Famed Beefsteak Raid...

5fish

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Hampton's Great Beefsteak happen over these days in September back in 1864. It was more flash than anything else but it was extraordinary...

https://www.beyondthecrater.com/resources/bat-sum/petersburg-siege-sum/the-beefsteak-raid-summaries/

Snip summaries...

Brief Summary: One hundred and fifty years ago today, on September 14, 1864, Wade Hampton set out with approximately 3,500 men of his Cavalry Corps from camps southwest of Petersburg on the Boydton Plank Road. His goal was to capture almost 3,000 head of cattle located on the plantation of fire eater Edmund Ruffin southwest of Coggin’s Point, a spot on the James River southeast of the massive Federal supply center at City Point.

Brief Summary: After bedding down on the night of September 14, 1864 just west of Rowanty Creek, Hampton’s Confederate troopers got an early start on the morning of September 15, 150 years ago today. Hampton’s men crossed Wilkinson’s Bridge and headed past Belsche’s destroyed mill, a site they’d see more of on their return. After reaching the Jerusalem Plank Road, the column utilized that thoroughfare for a bit before turning off onto the road toward Cabin Point and a destroyed bridge over the Blackwater on the afternoon of the 15th.

Brief Summary: In the early morning hours of September 16, 1864, two of Hampton’s three wings of Confederate cavalry planned to slam into the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry at Sycamore Church and Cocke’s Mill. Their goal was the large Union cattle herd at Coggin’s Point, currently grazing on the grass and clover of fire eater Edmund Ruffin’s plantation.

Brief Summary: After an eventful September 16, 1864, Hampton had a relatively easy time on September 17, the last day of his beefsteak raid. On this day 150 years ago, Hampton’s men shepherded almost 2,500 stolen Yankee cattle back into Confederate lines southwest of Petersburg. The Federals failed to mount a concerted, or even determined, pursuit.

Snip... Aftermath

At the cost of just over 60 casualties all told, Hampton had captured hundreds of Yankee troopers, embarrassed the Federal high command, and most importantly, had secured 2,468 cattle for the nearly starving Confederates in Lee’s trenches.

Meade had feared just such as attack when two of his cavalry divisions had been sent with Phil Sheridan to the Shenandoah Valley. Gregg’s remaining division from the Army of the Potomac as well as Kautz’s understrength division from the Army of the James simply could not hold all of the key points they needed to in enough force to dissuade the Confederates from just such an attack.

Despite Confederate post-war claims of the herd feeding Lee’s army “for two months” or “to the end of the campaign,” in reality they only provided rations for several weeks. Lee’s supply issues were too great for the raid to make a major, game changing difference. It was one of the last hurrahs for the proud Army of Northern Virginia.

Meanwhile, Grant was already planning to tighten the noose around Petersburg and Richmond even more at the end of the month…


Snip... why little gained because the confederates could not feed the cows... Aftermath...

The total losses for the Confederates, who saw some opposition, were 10 killed, 47 wounded, and 4 missing. The official count of cattle successfully reaching the Confederates for food was 2,468.[5]

Despite the raid's success, its strategic impact was not as great as the large number of cattle taken might seem to indicate. For whereas the Union had the resources to replace its lost cattle, the Confederates lacked hay or grain to spare for feed. They were therefore forced to slaughter the cattle almost as soon as they had secured them. The ensuing "feast" on the Confederate side might be better described as a rush to consume the beef before it spoiled.

For days afterwards, the southerners would taunt the northern sentries, thanking them for all the food and inviting them over for dinner. There was so much beef available that Confederate sentries would sometimes offer it in unauthorized trades with Union sentries for certain luxury items of which the Federal soldiers had a plentiful supply, but the Confederates lacked.[1] After the beef was eaten or spoiled, the Confederates reverted to their previous, dire food situation.

Abraham Lincoln called the raid "the slickest piece of cattle-stealing" he ever heard of.[6] General Lee's adjutant, Lt. Col. Walter H. Taylor, said it made up for disruption of Confederate supply lines caused by the loss of the Weldon Railroad, a claim most historians consider to be overstated.
[7]

Map of the event...

1600305364433.png
 

5fish

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There a pencil drawing of the event in real time...

