The Siege of Vicksburg

Another blow has been dealt to the confederate army. While I was fighting in Gettysburg other portions of our army were fighting elsewhere. General Pemberton was overwhelmed in Vicksburg, Mississippi around the same time I suffered my defeat. Over 10,000 men were killed and 37,000 prisoners were taken from the confederate army. They took 260 cannons, 60,000 stand-of-arms, and over 2 million rounds of ammunition.

There is no more hope left to fight with, only pride.


http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/siege-vicksburg.htm

The Civil War Battlefield Guide Edited by Frances H. Kennedy.

The Battle of Gettysburg

The win at Chancellorsville energized me, so I pushed north. My plan was to deal the union a devastating blow, but I didn’t want to make take an aggressive battle too far in the enemy’s country. There were two main reasons for my gamble. In Pennsylvania there was food available to feed my men and their horses. Also if I didn’t attack the union soldiers first that would get us. I was pretty sure moving north would scare Hooker into defending Washington. Even so a gut feeling told me that something was going to go wrong. The soldier I sent to spy on the Union never returned, so I assumed it was safe. It was a stupid assumption on my behalf. Needless to say the Union army followed us and we were defeated. We lost well over a third of our army. Little hope remains.

In There Own Words: Civil War Commanders collected and edited by T.J. Stiles

The Long Road to Gettysburg written by Jim Murphy

The Battle of Chancellorsville

This took place from April 30 to May 6.

My army and I met union soldiers at a ford in Chancellorsville, Virginia. No conversation passed between our opposing sides, but we gave a rallying cry as we attacked the Yankees. They appeared amused for a brief moment that went away, however, when we bombarded them with shells. They stood in perfect formation and fired upon us. Waves of men fell from each army but many more from our side. They were told to fire at will and I commanded my men to do the same. Then additional union soldiers attacked us on each side. We were tricked! Once again we were outnumbered 2:1.

I divided my army into sections to take out those sent to hit us on both sides. Surprisingly the union soldiers were the ones retreating. I had to tell my soldier, “That is the way you young men always do. You allow those people to get away. I tell you what to do and you can’t do it." To summarize as the Union Army was constantly being divided we held together. We were the victors in the battle.


Originally Printed in Civil War Times
http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-chancellorsville-day-one.htm

The Civil War: Strange and Fascinating Facts. Burke Davis The Fairfax Press.

Originally Printed in Civil War Times
http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-salem-church-final-federal-assault-at-chancellorsville.htm

Freeing Slaves? An Emancipation Proclamation?

"There are few, I believe, in this enlightened age, who will not acknowledge that slavery as an institution is a moral and political evil."

Slavery is a macabre evil. I will not deny that I have inherited slaves. I will not deny that I used their labor for my own profit. These things, however, reflect nothing of my inner turmoil. God knows that owning and using these people is a sin but, “I think it, however, is a greater evil to the white man than to the black race”. Africans are better off here than they were in the jungles. Those abolitionists are irresponsible and unaccountable” because providence will free the slave in his time through natural causes.

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/Lee%20on%20Slavery.htm

http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=1&did=1615435601&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1233024607&clientId=19245

Battle of Sharpsburg

I have had the longest and most disappointing days in my life. The Battle of Sharpsburg was the beginning of the end, and it was by far one of the most tragic conflicts I have ever taken part in. I remember looking at my troops while standing on a rock. I contemplated whether or not to retreat. I was outnumbered 2 to 1. They surrounded us in group formations. My men were prepared to give there all. But I determined that life was more important than winning that one battle. So I retreated so we could get more troops and restock supplies.

It was perhaps pure negligence on my part though. I came up with a detailed plan to defeat the Union army but fate intervened. I trusted one of my officers to deliver the details. He wrapped the orders in a cigar case. Unfortunately, he lost them and they fell into the hands of the Union army. I discovered this much too late. The Battle of Antietam was the most gruesome event of my life. It was the largest amount causalities I have ever seen in my life. Over 23,000 men died! It was an inconclusive battle for the most part although the Union saw it as a defeat for us. Now Lincoln has decided to free the slaves!




http://www.nps.gov/archive/anti/battle.htm

http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=0&did=749880681&SrchMode=1&sid=6&Fmt=4&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1232745676&clientId=19245

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/civil/battle_2

http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=55&did=866776241&SrchMode=1&sid=4&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1232744982&clientId=19245

http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=4&did=1407959391&SrchMode=1&sid=4&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1232744226&clientId=19245

Battle of Manassas

War has unfortunately, broken out it my land -my only true home- Virginia. There was a large battle near Manassas, Virginia and I know without a doubt that there will be no turning back. This is the official start of the Civil War that has been brewing for months.

The northerners were angered by the Battle of Fort Sumter as I suspected they would. They have taken the fancy to crush the ‘rebellion’ here. McDowell was sent to the south to do defeat the Confederate in a quick decisive battle. His 28,000 troops were crushed by the 33,000 commanded the confederate army by Gen. Pierre G.T. Beauregard.

This war will be neither short nor sweet. I can only wait for my time to once again command an army and fight too.




http://library.thinkquest.org/3055/graphics/battles/bullrun.html

http://www.nps.gov/archive/mana/battlefield_history/ob1mana.htm

The begining of trouble

I have been relieved of my duties as the Bvt Col. over the Department of Texas. In place of this task I have been assigned to go to Washington and meet with President Lincoln. It to my understanding that he wants me to join the Union's army and go to war against the south.

This battle that is currently going on at Fort Sumter will be the beginning of what I believe will be a Civil War. South Carolina led it's desire to succeed overwhelm it. Confederate soldiers asked the Union soldiers to surrender Fort Sumter and when they refused the Confederate soldiers fired on thing. This leads me to my current predicament with Lincoln wanting me to join his side. While the events may have been unfortunate I cannot help be sympathize with the south. While this decision will not be an easy one for me, it is an inevitable one, I am all for the Confederate.

War of the Rebellion Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies Series 1. Volume 1. Secession, Ford Sumter. National Historic Society.

http://www.npg.si.edu/exh/brady/gallery/61gal.html

http://americancivilwar.com/statepic/sc/sc001.html

Lincoln's election.

Today I found out that Abraham Lincoln was elected. If I were to say this is troubling, I would be making a grave understatement. The possible repercussions of this event are huge. The union is in such a state of distress. So many interests are screaming to be heard, and each side is ignorant of the other's desires. I can only hope this transition of power will be smooth. Perhaps Lincoln will be sage enough to create compromises that are fair to both the north and the south.

I cannot help but worry. My position as a general commanding a large force called the Department of Texas involves me. I do not wish to see my men dying over one man's failed leadership. While I am against slavery and succession, I am not too unwise to realize the devastation it could cause for the south. I am a Virginian first and an American second. I love my family and they are who I will protect with my life. If succeeding and fighting the north is what it takes to secure their interests I will do so without a moments notice.


http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ug97/monument/leebio.html

http://www.npg.si.edu/exh/brady/gallery/61gal.html

Hello

I am Robert E. Lee and you'll find that I'm not all I appear to be.