Civil War history re-examined

Times Herald ^ | 13 August 2002 | JUDY BACA

[stainlessbanner]

Norristown native poses provocative questions about Gen. Robert E. Lee in newest book.

Some might say Albert M. Gambone has "overcompensated" for failing his history course at Norristown High School back in 1957.
But back then, he claims, no one ever told him about the important role Norristown played in the Civil War.
The author of four books on the Civil War who maintains a personal library of approximately 3,000 volumes on the subject, Gambone has virtually become a Civil War expert.

However, Gambone counters that he is "convinced there is no such thing as an 'expert' on the war . . . perhaps on a battle or a person or event . . . but not the entire war."

It was this past July 4 that Gambone's book, "Lee at Gettysburg . . . commentary on defeat" was released. The controversial work suggests that the famous Confederate general, Robert E. Lee, was not the great military genius portrayed in the history books and that it was Lee, not his subordinates, who bore the responsibility for the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg.

From his home in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Gambone good-naturedly denies that he has received disdain from friends and neighbors but admits that his next-door neighbor "absolutely refuses to read the Lee work."

On the other hand, on the day his latest book was released, Gambone presented two workshops on his subject at Gettysburg.
At the first, one man stood up, walked out and slammed the door. Following the second, at a book signing, another man approached the table, thanked Gambone and quietly told the author he had had strict instructions from his wife not "to buy a book from that son of a b--."

But Gambone says he has also heard from a South Carolina free lance author who takes exception to some things "but on the whole, he says it causes him to look at Lee with a more objective eye. That, in my opinion, is a great leap forward."

In his foreword, Gambone claims that history's portrayal of Robert E. Lee was a creation of image makers and that, while the general "was a God-fearing individual, devoted father, faithful husband, dedicated soldier and committed educator. In short, a good man... Lee never won more than five or six major battles."

The author further notes "that precious few generals in history are labeled 'great' when they lose a war!"

Furthermore, Gambone states that, Lee was, "by marriage, the legal grandson of the first president" and he speculates, "It is rather doubtful that Washington would have thought anything different of Robert E. Lee than how he viewed traitorous Benedict Arnold."

Gambone says his volumne on Lee is the result of six years of research. Three of his prior four books are biographies of Norristown men who were Civil War generals and who are all buried in Norristown's Montgomery Cemetery: John F. Hartranft (released in 1995), Samuel K. Zook (1996), and Winfield Scott Hancock (1997). The fourth book is a biography of Major General Daarius Nash Couch (2000) who was from New York and who led the Union II Corps prior to Hancock.

Born and raised in Norristown's East End, Gambone attended Lowell Technical Institute (now Lowell University), studying chemistry and mathematics, following his graduation from Norristown High. He later studied religion and philosophy at Mattactuck Community College in Waterbury, Conn. After moving from Norristown in 1965, he spent 35 years in New England, where he wascvice president of a manufacturing firm. He and his wife, Nancy moved to Myrtle Beach about six years ago.
It was only 20 years ago that the Civil War captured his interest when he read a condensed version of Carl Sandburg's "Lincoln."

"It left so many questions," he relates, "that I went back and read all six volumes and I was off and running. I was touched by the human factor of the war. I could really care less about the left flank or the right flank. Those men (in particular), Northern and Southern, were real flesh and blood and, when I was bitten, I wanted to crawl inside their heads to see what made them tick. I am still crawling and that is why everything I write is a bio of sort . . . even though it might be a monograph."

He says he was inspired to write the biographies "because I came across the names Hancock, Hartranft and Zook so often - Hancock the most. I graduated from the schools in Norristown and not once did anyone ever tell me about those men . . . not to mention the other two Civil War generals, Slemmer and McClennan. I was amazed that my hometown was so significant in the war and I decided to write about all five generals."

He adds that, at the time of the Civil War, Norristown's population numbered about 8,000 "and it is likely that no other town, North or South, with the same size population, had as many general-sons."

Conceding that he is now not sure he will get to the other two generals' biographies, Gambone declares, "I belong to the Hancock Society of Montgomery County and have a great interest in Montgomery Cemetery. I have lectured there frequently and am embarrassed that it is in such a state of destruction and the townspeople, in general, know so little (about it). It is a treasure chest of historical information."

Listing what he calls "just a few examples," Gambone notes that when Winfield Scott Hancock was a Democratic presidential contender, Pennsylvania, Norristown and Montgomery County did not vote for him.

