Antietam Generals: Oliver O. Howard

Today I want to start a new series of posts on this blog that will coincide with my research on the Army of the Potomac this summer. While I am making charts and analyzing the experience and strength of different commands, I thought it would be interesting to start doing profile posts on various Union generals and commanders at Antietam, covering what they did during the battle, as well as their lives and careers before, during, and after the Civil War. I will most likely keep this series focusing on brigade commanders, but who knows? Maybe we will talk about some of the well known corps commanders, division commanders, or even some relatively unknown regimental commanders. I may even branch off and start working on Confederate commanders. Guess you'll have to stay tuned for more to come.

For the first profile, I decided to pick the man who commanded what readers of this blog will immediately recognize as the coolest, most interesting, and most fascinating brigade at the battle: the Philadelphia Brigade (for those who are new to this blog, my great-great-great grandfather Elwood Rodebaugh was a private in the 106th PA, one of the regiments in the brigade). As a part of the 2nd Corps, the Philadelphia Brigade saw heavy combat on many battlefields of the war. It also had some remarkable commanders, but none paralleled the record, and in some instances controversy, of the career of Oliver O. Howard.


Oliver O. Howard

Born: Nov. 8, 1830, Leeds Maine

Died: October 26, 1909

Buried: Lake View Cemetery, Burlington, VT

Command at Antietam: 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Corps (Philadelphia Brigade)

Oliver O. Howard

(www.generalsandbrevets.com)

Oliver O. Howard is one of the more remarkable Union generals from the American Civil War. He was an 1850 graduate of Bowdoin College, the school made famous by another one of its students who became a professor at Bowdoin and later a Union colonel and general: Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. In 1854, Howard graduated fourth in his class from West Point, along with other notable Civil War figures such as Jeb Stuart and Stephen D. Lee, both of whom Howard fought against at Antietam. Howard was known as a strong Christian and an abolitionist, yet he still cultivated a friendship with Stuart during their time together at West Point. His most notable service during the years between 1854 and the start of the war was as an assistant professor of mathematics at West Point. At the start of the Civil War, Howard was elected the colonel of the 3rd Maine. He commanded a brigade at the Battle of First Manassas; while trying to flank Confederates on Henry House Hill from Chinn Ridge, Howard’s brigade was hit by Confederate counterattacks and driven from the field. On September 3, 1861, Howard was given a commission as a Brigadier General of Volunteers, and he went on to command a brigade in McClellan’s Army of the Potomac during the Peninsula Campaign. During the Battle of Seven Pines, Howard was severely wounded, and lost his right arm as a result. He returned to duty in late August, 1862, during the debacle following the Union defeat at Second Manassas, and just in time for the battle of Antietam. Howard took command of the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Division of the 2nd Corps, otherwise known as the Philadelphia Brigade, as the majority of the men in the brigade were from the city of Philadelphia (it was one fo the only brigades in the army to be known for its city of origin). The regiments which comprised the brigade were the 69th, 71st, 72nd, and 106th Pennsylvania. Howard was not alone in taking command of a brigde on the eve of the campaign; this would be the case for many, as the defeated and broken ranks of the Army of the Potomac and Army of Virginia needed to be reorganized quickly for the upcoming fight.

At Antietam, in command of the Philadelphia Brigade, Howard was a part of John Sedgwick’s 2nd Division of the 2nd Corps, the first division from that corps to be deployed on the field that day. 2nd Corps commander Major General Edwin V. Sumner personally led Sedgwick’s men onto the field, arriving first in the East Woods, where just before 9 a.m., he made the decision to push west across the Hagerstown Turnpike so as to then turn south and drive Lee’s already battered left flank from the northern end of the field.

Ezra Carman's map showing troop placements in the West Woods between 9 and 9:30 a.m. Howard's brigade consisted of the 69th, 71st, 72nd, and 106th Pennsylvania, which can be seen just west of the Hagerstown Pike, conforming to the tree line in the West Woods.

