The Seven Days Battles - "His Name Might Be Audacity"

Рет қаралды 67,244

9 ай бұрын

Join this channel to support Civil War storytelling:
/ @threadsfromthenationa...
In March of 1862, Major General George B. McClellan began to land his massive army on the Virginia peninsula, created by the York and James Rivers. Its objective: Richmond. That army got as close as 4-5 miles, close enough to set their timepieces to the ringing church bells of the Confederate capital.
Then, on the 31st of May and the 1st of June, there were two messy, inconclusive days of battle. One of the casualties was a significant one: Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston. Knocked from command of the army defending Richmond, President Jefferson Davis named another.
That new commander was 55 years old, and for the first month he reorganized, ordered the digging of trenches, and postured before the enemy. For that supposed inactivity, the Richmond press derisively called him "Granny."
Then came the 25th of June, and for the next week, what this commander unleashed was so audacious that no one ever called him "Granny" again. No one.
This is the story of Robert E. Lee's first major offensive. This is the story of The Seven Days.
#civilwarhistory #civilwar #robertelee
Narrated by Fred Kiger
Produced by Dan Irving
Published by Third Wheel Media
We're looking for sponsors for this channel. If you're interested in learning more about this limited opportunity, email: info@thirdwheelmedia.com
____________________________________________________________________
Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode:
George B. McClellan
Robert E. Lee
Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson
Joseph E. Johnston
Edward Porter Alexander
J.E.B. Stewart
Philip St. George Cooke
Fitz John Porter
James Longstreet
Theophilus H. Holmes

Пікірлер: 115

@billwilson-es5yn 8 ай бұрын

I once owned a 3 volumn set of books called Lee's Lieutenants that was written by a well regarded historian. It was about this campaign and how both sides struggled with inept politically appointed ranking officers. What surprised me was that nobody had bothered to make actual road maps back then, only rough drawings of the main roads with the towns those went thru. Both sides had to ask local residents where the back roads led to and got varying answers depending on who was asking or if the locals didn't want either army marching thru to do battle on their farms. Both sides had large detachments that were sent in the wrong direction to end up lost for the entire day. The Union Army was having supplies delivered by boat where their crews had to ask locals where the towns and landings were. Some crews would come across a landing where nobody was present so unloaded there just to get out of the region ASAP since the sounds of the fighting in the distance made them nervous. The stores were left unguarded so were looted by local residents and Rebels out scouting the area for Union forces. They cammandeered wagons and horses from the local residents to haul back supplies to their units.

@cottonmouthacres1683 8 ай бұрын

Yes, by Douglass Southall Freeman. They were a fixture in most Southern home libraries of the 20th century.

@billwilson-es5yn 8 ай бұрын

@@cottonmouthacres1683 That's the author! Bought my set at a Goodwill store in NW Indiana in 1972 for $1.00. Was in high school then and my US History teacher suggested reading his work at the public library to get a better idea of how screwed up both sides were in the beginning of the war.

@bunk95 7 ай бұрын

All too tired to stay in line much longer? . . . I know Sherman and how to force him from the field. . . . Shoes.

@coreystockdale6287 5 ай бұрын

@@cottonmouthacres1683looks like I have a new book to find

@ericwerner8316 3 ай бұрын

I have Lee’s Lieutenants- it’s a history of the Army of Northern Virginia

@fett333 9 ай бұрын

Hood and the Texas Brigade cracked the center of the extremity formidable federal line at Gaines Mill and started the Texas Brigade’s march to immortality as one of the best combat units of the War “Texans always move them” Gen. R.E Lee

@marcoschaper1737 Ай бұрын

The first of Lee’s victories was more like McClellan's defeat. All the victories of the Army of Northern Virginia from here to Chancellorsville brought so many casualties that in real they were the steps to defeat. Well told Sir, I enjoyed listen to you a lot

@kevinwaters5872 5 ай бұрын

Lee was blessed to have McLelland leading the North. As Lincoln commented “this is not so much an army , as the largest personal bodyguard any commander has ever utilised.”

