Letters To The Editor

Originally published May 2018 · p. 2

TO THE EDITOR: Hi Jack, My thanks to you and your staff for sending me several copies of the April 2018 Civil War News featuring the Kettle Creek Preservation story and my picture on the front page. The Kettle Creek team have done a terrific job of preserving this Historic Revolutionary battlefield in a rather remote area of Georgia. I was proud to join U.S. Congressman Jody Hice and several members of the Civil War and Campaign 1776 Trust and staff at the dedication of the additional 180 acres preserved at the battlefield. I always endorse the work of you and your staff with the Civil War News. With Appreciation, Vince Dooley Athens, Ga. TO THE EDITOR: I am not big on letters to the editor, in fact this is my first and is motivated by the growth in quality I have seen in the CWN under its current leadership team. I just received my April, 2018 edition and have clipped three articles to save in my library, Jessica Hack’s Caring For Your Antique Textiles, Tim Prince’s Inspection Arms! and the always informative The Source by Michael Shaffer. Have been seeking out Civil War period antiques and paying attention to informative print on the subject for more than 50 years (that‘s scary!) and haven’t clipped an article to tuck away in our library for a while. Seems nice! Bedford Hayes Standish, Maine TO THE EDITOR: I renewed my subscription with you a few weeks ago and told you how much Civil War News has improved. More stories better stories, good book reviews, photography and art layout: Everything is a vast improvement! I wanted you to see something tangible to let you know your work is recognized and appreciated. You’re doing a great job and I hope to receive many more issues. Dan Burns Brockport, N.Y. TO THE EDITOR: Mr. Gould Hagler, in his April “This and That” Civil War News article did a real nice job describing Pickett’s Mill State Park. However, in January 2017, Department of Georgia & S.C. SUVCW Commander Bill Miller requested that the Kennesaw Camp research the history presented at the park. Pickett’s Mill is not the victory some would like as Confederates won once, the Union won twice; the Confederates ultimately fell back, out of the combat area. What the SUVCW found will come out in a report but I would like to clear up a few errors by Mr. Hagler. The first error is that the battle was not fought on May 27 only; the first major engagement was fought that day. SUVCW research has proved there was more than one engagement. There were at least two and, while more research is needed, I feel three engagements occurred. Yes, the United States Army won two, lost one. Pickett’s Mill, like Gettysburg and other battles, lasted for days, May 27 to June 4, 1864. The second major engagement was on the east side of Pumpkin Vine Creek, on May 30, 1864. That day Confederate forces attacked Gen. William Carlin’s Division of the XIV Army Corps and were beaten back with heavy loss. A new sign in the park that the SUVCW will pay for will reflect that action. On May 31, General Hazen reported being attacked, “meeting with heavy fire from our main line, they hastily retreated.” The U.S. Army trench line, ran east, over today’s Route 92, into the east side of the park. General Sherman placed ten guns on top of a hill that controlled the intersection of Due West Road and Douglasville Acworth Roads. General Johnston apparently also attacked in this area based on property owners reporting spent bullets found on their property. This I feel, was the third major engagement, but the topic needs more research. Another error relates to the number of casualties. The US Army, after the war, removed their dead from Pickett’s Mill Battlefield; At least 417 bodies were taken to Marietta National Cemetery. At least some of those men, died at a Union hospital located at Pickett’s Mill, for wounded from the New Hope and Dallas battlefields. It is the official position of the State of Georgia Parks and Historic Sites, that the real numbers are unknown on the Confederate side (Letter Mr. Emery April 3, 2017). The state has removed a plaque near the visitor center that reported erroneous numbers. Another error occurs when Mr. Hagler states, “Nevertheless, when his flank was threatened, Johnston had to continue his withdrawal.” General Johnston could not break thru the road block General Sherman set on the east side of Pumpkin Vine Creek with ten Yankee guns. Johnston fell back to Lost Mountain; Sherman withdrew to his supply line. General Hood wrote in his book Advance and Retreat, about Johnston’s last senior staff meeting in the Pickett’s Mill area. General Johnston contemplated a retreat to Macon. Does that sound like the Yankee’s were soundly defeated at Pickett’s Mill? I would like to thank, Director Kelley; without her support Pickett’s Mill might not be starting to follow the golden rule “History has to be honest.” Also, the new Ranger, Dillan Lee, a breath of fresh air, as is Park Manger Steve Hadley. Steve Reilly Dallas, Ga. TO THE EDITOR: I would like to add some thoughts on Stephen Davis’ excellent piece on Gen. William T. Sherman’s March in the April issue of CWN. Having spent most of my life in a town burned by Sherman’s men you can imagine how many times I have heard people bad mouthing Sherman over the years, not to mention the choice words they have had for him. However, over the course of time I heard Sherman spoken of less and less, which made me wonder if we in South Carolina have finally gotten over him. Then in 2010 while traveling all across the Palmetto State taking pictures of sites related to Sherman’s 1864 visit to the state for my book A Carnival of Destruction—Sherman’s Invasion of South Carolina, I had the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. When I told them what I was doing, more often than not, the person I was talking to would lower their voice and then let me know in no uncertain terms what they thought of Sherman. What was particular interesting to me is that most of these people were not your stereotypical “Rednecks” but people from all walks of life, including elected officials and even some African-Americans. My conclusion is that while anger towards Sherman in still strong in the South, it is just not as overt as it was decades ago. Tom Elmore Columbia, S.C.