1600305422714.png
 

5fish

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September 16, 1864 - The affair at Coggins' Point (Sep 16) and the pursuit of the Confederates, the Richmond, VA, Campaign. (Sep 16-17)

Again, on the 15th, they rode before dawn. 18 circuitous miles led them to Blackwater Creek, where Hampton had a bridge repaired. After midnight, they crossed, deploying for a dawn attack against the Union pickets at Sycamore Church, 4 miles from Coggins' Point.

At 5:00 A.M. on the 16th, Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Rosser's Laurel Brigade charged into the camp of the 1st D.C. Cavalry. In 30 minutes, they killed, wounded, or captured 219 startled federals. Rosser hurriedly regrouped and within an hour attacked 150 members of the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry, who were guarding the herd. Rosser's charge destroyed the Union detail. The Confederates soon calmed the frightened cattle, seized many supplies, cut telegraph lines, and started southward with their prize.
The Union command initially reacted incredulously to the news of the Confederate attack and capture. Not until after Hampton had abandoned Coggins' Point did Union gunboats arrive to shell the area. The Confederate cowboys herded their 2,486 heads of cattle back along their route of advance. The column stretched for nearly 7 miles through choking clouds of dust. At Ebenezer Church, around 4:00 P.M., Rosser began a 4-hour duel with Union cavalry while Hampton pushed the herd. The Confederates rode throughout the night, reaching their lines about 9:00 A.M. on the 17th. At a cost of 61 casualties, Hampton and Rosser had completed one of the largest cattle-rustling operations in American history.
 

5fish

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I seen this in bits and pieces of this movie over the years...


snip... a Grant quote...

There is a rumored story that shortly after the raid, a reporter asked General Grant when he anticipated defeating General Lee, Grant replied, “Never, if our armies continue to supply him with beef cattle.” Even President Lincoln reportedly called the raid “the slickest piece of cattle stealing” he had ever heard of.
 

5fish

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The confederates uses the civilian cattle herders the union was using...


The raiders, meanwhile, were delighted with their recent acquisitions—the civilian drovers as well as the cattle. “The Federal herders of the cattle proved very useful,” wrote one of the Rebels, “and served their new masters as well and apparently as readily as if these had been their original employers. When the oxen became troublesome, showing an inclination to stray into the fields and make delay, the herders, cracking their long lashes, sounding like pistol-shots, would quickly bring them back, though it must be confessed a trooper always rode alongside…to insure loyalty.

Snip... they trash the movie...

In 1966 Hollywood produced a film based on the Beefsteak Raid. Alvarez Kelly starred Richard Widmark as the Rosser character and featured William Holden as a Mexican-Irish rancher forced to help the Rebels rustle the Yankee cattle. Despite its dramatic plots and subplots, the movie is a pale imitation of the actual raid

snip... its been compared to the Good, Bad and Ugly...

Author John H. Lenihan compares the film to The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, in that both films "offer no consolation in their vivid deglamorization of war. The heroes, or antiheroes, of both films pursue selfish pecuniary ventures as a conscious alternative to becoming committed in a pointless destructive war".[5
 

5fish

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That's Hollywood, ;)
Those civilian cow herders were from Florida and I am basing it on the fact they used whips to herd the cows... If you look at the pencil drawing there are whips in the hands of some of the riders and the confederate soldiers mention them as well using whips to herd the cows.


But it was around the mid-1800s when raising cattle as a way of life became attractive and widespread in Florida. With the surging industry, a unique breed of Cracker cattlemen called cowhunters emerged.

snip...

The cowmen seldom used a rope, as lariats were practically useless in the thick scrub. Instead they used catchdogs, which were trained to cut out and literally "catch" an errant cow and hold its ear or nose in its teeth until a cowman arrived. They used 12- to 18-foot rawhide and buckskin whips called drags to drive their cattle. The whip's loud, rifle-shot popping, audible for miles, moved cattle in the desired direction, with the whip rarely touching the cow.

snip...

Their ponies too, had bloodlines going back to the Andalusian breeds of the Spanish conquistadors. Called marsh tackies, these small horses were favored by cowmen for their smooth ride, durability and quick maneuverability and were well adapted to the Florida wilderness.

