I’ve always thought the best description of the 17th CVI immediately prior to fighting at Gettysburg was written by Company C’s J. Montgomery Bailey (AKA “High Private Manton”). Published by the Danbury Times as part of Bailey’s “Under Guard, OR, Sunny…
Category: Battles
The march to Gettysburg – and the arrest of Douglass Fowler
Few events were as well documented by the soldiers of the 17th as their march north from Brooks Station, culminating in the Battle of Gettysburg. For those involved, the urgency of the northward movement is evident – they wrote of…
Gettysburg 150th events
I have long included the link to the blog of the Gettysburg NMP, so I don’t usually rehash events going on at the park that are covered there. Of course, this is a big year for the park and there…
“It is enough to break the stoutest heart…”
Today marks the 150th anniversary of the 17th CVI’s introduction to combat in the Civil War. At around 5PM, after settling down to cook their evening meals, the full fury of Stonewall Jackson’s attack on the right flank of the…
Calm before the storm
By evening of April 30th the regiment was camped on and around the Talley Farm (or, as it is usually referred to in their accounts, the Hatch house). May 1st the members of the regiment heard the sound of battle…
Germanna Ford on the Rapidan River
The 17th crossed the Rapidan River in the early morning hours of April 30, 1863. The area of the crossing is seen in this 2008 photograph, but the description written by Lt. Albert H. Wilcoxson provides a vivid description: “A…
Kelly’s Ford
After marching from Hartwood Church, the 17th marched throughout April 28th until it reached the area of Kelly’s Ford at the Rappahannock River. With two army corps marching on the same route traffic jams ensued and the regiment, halted a…
Chancellorsville campaign
150 years ago today, April 27, 1863, the 17th CVI marched out of camp and headed off to what would become there first battle at Chancellorsville. It’s fitting that the new Civil War park in Stafford, VA opens today. Their…
A Presidential visit…150 years ago
150 years ago today, President Lincoln reviewed the XI Corps near Brooks Station. The visit was well-known and anticipated. Henry Peck wrote his parents: “We expect Old Abe here Friday to review our brigade. Then I will have a chance…
Stafford Civil War Park set to open April 27th
Good news from the Friends of Stafford Civil War Sites on the Stafford Civil War Park: “The Grand Opening of the Stafford Civil War Park will be on the 27th of April, 2013 — 150 years to the day that 11th…