5fish
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As we know Five Forks Battle happen on a April 1st, 1865 and it ended with the defeat of Pickett's men by Sheridan men, leading to Lee's retreat from Petersburg siege lines. On April 2nd. 1865, the breakthrough at Petersburg begins and Lee's retreat begins in full. Here are the Lee's force numbers at the time of the retreat 40,000-45,000 men. I ask the question: At the time of Lee's surrender a little over 23,000 proles were given out to Lee's men within the 25 mile surrounding area around Appomattox. I ask: Where did 20,000 of Lee's men go in the 6 days march between between April 2nd and April 8th???
Even if you count Sailor Creek battle where Lee lost a quarter of his men there. There is still 10,000 to 13,000 men unaccounted for...
But if you account for the 10,00 men lost at Five Forks battle by Lee then the numbers line up. But from what I have read, Five Fork's losses are not part of Lee's forces in retreat. We are back to 10,000 to 13,000 missing men...
Could that many men go missing in 6 days or were the beginning number incorrect?
If the beginning force numbers are close to being true then Lee's retreat from Petersburg was nothing more than a death march!!! A war crime... He forced march hungry and sick men for 6 days where 10,000 or more men fell out missing, most likely died. Historian's need to give this forced march/retreat a name like: Lee's Death March... The Trail of Death... The Retreat to Hell...
These 6 days in April of 1865 need to be given a name because of the horror that 10,000 souls died during those days. Their sacrifices should be recognized and Lee should be vilified for their senseless death...
Even if you count Sailor Creek battle where Lee lost a quarter of his men there. There is still 10,000 to 13,000 men unaccounted for...
But if you account for the 10,00 men lost at Five Forks battle by Lee then the numbers line up. But from what I have read, Five Fork's losses are not part of Lee's forces in retreat. We are back to 10,000 to 13,000 missing men...
Could that many men go missing in 6 days or were the beginning number incorrect?
If the beginning force numbers are close to being true then Lee's retreat from Petersburg was nothing more than a death march!!! A war crime... He forced march hungry and sick men for 6 days where 10,000 or more men fell out missing, most likely died. Historian's need to give this forced march/retreat a name like: Lee's Death March... The Trail of Death... The Retreat to Hell...
These 6 days in April of 1865 need to be given a name because of the horror that 10,000 souls died during those days. Their sacrifices should be recognized and Lee should be vilified for their senseless death...
