Ken Burns Documentary Review: The American Revolution

  This is a Ken Burns Documentary in six two-hour episodes.  Directed by Sarah Bolstein, Ken Burns and David P. Schmidt and narrated by Peter Coyote.  The movie goes through the history of the Revolutionary War, starting around Boston which is were the first shots were fired.  Episode One  In Order to be Free (May 1754-May 1755)   The first section takes us through the problems in Boston and the Boston Tea Party.  The pamphlets that were written fomenting the idea of rebellion.  It includes the Boston Massacre where a Black man, Crispus Attucks became one of the first to do at the hands of the British.  The first episode ends with the "shot heard around the world" at Lexington and Concord.  Episode Two  An Asylum for Mankind: (May 1775- July 1776)  This episode begins with the Battle of Bunker Hill, which was a British victory, but showed that the Americans could fight against British regulars.  George Washinton is given the job of general by the congress.  The episode ends with the Declaration of Independence.  Episode Three  The Times that Try Mens Souls (July 1776-January 1777)  In this episode Washington loses a series of battles for New York.  He retreats to Pennsylvania, but Christmas day 1776 he crosses the Delaware and attacks the Britis (Prussians) at Trenton New Jersey.  Episode Four Conquer by a Drawn Game (January 1777- February 1778)  In this episode Washington struggles to keep the British from taking Philadelphia.  He loses a battle at Brandywine and has to flee and is unable to defend Philadelphia.  He is able to get away.  However up north an invading army coming down the Hudson is repelled at Saratoga.  The U.S. gets a major victory.  They also pass the Articles of Confederation letting the world know they are serious.  This allows the French to enter the war.  Washington at the same time realizes that as long as he survives to fight another day, eventually the  colonies will win their independence.  Episode Five The Soul of All America (December 1777-May 1789)  The Revolutionary War moved from the north to the south.   The British use their shipping advantage and head to Charleston, South Carolina.  The met with success, and had to abandon most of their gains in the north, except they still held New York.  Washington orders people to wage unrelenting war against Native Americans who had fought with the British.  As such the confederate tribes were greatly hurt.  Episode Six The Most Sacred Thing (May 1780-onward)  Cornwallis is assigned as the commander of British forces in the south.   He is able to subdue most of South Carolina, but some of his subordinates are too brutal, consequently the American militia forces grow.  One of the most. rutal commanders was Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton.  Knowing he was a rash commander, the commander of the American forces Brigadier General Daniel Morgan.  He asked the militia to fire two rounds, before leaving to set up behind the Continental regulars.  This the did, but when they left Tarleton interpreted this as their retreating.  He rushed in too quickly, leaving no reserve.  The British hit subsequent lines of soldiers who were hidden behind hills.  As a result the Americans won a significant victory and caused serious damage to Cornwallis' forces.  Cornwallis turned north to Yorktown.  Here Washington and the french were able to trap Cornwallis.  His surrender lead to the end of the war.

This documentary has few underlying themes in addition to the narrative of the revolutional War.  These ae discussing the treatment of the Native Americans, another is the treatment of African Slaves.  The British had freed some of them, even though they might have slave owners.  Many of these went north to Nova Scotia after the war.  They weren't welcome there so the headed to Sierra Leone and established Freetown.  Another theme is the conflicts between Loyalists (those still loyal to Britain) and the Americans.  There was some very harsh treatment back and forth.  Both sides committed some atrocities.  The war was not pretty.  The subject of Benedict Arnold came up.  He at times was Washington's most trustd general.  He was significant in the Battle of Saratoga.  However he also betrayed his country.  He had plans to hand over west Point.  These were discovered, but he fled to the British before he could be captured.  

This series is quite an investment in time.  Six episodes and two hours each.  At times my mind wondered but the story is fascinating, and this war was much more brutal than I would have imagined.  

Documentary Review: The War #7: A World Without War by Ken Burns

 The seventh of the series by Ken Burns tells several different stories:  The Battle of Okinawa and the kamikaze planes that inflicted heavy loses on the Navy.  The death of President Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman takes over.  The Soviets begin the final assault on Berlin and the suicide of Adolph Hitler.  The concentration camps are liberated with the Holocaust is made known to the world.  Victory Europe Day is celebrated, but the war against Japan goes on.  USS Indianapolis is sunk after delivering atomic bomb; only 300 of 1100 survive.  800 went into the water but sharks and hyperthermia claimed many.  The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  The Japanese surrender and victory Japan Day.  The return of the service men to civilian life.  Some do better than others and shell shock leaves permanent scars.  African Americans return to a segregated world.  Japanese are freed from the holding centers.  Civilian prisoners are freed in the Phillipines but many starve before the liberation.  Prisoners in Japan are freed.  Some were thought dead.

