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The Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road: June 21-24, 1864

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Unit histories of famous regiments abound. But what of the men who often toiled in relative obscurity? With Such Hard and Severe Service: The 85th Pennsylvania in the Civil War, Volume II, 1864-1865, and its companion Volume I, first time author Dan Clendaniel has done an admirable job telling the stories of the 85th Pennsylvania. Utilizing a wide array of primary sources, over 50 from the men of the regiment alone but also many others, the author has produced a set anyone interested in Civil War unit histories will want to own. He nicely fills in the gaps with his own history of the regiment, taking readers from their organization in southwestern Pennsylvania in October 1861 to the end of the war, with a large portion of the book dedicated to the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign. Though the 85th Pennsylvania fought in few of the most famous battles of the war, their story is nonetheless an interesting and often times exciting one. Their efforts certainly helped the Union win the war, and they fully redeemed themselves after being unfairly maligned at Seven Pines.
Brigadier General Thomas L. Clingman wrote a lengthy letter covering nearly two full newspaper columns to The Daily Confederate in Raleigh, NC discussing the actions and movements of his brigade (Clingman/Hoke/DNCSV) on June 17, 1864 at the Second Battle of Petersburg. This letter is a response to a note from Colonel John T. Goode of Wise’s Brigade asking Clingman about how he had treated the soldiers and officers of that brigade. Clingman answered these charges, and then called out Goode for having published a letter in a Richmond paper which did not give Clingman’s Brigade any credit for the defense of Petersburg on June 17. Goode had been temporarily in charge of Wise’s Brigade on June 17-18, 1864.
Such Hard and Severe Service: The 85th Pennsylvania in the Civil War, Volumes 1 & 2 by Dan Clendaniel. The 85th PA was a hard luck regiment early in the war, having been assigned to Silas Casey's Division and having been routed at Seven Pines. They spent the rest of the war redeeming themselves, including at Battery Wagner and as a part of the 10th Corps at the Siege of Petersburg. Dan Clendaniel's two volume set follows this regiment throughout the war, utilizing many primary sources and retelling their story for a modern audience. Do a Google search for his book and name and you'll see links to buy at Lulu.com if you are interested.
What's in a name? Sometimes, this question is more difficult to answer than it seems. In the 4th of a 5 part series, Dr. Nigel Lambert covers the often confusing list of units and commanders from Rooney Lee's Confederate Cavalry Division actually present at Hatcher's Run, February 5-7, 1865. #americancivilwar #siegeofpetersburg #battleofhatchersrun #orderofbattle #orbat https://bit.ly/2X2dbrk
What's in a name? Sometimes, this question is more difficult to answer than it seems. In the 3rd of a 5 part series, Dr. Nigel Lambert covers the often confusing list of units and commanders from the Confederate Third Corps actually present at Hatcher's Run, February 5-7, 1865.
What's in a name? Sometimes, this question is more difficult to answer than it seems. In the 2nd of a 5 part series, Dr. Nigel Lambert covers the often confusing list of units and commanders from the Confederate Second Corps actually present at Hatcher's Run, February 5-7, 1865.

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