Here is the first in a series of notable quotes from that lamentable affair:

<“A man's errors are his portals of discovery.”

~James Joyce>

John served in the 11th Corps of the Army of the Potomac, along with a lot of other Germans who, like him, got off the boat just in time to join the Union Army. The men didn't speak English and most of their officers didn't, either. Their brigadier generals included the illustrious Gen. Schimmelpfennig, of whom Abraham Lincoln said, "His name alone will drive up enlistments." Gen. Schimmelpfennig spent most of the battle of Gettysburg hiding in a local pig sty.

At Chancellorsville the 11th Corps was posted on the flank of the army with no one else guarding their flank and no orders coming down from HQ. They presented an ideal target, and Stonewall Jackson hit them hard, just as they were sitting down to supper. The 11th was routed, and only strenuous efforts saved the whole AOP from disaster.

At Gettysburg--with Uncle John coming to his senses in a military hospital in Ohio--the 11th Corps was placed in an indefensible position north of the town and virtually wiped out. Some men survived, but the 11th ceased to exist as a military formation.

And to discussion of the American Civil War. oh

Ồn the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg from the 11th Corps pov, have never chance before to talk to descendant of, that was interesting <playground player> thanks

From little we were taught, the 11th Corps shows what happens when ill-trained and poorly led troops encounters a higher trained and well led force

A few notes shown to class shows the 11th were able as individuals, and they could have been successful if their training and leadership were raised, being placed in poor position only helped their opponent

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"Pittsburg Landing"

It's always interesting to consider alternatives to the way history actually played out. For instance...

Among the least appreciated generals of the Civil War was Joseph Hooker. After the disaster at Fredericksburg, Hooker replaced Ambrose Burnside as commander of the Army of the Potomac and succeeded in doing something that none of his predecessors was able to do--he crossed the Rappahannock River and invaded Virginia, outmaneuvering Robert E. Lee.

Hooker had the misfortune to be in command at Chancellorsville, but he had little to do with the conduct of the battle: he was knocked out of action early by a near miss with a cannonball, suffering a concussion. Brilliant leadership by a few of his subordinates, especially Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, rallied the AOP and prevented it from being routed. Soon afterward, Hooker retreated tactically to a stronger position.

When Lee led his Army of Northern Virginia into Union territory, invading Pennsylvania, Hooker rejoiced. He saw it as the ideal opportunity to march on the Confederate capital of Richmond, capture it, and end the war. After all, Lee had left it undefended.

Hooker strongly urged this wise course, but his political enemies in Washington secured his removal from command. The politicians insisted that the AOP follow Lee wherever he went, always remaining between him and Washington.

My only source so far is the <Ken Burns> film, so if Ken's got any of it wrong I trust you gentlemen to set him straight.