Barksdale's Charge by Phillip Thomas Tucker Ph. D. (1 Viewer)

[Warrior]

Am currently reading this book, it focuses solely on Barksdale's Charge on July 2nd, 1863 during the Battle of Gettysburg.

The book is terrific, well written and it contains several maps that allow you to follow the charge from start to finish.

A pretty spectacular achievement by Barksdale's men, 1,600 men from the 13th, 17th, 18th and 21st MS; they essentially shattered the Union III Corps and pushed the Union army to the limit.

Have picked up some pretty interesting aspects of the battle that I was not aware of prior to reading this book; if you are a fan of the Civil War, Gettysburg or Barksdale, I recommend picking it up, bought it off of Amazon for short money...............

 

[lancer]

Am currently reading this book, it focuses solely on Barksdale's Charge on July 2nd, 1863 during the Battle of Gettysburg.

The book is terrific, well written and it contains several maps that allow you to follow the charge from start to finish.

A pretty spectacular achievement by Barksdale's men, 1,600 men from the 13th, 17th, 18th and 21st MS; they essentially shattered the Union III Corps and pushed the Union army to the limit.

Have picked up some pretty interesting aspects of the battle that I was not aware of prior to reading this book; if you are a fan of the Civil War, Gettysburg or Barksdale, I recommend picking it up, bought it off of Amazon for short money...............

Glad to hear this is a good book. Was all set to order this book along with the new book on JB Hood when my wife insisted on groceries instead. Just have to wait a couple of weeks. I am very much looking forward to this one as it has been in need of a book focusing on it. -- Al

 

[Warrior]

I first heard about this book in January, waited 8 months to get my hands on it and so far, it's been worth the wait.

It's amazing how close the north came to losing the battle.

The 9th MA battery made a last stand that basically saved the Union Army that day, interesting to read about the men in that battery and the small towns and cities in MA they were from.

 

[Warrior]

I finished the book today; for me, it was one of those can't put down sort of reads once I started.

Bottom line is this; IF Lee/Longstreet had thrown Pickett and his fresh 4,500 man division in to support Barksdale, the Confederates win the battle, end of story.

The 21st MS and their actions on the 2nd day represent the true high water of the Confederacy; they literally split the Union line in two, could have gone either to the right to attack towards the wheat field and Little Round Top, or to the left and rolled up the Union line to Cemetery Ridge and beyond if they had proper support.

What a great book.

 

[Fubar]

Sounds like an excellent read George.In my Amazon shopping cart!
Trioni seems to have captured our imagination in his masterpiece BARKSDALES CHARGE and RETREAT BY RECOIL.
Here is an image I found of the 9th MA batteries slain Artillery teams at the Trostle farm, as sobering as any I have seen.
looking forward to reading this book.

Fubar

ps, harsh treatment over at TMP George. Often not a very pleasant venue, but I know you can take it. I won't verbalize what we are both thinkin!

 

[Warrior]

ps, harsh treatment over at TMP George. Often not a very pleasant venue, but I know you can take it. I won't verbalize what we are both thinkin!

That's great, I didn't know you were over there, what is your screen name?

It's my own fault, trying to start a civil discussion with a bunch of blowhard wrecking balls who haven't seen their feet in ten years.

It's one thing to push little lead soldiers around on a table and throw dice, it's quite another to be in combat, death all around you, noise, smoke and confusion thrown in as well.

That charge was nothing short of brilliant and to try to call it anything less is moronic. 1,600 men did on the 2nd what close to ten times that number could not do on the 3rd.

 

[Fubar]

I agree , it was an amazing feat of arms. Probably subject of my next ACW diorama/shambattle .
I also agree about TMP. I go to look for new 28mm Napoleonic products in the war game world. Seldom post anything lest hear from all the know it all banshee wailers.
Ragnar use the user name. Not a supporting member, so I can't post anything, as If I would.
FubARR

 

[Warrior]

After reading the book, that charge and the direction it took is crystal clear to me, while prior to reading it, that was not the case.

So I learned something by reading it, have more knowledge about the charge and the battle than before, so that's how I judge a book.

Some of the Gettysburg books I've read were like dry white toast as I mentioned over there, this one had a great flow to it, I did not want to put it down once I started reading it.

That said, his comment that Pickett's men were fully up and ready if needed by 5:00pm on the second day seems to be a point of disagreement with many members over there and if this is 100% false, that is not good as he bases a lot of his premise that the charge would have succeeded with proper support on committing Pickett's men and Lee not wanting to do so.

Imagine 4,500 men coming up to support 1,600 men, would have been interesting to see how that played out, which is again, why Gettysburg and Waterloo are my two favorite battles to study, so many what ifs..............

 

[Warrior]

I agree , it was an amazing feat of arms. Probably subject of my next ACW diorama/shambattle .

Great minds think alike, I'm planning it out now...........:wink2:

 

[Dragoon]

Thanks Warrior, great little discussion. I've put 'Barksdale's Charge' on the very short wish list. Well written micro-histories with their deep focus on a certain aspect of a battle are great reads - the good ones imparting new knowledge on an often well known subject. - Have you read 'Pickett's Charge' by George Stewart, another well written micro-history I'm sure you'd like.

 

[Warrior]

Thanks Warrior, great little discussion. I've put 'Barksdale's Charge' on the very short wish list. Well written micro-histories with their deep focus on a certain aspect of a battle are great reads - the good ones imparting new knowledge on an often well known subject. - Have you read 'Pickett's Charge' by George Stewart, another well written micro-history I'm sure you'd like.

You're welcome and I couldn't agree more with you comments; I look for books like this one that focus on a certain aspect of a battle like you said, plus how many books can you read about the entire Battle of Gettysburg, it gets a bit old after awhile, but books like this one and the one you mentioned are more to my liking.