The War #1 A Necessary War

The War #2 When Things Get Tough

The War #3 A Deadly Calling

The War #4 Pride of Our Nation

The War #5 FUBAR

The War #6 The Ghost Front

The War #7 A World Without War

Documentary Review: Lewis and Clark: The Journey of the Corp of Discovery: A Film by Ken Burns (1997)

 This is a very good documentary of the Corp of Discovery.  After the Louisiana Purchase, President Thomas Jefferson sent Lewis Clark to explore the new territory.  I didn't realize that so many times they were close to disaster.  No white person had ever been along the trek they took, and they did not have any communication with their base of operations.  They met friendly Indians, mostly on the trek west, except the SIoux didn't want them to pass.  However the Mandan were very friendly.  The difficult time was finding the Shoshone went the finally go to the head waters of the Missouri.  If they hadn't eventually found them, they would have been in the mountains without horses.  And then the miracle.  The chief of the Shoshone was the brother of Sacagawea.  They were able to trade for horses.  

The Nez Perce, when they met them had a real debate on whether they should just kill them or not.  At this time the were emaciated from hunger having barely made it over the mountains.  It was a woman who argued for them to be safe, so they fed them.  She had been treated kindly by whites.  They were able to foat to the ocean, despite being caught in a storm for a coule weeks just before getting there.  They had three choices of were to stay and had a vote of the company.  Everyone had an equal vote, including Sacagawea, a native American woman and York, an African American.

They met no boats and so had to walk back the way they had come.  However this time the Nez Perce provided a guide.  On the return trip they split into two companies.  The group with Captain Clark ran into some Blackfeet.  They tried to steal horses and a rifle.  In the struggle two Blackfeet were killed.  They left as quickly as they could for fear of a large uprising.  Going down the river they traveled much quicker.  All were anxious to get home.

And then the aftermath.  Several members became mountain men, and some were chased by Blackfeet and one killed.  Lewis Meriweather had manic depressive disorder, and eventually succumbed to suicide.  He had been governor of upper Louisiana territory.  Clark took in Sacagewea's baby, and new baby daughter and raised them, after she became ill and passed away.

This film from PBS was very informative.

Documentary Review: The War: A World Without War: Number 7

This last episode in this series covers a lot of ground.  First there is the death of President Roosevelt, which was followed by victory in Europe as the Nazis surrendered.  Along with the invasion of Europe there was the discovery of the death camps, as well liberation of the POWs who many were walking skeletons.  The Germans murdered 12 million people during the war, of those half were Jewish.  In addition the killed dissidents, homosexuals, those with abnormalities, Polish, and many other groups.  This was an evil empire, and the American service men in the area took home that they were carrying out a noble cause.
With victory in Europe the focus turned to Japan.  The Battle of Okinawa was very costly to Japanese troops, American troops and Japanese civilians.  The next stage of the war, the invasion of Japan was a daunting task.  The Japanese readily armed civilians, and had the concept of fighting to the death.  President Truman had a big decision to make, whether to use the atomic bomb or no.  He did not hesitate in ordering its use.  Caught up in this scenario is the sinking of the USS Indianapolis which had delivered the bomb.  They were hit by Japanese torpedoes form a submarine.  Many of these sailors died after entering the water.  They were attacked by sharks.  Also rescue was very slow, as the Navy lost track of this ship.  The distress signals sent were considered to by a Japanese ploy to lure ships into the area.
The Japanese were still hesitant to surrender after the bomb in Hiroshima.  This bomb killed 40,000 outright, and eventually would cause the death of a quarter million people.  The bomb in Nagasaki was not quite so deadly, but it convinced the Japanese to surrender.  They did not know how many bombs were in the American arsenal.  In fact there were none, and it would take a couple months to construct another.

Documentary Review: Ken Burns, The War: The Ghost Front (episode 6)

The most striking thing about this episode is its dealing with the telegrams which were arriving home in more and more frequent numbers.  A telegram from the War Department was not a good thing, but generally announcing that a loved one had passed away, or was lost in combat.  This episode also deals with the Battle of the Bulge.  The Bulge refers to a bubble in the American Front which the Germans were able to make.  At this time it was felt that the Germans were about done, and was totally surprising that they could launch an attack.  The had to do so during bad weather so the Allies air superiority did not play a roll.  This battle was the most costly for the U.S. in terms of life.