@mattfaulk8724 3 ай бұрын

Would you want to be responsible for leading your men into a slaughter? It is easy to criticize someone's decisions after you have all the details. He did not, and was constantly told conflicting reports on numbers from his own/as well as other scouts.

@Avinkwep 2 ай бұрын

@@mattfaulk8724 exactly. McClellan was making good decisions based on his information and since he had witnessed the Crimean War as a military observer he wanted to avoid pointless slaughter

@danielkitchens4512 2 ай бұрын

Grant was blessed to not face Lee earlier in the war and blessed even more so that he faced Floyd, Pillow, Buckner, Pemberton, Beauregard, Bragg and Joe Johnston the great retreater.

@magni5648 Ай бұрын

@@mattfaulk8724 A good soldier must love the army. A good officer must be willing to order the death of that which he loves. Being reluctant to the point McClellan was is quite simply not acceptable for a commanding officer. When you WIN a battle while your army is outnumbering the enemy and you then decide the right follow-up to that is to retreat, you need to be replaced. Simple as.

@LCplDwayneHicks Ай бұрын

He abandoned his army repeatedly during the Seven Days Battles and left nobody in command. He tried to conduct battles by telegraph and countermanded orders by generals who were near the battle.

@nuancolar7304 5 ай бұрын

I have some of my great, great grandfather's letters he wrote home to his wife. He was in a Georgia regiment during the Seven Days battles. One of the most notable lines he wrote was "we chased the yanks all the way back to their gun boats," which I assume was a reference to the landing site on the James River.

@Revolver1701 3 ай бұрын

I had a grand uncle who always called the plant Virginia Creeper “McClellan Vine.”

@sydhendrix4853 8 ай бұрын

These videos bring history to life... some of the best narration and writing I've heard in civil war videos on KZfaq. I commend you!

@dabble855 5 ай бұрын

Mechanicsville native I love hearing about the history of where I grew up I live on cold harbor rd.

@bamf5549 9 ай бұрын

No one called him Granny again

@jeffreystreeter5381 5 ай бұрын

Excellent....I am Jefferson Davis's great great nephew....my first name.....Jeff

@RUcookoo 2 ай бұрын

John C. Calhoun was my 4th great uncle - I have some of his things :)

@EmperorDionx Ай бұрын

Why would you admit such a thing

@vinny4411 7 күн бұрын

@@EmperorDionx Pride

@EmperorDionx 7 күн бұрын

@@vinny4411 you have nothing at all to be proud of

@haroldchase4120 8 ай бұрын

My ancestor served on the artillery on Marvin hill . Glad to know his battery served the Union so well

@zachmoore4550 4 ай бұрын

Just want to make sure, do you mean Malvern Hill?

@stevehudspeth2997 4 ай бұрын

My maternal GG grand dad was killed attacking Malvern Hill.

@benmcdowall9584 3 ай бұрын

Just had a seance with my ancestor he said remind you that your ancestor was a comfort woman for the real soldiers

@MorganOtt-ne1qj 4 ай бұрын

It's sad to see how the Lee name is now being treated so poorly.. Not just a great General, but afterwards became a savior of a college and was always a gentleman. Washington University became Washington and Lee because R.E.Lee pulled it from possible bankruptcy. His son Rooney was on the Board of Governors of the Va Institute for Agriculture and Mechanics. It's VA Tech, now.

@storytime118 2 ай бұрын

He was the Hannibal of his time. A brilliant general. Unfortunately, the once soldier of democracy chose to defend the cruel inhumane treatment of human beings against the masses of those who disagreed and felt our great ideas of similar brothers from Virginia wrote in the great constitution and our declaration that all men have rights. He was a brilliant tactician and deserves respect for that. Politics should not shroud his capabilities as a military genius. Who could say how much better and farther America could be if the good Christians of the south had followed the teachings of their savior and if he had realized it and chose to fight against the terrible aspects of slavery. How many lives could have been saved?

