A new fight, new project, and yea, I am stoked.

Hi all,

Well even though we don't get much attention, I am going to use this to share a concern..

A couple of years ago, it came to my attention that we had a unit from New Jersey that suffered heavily during the Gettysburg campaign. No, its not the 11th New Jersey..

I speak of the 1st New Jersey Cavalry.

Yes they fought and well I might add at Gettysburg during July 3 and the repulse of Stuarts men over on what is now called East Cavalry Field.. They have a wonderful monument over there btw.

But their main place of service was at Brandy Station where they lost their Colonel, Lt Colonel, major and squadron commander. All killed or captured or badly wounded.

The place they fought on at Brandy Station was the subject of a great deal of controversy as the Brandy Station Foundation failed to do its duty. It failed to protect the ground on which they served. And lost so heavily.

Eric Wittenberg a good friend of mine, and also well known author and Civil War historian called the BSF out on their lack of fulfilling in essence their chartered duties. It wasn't until Eric and Bud Hall basically let the world in on what the BSF had not done. And the situation was well I will not call it fully resolved yet.

The property and house that sit on top of this key position is up for sail. It carry's a tidy price tag. At least a couple of million.

Now I not a well known historian and certainly do not carry nor have the weight of authority that Bud Hall or Eric have, but I do have a voice. And a loud one. Any one of my friends including Eric will tell you that.

Ok you might ask, what is the project?? Whats got you so well worked up.....

I want to issue a call to arms to all of my Civil War friends. We have a chance to buy this land, and give it to the CWT. I wouldn't put it in the hands of the BSF unless there is a complete turnover of those who are in control now. But if you are concerned about this like I am. And want to help out and set something right. To correct a wrong that is so horrendous. Here is your chance.

I will be staying in touch with Eric.. And will find out where to send any funds.

I plan to give as soon as I know where to send the money. All I want to know is.. Are any of you, any of my other friends in? We can do no less. And if you dont want to do it for yourself. Do it for those sons of New Jersey who on a warm June day, layed it all on the line. For you and me.....

Its up to us..
TO ARMS!!!!!!
Jim

Robert, John, Ackerman and wellll yea me!

I posted early about the impact that the 11th has had on my life. I reread that this morning, found myself thinking further on. Then in my minds eye I went back to some of the letters that McAllister wrote post Gettysburg. And even into his after action report.

Robert McAllister was a middle aged man thrust by choice mind you into one of the darkest time in our nations history.  We know that from his letters.

At the center of his belief system as it were, was his Christian faith. It matters not that he was of the Presbyterian persuasion, what matters was his deep abiding faith.

This value system as our day and age would put it, helped him to ensure that the 995 officers and men under him would be able to serve, thrive and yes even how in a strange way meet death so they could fight.

But the interesting thing was he didn't pound into his mens heads that they must do this they must do that , he lived it. Though he despised any alcoholic beverage of any kind,ever since birth, he didn't necessarily looked the other way, by his writings he understood that it was well part of other mens lives.

His example of living his faith and that's what he did. He had daily prayer and bible reading. Some joined right in as well with him, but for the most part the 11th kind of had this stand off ishness to it all.

But slowly and surely as time went on, as the war wore on, it slowlycame to be understood that well it would be good for the rest of them that they joined in.. And among them were John, Andrew and William and so many others. Till the whole regiment joined in.

I marvel at that. According to Marbakers regimental history, this all paved the way for two revivals that swept the Army of the Potomac, not once, but twice. Once after Chancelorsville and then Gettysburg.

The interesting thing though is the impact that had on Robert... He rejoiced in it, but he also seemed to be well some what in awe of it. Humbled by it.

It impacted John Schoonover.. And also Andrew Ackerman. And also Dunning. Schoonover so much that he continued it on after he took over and McAllister returned but moved up the command ladder.

Ackerman, from some of the writings, seemed to have accepted it and was beginning to embrace it all till he was killed at Gettysburg. Dunning much the same way though he is gone from the Army after Gettysburg..

So were does the "ME" come in you ask? I noted my discovery of the 11th and McAllister as a whole helped to pull me out of a tail spin that almost cause me to make decisions that would have profoundly impacted me. Most likely have shortened my life, or left me miserable.

Though I didn't fight with him, heck I didn't even live then, but in my own time and way, I did. Its most likely why when I go to Gettysburg now, and stop to pay my respects to the 11th. When I walk up to the monument, time seems to just well part. And for that sliver of time, the 11th, McAllister, John and me, well we are together. All of them.... For you see...... He not only saved all of them.. He saved me......
JIM

Back to the 11th NJ

I see there are 7 of you following this blog. I would love to see a lot more.. So if you all would be so kind to pass the word  on this I would deeply appreciate it..

I am asked repeatedly why my fascination with this regiment?  A couple of reasons..
First and foremost is its service at not only Gettysburg, but Chancellorsville and then also the rest of the war. Its two biggest points of service are first Chancellorsville and then Gettysburg. Though Gettysburg is where it basically almost gets knocked out of existence.

The other is the men who led it. Between McAllister and then the other colorful men like Kearny, and Martin and Schoonover just to name a few. All very different,  and also very strong leaders. Especially McAllister and Schoonover.

Having said that, back to Gettysburg.

We have talked about the controversy's with it.. How it got out to where it serves and then also why that is important.

We have talked about the men who led it..

But we need to talk about how it fights.....

In several books and even magazines Carrs Brigade is lumped in with the rest of Humphreys division as ones who fought a bit and then ran...

However in the first hand accounts, especially Marbakers regimental history, and then McAllisters letters the regiment was steadfast, courageous, and full filled its duty.

The casualty list bears that out. With the command structure shot to pieces, McAllister down, Kearny is mortally wounded and dies in August. The deaths of Martin, Ackerman and so many others shows that it didn't fire just a few volleys and run away. It paid a huge price.

The tendency I think is to lump the 11ths record in with the division as a whole. And thats wrong. Why does that happen? Because I for one believe the fighting for the Klingle farm, like so many other fights on July 2, is confusing, frustrating and at times tough to put all the parts together. So its easier to just say that they fought a bit and ran like the dickens.

Welll some thoughts for you to ponder....
JIM