The War #1 A Necessary War

The War #2 When Things Get Tough

The War #3 A Deadly Calling

The War #4 Pride of Our Nation

The War #5 FUBAR

The War #6 The Ghost Front

The War #7 A World Without War

Documentary Review: Ken Burns: The War (5): FUBAR

This is the continuing PBS documentary directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick.  In this series the expectation of the boys being home before Christmas of 1944 is dashed.  The acronym FUBAR (f'ed up beyond all recognition) introduces the theme, that sometimes, even with the best preparation things do not always go as planned, and sometimes generals can make stupid decisions.  This episode deals much with the relationship between the 442nd and their general.  This was a Japanese American regiment.  Their general had them take a hill, then abandon it, then take it again when Germans moved in.  they were also called upon to rescue the lost battalion.  This is a group that was behind enemy lines.  This resulted in the Battle of Hurtgen Forrest.  This regiment was mostly used up, and lost about 400 men as they rescued 250.  However they were presented with a commendation.  The general wanted them all to show up and was upset there were so few.  However they were all there, there were just so few who survived.
In this episode we also see General Douglas MacArthur returning to the Philippines.  With their air superiority and planes coming from air craft carriers most of the Japanese fleet was destroyed in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
This film continues to show the horror of war.  It also talks about the rough language the men picked up.   They had to be careful in the selection of words when they were on leave or after they returned home.

The War #1 A Necessary War

The War #2 When Things Get Tough

The War #3 A Deadly Calling

The War #4 Pride of Our Nation

The War #5 FUBAR

The War #6 The Ghost Front

The War #7 A World Without War

Documentary review: Ken Burns: The War 4: Pride of Our Nation

In this presentation we are shown in a graphic manner the horror of D-day.  This day all of the forces where able to move off the beech, except at Normandy.  Here there were steep gullies, and the where all covered with pill boxes with machine gun fire and canon.  It was terrible, with the troops trapped in a shooting gallery.  It wasn't until the third wave, and after the ships moved in closer to shore than they should have to bomb the positions, that there was finally a bit of relief and a crack in the defenses, of which they were able to take advantage.  This also involved blowing the barbed wire with a Bangalore torpedo which gave the men a gap through which they could attack the enemy.  Famous quote, "where getting murdered here, lets move inland and get murdered there."
We also are witnesses to the Battle of Normandy, which concludes with the liberation of Paris, but starts with heavy combat through the hedgerows of France, which created some very difficult fighting.
As part of the war in the Pacific the Battle for Saipan is presented.  This was a grueling battle where the marines took a heavy toll.  This is the first island where there were Japanese civilians involved, and many of them, rather than be taken over chose to kill themselves, or each other.  It was a terrible battle.
This episode ends with describing the human toll.  The War Department telegraphs where dreaded, and many families received more than one.  Dealing with death is difficult, and many dealt with it by shutting themselves in their homes.  The telegraph deliverers were very active.  D-Day represented the most American lives lost in one day since the Battle of Antietam.

The War #1 A Necessary War

The War #2 When Things Get Tough

The War #3 A Deadly Calling

The War #4 Pride of Our Nation

The War #5 FUBAR

The War #6 The Ghost Front

The War #7 A World Without War

Documentary Review: Ken Burns: The War: Episode 3: A Deadly Calling

This episode deals considerable with race issues.  Mobile Alabama turned over night into a boom town because of the ship yards.  However the best jobs were reserved for whites, and when African Americans were hired into these jobs, there was racial tension.  The result was fully segregated crews, except for the management.  Bother African Americans, and Japanese Americans where also recruited into the armed forces.  And African Americans were finally allowed to take jobs such as pilots.  however there was still segregation in the military, with African American units and white units.
This episode also follows the tough campaign in  Italy.  The mountainous country slowed the Allied advance up the peninsula, and a sea effort to jump this congestion didn't get off the beach.  The Allies were bogged down on all fronts and subject to heavy artillery bombardment.  The drive up the peninsula finally broke through, and the reduced pressure allowed for the men to get off the beach.  However instead of crushing the Nazis the turned to Rome.

The War #1 A Necessary War

The War #2 When Things Get Tough

The War #3 A Deadly Calling

The War #4 Pride of Our Nation

The War #5 FUBAR

The War #6 The Ghost Front

The War #7 A World Without War

Documentary Review: The War: Episode Two: When Things Get Tough

This second film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick for PBS deals mostly with the war against the Nazis.  The Americans enter the war in Northern Africa, and soon realize they are ill prepared and lack experience.  The experience they have to get very quickly after being abused by General Rommel and his men.  When General Patton takes over the U.S. II Corp.  With renewed morale the Britsh and American were able to force the Nazis out of Africa.
However the Russian Allies were depending on the Americans to create a second front in Europe.  This was first done in Cicily, and then moving into Italy itself.  The A.llies were able depose Musolinni, but the Nazis put up terrible resistance and prevented the taking of Rome.
The air campaign over Europe was brutal for the American flyers who were sent on daring daytime raids.  Trying to knock out a ball bearing factory they lost hundreds of planes in two attempts, losing over 1000 flyers.  Life expectancy among the flyers was terrible.  The U.S. Could not cover them with fighter escorts all the way.  After these two tragic missions, e leaders rethought their strategy, with only closer runs being made until longer range fighters could be developed.  They also changed their focus toward they German air forces.  They were able to wear them down.  The Germans continued to make planes faster than they were lost, but couldn't train pilots fast enough, especially with shortages of fuel.
This episode does not deal with the Pacific Campaign other than showing the plight of the POWS.  They were kept in missereble conditions, often tort ores or executed.

