Miscellaneous: February 2008 Archives

The Battle of South Mountain was a integral part of the Maryland Campaign, yet it receives little attention from authors, writers, and tourists. Located within a 2 and a half hour drive from York, the battlefield consists of three distinct sections, from north to south being Turner's Gap, Fox's Gap, and Crampton's Gap. D.H. Hill's Division of Confederates, assisted by parts of Longstreet's Corps, held off the Union I, VI, and IX Corps for all day on September 14, 1862, blocking the mountain passes and keeping McClellan from attacking Lee's weak force until September 17 (Antietam).

In a recent post, I recounted a visit through York County by veterans of the 14th Brooklyn (also known as the 84th New York Militia) in 1867 as they returned to Gettysburg. I received word that a movie is in production about another colorful New York regiment, the 5th New York or Duryee's Zouaves. The movie is appropriately entitled Red Legged Devils. Among the credits is James Gettys, the Gettysburg resident who is well known for his living history portrayals of Abraham Lincoln, whom he plays in this upcoming movie. The movie is based upon a book by the late Brian Pohanka.

Civil War movies have recently been a mixed bag. Wicked Spring got good reviews, buy played to a limited audience. Johnny Shiloh never made it past the Ohio region. Cold Mountain garnered an Oscar for Rene Zellweger, and Gods & Generals garnered snores. It will be interested to see how Red Legged Devils is received.

What have been your favorite (and least favorite) Civil War movies?

I am looking for primary source material on the 51st Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War for a new manuscript that I will start later this year. If anyone has anything, please let me know via e-mail.

Thanks!!!

I have been having fun recently tracing my family history and genealogy. My cousin's husband did a lot of this work, as did other relatives, and I have been filling in around the edges, as well as helping research other family members. I am a native of Ohio, and in digging through old family records, I discovered that I am related to former U.S. President William Henry Harrison, something that I had not previously known.

A number of my ancestors fought in the Civil War, including my great-great-grandfather John D. Sisson of the 51st Ohio Infantry. An English immigrant, he fought in Sherman's army during the Atlanta Campaign and was on the famous March to the Sea. My mom remembers as a little girl in the 1930s visiting Mr. Sisson in his home in Dover, Ohio, and being frightened when he fell asleep in his rocking chair and started reliving old battles. He would suddenly yell out comments to long ago comrades, scaring Mom half to death.

My great-great-uncles on my Dad's side fought in the 7th West Virginia Infantry at the Battle of Gettysburg on East Cemetery Hill. The Chambers boys were part of the Gibraltar Brigade of Samuel Carroll, and were sent into action as reinforcements to relieve the XI Corps.

Did you have ancestors in the Civil War? If so, what regiments? Any stories?