Bright Starry Banner

by Alden R. Carter

  Brigadier General John K. Jackson, C.S.A., commanding Jackson’s Brigade, Breckinridge’s First Division, Hardee’s Corps, Army of Tennessee. Age 34. Georgia. Lawyer.

  Brigadier General Bushrod R. Johnson, C.S.A., commanding Third Brigade, Cleburne’s Second Division, Hardee’s Corps, Army of Tennessee. Age 45. West Point 1840, 23/42. Ohio/Tennessee. Educator, militia colonel. Mexican War service.

  Brigadier General Richard W. Johnson, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Second Division, McCook’s Right Wing, Army of the Cumberland. Age 35. West Point 1849, 30/43. Kentucky. Soldier.

  Colonel John “Judge” Kennett, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. (Note: Kennett is an elusive figure and I have largely invented his persona.)

  Brigadier General Edward N. Kirk, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Second Brigade, Johnson’s Second Division, McCook’s Right Wing, Army of the Cumberland. Age 34. Ohio/Illinois. Lawyer.

  Brigadier General St. John R. Liddell, C.S.A., commanding Second Brigade, Cleburne’s Second Division, Hardee’s Corps, Army of Tennessee. Age 47. (Attended West Point 1833-1834.) Mississippi/Louisiana. Planter.

  Colonel J. Q. Loomis, C.S.A., commanding First Brigade, Withers’s Second Division, Polk’s Corps, Army of Tennessee.

  Major General Alexander McDowell McCook, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Right Wing, Army of the Cumberland. Age 31. West Point 1852, 30/47. Ohio. Soldier.

  Major General John Porter McCown, C.S.A., commanding McCown’s Division, Hardee’s Corps, Army of Tennessee. Age 47. West Point 1840, 10/42. Tennessee. Soldier. Mexican War service.

  Brigadier General Evander McNair, C.S.A., commanding Third Brigade, McCown’s Division, Hardee’s Corps, Army of Tennessee. Age 42. North Carolina/Arkansas. Merchant. Mexican War service.

  Brigadier General George E. Maney, C.S.A., commanding Third Brigade, Cheatham’s First Division, Polk’s Corps, Army of Tennessee. Age 36. Lawyer. Mexican War service.

  Colonel Arthur M. Manigault, C.S.A., commanding Fourth Brigade, Withers’s Second Division, Polk’s Corps, Army of Tennessee. Age 38. South Carolina. Businessman. Mexican War service.

  Lt. Colonel Solon Marks, U.S.A. (volunteers), chief surgeon, Richard Johnson’s Second Division, McCook’s Right Wing, Army of the Cumberland. Ohio. Physician.

  Captain John Mendenhall, commanding Artillery, Crittenden’s Left Wing, Army of the Cumberland. West Point 1856.

  Colonel John F. Miller, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Third Brigade, Negley’s Second Division, Thomas’s Center, Army of the Cumberland. Age 31. Indiana. Lawyer, politician.

  Captain James St. Charles Morton, U.S.A., commanding Pioneer Brigade, Army of the Cumberland. Age 33. West Point 1851, 2/42. Pennsylvania. Soldier.

  Brigadier General James S. Negley, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Second Division, Thomas’s Center, Army of the Cumberland. Age 36. Pennsyl-vania. Botanist, militia general. Mexican War service.

  Captain Elmer Otis, U.S.A., commanding 4th U.S. Cavalry, attached to headquarters, Army of the Cumberland.

  Brigadier General John M. Palmer, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Second Division, Crittenden’s Left Wing, Army of the Cumberland. Age 45. Kentucky/Illinois. Lawyer, politician.

  Colonel Joseph B. Palmer, C.S.A., commanding Second Brigade, Breckinridge’s First Division, Hardee’s Corps, Army of Tennessee (Dec. 31, 1862). Age 37. Tennessee. Lawyer, former mayor of Murfreesboro.

  Colonel John G. Parkhurst, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding 9th Michigan Infantry (assigned as provost guard), Thomas’s Center, Army of the Cumberland. New York/Michigan.

  Brigadier General John Pegram, C.S.A., commanding Pegram’s Brigade, Wheeler’s Cavalry Division, Army of Tennessee. Age 29. West Point 1854, 10/46. Virginia. Soldier.

  Major W. D. Pickett, aide, Hardee’s Staff, Army of Tennessee.

  Brigadier General Gideon Pillow, commanding Second Brigade, Breckinridge’s First Division, Hardee’s Corps, Army of Tennessee (January 2, 1863). Age 56. Tennessee. Lawyer, politician. Mexican War service.

  Lt. General Leonidas Polk, C.S.A., commanding Polk’s Corps, Army of Tennessee. Age 56. West Point 1827, 8/38. North Carolina/Tennessee/Louisiana. Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana.