"Of all Union generals, he was undoubtedly the most respected and beloved in the South for his bravery and human compassion," he continues. "John Hartranft, a citzen soldier, won the Medal of Honor for his work at the first battle of Manassas. He took the bridge at the Battle of Antietam, defeated Lee's last offensive at the Battle of Fort Stedman, was the jailer during the Lincoln Conspiracy Trial and put Mary Surratt to death by Federal government fiat. After the war, he was twice governor of Pennsylvania. He gave blacks the right to vote in this state and did away with the Molly Maguires."

He notes that the Civil War obelisk on the green just south of the court house in Norristown lists Zook's name as the highest ranking officer to die during the war from Montgomery County.

Reiterating his pride in Norristown's contributions, the writer says, "White men and women were not the only Norristown and Norristown-area contributors because, if you look upon that monument near the court house (in Norristown), you will see the names of those area men who belonged to the famed 54th Massachusetts.

"That regiment was the focal point for the movie 'Glory' and their assault upon Battery Wagner in July of 1863, which cost them almost half of their numbers. The 54th Mass. was not only from the Bay State; they came from many parts of the Union and Norristown gave its own numbers as well. And for many, the actions and bravery of those black men turned the tide of hatred and doubt then associated with the Negro. Consequently, there is plenty of pride to go around for everyone."

He adds, "If I had one wish, it would be that our schools and teachers would pass onto the youth the pride of where they are from - and what those who went before them really did."

[stainlessbanner]

Who else do we have among the top Union commanders

Hancock! IMO, Chamberlin was overrated - his position at Gettysburg made him. I respect the man and certainly he was a brave civilian turned soldier, but Col. Strong Vincent and Col. Patrick O'Rorke have been overshadowed for their endeavors at Little Round Top.

[lentulusgracchus]

Lee's choice of Confederate command over his oath to the union and constitutution is something that makes it hard for some to take the "Marble Man" image.

As I've discussed in extenso with WP on the other thread, Lee informed Lt. Gen. (brevet) Winfield Scott of his decision on April 18, 1861, a very few days after Virginia's secession convention, sitting as the People, voted Virginia out of the Union. He signed his resignation on April 20, and it was accepted on the 25th, pretty rapidly. General Scott had a chance to countermand his stated intention to leave the service and offer his services to Virginia, to order him confined to quarters or the DC area, even to refuse to accept his resignation "for the duration". None of that happened.

Lee accepted a commission in the Virginia Militia on April 22nd or 23rd (Virginia happened not to have traded warlike blows with the federal government as of that date). At that point, Virginia was out of the Union and Lee was no longer a citizen, from Virginia's point of view, or if you wish, he was still a citizen in the Unionist formula -- and a citizen of an unoffending Virginia, which was still a State of the Union as of that date. So which is your poison? That he accepted an as-yet innocuous Virginia Militia commission while his papers were still getting stamped? Or that he was no longer a citizen anyway, and couldn't stay longer on U.S. service?

He didn't accept a commission in the CSA until May 10, and the voters of Virginia signed off on secession at their plebiscite held May 23rd.

He didn't choose a Confederate command "over his oath to the union", from which he was released as of April 25th at the latest.

Your complaint against him must then take another footing, that of a general political crime against the Unionist Theory of Threshold (not Perpetual) Consent.

If we go there, it's going to be a long afternoon. I suggest you just read through the 375+ posts on the other thread instead.

[Cincinatus]

Lee was a great man and a great general. But Gettysburg was not a stunning example of his brilliance.

And yet, for all that, for all the miscalculation, slowness of his subordinates, the failure to properly support his frontal assault -- he almost pulled it off! Pickett's Charge was a nearer run thing than most remember.

I think Lee's real sin at Gettysburg is that he just didn't pull it off. Splitting his army at Chancellorsville with Stonewall Jackson's flank march around the Federal right was a much riskier move than Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg, yet the former is remembered as genius and the latter as stupidity. Victory has a thousand fathers; defeat is an orphan.

[4CJ]

"Governor, if I had foreseen the use those people designed to make of their victory, there would have been no surrender at Appomattox Courthouse; no sir, not by me. Had I foreseen these results of subjugation, I would have preferred to die at Appomattox with my brave men, my sword in this right hand."
Robert E. Lee, to former Texas governor Fletcher Summerfield Stockdale, Aug 1870

[4CJ]

Prior to joining the Confederacy, Lee was offered command of the Union army. Apparently, those in the South weren't the only ones who held him in high regard.

We are but mere mortals in your presence sir.

[Conan the Librarian]

Grant won the Campaign for Vicksburg and Richmond, and lost the Major battle at Shiloh Church (Saved by the Buell) and every battle from Wilderness to Richmond. Grant won Chattanooga. Thats it for the major battles he won. Grant had what Lee had, confidence OF his Superiors. Lee won Five or six major battles....but he lost the campaigns. He would admit that himself. Why? Because he had something that the author didn't understand. HONOR!

