Vanity question about the Civil War

none/FreeRepublic ^ | today | nobody

[JOHN ADAMS]

At our Sabbath eve dinner table Friday night I was attempting to describe to our lovely (liberal) theater person guest the Civil War battle in which, as I recall it, they stopped the fighting for a brief period so they could evacuate the wounded from the field, then resumed. But I couldn't remember the name of the battle. Unless I've made this up, I know somebody on this board will know off the top of his head which battle it was. If said person would enlighten me, I'd be most grateful.

[JOHN ADAMS]

Thanks.

[zzen01]

I would almost bet that they did that alot during the Civil War.

[Graybeard58]

I dont know much about the civil war but you probably made it up. I do that all the time.

[chudogg]

probably every battle, at least in the beginnning...

[TomServo]

Do you mean this?

[Servant of the 9]

There were even several occasions when it happened during WWI.

So9

[Coleus]

dixie list ping

[JustAnotherSavage]

Yes, it appears to be a frequent occurance. I have letters from my gr,gr,grandfather who was a Col. in the Civil War. He writes of once when they all got together-rebs and union-and had dinner, If I recall it may have been Christmas.

[WoodstockCat]

I believe it may have been Antietam.

http://www.civilwarhome.com/antietam.htm

[zzen01]

I know for a FACT that there was a truce during WW I during Christmas 1914.

[Tax-chick]

Also Fredericksburg.

[Arkinsaw]

At the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain a fire broke out between the battle lines and many Union soldiers, unable to move, were being burned alive.

"Watching in horror from the Confederate entrenchments, Lieutenant Colonel William H. Martin, commander of the 1st and 15th Arkansas, ordered his regiment to cease firing. He tied his handkerchief to a ramrod and jumped onto the parapet to offer a truce: 'Come and remove your wounded; they are burning to death,' Martin shouted to the Federals. 'We won't fire a gun until you get them away. Be quick'" (Bailey, 1985, p. 71). While the rest of the line was ablaze, a "merciful quiet" rested upon this portion of the line. The men, both from North and South, emerged from their lines to work together in carrying the wounded Federals to safety. After the wounded were taken behind Union lines, A Union major presented Martin with two colt revolvers as a token of appreciation. Soon, the two lines once again opened fire in their savagery. Martin was mortally wounded in the ensuing combat.

I am proud to say that William H. Martin is associated with my state.

At the Battle of Fredricksburg, a Confederate private ventured into no-mans land to take canteens to wounded Union soldiers at great risk. A statue of him is on the battlefield today.

This sort of thing occurred several times and certainly not just on the Confederate side.

[JOHN ADAMS]

I hadn't known about Mr. Kirkland, so it's not what I was thinking of, but I'm glad to learn about him. Thank you.

[Rebelbase]

Cold Harbor.

[No Truce With Kings]

It happened a lot, but you might be thinking of Fredericksberg.

Why?

Because during the cease-fire Union photographers took the opportunity to take pictures of the Confederate forces on the other side of the river. Because Civil War era photography required long exposures, they could not take "action" shots. In battle it was suicide to take photos of the fight. (There were a few -- but most were unintentional.)

The Frederickberg photos were some of the few photos of the enemy taken during the war (either by Union people of Confederates or by Confederates of Union troops or ships) and it got a lot of play in the press. Thus, it was the best-known cease fire.

[Ax]

One William H. Martin trumps one William J. Clinton.

[Graybeard58]

One William H. Martin trumps one William J. Clinton.

Forrest Gump trumps Slick Willy.

[DMZFrank]

Even during WWII in the ETO, particularly and oddly, the savage fighting in the Huertegen Forest.

[Conan the Librarian]

I am not sure about truces...but when the Confederates called for a truce at Vicksburg, Grant refused....allowing his own men to die in the hot Sun rather than allow a break in the assult.

That was why Grant won. He was willing to pay the butcher's bill in battle. Few of the Union's Generals were.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

This sort of thing occurred several times and certainly not just on the Confederate side.

That must be why we call it the "civil" war.