@hgg2577 8 ай бұрын

Very interesting and thrilling.. I like Gen. Hood and his Texas Brigade 💪

@rogerhinman5427 7 ай бұрын

I wonder if General McClellan would have better served his nation by being in charge of forming and training combat units instead of commanding them. Tc me that seems to have been his strong point.

@user-gy5nk7er1o Ай бұрын

Love these Videos. Thanks for each and everyone.

@clintcarter5984 7 ай бұрын

This video should have had illustrated maps to go along with the amazing narration.

@jeffro4kag206 Ай бұрын

I went to Gettysburg when I was eight didn't know nothing Went to City Point and Petersburg Battlefield and some other places and the Appomattox Courthouse But now I want to retire and go Visit all these other places And man you got my adrenalin pumping now! Absolutely awesome.

@ianashman9219 9 ай бұрын

Thank you for another expertly narrated video.

@stefanfranko1782 Ай бұрын

Sir, you have the voice of an angel

@bewareofchild2462 8 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@travisbayles870 9 ай бұрын

The shot that struck me was perhaps the best ever fired in favor of the Confederacy For I in no way possess the confidence of our government and now theyve found one who does possess it General Joseph Johnston Confederate army

@irockuroll60 8 ай бұрын

Joe Johnston was pretty much a worthless general during the entire civil war (east & west).

@travisbayles870 8 ай бұрын

@@irockuroll60 He was loved by his men but thats bout all he had in his favor

@billwilson-es5yn 2 ай бұрын

@@irockuroll60 Johnston was a good general. He was the Quartermaster General of the US Army in 1860 when Jeff Davis was Secretary of the US Navy. Johnston considered David to be politically incompetent to be the CSA president while Davis considered Johnston to be too cautious as a field commander of an army. Davis would give orders to Johnston's subordinates without telling him. A good example of that was Davis telling Pemberton to stay in Vicksburg after his suprior Johnston ordered him to evacuate the city to join up with his forces at Jackson. Their combined forces would've outnumbered Grant's so could've driven them back across the Mississippi to save Vicksburg. Johnston's main problems were desertions and obtaining supplies for his troops. He did his best delaying Sherman's advance on Atlanta where Union losses far exceeded Confederate losses. Davis sacked Johnston for that then reinstated him after Sherman started marching north from Savannah. Lee was to join up with Johnston in North Carolina but had to surrender to Grant instead. General Joe surrendered to Sherman after three days of personal negotiations with him. After the official surrender, Uncle Billy issued each ex CSA soldier with 10 days rations and a horse or mule if one was needed for planting crops. Sherman also ordered corn meal and flour to be distributed to civilians through out the South. After the war, Johnston served in the US Congress for one term then became the US Commissioner of Railroads.

@storytime118 2 ай бұрын

To many commentors all i can say is united, despite our petty disagreements, we stand. Divided... we will be picked to pieces by those that want our blood. Have pride in the bravery and honor of your forefathers, but respect their faults and remember... always remember.

@danielpuckett7792 7 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@ThreadsfromtheNationalTapestry 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for the support!

@michaelvaughn8864 9 ай бұрын

I never did realize The Seven Days actions were that costly to The Confederacy with 20k worth of casualties for its troops😟 DAMN!!

@damienpace5008 9 ай бұрын

The cost of continual attacks

@michaelvaughn8864 8 ай бұрын

@@damienpace5008 True that, Mr. Pace. Casualties mount quickly with that kind of near perpetual, offensive action👍

@gerggerggy7757 8 ай бұрын

Not only costly in casualties, but to the war effort as well. Lee lamented that campaign after the war, if I recall correctly, basically because his orders were never carried out correctly or at all. Reading the two Time Life books on the campaign, he seems justified in his frustration.