Here is brief back story.... Florida cow story... Indians got it going... then we stole it... @diane


Battles fought between indigenous Native Americans and the Spanish and English settlers in Florida were fueled to no small degree by the various cattle rustlers on both sides who sought to control the large, wild herds of the interior and the land they grazed on. Ahaya, “the Cowkeeper” and the first chief of the Alachua band of the Seminole tribe, took territorial control of modern-day Paynes Prairie and an abandoned Spanish cattle ranch in the early 1700s, quickly amassing enough wild cows to earn his namesake. The village he and his people established before his death in 1784, Cuscowilla, later became the first established American town in the Florida territory under its current name, Micanopy. Rather than import or drive more cattle into Florida, the two sides instead warred over the existing population until the settlers were able to displace the natives

snip...

The men would flail the whips with so much force that the tips would actually break the sound barrier, creating a cracking sound — actually a small sonic boom. Thus, a name for these Florida cowboys was born. Stories quickly spread about the rustlers’ individual whip-cracking sounds that allowed them to identify each other from far away.

snip...

Every year the crackers would convene on the more populous east coast and stock up for the long 120-mile journey across the trail to the Gulf of Mexico, where the cattle would be shipped to Cuba. To maximize profits, they had to deliver the cattle to shipping ports during peak market season in late July and August, when the weather was at its worst.

It was Florida boys driving those cattle for the union and the gray...

During the Civil War, cracker-supplied cattle were the Confederate Army’s chief source of meat, leather and hides, particularly after Union ships blockaded southern ports. Forced to drive the animals by land into Georgia, the “Cow Cavalry” faced harsh conditions and the occasional skirmish with Union forces along the way, prompting some to turn sides and sell their cattle to the Union-controlled port of Fort Myers
 

5fish

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That horse has history the Marsh Tackies, one time seen as one word...

.

Florida Cracker horses are small saddle horses known for their stamina, intelligence, quickness, strength, and easy ride. They are spirited willing workers with a strong herding instinct and great agility over rough ground. A most distinctive attribute is their gait, which is described as an ambling, single-foot gait known as the "coon rack

The Florida Cracker Horse is a breed of horse from Florida in the United States. It is genetically and physically similar to many other Spanish-style horses, especially those from the Spanish Colonial Horse group. The Florida Cracker is a gaited breed known for its agility and speed. The Spanish first brought horses to Florida with their expeditions in the early 1500s; as colonial settlement progressed, they used the horses for herding cattle. These horses developed into the Florida Cracker type seen today, and continued to be used by Florida cowboys (known as "crackers") until the 1930s
.

snip...

In the 1800s, the horse became important to Florida ranching and agriculture, as it was well-suited to its unique environment and terrain. Florida cattlemen were referred to as "crackers"for the sound their whips made, hence the name. In the 1930s, larger cattle were transported to Florida from areas devastated by the Dust Bowl, which required roping and penning, and Cracker horses were replaced by larger quarter horses. By the late 1980s, only a few hundred remained. A concentrated effort by a few Florida families brought them back from the brink. Along with private herds, a few herds are maintained by the state. In 2009, there were 964 in the FCHA registry.
 

Wehrkraftzersetzer

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I seen this in bits and pieces of this movie over the years...


snip... a Grant quote...

There is a rumored story that shortly after the raid, a reporter asked General Grant when he anticipated defeating General Lee, Grant replied, “Never, if our armies continue to supply him with beef cattle.” Even President Lincoln reportedly called the raid “the slickest piece of cattle stealing” he had ever heard of.
I think it is the "Western" if seen 3 often
No 2: Fort Apache,
No 1 oc: once upon a time in America

No 4: the horse soldiers
 
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O' Be Joyful

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That horse has history the Marsh Tackies, one time seen as one word...

.

Florida Cracker horses are small saddle horses known for their stamina, intelligence, quickness, strength, and easy ride. They are spirited willing workers with a strong herding instinct and great agility over rough ground. A most distinctive attribute is their gait, which is described as an ambling, single-foot gait known as the "coon rack

The Florida Cracker Horse is a breed of horse from Florida in the United States. It is genetically and physically similar to many other Spanish-style horses, especially those from the Spanish Colonial Horse group. The Florida Cracker is a gaited breed known for its agility and speed. The Spanish first brought horses to Florida with their expeditions in the early 1500s; as colonial settlement progressed, they used the horses for herding cattle. These horses developed into the Florida Cracker type seen today, and continued to be used by Florida cowboys (known as "crackers") until the 1930s
.

snip...

