tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post6072767774087531408..comments2024-03-26T10:09:09.149-07:00Comments on Obscure Battles: Cedar Mountain 1862Jeff Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09188876209461291938noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-15058366476084860642020-11-10T08:04:57.074-08:002020-11-10T08:04:57.074-08:00Amaizing!
Amaizing!<br />octoberdollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07588806876776199555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-30437778797045736782020-10-18T11:12:44.065-07:002020-10-18T11:12:44.065-07:00You are so kind, Allen. Though this is an old post...You are so kind, Allen. Though this is an old post, it delights me that it is still getting readers...and such appreciative ones, too. Thank you.<br /><br />I remember when I took these shots years ago, I was playing with my then new Nikon SLR but using my dad's ancient 50mm lens (which he bought in 1960). Building the panoramas out of old-fashioned mosaic technique was time-consuming but rewarding. And that beautiful, distortion-free Nikkor lens made it possible. Of course, nowadays you can just set your camera to panorama mode and do it in camera.<br /><br />Made a similar set of pans of Antietam and Bull Run, but I haven't done articles on those battle yet (not obscure enough--though I've violated my own criterion so many times since).<br /><br />Thank you for your compliment.Jeff Berryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09188876209461291938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-86281039877826256182020-10-16T20:35:13.184-07:002020-10-16T20:35:13.184-07:00Exxxxxxxxxxxxcellent; exxxxxxxxxxxxcellent!
Espec...Exxxxxxxxxxxxcellent; exxxxxxxxxxxxcellent!<br /><br />Especially enjoyable were the panorama photos. I've been on this field, and took the odd panorama myself, but they were not nearly the equal of these!!! Hats off on a stellar battle account!Allen W Dickerson (stiglr)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-7424988290361457412018-11-04T17:56:47.726-08:002018-11-04T17:56:47.726-08:00Thank you, kind sir, for your compliment on my blo...Thank you, kind sir, for your compliment on my blog. I'm glad your friend's ancestor managed to reproduce himself before his untimely death; his poor family, though. Jeff Berryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09188876209461291938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-75337695203929703612018-10-30T11:22:26.269-07:002018-10-30T11:22:26.269-07:00Re-visiting this post again. A friend of mine'...Re-visiting this post again. A friend of mine's ancestor was a private in the 5th Connecticut, killed at this battle. I see he was in Crawford's brigade, hopefully having at least some glimpse of victory before he was cut down. I'll have to send her a link to this.<br /><br />Yes, Jackson had his superior moments and his serious lapses. This was certainly one of the latter. Love your posts. Keep on keepin' on. vtsaogameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13104194914166417310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-44078619298436781482018-09-16T12:20:44.415-07:002018-09-16T12:20:44.415-07:00Thanks, Lewis. I thrive on fan posts for this site...Thanks, Lewis. I thrive on fan posts for this site. And I've acquired a few friends from the Southern Hemisphere through it.Jeff Berryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09188876209461291938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-86874716283567444082018-09-16T04:26:41.163-07:002018-09-16T04:26:41.163-07:00My knowledge of civil war battles and generals are...My knowledge of civil war battles and generals are not as good as they should be .I Wargame different eras etc and came across your blog whilst scouting out info on the WSS.<br />Great description of this battle ,it shows good research as well as entertaining style.<br />I am normally pro Confederate (you have to admire a bunch of guys who take on such an impossible odds as they did) but appreciate the critical description of an icon, such people tend to be not as imperfect as described- even Napoleon was not perfect.<br />So fair enough you make some valid points.<br />After your WSS stuff and this I’m hooked.<br />All the best from down under.<br />Keep up the great work.<br />Lewis AustraliaLewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06493550245481833885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-19672400325593800142016-07-01T23:06:56.968-07:002016-07-01T23:06:56.968-07:00Ha! Chris. I must admit that I too am one of those...Ha! Chris. I must admit that I too am one of those rare creatures, a Union partisan. At least two of my ancestors (that we know about) fought on the Union side in the Civil War (one in the West in Missouri and one under Thomas in the Army of the Tennessee). So I route for the North.<br /><br />As I pointed out in the article, that Jackson had more than twice as many men as Banks, he should have won handily, but instead very nearly lost it (had it not been for the iniative and competence of his subordinate commanders). So, if the relative forces in your wargame were accurate, a condition of winning for the Union team should have been how long they held out against overwhelming odds. Jeff Berryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09188876209461291938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-16947156248986086382016-06-30T21:56:11.384-07:002016-06-30T21:56:11.384-07:00Agreed! I know I shouldn't let it bother me, ...Agreed! I know I shouldn't let it bother me, but when I see things like a 1/6 scale Jackson included in a series of "Great American Heroes" (!!!) at Toys R Us, I just shake my head. I played an ACW game at a local convention some years ago, where my CSA opponent was the archetypal "Old Confederate", who talked about the supreme genius of "Ol' Stonewall" and "Marse Bobby". Oh please. My buddy kept telling me to let it go, but I couldn't help mentioning that those two had 1 great year, against mediocre opponents, and that things fell apart once the Union first string finally went in. His reaction suggested he had not been contradicted very often.