Sancho Panza Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 The Mississippi Rifles Fighting in the open on a dusty mountainside in a foreign land a thousand miles from home, facing an enemy many times its own strength, the Mississippi Rifles, commanded by Colonel Jefferson Davis, displayed a rock-like defense against a Mexican attack in response to the command, "Stand Fast, Mississippians!" Earlier, the battle had reached a critical stage when the Rifles (in the action depicted) were ordered to attack Mexican cavalry and infantry advancing on the Americans. The "hard-fighting Mississippi gentlemen" moved up, fired, then drew Bowie knives and closed in. The Rifles--the 155th Infantry of the modern Mississippi Army National Guard--thus wrote another chapter in the proud National Guard tradition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 The Fourth Alabama On the morning of July 21, 1861, the Union Army under the command of Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell, in an effort to cripple the newly assembled Confederate Army at Manassas, Virginia, fired the opening shots of the first major battle of the Civil War. Both armies were largely made up of volunteer militia with regiments on both sides wearing blue and gray uniforms. The brunt of the Union attack fell on the Confederate left flank. Confederate Brig. Gen. Bernard Bee, having recently resigned from the United States Army and still wearing his blue uniform, realized that the army's left flank was seriously exposed. Bee ordered the Fourth Alabama to advance rapidly in order to plug the gap in the Confederate line. For over an hour, the Fourth Alabama held its position and repulsed several Union regiments. The gallant stand of the Fourth Alabama stalled the Union advance and gave the Confederate forces more time to regroup. The regiment played a prominent part in the fighting all day and contributed to the Confederate victory. The Battle of First Manassas proved to both sides that the Civil War would be a bitterly contested struggle. The Fourth Alabama went on to fight in every major battle in the Eastern Theater of the Civil War and never surrendered its colors. The heritage and traditions of the Fourth Alabama are carried on by the 1st Battalion, 167th Infantry, Alabama Army National Guard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 "Shoot and Be Dammed!" In the last days of the Civil War, General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was fighting with its back to Richmond. These battle-weary but determined Confederates were facing overwhelming odds. A section of guns from the Third Company, Washington Artillery of new Orleans, "...the most famous of the confederate volunteer artillery organizations," was posted at Fort Gregg, a critical portion of the thin line of defense close to the Appomattox River. If the fort fell, the Union forces could break the Confederate line. On April 2, 1865, the Union forces attacked Fort Gregg. The 270 defenders had to hold until Lieutenant General James Longstreet's men could occupy new positions. Assault after assault broke against the walls of the fort like a rising blue tide against a rock. One of the assaults swept over the parapet of the fort. Lieutenant McElroy's guns of the Third Company, Washington Artillery barred the way. Three-inch Parrot rifled cannon, loaded with canister were aimed at the attacking Federal soldiers at point blank range. A Union soldier called to Private Lawrence Berry, who had the firing lanyard in his hand, "Don't fire that gun! Drop the lanyard or we'll shoot!" Berry yelled back, "Shoot and be dammed!" and fired his cannon into the faces of his assailants. Almost immediately Berry went down with multiple wounds. The tenacious defense of Fort Gregg gained precious time for Confederate forces to solidify their lines. The courage, dedication and self-sacrifice of the Washington Artillery is carried on today by the 141st Field Artillery, Louisiana Army National Guard. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 These National Guard Heritage Prints are available FREE: http://www.nationalguard.mil/Resources/ImageGallery/HistoricalPaintings.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Above the fireplace... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 between the La Scalas... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 in Lee & Jackson's Room... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 above one of my Signature Heresy II's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.