@marinewillis1202 6 ай бұрын

@@gerggerggy7757the organization of the army when he took over was garbage. After this he got it sorted out. Had these battles happened after he had had time to reorganize the outcomes would probably have been very different imo

@rd3095 4 ай бұрын

all their victories came at heavy cost. It's why you still see the battle flag flown some places

@josephpicogna6348 8 ай бұрын

Interesting program, thank you. Being an avid reader of Shelby Foote, I believe it was here for the first time that an English observer told Lee, the actions of his troops were quite commendable, but hardly sustainable. I guess we can say that this is where our hood began to learn the lessons that would cause him to bring the army of Tennessee to disaster at Nashville. As a career, USN officer, I would’ve liked to of seen more on the terrible fire brought on the confederates by the union navy.

@ronniewatkins 7 ай бұрын

I just found your channel the other day, and i must say it's one of less than a handful of high-quality CW history channels on KZfaq. Thank you for posting! Your narration reminds me of the late, great Ed Bearss, which is a very nice touch!

@StuartEvans-fz8bf 4 ай бұрын

I'm not American but if there's a Civil War documentary on - I watch it. An image popped into my head when you posted the voice likeness- and it was spot on.

@darthcheney7447 5 ай бұрын

Mighty fine narrative.

@imadequate3376 4 ай бұрын

Robert E. Lee graduated west point 2nd in his class behind Charles Mason, Mason then resigned his commission and practiced law and other business and became a Supreme Court Cheif Justice for the Iowa territory for about 9 years. Doubt him for his lack of experience but he was no fool. Henry Lee, his father was famed in the American Revolution, Lee most likely learned quit alot from his father about guerilla warfare/small force vs large force tactics before he even got into West Point. It's quite interesting when you read old quotes like this one from Charles Mason who wrote in his diary in 1864, “General Lee is winning great renown as a great captain. Some of the English writers place him next to Napoleon and Wellington. I once excelled him and might have been his equal yet perhaps if I had remained in the army as he did.” Big "what if" question. What if the Army of the Potomac had a Charles Mason who stayed in the Army. Would he best Lee or did Lee have a bit of an edge with first hand information from his father on how to conduct war with a smaller more irregular force.

@davidspencer6384 3 ай бұрын

Very good indeed

@tylershannon6593 5 ай бұрын

I'm from Mechanicsville. Behind where I grew up (behind the VFW), there were civil war era trenches in the woods. This is less than a mile from the Chick. river. I always thought it was weird they weren't be preserved with the rest of the battlefield there, but it was a heck of a spot to play Airsoft!

@firingallcylinders2949 Ай бұрын

Someone get Stonewall a compass

@mikesuggs1642 8 ай бұрын

Lee's biggest fault during the Seven days was horrible staff organization. Communication between elements of his Army was non-existent, confused or so slow that it hampered operations and led to near disaster more than once during the bloody week. Lee suffered over 20.000 irreplaceable men in a fruitless campaign that merely moved the Federal Army to a new location but did not destroy them or make them even think about quitting the war. Lee made the unforgivable mistake of Calling Jackson and his victorious army out of the Valley when he had shaken up Washington with his Valley Campaign. Jackson should have been left in the Valley and reinforced to actually threaten an invasion of the North.

@michaelvaughn8864 9 ай бұрын

It was a helluva price to.pay for Richmond's successful defense

@bugwar5545 9 ай бұрын

Perhaps. But otherwise the war would be over then and there.

@marknewton6984 8 ай бұрын

Lincoln fired MacClellan after this. North had 150 K men while South had 75K. Lee was aggressive but brilliant, won with fewer troops.

@michaelvaughn8864 8 ай бұрын

@@bugwar5545 In all probability, sir, you're more than likely correct👍

@garvinokipi5276 3 ай бұрын

My ancestors served in the south not by choice... they weren't paid and the hours sucked (you get it) I'm glad that changed the course of my life

@larskunoandersen5750 9 ай бұрын

damn it Jackson

@damienpace5008 9 ай бұрын

His worst campaign

@marknewton6984 8 ай бұрын

He came back.

