Frequently, I see videos containing people who appear grown and mature and who say the words "another civil war." That anybody would desire a repetition of what you describe at Ft. Donelson astounds me.
This reporter aptly and vividly described the horrors of war in the aftermath of that battle. Somehow, it's still glorified, which entices we silly humans to keep repeating the same mistake over and over again.
I had a great uncle, Littleton Pannell, of the 23rd Mississippi that was part of the breakout. After they were recalled into the works, he followed Forrest out in the escape from Donelson. I’ve always thought those men were Betrayed by Buckner. A very close friend of Grant by the way. I don’t know, of course I wasn’t there. But those down the chain of command, certainly to include Forrest, thought they were betrayed. Those men, along with those from Island No. 10, could have made all the difference in the world at Shiloh.
I always enjoy a tale my ancestor was involved in. Similar attack on Fort Himdman later, where he was wounded. Recovered in time to be at Vicksburg A good book on the Arkansas campaign written by Mark K Christ
When the madness of battle comes upon a man, he will throw his life away in a desperate need to accomplish his goal. The words "Victory or Death" is not just a cliche, but an urgent drive that compels men in their untold thousands to risk and lose their lives. He may not hate his fellow man nor wish to kill him under any other circumstance except under this urgent madness.
Samuel Morse built the first "experimental" telegraph line between Baltimore and Washington, DC, with a Federal grant in 1844. By 1851 the Bureau of the Census reported 75 companies with 21,147 miles of wire (mostly between major centers of Commerce. There was consolidation with Western Union becoming the predominant force by 1866 (in 1864 they reported owning 44,000 miles of wire). The US Army Telegraph Corps had run 15,000 miles of cable by the start of the Civil War, which was used, and added to, by both sides.
The military telegraph was even used as a rudimentary weather forecasting system. Since weather in America generally flows easterly, commanders in the west could transmit weather conditions to those in the east, giving them some idea of what to expect in the next few days.
I can never understand why anyone could glorify war! I suppose most soldiers are in their late teens and early twenties and they are too young to understand what war is all about!
Those from the Federals can rest easy. They did their duty and catapulted to prominence the General who would go on to complete the saving of the union. Those rebel traitors and slavers can be ashamed for ever.
Ashamed? Go away you hater. My Confederate ancestors fought invaders of their newly formed country. I had ancestors on both sides and am proud of ALL of them.
"No man has the right to kill his brother. It is no excuse that he does so in uniform: he only adds the infamy of servitude to the crime of murder"...Percy Shelly
My great great grandfather and my great great great uncle both of the 32nd Tennessee Infantry CSA fought at Ft Donelson
Top stuff, excellent use of primary sources
I always like to hear your introduction.
Powerful words, thank you for the video Ron.
Frequently, I see videos containing people who appear grown and mature and who say the words "another civil war." That anybody would desire a repetition of what you describe at Ft. Donelson astounds me.
Grant was truly one of a kind!
Thanks Ron
Those old battlefields must’ve been horrible. Very descriptive.
Thank you
This reporter aptly and vividly described the horrors of war in the aftermath of that battle. Somehow, it's still glorified, which entices we silly humans to keep repeating the same mistake over and over again.
I visited Ft. Donelson. The Confederates had a commanding elevated view of the river. I could see why the Union fleet was badly damaged.
I had a great uncle, Littleton Pannell, of the 23rd Mississippi that was part of the breakout. After they were recalled into the works, he followed Forrest out in the escape from Donelson. I’ve always thought those men were Betrayed by Buckner. A very close friend of Grant by the way. I don’t know, of course I wasn’t there. But those down the chain of command, certainly to include Forrest, thought they were betrayed. Those men, along with those from Island No. 10, could have made all the difference in the world at Shiloh.
I always enjoy a tale my ancestor was involved in. Similar attack on Fort Himdman later, where he was wounded. Recovered in time to be at Vicksburg
A good book on the Arkansas campaign written by Mark K Christ
When the madness of battle comes upon a man, he will throw his life away in a desperate need to accomplish his goal. The words "Victory or Death" is not just a cliche, but an urgent drive that compels men in their untold thousands to risk and lose their lives. He may not hate his fellow man nor wish to kill him under any other circumstance except under this urgent madness.
Interesting that there was such carnage, for I had read recently that Fort Donaldson was given up with hardly a fight.
It must have been difficult to write that much with the pens of the day. Those long letters must have taken quite a bit of time.
And to think Shiloh was on the horizon.
How did the reporter find and work with telegraphers to post their stories? Did after action reports get posted by wire? Great episode
"Do presume that the general officer commanding would have arranged such communication especially at a combat scene where the Union prevailed.
Samuel Morse built the first "experimental" telegraph line between Baltimore and Washington, DC, with a Federal grant in 1844. By 1851 the Bureau of the Census reported 75 companies with 21,147 miles of wire (mostly between major centers of Commerce. There was consolidation with Western Union becoming the predominant force by 1866 (in 1864 they reported owning 44,000 miles of wire). The US Army Telegraph Corps had run 15,000 miles of cable by the start of the Civil War, which was used, and added to, by both sides.
The military telegraph was even used as a rudimentary weather forecasting system. Since weather in America generally flows easterly, commanders in the west could transmit weather conditions to those in the east, giving them some idea of what to expect in the next few days.
Sounds awful. This reporter did a fine job in describing the aftermath of battle. Vivid and horrifying.
I can never understand why anyone could glorify war! I suppose most soldiers are in their late teens and early twenties and they are too young to understand what war is all about!
P T S D .
Those from the Federals can rest easy. They did their duty and catapulted to prominence the General who would go on to complete the saving of the union. Those rebel traitors and slavers can be ashamed for ever.
Ashamed? Go away you hater. My Confederate ancestors fought invaders of their newly formed country. I had ancestors on both sides and am proud of ALL of them.
"No man has the right to kill his brother. It is no excuse that he does so in uniform: he only adds the infamy of servitude to the crime of murder"...Percy Shelly
Horrible!