Horrific Letter from Kershaw's Brigade

[markj]

While surfing through "Nineteenth Century British Newspapers" today, I found the attached letter, which originally appeared in the Charleston SC "Daily Courier"--probably in mid-July 1862--and was subsequently reprinted in the 25 August 1862 Glasgow (Scotland) "Daily Herald."

I've read a lot of newspaper letters, but this one pretty much takes the cake for "Most Horrific." I haven't yet ID'd the author of this letter, but research of the other names mentioned indicates he was Captain of Company F, 7th South Carolina Infantry. Therefore, tracking down the man's name should be fairly easy, especially given that the events he describes are clearly the engagements at Savages Station VA and Malvern Hill VA (29 June through 1 July 1862). The observations the young captain makes about the actions of his troops while undergoing relentless Federal artillery fire are most illuminating, especially the part about men "huddled together like sheep" and being subsequently mown down--a classic example of troops bunching up under fire in the forelorn hope they can obtain safety in numbers.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[BWT]

Re: Horrific Letter from Kershaw's Brigade

just finished reading it. and i would say i agree with you.

[thad gallagher]

Re: Horrific Letter from Kershaw's Brigade

Wow, what a desriptive read. Sounds like the Captain got off very lucky, speaking of his own, multiple, close calls.

[Arkansas Box Boy]

Re: Horrific Letter from Kershaw's Brigade

Loved the following:
"One Man, in his haste to get out of danger, shoved me on one side, and just at the instant a canister shot tore his head off, and splattered my face with his blood and brains. As you suppose, I was not much vexed at his impoliteness"

Interesting...

[Peachfuz]

Re: Horrific Letter from Kershaw's Brigade

“Just then, Ben Taylor, who was capping is gun along side is brother, turned his head to the rear rank, and said, ‘Give it to them, boys’ and put is gun to his shoulder to fire, when a ball struck him in his head and he fell upon is face dead. Poor Jim, I felt sorry for him; he laid down his gun, turned Ben over and gazed upon him in mute sorrow. Stepping up to him, I put my hand on his shoulder, and said, ‘Jim, I have no consolation to offer you except that Ben has fallen at his post; there he lies, yonder is the enemy, avenge him.’” Now if that’s not motivation, I don’t know what is. My guess is the author is Capt. J.S. Hard of Co. F, 7th SC. On the 29th of June the 7th had 82 total casualties, and 40 more on the 1st. Like many units, there was the 7th’s first major action. According to Col. Aiken’s report (he had command of the regiment at the time) the right and left wings of the regiment became separated at the battle of Savage Station, he taking the left and Lt. Col. Bland the right. Bland would take a ball to the right thigh and had to be carried from the field. I can’t find record of a Sgt. Thomas Hill with Co. F, but they do show J.A. Taylor and B.F. Taylor or the rolls.
Thanks for posting Mark.

[Dignann]

Re: Horrific Letter from Kershaw's Brigade

I concur, Rich. I passed a copy along to a friend of mine who has written extensively on Kershaw's Brigade. He had apparently seen the article some years ago and identified the author as Captain John Stuart Hard.

Eric

[rbruno]

Re: Horrific Letter from Kershaw's Brigade

This is an interesting and telling read. I also found the article after it interesting too. It speaks of a huge and well supplied Conf. army that seems to stretch the numbers a little bit. The author goes on to describe the close ties Baltimore and southern MD had with the South and the people in the those areas ability to run the blockade to continue trading with the South. I wonder if the last couple sentences are a political move to help England support the South in the war. The author mentions that he has interviewed many Confederat officers who were fighting for independance, not slavery. The officers would give up slavery if they could have their independance. With the exagerations in the numbers of men, I wonder if this was an exageration as well for a political purpose?
Rob Bruno
1st MD Cav

[dusty27]

Re: Horrific Letter from Kershaw's Brigade

How are you guys able to view this?

[Peachfuz]

Re: Horrific Letter from Kershaw's Brigade

Put on your reading glasses old man.

[yeoman]

Re: Horrific Letter from Kershaw's Brigade

Sir, having read this letter, wow, such intensity of feeling. I can only wonder as to his fathers reaction to this letter.
Here is a little something on Kershaws Brigade shortly before the the events of this letter occured, if I may quote Mac Wyckoff, "Kershaws Brigade". "On May 13, each of the regiments and companies elected officers. For the most part, the men elected younger and more aggressive leaders. At Seven Pines on the last day of May, the unit was held in reserve. On that fateful day, Johnston was wounded and Robert E. Lee took over. The retreating had ended, the fighting was about to begin in earnest. The men and their officers would get a chance to prove their worth. Lee took the offensive in the Seven Days Campaign near Richmond. After the Confederates pried the Yankees loose from their supply base at White House Landing, Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's men were to pursue south and attack the tail of McClellen's retreating army while Magruder's command attacked the tail from the west. However, the overly ambitious plan of Lee and the passive actions of Jackson, Magruder and others left it largely up to Kershaw's Brigade to bare the brunt of Confederate fighting at Savage Station On June 29th. The 2nd, 3rd, and 7th South Carolina sustained almost all the casualities in this battle. The Confederate failure on that day can hardly be attributed to the gallant effort of Kershaw's boys. Two days later, the brigade was involved in the bloody fiasco at Malvern Hill. Despite glaring mistakes, the Seven Days proved to be a major strategic success for Lee's Army. Richmond had been saved and the initiative lay in the hands of Robert E. Lee".
Thanks for posting.

[marine05]

Re: Horrific Letter from Kershaw's Brigade

That was probably the best letter I have seen that portrayed the power of the artillery. I was surprised to see him refer to the batteries on Malvern Hill as "regulars". Little did he realize that many were volunteer units. I had read similar descriptions of the effects of counterbattery fire in Grape and Cannister.

It is truly a vivid description and thanks for posting.

S/F

DJM

[Micah Trent]

Re: Horrific Letter from Kershaw's Brigade

I have always enjoyed reading first hand accounts and this sits up at the top as one of the best I have read in a good while. Thanks for posting this Mark!

[Duff]

Re: Horrific Letter from Kershaw's Brigade

Dusty,

Click the thumbnail, then click the blown up image. A new window will come up and you can use the magnifing glass tool to make it readable size. Thats how I did it using internet explorer, It might be different if you are using another program. Hope this helps.

[albrandon]

Re: Horrific Letter from Kershaw's Brigade

Wow, can you imagine being the parent reading this? Nothing else would better prompt a parent's wishes for a quick end to the war.

[mtvernon]

Re: Horrific Letter from Kershaw's Brigade

I find things like this incredibly instructive, for although this is undoubtedly a fun hobby and endeavor, it's extremely important from time to time to remind ourselves of the reality of this and all wars, and to keep images and impression like this in mind as we go about our business so as to not take for granted the many and great sacrifices made on both sides. A Currier & Ives portrait, this ain't.