@bunk95 7 ай бұрын

How many [hostages] did Johnson’s men take this morn?

@Randy-nk2ne 9 ай бұрын

Stonewall may not have been thrilled about leaving the valley.

@bunk95 7 ай бұрын

Did the area lose their next [Stonewall] as well?

@daviddavenport9350 4 ай бұрын

I had read that Stonewall was not as his best because he suffered from severe allergies right at that tme....no "Allegra" to take back then

@volslover1504 3 ай бұрын

@@daviddavenport9350actually if you see how he did in the Valley campaign he was suffering from sleep deprivation. Basically he was exhausted.

@technodemic6258 6 ай бұрын

Not enough maps.

@jesterboykins2899 8 ай бұрын

Makes me think a little different about Jackson.

@MorganOtt-ne1qj 7 ай бұрын

He was exhausted, as were his men. And Jed Hotchkiss wasn't as familiar with the area as he was the Valley.

@jesterboykins2899 8 ай бұрын

What was Jackson’s “other important duty”?

@ThePrader 8 ай бұрын

Sleeping.

@davidvonkettering204 9 ай бұрын

I just finished the Official History's reports from the Seven Day's Battle and I have to admit it was a grueling read, even though I started with great curiosity. The Third Part of the Volume is correspondence between major figures in the runup and duration of the failed exercise. I was immediately plunged into the back-and-forth between Lincoln, General Scott and JB McClellan as the latter relentlessly forced the old man out of position and into retirement. As far as the battles went, McClellan was already pulling out, and they should have harried him, but the massive losses in frontal attacks prove to me Lee was not the best General in the Civil War. Love, David

@daviddavenport9350 4 ай бұрын

David...it sounded though that Hooker and Kearney were telling McClellen to stand firm and let Lee wreck his army attacking a better equipped and well placed force....

@calinmarian98 9 ай бұрын

Stonewall and his wing were tired after the Shenandoah valley campaign.

@bunk95 7 ай бұрын

[courage] is required to continue.

@calinmarian98 7 ай бұрын

@@bunk95 His foot cavalry ran themselves into the ground.

@bunk95 7 ай бұрын

@@calinmarian98 forced to and thats often marketed as courageous.

@daviddavenport9350 4 ай бұрын

I understand that Jackson was suffering terribly from allergies at the time too....

@michaelvaughn8864 9 ай бұрын

Looks like. Gen. T.J. 'Stonewall' Jackson was asleep at the wheel during The Seven Days campaign, eh?? He did some stonewalling on that one💯🤣

@marknewton6984 8 ай бұрын

Just after his brilliant Shenandoah Valley campaign. Tired and temporary breakdown-- happened to Napoleon too. Stonewall made a comeback.

@michaelvaughn8864 8 ай бұрын

@@marknewton6984 Yes, Mr. Newton, Stonewall Jackson certainly wasn't laying low for long. He bounced back big in Antietam👍

@barryrsmith70 4 ай бұрын

Believe it or not, if McClellan took Richmond, the Emancipation Proclamation wouldn’t have been issued. The war would have halted to an inconclusive end, with no resolution of the slavery issue. In that respect It was good that the war continued into Maryland in 1863.

@avenaoat 3 ай бұрын

Mc Clallen in Virginia and Halleck in Corinth (If Halleck had listened to Grant he would have done a strong triumph) won the slavery system would be long time. Interesting South secceed for the eternal slavery system, but the Southern victories persudaded the Lincoln governmemt and the Congress to free the slaves. For any Amendment (Change) in the Constitution the 3/4 (75%) of the states should have agreed, so after the Lee Maryland and the Kentucky campaigns the Congress and the Lincoln government could have said the 11 slave holding (seccessionist) states lost their right for Constitution veto because they were rebellion so on January of 1865 the slavery system was abolished without more than 25% veto of the Northern states!

