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Prof. Boerner's Explorations

Thoughts and Essays that explore the world of Technology, Computers, Photography, History and Family.

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Tag: Union
Edited by Gerald Boerner

 

Commentary:

JerryPhotoBattles of the American Civil War never seem to end. Of course we have heard of the Battle of Gettysburg, Bull Run, and Antietam. There were many other battles, some major and some minor, that took place during the various campaigns. The Confederacy had the advantage of General Robert E, Lee as head of the Army of Northern Virginia; Lee had been offered the position of head f the Union Forces, the Army of the Potomac by Lincoln, but this offer was rejected.

Unfortunately for the Confederates, that was one of the few things going for thr secessionist states. The faced a naval blockade the prevented the export of their tobacco and cotton and the importation of supplies. The lack industry and standardization in the south put the armies of the south at additional disadvantages. When they tried to break the siege of Petersburg and Fort Stedman, The were in their final attempt to keep up their fight. Concurrently Sherman was inflicting his terror campaign on the Carolinas. The South needed a victory.

FortStedmanThen

But it would not come at Fort Stedman. The North held their lines and this was the beginning of the end of the Appomattox Campaign. The Army of Northern Virginia would soon surrender to Grant to end this bloody conflict. Too many would die in the brutal methods of fighting practiced at that time.

But it is time to proceed with our exploration of this final battle of the Civil War…  GLB

These Introductory Comments are copyrighted:
Copyright©2011 — Gerald Boerner — All Rights Reserved

[ 4263 Words ]
    

   

Quotations Related to CONFEDERATE:

    

“Note to secessionist Texans: now is the time to wave the Confederate Flag.”
— Melissa Harris-Lacewell

“This is said to us, even as this counterfeit president has legalized the Confederate Flag in Mississippi.”
— Amiri Baraka

“The flag that was the symbol of slavery on the high seas for a long time was not the Confederate battle flag, it was sadly the Stars and Stripes.”
— Alan Keyes

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Edited by Gerald Boerner

 

Commentary:

JerryPhotoAt the beginning of the American Civil War, the first shots were fired at a fast, steam-driven merchant vessel, the “Star of the West”, carrying both supplies and troops for the Union encampment at Fort Sumter. As they passed the Citadel, the were fired uopn and received several hits. The ship turned around to escape the Confederate fire. Fort Sumter would soon be taken and become a Confederate defense.

The siege had been a tactic used for centuries, especially against European and Middle Eastern cities and castles. During the Civil War, this tactic was extended to blockade most Confederate ports to prevent raw materials and supplies into the port while preventing the export of cash products like tobacco and cotton.

FortSumter2009The Confederacy, in order to circumvent this blockade, hired “blockade runners”. These were fast, steam-driven merchant ships that were sometimes successful. But, like the “Star of the West”, they were generally turned away. It is a little ironic that the first case of blockade running should take place by a Union vessel trying to resupply a fort in Confederate territory.

The “Star of the West” ended up being captured by the Confederates an stationed in New Orleans. It eventually met its demise when it was scuttled to block a river to prevent Union crafts from joining the campaign against a southern stronghold.

So, it’s once again time to launch our exploration of today’s topic…  GLB

These Introductory Comments are copyrighted:
Copyright©2010 — Gerald Boerner — All Rights Reserved

[ 3791 Words ]

   

Quotations Related to SIEGE:

    

“We remain essentially a nation under siege.”
— Theodore C. Sorensen

“I’m currently working on a Mind Siege for youth.”
— Tim LaHaye

“The shutting up of a place by troops or ships, with the purpose of preventing ingress or egress, or the reception of supplies; as, the blockade of the ports of an enemy.”
— Definition of Blockade

Edited by Gerald Boerner

 

Commentary

Due to injury, this commentary will be added later. Please check back. Thank you.  GLB

These Introductory Comments are copyrighted:
Copyright©2010 — Gerald Boerner — All Rights Reserved

[ 2972 Words ]

   

Quotations Related to BATTLE

“Marriage, in life, is like a duel in the midst of a battle.”
— Edmond About

“General Pickett, finding the battle broken while the enemy was still reinforcing, called the troops off.”
— James Longstreet

“A man should never put on his best trousers when he goes out to battle for freedom and truth.”
— Henrik Ibsen

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