  Brigadier General Lucius E. Polk, C.S.A., commanding First Brigade, Cleburne’s Second Division, Hardee’s Corps, Army of Tennessee. Age 29. North Carolina/Arkansas. Planter.

  Colonel P. Sidney Post, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding First Brigade, Davis’s First Division, McCook’s Right Wing, Army of the Cumberland. Age 29. New York/Illinois. Lawyer, editor.

  Brigadier General William Preston, C.S.A., commanding Third Brigade, Breckinridge’s First Division, Hardee’s Corps, Army of Tennessee. Age 46. Kentucky. Lawyer, politician, diplomat. Mexican War service.

  Colonel Samuel W. Price, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Third Brigade, Van Cleve’s Third Division, Crittenden’s Left Wing, Army of the Cumberland. Kentucky.

  Brigadier General James E. Rains, C.S.A., commanding Second Brigade, McCown’s Division, Hardee’s Corps, Army of Tennessee. Age 29. Tennessee. Lawyer, editor, politician.

  Colonel George W. Roberts, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Third Brigade, Sheridan’s Third Division, McCook’s Right Wing, Army of the Cumberland (Dec. 31, 1862). Age about 30. Illinois. Lawyer, militia officer.

  Captain Felix H. Robertson, C.S.A., commanding Florida (Robertson’s) Battery, Loomis’s First Brigade, Withers’s Second Division, Polk’s Corps, Army of Tennessee. Age 23. West Point 1861 (ungraduated). Texas. Cadet.

  Major General William S. Rosecrans, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding the Army of the Cumberland. Age 43. West Point 1842, 5/56. Ohio. Soldier, industrialist.

  Major General Lovell H. Rousseau, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding First Division, Thomas’s Center, Army of the Cumberland. Age 44. Kentucky/Indiana. Lawyer, politician. Mexican War service.

  Colonel John H. Savage, C.S.A., commanding 16th Tennessee Infantry, Donelson’s First Brigade, Cheatham’s First Division, Polk’s Corps, Army of Tennessee.

  Colonel Frederick Schaefer, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Second Brigade, Sheridan’s Third Division, McCook’s Right Wing, Army of the Cumberland (Dec. 31, 1862). Age about 35. Germany/Illinois. Soldier, revolutionary, teacher.

  Colonel Benjamin F. Scribner, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding First Brigade, Rousseau’s First Division, Thomas’s Center, Army of the Cumber land. Indiana.

  Lt. Colonel Oliver L. Shepherd, U.S.A., commanding 4th Brigade, United States Regular Infantry, Rousseau’s 1st Division, Thomas’s Center, Army of the Cumberland. Age 47. West Point 1840, 33/42. Soldier. Mexican War service.

  Brigadier General Philip H. Sheridan, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Third Division, McCook’s Right Wing, Army of the Cumberland. Age 31. West Point 1853, 34/52. New York?/Ohio. Soldier.

  Brigadier General Joshua W. Sill, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding First Brigade, Sheridan’s Third Division, McCook’s Right Wing, Army of the Cumberland (Dec. 31, 1862). Age 31. West Point 1853, 3/52. Ohio/New York. Soldier, professor.

  Major Adam J. Slemmer, U.S.A., commanding 1st Battalion and Company B 2nd Battalion, 16th U.S. Infantry, Shepherd’s Fourth Brigade, Rousseau’s First Division, Thomas’s Center. Age 34. West Point 1850, 12/44. Pennsylvania. Soldier.

  Captain Drury C. Spurlock, C.S.A., commanding Company C, 16th Tennessee, Donelson’s First Brigade, Cheatham’s First Division, Polk’s Corps, Army of Tennessee. Age 30. Merchant.

  Brigadier General David S. Stanley, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Cavalry, Army of the Cumberland. Age 34. West Point 1852, 9/43. Ohio. Soldier.

  Colonel Timothy R. Stanley, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Second Brigade, Negley’s Second Division, Thomas’s Center, Army of the Cumberland. Connecticut/Ohio. Lawyer, politician.

  Colonel John C. Starkweather, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Third Brigade, Rousseau’s First Division, Thomas’s Center, Army of the Cumberland. Age 32. New York/Wisconsin. Lawyer.

  Brigadier Gene
ral Alexander P. Stewart, C.S.A., commanding Second Brigade, Cheatham’s First Division, Polk’s Corps, Army of Tennessee. Age 41. West Point 1842, 12/56. Tennessee. Educator.

  Captain James H. Stokes, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Chicago Board of Trade Battery, Morton’s Pioneer Brigade, Army of the Cumberland. Age 48. West Point 1835, 17/56. Maryland/Illinois. Industrialist.

