Overland.18: Invisibles Against Invisibles

In This EpisodeIt's after 1:00 PM May 5th, 1864 -- General James Wadsworth's center is collapsing as Cutler's and Stone's Brigades are smashed by waiting rebel forces, his last commander -- General James C. Rice, know by his men as “Old Crazy” -- has his brigade of New Yorkers in a deadly cat and mouse game with Confederates hiding in the woods nearly half-a-mile away. Will Rice be the first of Wadsworth's commanders to get the jump on the Confederates? Or will his men become lost to the Wilderness as well?Notable QuotesThe brigade standard bearer, Pvte. Oliver W. Norton, claimed Colonel Rice was called “Old Crazy” because “he is brave enough, but in a fight too excitable to do anything right”.-- H.W. Pfanz, Gettysburg: The Second Day (pg230)At Chickamauga there was at least a rear, but here there ain’t neither front nor rear. It’s all a ----------- mess! And our two armies ain’t nothin but howlin’ mobs!”-- A Confederate prisoner to his captors"I never saw a group of more mortified men"-- Southerner remarking of the Pennsylvanians' reaction on discovering they had been tricked into surrendering to a vastly inferior force"On the brigade went in a full run"-- One of Gen. Daniel's North Carolina Soldiers"Levi Bowen, was wounded and taken prisoner in the Battle of the Wilderness [...] marched to Orange Court House and then eventually to Andersonville. It also appears that Levi kept a listing of other members of the Pennsylvania Reserves that he encountered at Andersonville as well as fellow soldiers who died there."-- Daniel Davis, family historian and great-great-great grandson of Levi Bowen, Company H, 7th Pennsylvania Reserves[The Parker's Store Road is] crowded with stragglers and large crowds of soldiers pouring out of the woods in great confusion and almost panic stricken. Some said they where flanked, others that they had suddenly come upon rebs laying concealed in two lines of battle in the thick underbrush."-- Maj. Washington Roebling, Aide-De-Camp to General Gouverneur K. Warren Support the War Yankee PodcastEvery episode is a work of passion that requires a lot of coffee. I research, read, visit, host, mix, edit, and produce every episode myself. I would greatly appreciate it if you could do two things for me: First, COFFEE! If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting the show by buying me a cup of coffee (or two)! Second, FEEDBACK! Please give this podcast a rating and review to let me know what you liked, what I can improve on, or that you're enjoying the show. Meanwhile, thank you for taking the time to listen. You are appreciated!War Yankee Supports ABTAmerican Battlefield Trust knows that there is no substitute for experiencing history in the places where it took place and has worked to become the only national organization working to save America's historic battlefields today. Discover how you can help preserve American history forever. Join me in the fight to save our nation's historic battlefields by visiting the American Battlefield Trust website at battlefields.org.