<br /><br />Even more gratifying is what happened in the game: I was in command of a forward Union division that in real life was quickly routed; for once in my life I had excellent die rolls, and held up the Confederate advance much, much longer than anyone expected. Late in the game he finally forced my units out of position, whereupon he chortled that it was a great thing to see one's plans work out exactly right. I politely asked him whether wasting most of the game trying to beat a unit of greenhorns was part of his plan. I'm really not someone who is so contrary, but there's only so much that even a saint like myself (ho ho) can take.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm overjoyed that I found your outstanding blog, and plan to visit often!<br /><br />Best regards,<br /><br />ChrisChrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05091296131481416326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-66427516900098075672016-06-29T16:49:32.603-07:002016-06-29T16:49:32.603-07:00Thanks, Chris. It's gratifying to find a like-...Thanks, Chris. It's gratifying to find a like-minded cynic when it comes to revered Confederate icons. Jeff Berryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09188876209461291938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-23626881563603355422016-06-29T01:14:17.938-07:002016-06-29T01:14:17.938-07:00I agree with you entirely regarding Jackson's ...I agree with you entirely regarding Jackson's generalship. Overlooked in all the adulation are his many battlefield lapses, even during his hallowed Shenandoah campaign: <br />(1) His attack at Kernstown may indeed have led to a Union reaction all out of proportion to the actual threat he posed, but that is not what he intended at the time. He meant to defeat his opponent, and instead got his butt kicked;<br />(2) His "victory" at McDowell was not impressive: his forces were outfought by a weaker enemy, and they achieved what they set out to do, which was withdraw in the face of superior numbers;<br />(3) He very nearly lost the battle at Port Republic because of poor troop handling in the face of inferior numbers.<br /> Modern-day Confederates constantly bemoan Jackson's absence at Gettysburg--had he only been there, the story goes, Lee would have won the battle (and by implication, the war). Given his mediocre performance on many other fields, however, no such assumption is warranted.<br /><br />Oh well, none of that matters; Jackson ascended straight to Heaven upon his death, and no amount of closer inspection of his performance will ever matter to the Sons of the South...<br /><br />Best regards,<br /><br />Chris JohnsonChrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05091296131481416326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-20526487142015271412016-06-01T09:29:12.696-07:002016-06-01T09:29:12.696-07:00Jackson has at least two other lapses. His conduct...Jackson has at least two other lapses. His conduct during the Seven Days is really pretty bad, allowing the Union Army to escape more than once. <br /><br />At Fredericksburg most of the Confederate casualties can be laid at the foot of the gap in his line, a gap he and RE Lee were aware of. Impassable terrain becomes less so when the good terrain is swept by bullets. I recall Al Qaeda folks who vanished from a mountain where an impassable cliff was left unguarded, back during the initial invasion of Afghanistan.<br /><br />This is a great account. I shall have to refer to it again some time to gin up my own scenario.vtsaogameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13104194914166417310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-12277435677291646902015-02-23T10:56:30.002-08:002015-02-23T10:56:30.002-08:00Thank you so much, Herr Sword. It is so uplifting ...Thank you so much, Herr Sword. It is so uplifting to hear such appreciation of my posts. I put quite a lot of work into each one, as well as a lot of my sense of humor. So encouraging words are most welcome. And I am also glad to hear that they are easy to read, even for non-English audiences. And thank you for the book reference; I shall definitely seek it out.Jeff Berryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09188876209461291938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-74292112932557912382015-02-21T13:58:00.108-08:002015-02-21T13:58:00.108-08:00This is so fantastic. This is my alltime favourite...This is so fantastic. This is my alltime favourite blog though Iam from Germany I find it very easy to read and the maps are so good.. May I recommend this book: Civil War Generalship: The Art Of Command. Its also examines Cedar Mountain. Jackson also gets there some critical treatment. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05992478553374648285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-44627364441565177582015-02-13T15:12:33.863-08:002015-02-13T15:12:33.863-08:00Thank you so much, James. I'll accept the grad...Thank you so much, James. I'll accept the grade.<br /><br />I agree that Lee's chances at Gettysburg might have been better had he still had Jackson. But that's just speculative anyway, since Jackson might very well have been as off that day as he was at Cedar Mountain or the Seven Days Battles.He was a very uneven general.Jeff Berryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09188876209461291938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-9377855338399416022015-02-13T13:08:09.869-08:002015-02-13T13:08:09.869-08:00Really like these Obscure Battles pieces. Whole p...Really like these Obscure Battles pieces. Whole package from maps to OOBs to narrative is A+.<br /><br />I remember being young and reading Lee's Lieutenants and being surprised at home bad Jackson came across at times. I'm one of those who likes the "Stonewall" quote counter-interpretation. But tend to think that Lee would have won Gettysburg had Jackson been present. He seemed to improve over time.