  Major General George H. Thomas, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding the Center, Army of the Cumberland. Age 46. West Point 1840, 12/42. Virginia. Soldier.

  Captain Gates Thruston, U.S.A. (volunteers), chief ordnance officer (commanding the ammunition train), McCook’s Right Wing, Army of the Cumberland. Ohio.

  Father Patrick Treacy, confessor and confidant of General Rosecrans. Ireland/Ohio. Age, about 45.

  Brigadier General Horatio P. Van Cleve, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Third Division, Crittenden’s Left Wing, Army of the Cumberland (Dec. 31, 1862). Age 53. West Point 1831, 24/33. New Jersey/Michigan/Minnesota. Farmer, engineer.

  Colonel Alfred J. Vaughan, C.S.A., commanding Fourth Brigade, Cheatham’s First Division, Polk’s Corps, Army of Tennessee. Age 32. Virginia/Mississippi. Engineer.

  Colonel George D. Wagner, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Second Brigade, Wood’s First Division, Crittenden’s Left Wing, Army of the Cumberland. Age 33. Ohio/Indiana. Politician.

  Brigadier General John A. Wharton, C.S.A., commanding Wharton’s Brigade, Wheeler’s cavalry division, Army of Tennessee. Age 34. Tennessee/Texas. Lawyer, Texas Ranger.

  Brigadier General Joseph Wheeler, C.S.A., commanding Cavalry and Wheeler’s Brigade, Army of Tennessee. Age 26. West Point 1859, 19/22. Georgia/New York. Soldier.

  Brigadier General August Willich, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding First Brigade, Johnson’s Second Division, McCook’s Right Wing, Army of the Cumberland. Age 52. Germany/Ohio. Soldier, revolutionary, carpenter, newspaper owner.

  Major General Jones M. Withers, commanding Second Division, Polk’s Corps, Army of Tennessee. Age 48. West Point 1835, 44/56. Alabama. Lawyer, merchant, politician, militia officer. Mexican War service.

  Brigadier General S.A.M. Wood, C.S.A., commanding Fourth Brigade, Cleburne’s Second Division, Hardee’s Corps, Army of Tennessee. Age 39. Alabama. Lawyer, politician, editor.

  Brigadier General Thomas J. Wood, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding First Division, Crittenden’s Left Wing, Army of the Cumberland (Dec. 31, 1862). Age 39. West Point 1845, 5/41. Kentucky. Soldier. Mexican War service.

  Colonel William E. Woodruff, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Third Brigade, Davis’s First Division, McCook’s Right Wing, Army of the Cumberland.

  Colonel Lewis Zahm, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Second Brigade, Stanley/Kennett’s Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. Age about 35. Germany/Ohio.

  NOT ASSIGNED TO THE

  ARMIES AT STONES RIVER

  General Pierre G. T. Beauregard, C.S.A., former commander Army of Tennessee. Age 44. West Point 1838, 2/45.

  Major General Don Carlos Buell, U.S.A. (volunteers), former commander Army of the Ohio (Cumberland). Age 44. West Point 1841, 32/52.

  Major General Ambrose E. Burnside, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding the Army of the Potomac. Age 38. West Point 1847, 18/38.

  Major General George B. Crittenden, C.S.A., commander of Confederate forces at the Battle of Mill Springs, Kentucky, on January 19, 1862. Age 50. West Point 1832, 26/45.

  Brigadier General Thomas Turpin Crittenden, U.S.A. (volunteers), commander of Union forces at Confederate capture of Murfreesboro on July 13, 1862. Age 37.

  Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest, C.S.A., commanding Forrest’s Cavalry Brigade (detached), Wheeler’s Cavalry Division, Army of Tennessee. Age 41.

  Major General John C. Frémont, U.S.A. (volunteers), former commander of the Western Department.

  Major General Ulysses S. Grant, U.S.A. (volunteers), commanding Federal Army of the Tennessee. Age 40. West Point 1843, 21/39.

  Major General Henry W. Halleck, general-in-chief, U.S.A. Age 47. West Point 1839, 3/31.

  General Albert Sidney Johnston, C.S.A., late commander of Confederate forces in the West. Age 59. West Point 1826, 8/41. Killed at Shiloh, April 6, 1862.

  General Joseph E. Johnston, C.S.A., commanding Department of the West. Age 55. West Point 1829, 13/46. Though technically Bragg’s superior, President Davis and Bragg usually bypass Johnston.

  Major General George B. McClellan, U.S.A., former general-in-chief and former commander of the Army of the Potomac. Age 36. West Point 1846, 2/59.

  Colonel John H. Morgan, C.S.A., commanding 2nd Kentucky Cavalry (detached), Wheeler’s Cavalry Division, Army of Tennessee. Age 37.