As Sumner led Sedgwick’s division into the West Woods, the men were deployed into three lines of battle, stretching north and south, and facing west. Howard’s was the last of these three lines. His men crossed the turnpike, and formed their ranks to the tree line on the western edge of a clover field, which is now known as Philadelphia Brigade Park (stop 5 on the park’s driving tour). Unknowingly, Howard’s brigade and the rest of Sedgwick’s division were out in front of the biggest Confederate counterattack at the Battle of Antietam. Lee was sending the divisions of Lafayette McLaws and John Walker to the Confederate left flank; they descended upon the flank of the Union soldiers in the West Woods, and in less than half an hour, there were over 2,000 Federal casualties. In the course of the action, John Sedgwick was wounded, and Howard assumed command of the division, or, what was left of it. Sedgwick’s division had sustained the highest casualties of any division at the battle. Howard’s brigade had suffered 545 casualties on its own, all in less than half an hour.

There was little that Howard could have done to stop the Confederate onslaught. Sumner had navigated the division into a vulnerable position, and the Confederates happened to strike at precisely the right time. The terrain of the West Woods and the close Federal battle lines made turning to meet any Confederate attack extremely difficult. Howard did what he could to rally his men, and some companies and portions of regiments made stands at various places north and east of the initial Federal position. Yet, by and large, Sedgwick’s division was completely routed from their position in the West Woods.

Howard went on to a controversial, yet accomplished career, following Antietam. By March of 1863, Howard was a Major General and in command of the 11th Corps. At Chancellorsville, Howard’s men were again on the wrong end of a Confederate flank attack, this one being the famed assault of Stonewall Jackson, the same assault which ultimately led to Jackson’s accidental and eventually fatal wounding by his own men. Several months later, at Gettysburg, Howard was one of the heroes of the Union victory. While his 11th Corps troops had been driven back from their positions north of Gettysburg on July 1, it was Howard who had left a brigade of Union troops on Cemetery Hill, preparing a fall back defensive position for Union forces which guaranteed Federal control of the crucial high ground south of town, the same high ground which Union soldiers successfully defended on July 2 and July 3, achieving one of the great military victories in American history.


The following year, Howard went west and south. During the Atlanta Campaign, he at first commanded the 4th Corps in the Army of the Cumberland. After the death of Major General James B. McPherson at the July 22, 1864 Battle of Atlanta, Howard assumed command of the Army of the Tennessee, and was a part of Sherman’s successful capture of Atlanta in September, along with the famed March to the Sea in November and December. He rode with the Army of the Tennessee in the Grand Review in Washington in May of 1865, capping what was an extraordinary Civil War career.



Howard’s work did not end with the Civil War. He was appointed the first commissioner of the Freedmen’s Bureau by President Andrew Johnson in May of 1865. The Freedmen’s Bureau was aimed at helping freed slaves integrate themselves into free society. The Bureau ultimately fell far short of its stated goals, and Howard faced charges of fraud and corruption for several years. While his name was cleared, it is regrettable that he was not able to better fulfill his goals of making life better for freed slaves and African Americans throughout the country following the war. Outside of the Freedmen’s Bureau, Howard was more effective; he was a major player in the founding of Howard University in Washington D.C., and he also started a bank aimed at helping freed blacks. He also served as a Superintendent of West Point in the 1880s. He retired from the army in 1894, and spent his remaining days living in Burlington, Vermont, where he died in 1909.

 

A Sunny April Afternoon at Antietam

Just wanted to post some photos from this afternoon at Antietam. Conveniently, the gun used for our artillery firing yesterday was still out, which made for some great pictures. Seeing the vibrant color of the bronze barrel is a nice change from the regular hues of black and green seen on the artillery pieces displayed around the field. My new laptop has some pretty neat photo editing software, so expect to see many more photographs with either enhanced or slightly altered views on here in the posts to come...

 New York State Monument

"The Dignity of Freedom": A Symposium at Antietam

Tomorrow at Antietam, the park Visitor Center will be hosting a day long symposium on African American history, titled, "The Dignity of Freedom: Pathways Through the Civil War and Beyond". Far too often we think of Antietam solely in terms of brigades and regiments; we must remember that what happened at Antietam affected millions across the world, and their stories are very important to tell along with those of the soldiers who fought during the battle.