In the 1800s, the horse became important to Florida ranching and agriculture, as it was well-suited to its unique environment and terrain. Florida cattlemen were referred to as "crackers"for the sound their whips made, hence the name. In the 1930s, larger cattle were transported to Florida from areas devastated by the Dust Bowl, which required roping and penning, and Cracker horses were replaced by larger quarter horses. By the late 1980s, only a few hundred remained. A concentrated effort by a few Florida families brought them back from the brink. Along with private herds, a few herds are maintained by the state. In 2009, there were 964 in the FCHA registry.

D-f'ing-dang. I would love saddle up one of them and take "stroll." And I want my dog along for the ride.



https://ilovehorses.net/history-2/what-is-a-cracker-horse/
 

Terrym1861-65

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Again, on the 15th, they rode before dawn. 18 circuitous miles led them to Blackwater Creek, where Hampton had a bridge repaired. After midnight, they crossed, deploying for a dawn attack against the Union pickets at Sycamore Church, 4 miles from Coggins' Point.

At 5:00 A.M. on the 16th, Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Rosser's Laurel Brigade charged into the camp of the 1st D.C. Cavalry. In 30 minutes, they killed, wounded, or captured 219 startled federals. Rosser hurriedly regrouped and within an hour attacked 150 members of the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry, who were guarding the herd. Rosser's charge destroyed the Union detail. The Confederates soon calmed the frightened cattle, seized many supplies, cut telegraph lines, and started southward with their prize.
The Union command initially reacted incredulously to the news of the Confederate attack and capture. Not until after Hampton had abandoned Coggins' Point did Union gunboats arrive to shell the area. The Confederate cowboys herded their 2,486 heads of cattle back along their route of advance. The column stretched for nearly 7 miles through choking clouds of dust. At Ebenezer Church, around 4:00 P.M., Rosser began a 4-hour duel with Union cavalry while Hampton pushed the herd. The Confederates rode throughout the night, reaching their lines about 9:00 A.M. on the 17th. At a cost of 61 casualties, Hampton and Rosser had completed one of the largest cattle-rustling operations in American history.
I was wondering if anyone may have any information deeper on Rossers men during this amazing event by the Confederates? My great great great grandfather, 1st Full Corp. Harvey Allen Miller of the 11th Va. Cavalry Co.A. went on this Raid, it was his last, he was wounded in his right side severally here n captured here, I'm assuming he is one of the "4 missing" by General Hamptons report. My grandfather survived n was paroled after General Lee surrendered. My Pap is my hero, I've done all my research in him, n have his entire muster roll. N im a member of the SCV as his son to honor him, but unfortunately I have no picture of him nor do I know what he looks like. But this was his last fight with these brave men, he went down in the blaze of glory. Just didn't know if anyone may have more detail on the men who were missing or wounded. Thank yoi
 

5fish

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Here is some stuff on Rosser... @Terrym1861-65

 

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I found this on Harvey Miller... so he was wounded on the 9/16/64 which matches with the raid... Did you see he was in the 2 Va. Infantry first... @Terrym1861-65


snip... Company A the Wildcats...

MILLER, HARVEY ALLEN: 1st Corp, Co. A. b. 9/12/35. Prior service, Co. E, 2nd Va. Inf. Enl. Conrads Store, 4/20/62. Present, Pvt., 4/20/62-6/30/62 Ab, Pvt., 1/1/63-2/28/63, on sick leave. Present, 3rd Corp, 3/1/63-4/30/63. Present, 2nd Corp, 5/1/63—6/30/63. Ab, 2nd Corp, 7/1/63—8/31/63, on detached service. Ab, 1st Corp, 12/31/63-4/1/64, sick. Wd, Blackwater River, 9/16/64, right side, severe. Paroled, Winchester, 4/18/65. Desc: age 25, 5'11", dark comp, brown hair and blue eyes, a resident of Berkeley Co, W. Va Post war farmer, d. 11/8/1902. Bur. Falling Waters Cem, Spring Mills, W. Va

Here it states he was wounded at Blackwater river if you look at the maps. They had to cross the river to get home...

Here a note on his 2nd VA Infantry...

Miller, Harvey A.
BATTLE UNIT NAME:2nd Regiment, Virginia Infantry SIDE: Confederacy COMPANY: E SOLDIER'S RANK IN: Private SOLDIER'S RANK OUT: Private ALTERNATE NAME: FILM NUMBER :M382 ROLL 38PLAQUE NUMBER:NOTES:
 
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