<br /><br />Keep them coming.Duke Wacoanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07052619000503257539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-32558299081193599422014-08-25T10:04:20.345-07:002014-08-25T10:04:20.345-07:00I'm not convinced, Bil; though thank you for y...I'm not convinced, Bil; though thank you for your thoughtful defense of Jackson. This was a small battle. You can walk across it in a few minutes. So slow communications was not a factor. He was taking a nap in the face of imminent enemy action. He had had a knack for pissing off so many of his subordinates and fellow officers. And his staff management was incompetent. I once had a commanding officer like this and I recognize the type. <br /><br />I guess we'll have to be on opposite sides of the Stonewall.<br /><br />It tickles me, though, that you got so much from my blog, irreverent as it is. An appreciative audience to a comedian is like oxygen. Thank you sincerely.Jeff Berryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09188876209461291938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-89322788011334950702014-08-21T08:41:34.493-07:002014-08-21T08:41:34.493-07:00Hmmm... reading through your anti-Jackson bias it ...Hmmm... reading through your anti-Jackson bias it is still easy to see that you have done some amazingly thorough research.<br /><br />However, I contend that Jackson did the right thing: <br /><br />A. He left his subordinates to command in their own sectors.. this was not a war with great communications.. he had to trust his subordinates, I think you expecting him to be present to correct any tactical mistakes being made is asking a bit much of a General in his position. <br />B. Even though he had numerical superiority he stood fast, let the Union forces assault and break upon his line, chances are that he knew an assault was coming, thus held firm.. only when the shattered remnants withdrew did he launch a full force counterattack. What other commander would have done that at this time in the war?<br /><br />I think you are too hard on the man in this piece.. he was, in my opinion, the best and most modern commander on the Confederate side. He was a genius at maneuver.. he was not perfect and sure he had flaws.. but was head and shoulders above his contemporaries in this regard. I thought another view of the man was warranted among all the praise.<br /><br />Still, I think your description of events, map, and images were excellent and I will be subscribing to your blog.Bil Hardenbergerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04779242142296640109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-17246302559836814772014-06-13T19:21:50.590-07:002014-06-13T19:21:50.590-07:00Superb piece !Superb piece !Jubilohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15008211040948569509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-80062712938804051252014-06-05T19:20:27.037-07:002014-06-05T19:20:27.037-07:00Thank you, Steven. I'm tickled you found my si...Thank you, Steven. I'm tickled you found my site. This particular entry, if you'll remember, came from that time I visited you guys.Jeff Berryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09188876209461291938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-88724633905944343872014-06-05T18:31:00.301-07:002014-06-05T18:31:00.301-07:00Awesome stuff!Awesome stuff!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07172135015715910307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-17149500588774333732013-06-14T16:14:03.145-07:002013-06-14T16:14:03.145-07:00The Civil War was definitely a war of political ge...The Civil War was definitely a war of political generals (including Jackson, Longstreet, and even Lee). The real heroes were, of course, the junior officers, NCOs and enlisted men, whose sacrifices and competence were wasted so many times by blowhard commanding generals. Longstreet's men apparently loved him, but then so did McLellan's. My own great-great-grandfather fought under Thomas ("The Rock of Chickamauga")and idolized him. Jeff Berryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09188876209461291938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-11954094003372137082013-06-14T08:06:43.871-07:002013-06-14T08:06:43.871-07:00Great analysis! You're a brave man...I've...Great analysis! You're a brave man...I've never heard anyone say a bad word about Jackson before now. <br /><br />I have several of the SPI GBACW games, but I'm pretty sure that Cedar Mountain isn't one of them. Otherwise, I'd also put it on the table and compare.<br /><br />Regarding your view of Longstreet, I'm working on a game of the Battle of Seven Pines / Fair Oaks. My opinion of Jimmy has unfortunately dropped after reading the After-action Reports and other analyses of that battle. A.P. Hill is probably the true hero of that fight as well.Chris Strasserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00143672444811082459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-80267089907130225072013-06-13T16:03:13.585-07:002013-06-13T16:03:13.585-07:00I often think that the ratings many simulations (i...I often think that the ratings many simulations (including the estimable SPI games) give both commander and combat units are arbitrary, and reflect more the biases of the designers. They seem to stack the deck in favor of what actually happened and often defeat the point (or the fun) of a simulation.Jeff Berryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09188876209461291938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403809316122064334.post-12360171804216496772013-06-13T15:52:40.939-07:002013-06-13T15:52:40.939-07:00Yes, a most excellent resume of the battle. I boar...Yes, a most excellent resume of the battle. I boardgame and have the SPI game of the battle from their Great Battles of the ACW series...so maybe I'll dig it out again and refight it a few times trying the 'what ifs'. In any event guess I should downgrade the ratings on the Jackson counter :-0<br />//PaulAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com