One of the speakers for tomorrow's events will be Professor Mark Neely, Jr., a leading expert on the constitutional thought and statesmanship of Abraham Lincoln. I have had the fortune to chat with Professor Neely on several occasions, and I can say that is not only a great historian, but also a very nice man. Below is a video clip of Neely discussing Lincoln's constitutionalism. It is worth a watch. Mark Neely is one of my favorite historians; his Pulitzer prize winning work on Lincoln and civil liberties, The Fate of Liberty, is one of the most important books ever written on our 16th president. I haven't had a chance to pick up his latest work, Lincoln and the Triumph of the Nation, which discusses nationalism and constitutionalism in the Civil War, but I am sure it will be worth the read when I finally get a chance to pick it up. Tomorrow, Professor Neely will be speaking on reconstruction and constitutional changes in post-war racism. Not your usual Antietam topic, which is why I am quite interested to hear him speak. Hope you can make it out to the battlefield tomorrow!

Captain John C. Tidball at Antietam

Last year, Antietam National Battlefield opened the Tidball Trail, covering some of the ground near the Middle Bridge where elements of the 5th Corps and the U.S. Cavalry and their respective artillery batteries engaged with the center of Lee's line along the Boonsboro Pike (Route 34).


In the course of my research on the Army of the Potomac at Antietam, I have been reading some great accounts from veterans regarding the effectiveness of various army units, as well as other topics such as experience, strength, and battle readiness. One of those sources is John C. Tidball's The Artillery Service in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865. Adapted from a series of articles written by Tidball from 1891 to 1893 in the Journal of Military Service Institution and edited by Lawrence Kaplan, this is a fine work for anyone doing a study on artillery service and effectiveness during the Civil War. Tidball writes about many of the main battles in which he participated in the East, and he also discusses a few of the battles in the West, such as Shiloh, Chickamauga, and Stones' River.

Captain John C. Tidball

Because I was at the park to do some research today, and because I am reading Tidball's work right now, I stopped by the Tidball trail for some photos this afternoon. The park recently completed an artillery relocation, where our excellent staff placed some artillery guns at new locations. One of these locations, and in my opinion one of the finest spots on the park for artillery guns, is the Tidball trail, where two three inch ordinance rifles were recently placed. I wanted to check out the new views from the trail, and the new guns did not disappoint.

At Antietam, John C. Tidball was the Captain of Battery A, 2nd US Artillery. A West Point graduate from 1848, Tidball was an experienced officer whose actions at the battle helped to support infantry attacks on the Federal right and left. His guns were positioned on a ridge line just west of Antietam Creek, having a view of the center and southern end of the battlefield. 

In his account of Antietam, Tidball writes that Union artillery units were not as well organized as were their Confederate counterparts. Confederate batteries were largely organized into battalions, allowing for greater concentration of firepower on certain parts of the field (think of the Stephen D. Lee Battalion in between the Dunker Church and the current site of the Visitor Center). Conversely, Federal batteries were largely on their own, attached to various brigades or divisions. This dispersed Federal firepower for field artillery west of the Antietam, limiting the ability of Union artillery to support infantry attacks with close range support.

(Tidball's battery looking west toward Confederate positions on northern side of Boonsboro Pike)

Tidball's description of the fighting in the Cornfield and West Woods is critical of Hooker's use of his artillery. He suggests that Federal artillery was underutilized because of the lack of general coordination between various divisions and corps in their attacks. He also provides a chilling quote describing the fighting in that sector: "No other equal area upon the American continent has been so drenched with human blood." (79)

 Tidball's view of Cemetery Hill, on the southern (left) side of Route 34.

Throughout the battle, Union artillery on the eastern banks of the Antietam pelted Confederate forces with long range fire. To support these long range batteries, Union cavalry and batteries attached to the cavalry were sent across the Middle Bridge to fire on the center of the Confederate line. One of these batteries was Tidball's Battery A, 2nd US Artillery:

"To silence these batteries [Federal guns on the east bank of the Antietam] Lee directed his chief of artillery to post his most powerful batteries along the crest in front of Sharpsburg, but before this could be effected the four horse batteries of Pleasanton's cavalry pushed across the center bridge, and amid a shower of shot, shell, and musketry, took position on an intermediate crest between Lee's line and the batteries on the opposite side of the Antietam. The fire from the 24 pieces of these horse batteries was so spirited as not only to prevent the establishment of other batteries in their front, but to drive away those already there... The horse batteries continued to hold the position until withdrawn at dark. In addition to attending to their immediate front they, as occasion offered, directed their fire to the right upon Jackson's masses and to the left upon the troops confronting Burnside." (72)

