Jubal Early's Account of How He Came Within a Hair's Breath of Capturing Washington

[@davidtvedt7597]

If nothing else stands out, with what, these soldiers, had to physically and mentally endure, is incomprehensible! Without question, they, had, to be some of the physically, toughest, men, to ever wear, a uniform! For the most part, conditions, we're horrific, yet, they, moved forward, on many occasions, directly into, the, line of fire! What an era! In their sacrifice, they cast, an exceedingly, broad, shadow, that is, impossible, to measure! Thank you, Ron, most interesting!

[@paulbolcik4444]

Great episode Ron! I live in Rockville, MD. and am in the process of getting a CW Trails marker created for the July 13th 1864 "Battle at Rockville" created for the viewing public. This action happened on the Confederate retreat after failing to capture Washington City. Gen. Early while marching north, near Front Royal, Va. met and consulted with Col. John S. Mosby before he crossed into MD. and discussed the "shortcut" route into MD. by crossing through Loudoun County and the Potomac river around the area of White's Ferry. Mosby informed Early that your troops will "starve" and have nothing to eat, because Loudoun County had been picked clean in 3 years of war and hardship. Early took Mosby's advice and went the longer distance route to Harper's Ferry, whereupon he wasted time ransoming Hagerstown, Middletown & Frederick, MD. thereby losing the race to the capitol city of Washington. Early never spoke to Mosby again for as long as they lived post war. Mosby became a "Republican" post war and Early remained a die hard unrepenting "Rebel" to the end.

[@Nitrogenbreath]

Interesting observation how 'picked over' territory has the same effect on military strategy as trenches and stone walls. Compare that decision with Sherman's March to the Sea. Fresh, unpicked territory the whole way. It makes me think how warfare of the 1860's AD was similar to warfare of the 1860's BC.

[@outdoorlife-j4h]

Good point, I do not know much about the march, but I would think he would have divided the army to race to DC. As for Mosby, I think that is blaming others for your mistakes. I think as far as being a republican, he was upset with Longstreet too.

[@Nitrogenbreath]

The Monocacy Battlefield is such an overlooked stop on the Civil War trail. This museum should have this original document on display there (my opinio). Having driven up and down I-270 in my air conditioned vehicle for years, I cannot comprehend the hardship of walking that distance, with field pack, in that hot July sun. Once again Ron, you bring an intimate side of the Civil War forward with yet another personal account. Well done sir.

[@edwil111]

Its on my "to do" battlefield visit list.

[@Nitrogenbreath]

@@edwil111 Try to take the guided tour which also includes a deep look into the historical significance of the battlefield, the community college offers it. The farm traces to slave holding French refugees of the Haitian revolution. Also, the book " Fighting for Time: The Battle of Monocacy" written decades after the battle by Worthington who witnessed the battle from his basement window as a boy, against the direction of his parents.

[@marktroiani5401]

I really like this channel thank you for it

[@davide9658]

Thanks Ron for this interesting presentation. You're right in that Early came within a hair's breath of entering Washington, which could have possibly altered the course of the war. What stood out to me is Early's assessment that the Union defenses were too formidable and that his command not sufficient to make a successful assault. Despite his controversial reputation, this shows that Early was a realistic and compassionate commander who did not needlessly risk the lives of his men on a fruitless attack. The same cannot be said of other generals in that war.

[@lanemeyer9350]

“My bad old man” - Robert E. Lee

[@ebrim5013]

Thanks for sharing this. It’s really a pretty remarkable piece of the war.

[@skpjoecoursegold366]

Monocacy was my 3rd favorite battlefield to visit, after Gettysburg and Vicksburg.

[@michael5265]

I have always found Major Elisha Hunt Rhodes quip to be very on the mark, "Jubal Early should have attacked earlier in the morning, but Early was late.”

[@jamesorth6460]

So Early was late

[@lonestarbug]

Shazam. Too Early?

[@thescarletandgrey2505]

No, Late was early

[@rutlandfuel2637]

An impressive, lawyerly defense of coming up short. At least he got Grant (and Phil Sheridan's) attention.

[@thescarletandgrey2505]

First time I’ve heard the word “begrimed” in a, well…. anything. Well-done sir.

[@paulbolcik4444]

Early's army fought at both Rockville & Poolesville, MD. and then crossed the Potomac river into Virginia (Loudoun County) about July 14th & 15th 1864 after failing to capture Washington D.C. city. He may have seen more food there in (Loudoun County) then Mosby related, so that is possibly why he never spoke with Mosby again? At that point in time he had plenty of rations and supplies from raiding in MD. but the race was lost and he most likely regretted taking the long way there, because he took the "short cut" on the retreat and probably realized the blunder.

[@johnduffy8532]

Hair's breath? He wasn't THAT close.

[@kevinlewallen4778]

Was Early aware of Lincoln's presence at Fort Stevens?

