The Mississippi in the Civil War Message Board

Re: University Greys at Sharpsburg

Thanks for the history lesson and reminder. Two Mississippi regiments, the Second and Eleventh, were brigaded with the 4th Alabama and the 6th North Carolina, under the command of Alabaman Evander M. Law, in John Bell Hood's small division, which also included Hood's Texas Brigade (at Sharpsburg under the command of its senior colonel, William T. Wofford). For what its worth, Law, who went by his middle name of McIver (pronounced Mac-Eever), became one of the best brigadiers in the Confederate service, and deserved promotion to major general, but was derailed by the pettiness of Longstreet.

Hood's entire division covered itself with honor that day. Thrown into the wreckage of the Cornfield and East Woods to salvage the wreck of two of Jackson's divisions, Hood's division not only threw back the assault of Hooker's corps, but staved off the attacks by Mansfield until the arrival of Confederate reinforcements.

Hood's casualties were clearly under-reported, but even as reported they amounted to well in excess of 50% of his total force engaged. The 182 cacuslties of the 226 engaged, suffered by First Texas, 82%, was the highest loss by a single Confederate regiment in the war. The Hampton Legion, which was at the time only an eight company battalion, reported 55 casualties of 77 taken into action, but my analyssi indicates that the true casualty figure was 67.

That night Lee met with his division commanders to get reports on the condition of his army. When he asked Hood the sattus of his divison, Hood replied that he had no division left.

"Great God, General Hood, where is the fine division you had this morning? Lee asked.

"Dead on the field where you sent them, for few have straggled," was Hood's answer.

But the fight of Hood's two brigades that morning saved the Confederate left.

This was the last fight of the Mississipians with Hood, for at the reorganization in November they were removed from service under Hood and Law and reassigned to all-Mississippi units. But they had been in all the previous fights with Hood, most notably at Gaines' Mill where they were with the first units to pierce the Union line, and at Second Manassas, where Hood and Law's attack down the Warrenton Pike unhinged Pope's left and gave Lee what was perhaps his most complete victory of the war.

Messages In This Thread

University Greys at Sharpsburg
Re: University Greys at Sharpsburg
Re: University Greys at Sharpsburg
Re: University Greys at Sharpsburg
Re: University Greys at Sharpsburg
Re: University Greys at Sharpsburg
Re: University Greys at Sharpsburg
Re: University Greys at Sharpsburg