Lee's Army during the Overland Campaign: A Numerical Study

Chapter 4. First Corps

29 chapter 4 First Corps Kershaw’s Division Kershaw’s Division was composed of the brigades of Humphreys, Henagan, Wofford, and Bryan. This organization played a prominent role in most of the earlier campaigns and major battles of the Army of Northern Virginia and, at this stage of the war, was one of its best divisions. The division, in particular, performed competently at the Battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. Prior to 1864, the commander was Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws. After Gettysburg, the division was sent with its corps commander, Lt. Gen. James Longstreet, to northern Georgia to assist the Army of Tennessee. While in northern Georgia and eastern Tennessee, the division took part in the Battle of Chickamauga, the siege of Chattanooga, and the East Tennessee Campaign , including the siege of Knoxville. During the East Tennessee Campaign, Longstreet preferred charges against McLaws. Specifically, an officer on Longstreet’s staff informed McLaws that “you [McLaws] have exhibited a want in confidence in the efforts and plans which the commanding officer [Longstreet] has thought proper to adopt.” Following a bitter court-martial and an eventual exoneration, McLaws left the corps and took an assignment in his home state of Georgia.1 The senior brigadier general, Joseph B. Kershaw, was then assigned to command the division. Kershaw was promoted to major general in late May. Kershaw’s Division returned to Lee’s army in mid-April with a somewhat diminished strength of about 5,180 men and a worn condition. The campaign in eastern Tennessee was ultimately a failure. This result was compounded by a severe winter and limited supply and foraging conditions.2 By all accounts, the veterans of this division were pleased to be returning to Virginia. The deficiency in personnel in late April–early May improved with the arrival of the trail (or rear) elements of the division in May and the return 30 Unit Discussions, with Casualty Breakdowns of numerous veterans from wounded furlough throughout the campaign. In addition, a new unit, the 20th South Carolina Regiment, was assigned to the division in late May. Kershaw’s men arrived at the Wilderness on the morning of May 6. At this point of the battle, Federal forces led by Maj. Gen. Winfield Hancock were driving Heth’s and Wilcox’s Divisions of the Third Corps from the battlefield . Kershaw’s men were rushed into this action and deployed on the southern side of the Orange Plank Road. The bulk of the division was committed in a timely manner and achieved success in halting the Federal advance and regaining some of the lost ground (see Map 6, Appendix B).3 Following the repulse of the Federal advance, a lull in the fighting occurred for several hours. A member of Longstreet’s staff found an unfinished railroad cut in the woods south of the Confederate line that provided an open but concealed lane through the dense woods to the left, or southern, flank of the Union forces. Longstreet devised a creative plan to attack the enemy flank using this lane as an approach and, thereafter, directly strike the Federal front. The combined assault was performed during the late morning and was an overwhelming success. All of Kershaw’s Division participated in this major action (see Map 7, Appendix B).4 This attack broke the Union forces and forced a rapid retirement to their original line along Brock Road. Complete Confederate success was frustrated when Longstreet was wounded by friendly fire from the flanking elements. With the loss of Longstreet, Maj. Gen. Charles Field temporarily assumed leadership of the First Corps. Once Lee became aware of the situation, he appointed Maj. Gen. Richard H. Anderson commander of the First Corps. Late in the day, Confederate forces attempted to gain a complete victory by assaulting and driving the Federals from their breastworks along Brock Road. Kershaw’s Division was committed primarily south of the Orange Plank Road. All of the units in the division were again employed in this attack (see Map 8, Appendix B).5 This assault, the last phase of the battle, was unsuccessful. Judging by the relatively low casualties sustained by the individual brigades, the troops apparently realized the futility of this offensive action and limited their exposure. Following the conclusion of the Battle of the Wilderness, the Union army attempted to maneuver and force Lee’s army into an open battle. The object of this move was the key crossroads at Spotsylvania Court House. Capture of [3.149.251...