 

[lancer]

After reading the book, that charge and the direction it took is crystal clear to me, while prior to reading it, that was not the case.

So I learned something by reading it, have more knowledge about the charge and the battle than before, so that's how I judge a book.

Some of the Gettysburg books I've read were like dry white toast as I mentioned over there, this one had a great flow to it, I did not want to put it down once I started reading it.

That said, his comment that Pickett's men were fully up and ready if needed by 5:00pm on the second day seems to be a point of disagreement with many members over there and if this is 100% false, that is not good as he bases a lot of his premise that the charge would have succeeded with proper support on committing Pickett's men and Lee not wanting to do so.

Imagine 4,500 men coming up to support 1,600 men, would have been interesting to see how that played out, which is again, why Gettysburg and Waterloo are my two favorite battles to study, so many what ifs..............

George, I find his claim that Pickett's men were up and ready for action by 5PM interesting, to say the least. Pickett's Division had been on the march from Chambersburg since very early July 2 and were really quite worn from the long, hot march with very little water to be had along the way. From what I've read, Garnett and Armistead got into camp along Marsh Creek around 4 PM, still 3 miles west of Gettysburg. Kemper didn't get into the western edge of Spangler's Wood until around sunset, much later than 5 PM. All 3 Brigades were tired out from the march. I don't see how Pickett could have been in position for action by 5 PM. I am going to have to get that book and find out where the 5 PM timeline comes from. As I said, very interesting. -- Al

 

[Warrior]

George, I find his claim that Pickett's men were up and ready for action by 5PM interesting, to say the least. Pickett's Division had been on the march from Chambersburg since very early July 2 and were really quite worn from the long, hot march with very little water to be had along the way. From what I've read, Garnett and Armistead got into camp along Marsh Creek around 4 PM, still 3 miles west of Gettysburg. Kemper didn't get into the western edge of Spangler's Wood until around sunset, much later than 5 PM. All 3 Brigades were tired out from the march. I don't see how Pickett could have been in position for action by 5 PM. I am going to have to get that book and find out where the 5 PM timeline comes from. As I said, very interesting. -- Al

You are 100% correct Al, I've done a lot of research on this and there is no way they would have been able to join in on the attack, they were not fully up by the time they would have been needed.

A major error by the author, would love to know what his source was on that.

That said, it's still a very good book.

 

[lancer]

George, upon checking the timeline on Barksdale's assault seems that MAYBE Pickett's Division might have been used, if available, for support. Barksdale went into the attack about 6PM and collapsed the Peach Orchard salient around 6:30 PM. Barksdale was then continually engaged until around 8:15, until pulling back. Certainly it seems possible that at least the 2 brigades of Garnett and Armistead might have been moved forward from Marsh Creek, even if tired, in support of the assault. It doesn't seem too big a stretch to believe that the 3 miles from Marsh Creek could have been covered in time to get in on the action, even if as late as 7PM or so. I just don't know what the true condition of Pickett's men was other than the obvious wear from a days march. I think that I read somewhere that Pickett was also to act as a rear guard to Lee's right flank, as the Confederate cavalry was not present to do so. Maybe this factored into the decision to not use Pickett. I would also think that communications were not what they should have been. The fog of war is a powerful influence. -- Al

 

[Warrior]

Thanks for the information Al. After the war, Longstreet was asked why there was no support in behind Barksdale; his comment was something to the effect of he didn't think the charge would be so successful and penetrate so far into the Union line.

The more I read about Longstreet, the more it becomes clear that he wanted nothing to do with a fight at Gettysburg on the second and third day of the battle, he wanted to pull out and march on Washington, not fight there.

Pretty tough to win a battle when one of your three corps commanders is opposed to it.

 

[lancer]

Thanks for the information Al. After the war, Longstreet was asked why there was no support in behind Barksdale; his comment was something to the effect of he didn't think the charge would be so successful and penetrate so far into the Union line.

The more I read about Longstreet, the more it becomes clear that he wanted nothing to do with a fight at Gettysburg on the second and third day of the battle, he wanted to pull out and march on Washington, not fight there.

Pretty tough to win a battle when one of your three corps commanders is opposed to it.

Yes indeed, Longstreet's petulance at Gettysburg has long been a focus of controversy and there were, and are, many who blame his sub-par 'enthusiasm' for battle at Gettysburg for the Confederate defeat. There is little doubt that Lee, even while he was not at his best, was ill-served by his Corps commanders on these 3 days. -- Al

 

[tdubel]

Yes indeed, Longstreet's petulance at Gettysburg has long been a focus of controversy and there were, and are, many who blame his sub-par 'enthusiasm' for battle at Gettysburg for the Confederate defeat. There is little doubt that Lee, even while he was not at his best, was ill-served by his Corps commanders on these 3 days. -- Al

Truer words have not been spoken. IMO, if Jackson was at Gettysburg..................oh the what if!

TD

George, you might be whistlin Dixie...........................:tongue:

 

[wds0855]

Am currently reading this book, it focuses solely on Barksdale's Charge on July 2nd, 1863 during the Battle of Gettysburg.

The book is terrific, well written and it contains several maps that allow you to follow the charge from start to finish.

A pretty spectacular achievement by Barksdale's men, 1,600 men from the 13th, 17th, 18th and 21st MS; they essentially shattered the Union III Corps and pushed the Union army to the limit.

Have picked up some pretty interesting aspects of the battle that I was not aware of prior to reading this book; if you are a fan of the Civil War, Gettysburg or Barksdale, I recommend picking it up, bought it off of Amazon for short money...............

I have always thought this aspect of the battles has been really negelected. Thanks for the info.

Walt