franklin.  But just the opening minutes.

My name is Lee Hutch and I am a Civil War Addict.