[@outdoorlife-j4h]

I think he should have continued the attack when he arrived to DC. He gave Grant time to reenforce DC. The same could be said about Meade at GB, he could have put pressure on Lee burnt the bridges behind Lee and kept the bulk of his forces in PA. The same can be said about Mccellan at Antietam if he had taken advantage of the lost order, I think the war would have been shorten and he would be a national history.

[@Enfield-1853]

I had a grandfather and two uncles in the 43rd NC with Early on that mission.

[@Jsmith2024]

This was potentially the most critical campaign of the era. Had Early taken Washington CIty, the election may have gone differently and an 1864 peace agreement may have resulted, saving thousands of lives but sundering the republic.

[@johnfleet235]

I would retitle to say "Jubal Early's account of How He Came to Shock the Union Government." I think that fits better since he was on a raid, not out for conquest.

[@Nitrogenbreath]

His secondary objective was a prisoner of war camp that held (at most) a potential infantry division, assuming they were healthy enough. It's unlikely they would have had a material effect on the war but it shows this was not intended as just a hit and run raid.

[@mikehillas]

If Early had been able to get there a day earlier he probably could have stormed the works and entered the city in force. Of course he couldn't have held it very long, but he could have done a considerable amount of damage and trouble. Burned the White House; the new Congress building and other federal buildings; and possibly looted some of the treasury. He would have chased Lincoln outside his own capitol, and It would have been very embarrassing to Lincoln's administration. Capturing Washington even briefly would have been demoralizing to the north and may have made a difference in the outcome of the 1864 election.

[@Nitrogenbreath]

True, but all this talk about being hours late ignores the fact that Lincoln approved Grant releasing the DC garrison troops to the VA campaign. Grant assured Lincoln that the units could be sent upriver overnight in case of just such an attack. These units arrived after a fresh night of sleep on a boat and had only a few miles march to the forts in a unit action for which they trained many times. These units were trained in artillery and infantry combined warfare tactics at these forts. "They knew the range and elevation to every tree and fencepost". Even if they didn't make it to the forts in time, the Union troops would have arrived at any of the docks or landing sites along the Potomac and it would have been street fighting in a city with fresh troops with a total familiarity with the city. It really wasn't that close.

[@charlesbelser7249]

He would have probably captured Lincoln , much of his administration and many northern legislators.

[@Nitrogenbreath]

@@charlesbelser7249 Highly, highly unlikely. All train stations in DC had a straight and safe run to Annapolis Junction. From there, one train could Lincoln and every high ranking official to Baltimore or My. Airy and been protected by a reinforced Lew Wallace reunited with his missing battalion. People, it just wasn't that close.

[@edwil111]

even if Earlys' guys entered northern Washington DC they'd be kicked out a week or less later. it also might have had a "wake up" effect on the Northern population, and reinvigorated support to now close out the insurrection.

[@JamesLandolt-m1e]

In a sense they had. They were in the Washington County part of DC. Until 1871, after VA retroceded its part, The District of Columbia included Washington City and Georgetown and Washington County (North of Boundary Street - which is today Florida Ave). But you are right - if Early only had 2500 men available to fight, he would not have lasted long. This battle had always interested me as I had folks living in DC at the time and wondered if they had taken part in this.

[@89volvowithlazers]

Win or lose by 1864 confeds were toast and can u imagine post fight in DC? Atlanta was burned by accident. Had Early fought innthe city no city innthe south would be here today they all would have been torched by Sherman and Sheridan. Both would have burned the south with more vigor than history tells us they had at the time. Lets all play what if.... Confeds wrote more diaries to publish than the Union. Cuz civil war history more and more is all about confed lore and behavior. Screw the confed they lost no matter how it spins they got mossed

[@joeryanstrialbook2005]

Ridiculous.

[@arturogonzalez658]

Sheridan took care of that problem at Winchester , cedar creek, fisher hill five forks and the “burning “

[@howardmanwarren2771]

Early was a complete idiot. There is no possible way he could have taken Washington.

[@-PanzerRabbit-]

I don't think he was a idiot at all.....

[@brianniegemann4788]

The city was quite lightly defended that morning. Army clerks, quartermaster personnel and even walking wounded were pressed into service to man the forts. It's said that Lincoln himself came up to the front to encourage the defenders. Grant's reinforcements arrived at the last possible moment. I once stood on the remnants of Fort Stevens, picturing that day (it's a suburban park now). It was a very close call.

[@Nitrogenbreath]

@@-PanzerRabbit- Agreed. 'complete idiot'.... words of a Monday morning quarterback. What military academy do you think howard graduated from?

[@pbr4814]

Not a fan of Gen Early. He failed in the Shenandoah when Sheridan closed the book on him. After the war, it seems all he did was re-write history about how great the Confederacy was.