Tidball's six guns fired over 1,200 shells from this position. In this photograph, the southern part of the battlefield can be seen. Not only could Tidball support Fifth Corps infantry and U.S. Cavalry near the Middle Bridge and 2nd Corps infantry attacking the Sunken Road, but he could support Burnside's right flank, advancing across the fields in the distance on the left side of the above photograph.

Hawkin's Zouaves monument, as seen from Tidball's position.

Tidball went on to become one of the most successful Union artillery officers of the war. He was brevetted for gallantry five times, becoming a Brevet Major General by the end of the war. During his post Civil War career, he was the Superintendent of Artillery instruction at the army's Artillery School, eventually achieving the rank of  Colonel in the regular army. His thoughts and observations on artillery throughout the conflict stand the test of time in their wisdom and insight to important artillery operations at battles such as Antietam. While I disagree with some of his judgments regarding the generalship of the battle, I believe that the quote below is particularly astute in reminding us of the good reasons for caution which were in the back of McClellan's mind during the battle. Even if one says that Antietam was a draw, the simple fact is that for Lee and his invading army, it was ultimately a defeat.

"But McClellan was cautious, perhaps over cautious. Nothing but his army stood between Lee and the National capital. A decided repulse would be an immeasurable misfortune and there was no certainty that he could fight his army better on any other day than he had on the 17th... [Antietam] was in reality a drawn battle. But a drawn battle to an invading army is little less than defeat." (86-7)

Tidball, John C. The Artillery Service in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865. Edited by Lawrence M. Kaplan (Yardley, Pennsylvania: Westholme Publishing, 2011)

Connecticut Day at Antietam

To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Antietam, the park will be hosting state days throughout the year, honoring the troops from various states who participated in the battle. Today was designated as Connecticut Day, and many programs and events occurred honoring and remembering those men from Connecticut who fought at Antietam on September 17, 1862.

Four regiments from Connecticut were present at the battle. They were as follows, along with their casualty numbers:

• 8th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Edward Harland's Brigade, Brigadier General Isaac P. Rodman's Division, 9th Corps, Army of the Potomac
• 34 killed, 139 wounded, 21 missing, 194 total casualties
• 11th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Edward Harland's Brigade, Brigadier General Isaac P. Rodman's Division, 9th Corps, Army of the Potomac
  
• 36 killed, 103 wounded, 139 total casualties
  
•  14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Dwight Morris's Brigade, Brigadier General Nathan Kimball's Division, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac
  
• 20 killed, 88 wounded, 48 missing, 156 total casualties
  
• 16th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Edward Harland's Brigade, Brigadier General Isaac P. Rodman's Division, 9th Corps, Army of the Potomac  
• 42 killed, 143 wounded, 185 total casualties
  

Taken from the area of the 9th New York and 8th Connecticut monuments, this is the spot where the Federal Final Attack at Antietam was at high tide, before A.P. Hill's Confederate division flanked and stopped the Union advance. 

11th Connecticut Monument

14th Connecticut Monument

 

 16th Connecticut Monument

Overall, it was a very busy day at the park. It was great to see so many visitors out so early in the season, which I think suggests just how busy this year will be for us. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I had the chance to meet fellow Civil War blogger John Banks, whose excellent Civil War blog can be found here. I have followed John's work for awhile now (he focuses on Connecticut soldiers who were at Antietam, Gettysburg, and other Civil War topics), and it was nice to have the chance to meet him. Keep blogging away John!

Now, here are a few photographs from Connecticut Day at Antietam...

Outside of the Visitor Center, information tents were set up for visitors to learn more about Connecticut in the Civil War

The Connecticut State Flag was flown just below the American flag at the Visitor Center

This tent was for those with descendants who fought in Connecticut regiments to research their ancestors' contributions during the war.