It wasn't the winning or the loosing...it was the way he acted that made Lee great.

Its what Captian Happypants and his Sidekick "Woody" could never understand. Doing things for the wrong reasons are just as bad as doing nothing...maybe worse.

HONOR is what Lee had that makes him remembered today...not winning battles.

[Rodney King]

In short, a good man... Lee never won more than five or six major battles

That's the dumbest thing I have ever heard. So he only won five or six? How many did Patton win? How about Rommel? I'll be that a good analysis of Rommel is that he only one three or four major battles.

It's not like armies fight major battles every single day.

The fact is that faced with overwhelming numbers, Lee won five or six major battles, and prevented the Union from an easy march to Richmond for a number of years. If it wasn't for the bumbling fools out west, that would have been enough.

[Conan the Librarian]

Have to disagree about Joe Johnston. He was a fine commander. His best work was in the Defensive area, but he knew his work and did it with Honor. The campaign from Chattanooga to Atlanta will be remembered along with Napoleon's 1814 campaign and Rommel's retreat from El' Alamain(spelling?)

[Conan the Librarian]

You are so right about Pickett's Charge. Pickett's Charge wasn't the great defeat that many set it out to be. The ANV (Army of Northern Virginia) didn't collapse after the charge, there was no great rout or disaster after. The AVN left the field in an ordered march. Hood's army is the only major Confederate army to run away from battle.

[Colt .45]

I guess on the other hand this turd author Gamboner won't tell you about what a butcher Grant was, using the same tactics as Lee. The tactics of the day were Napoloeonic type tactics which involved mass movement, mass charges, and frontal assaults. This author's claim that Lee was an "average" leader is just plain horsesh*t! Lee was a great general listed among the top 100 Military leaders of all time, the only reason he's ranked lower than the top 20 is because he fought for the Confederacy. You don't get into this elite class of men by being "average".

This author is nothing more than a hack and I wouldn't give him the relief of pissing in his mouth if his teeth were on fire!

[TexConfederate1861]

You are sooo right partner.... Washington would have made a great Confederate!

[TexConfederate1861]

Besides, if Lee was so "bad", why do they honor and teach him at West Point as one of the greatest American Generals?

[TexConfederate1861]

Just what did Hood run away from? I don't recall his Texas Brigade running EVER!

[Conan the Librarian]

You have to look at levels. At a brigade level Lee had little luck....remember the West Virigina campaign of 1861. Lee didn't shine until he took over the ANV.
As with any organization, its the teamwork that gets the job done. Jackson/Longstreet/Lee were unbeatable. As was Joe Johnston/Beauregard. Seperate, they are great...together they are magnificent. Same with Handcock/Sedgwick/Sheriden/Meede/Grant. Together they held the army together while beating down the ANV.

[Conan the Librarian]

Thomas at Nashville. The Army of Tennessee was totally routed and all but destroyed. SD Lee managed to save the day to a degree, but, the army was gone, what was left went to Mobile. Get Shelby Foote, Vol 3. Read about the Nashville Campaign.

Don't get me wrong. Hood was a Great Brigade/Divisional Leader and the Texans were like Rocks.....but he couldn't handle an army. He needed that guidance from strong superior to make him great.

[TexConfederate1861]

It is quite true that the Nashville campaign was awful....
At Franklin, the 2nd Texas, and 5 Texas Generals lost their lives...however, I don't believe they ran.....

Hood just wasn't suited for high command. He was on painkillers for the horrendous wounds he sustained, including the loss of an arm at Gettysburg.

[stand watie]

well said! Marse Robert was one of a kind.

free the southland,sw

[Twodees]

Following the second, at a book signing, another man approached the table, thanked Gambone and quietly told the author he had had strict instructions from his wife not "to buy a book from that son of a b--."

I hope the scalawag's wife is divorcing his disobedient ass as we speak.;-) This Gambone jerkoff needs to go back to PA and write some histories of the liberal politicians who made his state such a slime pit that he had to move South. Typical dumbass yankee pissant.

[wardaddy]

Prior to joining the Confederacy, Lee was offered command of the Union army. Apparently, those in the South weren't the only ones who held him in high regard.

Boy Howdy.....I suppose that about sums it up doesn't it? ...militarily speaking....well done!

[wardaddy]

I'm very proud of the role my ggguncles in the 8th Illinois Cavalry (some of Buford's Boys) played in helping to hold off the bloodthirsty Rebel hordes on 7-1-63.

Bloodthirsty?.....and after I was so magnanimous about Grant. That'll teach me to be nice to you Yankee scoundrels..lol.

I bet your boy Buford was sure glad he wasn't on Reynolds horse that day. Although unfortunately his days were already numbered....