@sarmaxsam 2 ай бұрын

Not sure why so many of you are having trouble with the narration of this video. Maybe you should just read a book so you can go at your own pace if you can't keep up with the audio

@benmcdowall9584 3 ай бұрын

I am at happigans hill my soldiers have powder and ball

@thegamerboneless2864 8 ай бұрын

Sounds like the south wanted glory without putting forth the effort, and they just kept waiting and waiting for someone else to get the job done all while trying to sound engaged. The south would’ve won if only they worked together, but then again they where rebels, not a real army and it showed.

@joshuaburrows7621 8 ай бұрын

The south didn't possess the men to replace losses and sufficient supplies and arms to fuel the troops

@bunk95 7 ай бұрын

Correcting one acting as if they’re a citizen when caught sharing stories of glory? Its just correcting the slave with extra steps.

@williamashbless7904 9 ай бұрын

Nicely done. However, a complicated serious of maneuver and battle would seriously be better to understand with maps. Jackson’s performance would be worthy of court martial. I suspect Lee’s biggest weakness was not properly handling his officer corps. JEB Stuart went off the reservation during the Gettysburg Campaign and left Lee blind.

@irockuroll60 8 ай бұрын

Lee was just given command of the army during a terrible time for the south. I doubt he was wanting to court marshal anyone at that time. And the thought of bringing charges against Stuart during the Gettysburg campaign after Stuart had been almost perfect for 2 years is insanity. 1 bad campaign/battle after numerous brilliant campaigns and it’s the end of your career? He was the most capable Calvary officer on either side and you want him court marshaled…throughout the war there were endless court inquiries. Jackson arrested everyone. I imagine Lee wanted to avoid that

@williamashbless7904 8 ай бұрын

@@irockuroll60 to not hold his subordinates accountable would set the precedent that failure is okay with Lee. And, you don’t even have to court martial. You could demote back to division or brigade command. Hell, even reassign to a backwater administrative post. Jackson also failed repeatedly at Second Bull Run. Stuart was the best Cavalry ry Commander of the war? Doubtful. The first two years were his glory days. Union Cavalry had serious faults with leadership, doctrine, training and experience. By spring of ‘63, just before Gettysburg, he was surprised at least twice by aggressively managed Union troopers and embarrassed. Souther newspapers were all over it and called him out for his dereliction of duty, etc. Stuart showed up halfway through Gettysburg with exhausted and useless troopers. Meanwhile, Lee had blindly stumbled into a battle not of his choosing on unfavorable ground. How’d that work out? After Spring of ‘63 Stuart’s performance was rather average.

@daviddavenport9350 4 ай бұрын

I always think that, had Grant been in command under these circumstances, he would have 1) followed through with the attack on Richmond on the first day, and probably have battered his way into the city; or, 2) after the debacle at Malvern Hill, immediately counter attacked and smashed the Confederate army then and there.....what say you?

@carywest9256 4 ай бұрын

NO WHAT IFS.

@damienpace5008 9 ай бұрын

I don't think Lee could have destroyed the Army but he could have damaged it more

@daviddavenport9350 4 ай бұрын

Lee's entire army was having trouble dislodging the isolated Union 5th corps....admittedly it was ably led, and well fortified...

@johnross2086 8 ай бұрын

Can no one pronoun the word cavalry?

@bevpotter9938 8 ай бұрын

Apparently not… This a feature of Civil War monologues.

@johnbruce6182 9 ай бұрын

Need more battlefield animations. Narrated to fast and skipped much info.

@joshuaburrows7621 8 ай бұрын

Too

@calinmarian98 9 ай бұрын

Well,McCLellan is a great organizer but a lousy commander. I mean Porter would have been a better commander than Brinton ever was. But since AOTP under McClellan was a lousy mix of generals who hated each other,Lee was allowed to roam freely during the seven days campaign and second Manassas,then bloody draw at Antietam,then Burnside Fredericksburg debacle,then Chancelorsville. They needed Meade to defeat Lee. And then Grant and Sheridan moved in the EAST to finally defeat Lee.