American Civil War William Mahone

mahone in confederate uniform

as political differences between northern , southern factions escalated in second half of 19th century, mahone in favor of secession of southern states. during american civil war, active in conflict before became officer in confederate army. in war, in 1861, norfolk , petersburg railroad valuable confederacy , transported ordnance norfolk area used during confederate occupation. end of war, of left of railroad in federal hands.

after virginia seceded union in april 1861, mahone still civilian, , not yet in confederate army, working in coordination walter gwynn, orchestrated ruse , capture of gosport shipyard. bluffed federal troops abandoning shipyard in portsmouth running single passenger train norfolk great noise , whistle-blowing, more quietly, sending west, , returning same train again, creating illusion of large numbers of arriving troops federals listening in portsmouth across elizabeth river (and barely out of sight). ruse worked, , not single confederate soldier lost union authorities abandoned area, , retreated fort monroe across hampton roads. after this, mahone accepted commission lieutenant colonel , later colonel of 6th virginia volunteer infantry regiment in confederate army. commanded confederate s norfolk district until evacuation. promoted brigadier general on november 16, 1861.

in may 1862, after evacuation of norfolk southern forces during peninsula campaign, aided in construction of defenses of richmond on james river around drewry s bluff. short time later, led brigade @ battle of 7 pines, , battle of malvern hill. fought @ second bull run, fredericksburg, chancellorsville, gettysburg, wilderness, , spotsylvania court house.

mahone shot in chest while leading brigade in charge @ second bull run. wound not life-threatening, missed out on maryland campaign following month. returned command after 2 months of recuperation, not seeing major action @ fredericksburg. mahone used considerable political skills lobby promotion major general during winter of 1862-63. although several of fellow officers in army of northern virginia agreed, robert e. lee argued there no available major general slot , mahone have wait until 1 opened up.

mahone s brigade 1 of portions of longstreet s corps remained main army during chancellorsville campaign. after lee reorganized army in may 1863, mahone ended in newly-created iii corps of a.p. hill. @ gettysburg, mahone s brigade unengaged , suffered handful of casualties entire battle. supposed participate in attack on cemetery ridge on july 2, against orders, held brigade back. during pickett s charge following day, mahone s brigade assigned protect artillery batteries , did not involved in main fighting. mahone s official report battle 100 words in length , gave little insight actions on july 2, although told fellow brigadier carnot posey division commander richard h. anderson had ordered him stay put. despite failure move command action, mahone suffered no punishment due seniority , fact become 1 of handful of officers in army of northern virginia lead brigade entire year s duration.

small of stature, 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm), , weighing 100 pounds (45 kg), nicknamed little billy . 1 of soldiers put it, every inch soldier, though there not many inches of him. otelia mahone working in richmond nurse, when virginia governor john letcher sent word mahone had been injured @ second bull run, had received flesh wound. said have replied know serious william has no flesh whatsoever.

although wound @ manassas had not been serious, mahone did suffer acute dyspepsia of life. during war, cow , chickens accompanied him in order provide dairy products. otelia , children moved petersburg near him during final campaign of war in 1864-65 grant moved against petersburg, seeking sever rail lines supplying confederate capital of richmond.

during battle of wilderness, mahone s soldiers accidentally wounded james longstreet. richard anderson appointed corps command, mahone getting command of anderson s division, led remainder of war.

it during final campaign william mahone became regarded hero of battle of crater on july 30, 1864. coal miners in union army tunneled under confederate line , blew in massive explosion, killing , wounding many confederates , breaching key point in defense line around petersburg. mahone rallied remaining confederate forces nearby, repelling attack, , union lost initial advantage. having begun innovative tactic, battle of crater turned terrible loss union leaders. quick , effective action led mahone rare cause celebration occupants of petersburg, embattled citizens , weary troops alike. on july 30, promoted major general.

however, grant s strategy @ petersburg succeeded last rail line south supply cockcade city (and hence richmond) severed in april 1865. @ battle of sailor s creek on april 6, lee exclaimed in front of mahone god, has army dissolved? , replied no, general, here troops ready duty. touched faithful duty of men, lee told mahone, yes, there still true men left ... please keep people back? mahone lee @ surrender @ appomattox court house 3 days later.