  Major General William “Bull” Nelson, U.S.A. (volunteers), late division commander in Buell’s Army of the Ohio (Cumberland). Killed in an argument, September 29, 1862. Age 36.

  Lt. General John C. Pemberton, C.S.A., commanding Confederate forces at Vicksburg. Age 48. West Point 1837, 27/50.

  Brevet Lt. General Winfield Scott, former general-in-chief, U.S.A. Age 76.

  Edwin M. Stanton, secretary of war. Age 48.

  Major General Zachary Taylor, commander of forces in Northern Mexico during the Mexican War, 12th president of the United States. Died 1850.

  Major General Earl Van Dorn, C.S.A., commanding Confederate cavalry in Mississippi. Age 42. West Point 1842, 52/56.

  Major General John E. Wool, U.S.A., commanding Middle Department with headquarters at Fort Monroe, Virginia. Deputy to General Taylor and Bragg’s commander during invasion of northern Mexico in 1846–1847.

  QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

  1. The novel opens with General Winfield Scott, retired general in chief of the United States Army, contemplating the Union forces’ strategic situation in December 1862. What reasons, both military and political, make an offensive by the Army of the Cumberland imperative at this time?

  2. General William Starke Rosecrans is a complex man. What do you see as his strengths and weaknesses as a commander? How would you describe his relationship with subordinates, from senior generals to common privates? Consider his internal life. In what ways does his devout Catholicism reveal itself in his external and internal life?

  3. General Braxton Bragg is another man of considerable ability. What do you see as his strengths and weaknesses as a commander? How would you describe his internal life? What life experiences shaped his personality? How has the fame he won in Mexico affected his career? Why does he have such difficulty with his subordinates?

  4. Rosecrans despises Ulysses S. Grant while Bragg is deeply resentful of Robert E. Lee. What are the reasons for these negative feelings?

  5. The Confederate armies have mounted troops far superior to the Union army’s cavalry at this point in the war. How does this affect the conduct of Northern campaigns? Considering the importance of his cavalry, why did Bragg strip his army of much of it in the weeks before the Battle of Stones River? Rosecrans chooses to advance only after Bragg dispatches Nathan Bedford Forrest and John Hunt Morgan on raids. Why? If the Union high command had forced him to advance before the departure of Forrest and Morgan, how do you suppose the outcome of the campaign might have changed?

  6. The singing of “Home Sweet Home” by the men of both armies the night before the battle shows how much they have in common. Only hours later they will set about killing each other. What motivates them to fight and often die for their respective causes? The thief Eli Smith, a Union soldier who has assumed a new identity and quit stealing, has become “a true believer.” To what extent do you think his reasons for fighting are shared by other Union soldiers? The Confederate soldier Com McGregor fights with great heroism when he might have escaped service because of his age. What do you see as his motives? What other examples can you find? On a scout between the lines, Bierce encounters two grievously wounded soldiers, one Union and one Confederate. What have these two concluded about the war?

  7. Although small in number, the regular regiments play a significant role
in the Battle of Stones River. How do the regulars differ from the volunteers in their attitudes toward warfare? toward life? In what ways does Col. Oliver Shepherd exemplify the hard-bitten regulars of the old Army?

  8. Bragg thinks of General George Thomas as a traitor. Why? Thomas’s experiences as a boy during the Nate Turner slave uprising helped mold his character. Discuss what Thomas means by “constancy” and how the principle subsequently affected his decisions as a soldier.

  9. Among the most motivated men in the Army of the Cumberland are European immigrants such as Col. Hans Heg and Brig. General August Willich. What is the foundation for their dedication to the Union cause? Among them are a number of trained soldiers who fled to America after the suppression of the leftist uprisings in Europe in 1848. What do you suppose motivated these “forty-eighters” to take up arms against the established order in Europe? What motivates them to fight for the Union?

  10. General Patrick Cleburne is also an immigrant. Yet despite liberal leanings on such matters as slavery, Cleburne fights for the Confederacy. What are the motives for his allegiance? What makes Cleburne a particularly effective commander? Although respected as a fighter by his fellow generals, most seem wary of Cleburne. What about Cleburne’s personality makes other men uncomfortable?

  11. Eventually Northern industrial power would be one of the major reasons for Union victory in the Civil War. What foreshadowing of this advantage is evident at Stones River?

  12. The theme of reality and madness recurs throughout the book. What examples do you recall? What different types of madness threaten various characters? Bierce is horrified when the gentle Garesché seems carried away by a sort of battlefield lust. What in battle so stimulates some men to such heights of ferocity and disregard for personal safety? Are courage and bravery indistinguishable or quite different concepts?