Out on the battlefield, groups of visitors from Connecticut toured Antietam's hallowed ground, finding living history volunteers portraying various Confederate regiments. Above, volunteers portraying the 14th Connecticut stand near that regiment's monument along Bloody Lane, as a Connecticut tour group journeys back to the bus for another stop on the field.

Even the birds were excited about Connecticut day!

It was a beautiful day the park, before the rain came in anyways. All in all, a VERY successful state day.

The Wisdom of Charles Wainwright: "Antietam was a victory..."

Today was a good day for this historian. Why, you ask? Because it involved Civil War history books. Lots of Civil War history books. I spent a few hours this afternoon hitting a few bookstores in Gettysburg, trying to find some excellent sources for Antietam studies. I did quite well, picking up numerous volumes that will help with research, blog posts, developing programs for the 150th, and so on and so forth. Among these volumes is the Civil War journal of Colonel Charles Wainwright, the Union First Corps artillery chief who arrived at Sharpsburg the day after Antietam. Wainwright's collection is excellent in many ways, as it provides excellent insight into the operations of Union artillery during the war.

Wainwright's journal is excellent as well because it provides some great quotes on very important topics. One quote of Wainwright's in particular which stands out for me comes from a journal entry on October 5, 1862, where he is describing Antietam. While I disagree with some of his thoughts and conclusions on the battle, I find this one to be particularly astute:

"Antietam was a victory, and a glorious one when you consider that but seventeen days before this army was running most disgracefully from the same troops over which they were now victorious."

What?! Antietam was a glorious Union victory?! What a strange thought. Next you will be telling me that McClellan was a competent commander... (for those who follow the blog, you already know my thoughts on this)

Wainwright was exactly right. I often ask visitors who are convinced that the Union army lost at Antietam to stop and think about the broad picture of the campaign. Coming from Second Manassas, Lee had all the momentum, and the Federal forces in Washington were in disarray. Yet, just two and a half weeks later, the quickly revamped Army of the Potomac met the same Army of Northern Virginia in an even bloodier battle, sustaining massive casualties, yet exacting an unsustainable toll on the Confederate force. Following a quick turn around after a major defeat, McClellan was able to drive Lee from Union territory, achieving the same tactical and strategic result as the Gettysburg Campaign. If Gettysburg is a victory, then logic dictates that Antietam must be as well. Wainwright's quote regarding the outcome of Antietam is an excellent source to use when discussing these topics, as even if people don't like my opinion on the subject, they might be more inclined to listen to the words of a man who was actually at the battle itself.

April 16, 1862

First off, I would like to make mention of the fact that I began this blog on April 15, 2011, meaning that this little adventure is now one year old. Thanks to everyone who has ever taken the time to check out my site. I really appreciate your time, and some of the kind words and comments which you have shared over the past year. I look forward to many more posts and topics to come on here, so stay tuned!


Now, since I missed posting this yesterday, here is a Civil War 150 update for everyone:


Yesterday marked 150 years since two very important events of the American Civil War. First, April 16, 1862, saw the beginning of the first broad scale military draft in American history. Beset with problems in manpower and industrial might, on that date the Confederate Congress in Richmond authorized conscription for Confederate soldiers. This draft would be the first of several conscription acts passed by the Confederate Congress. While the Union government was still relying on state's to meet their quota of enlisted troops, sometimes through state conscription acts, the Lincoln administration would turn to a nationwide draft in 1863.

Additionally, on April 16, 1862, slavery was abolished in the District of Columbia. This was a goal for which Lincoln had been fighting for a large portion of his political career. Lincoln's advocacy for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia and his desire to halt slavery's western expansion were the pillars of his political ideology throughout his life. He believed these were the best measures to combat slavery that were allowed by the constitution and the pre-war political situation in the county. The bill which Lincoln signed on April 16 provided for compensated emancipation, and it did not get rid of fugitive slave laws, but nevertheless, many African American leaders in the North rejoiced upon its signing. As one publication declared, "we rejoice less as black men than as part and parcel of the American people... We can point to our Capital and say to all nations, 'It is Free!' Americans abroad can now hold up their heads when interrogated as to what the Federal Government is fighting for, and answer, 'There, look at our Capital and see what we have fought for!'"