The War #1 A Necessary War

The War #2 When Things Get Tough

The War #3 A Deadly Calling

The War #4 Pride of Our Nation

The War #5 FUBAR

The War #6 The Ghost Front

The War #7 A World Without War

Documentary Review: The War: A Necessary War (2007)

This is the first episode of the PBS WWII series by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick.  In this series they introduce us to four communities, Sacramento, California; Mobile, Alabama; Waterbury, Connecticut; and Luverne, Minnesota.  We see life in the United States during the first part of the war, before the U.S. involvement.  The war started in 1939, and the U.S. became involved in 1941.  The show does a very good representation of Pearl Harbor and the reaction around the county.  It gives individual accounts on why people enlisted, or how they were drafted.  This first episode documents in internment of over 100,000 Japanese Americans.  It points out that early in 1942, the Axis were in control.  The U.S. were defeated in the Philippines with the surrender of 85,000 men in the Bataan Peninsula.  This is the most Americans ever surrendered in one event.  However by the end the Allies had gained their first victory in the Pacific at Midway; and were on Guadalcanal and repelling all efforts to oust them.  They would hold the island.
I really enjoy this series so far because it relies on actual footage, and interview with people who were there; and not on reenactment.

The War #1 A Necessary War

The War #2 When Things Get Tough

The War #3 A Deadly Calling

The War #4 Pride of Our Nation

The War #5 FUBAR

The War #6 The Ghost Front

The War #7 A World Without War

Documentary Review: Thomas Jefferson: Ken Burns

This documentary of Thomas Jefferson, deals with Thomas Jefferson as the enigma.  How can someone write, "All men are created equal" and then own 300 slaves.  He did argue for emancipation of the slaves, and in fact this was included the the Declaration of Independence, but politics postponed any handling of the slavery issue, which kept being kicked down the road.  Jefferson was resolved to live with slavery and its consequences. 
The Declaration of Independence, which Jefferson wrote, is the document which defines us as a nation.  "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." 
The other piece of controversy is whether or not Jefferson sired six children by his slave, Sally Hemings.  I guess the jury is still out on that question.  For shire they were sired by a Jefferson, but it may have been a brother rather then Thomas Jefferson himself. 
This documentary shows Jefferson's life which includes his mission as ambassador to France.  He was the first Secretary of State, where he was pitted against Alexander Hamilton.  He ran against the Federalist John Adams, losing the first time, but then becoming president the second.  As the third president he doubled the size of the United States by purchasing Louisiana from France.  He was a man interested in many things, but considered himself more a farmer than anything else.  Also reading and studying were very important to him, and this was a daily activity. 

50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both passed away on the same day.  This documentary is adequate, but a bit boring.  Thomas Jefferson was an intellectual man.

Documentary Review: Civil War Ken Burns (9) The Better Angels of Our Nature

This presentation shows several critical elements.  It deals with the aftermath of the Civil War.  John Wilkes Boothe assassinates President Lincoln.  The first sitting president murdered.  Boothe for his own part is shot in the neck a few days later, is paralyzed and dies moments later.  This shows many members of both sides, mostly generals, and what came of them after the war.  Some moved on, and others didn't.  Some had pain from wounds sustained for the remainder of their lives, some of the wounds would eventually kill them.  Shown also were Civil War remembrance days, including a film of the 75th anniversary of Gettysburg.  Those men by this time were very old.  The film also shows the after effects of the war with regards to the Black people.  They had won abolition, but not civil rights.  That struggle would continue for another hundred years.  Such groups as the Klu Klux Klan hindered efforts in this regard, which was too violent for even Nathan Bedford Forrest.  There was still more to pay.

Documentary Review: Civil War by Ken Burns 8, War is all Hell

This movie begins with Sherman's march to the sea.  Sherman said, "I can make this march, and I will make Georgia howl!" General Sherman and his troops cut a wide swath marching from Atlanta to Savannah, with little resistance, Sherman's troops scavenged for provender, and ate as well as they ever had, off of the Georgia farm land.  They also reaped havoc as the went.  The heated the railroad rails, and twisted them in to a fashion that became known as Sherman's neckties.  They burned mansions, as well as crops.  They destroyed anything which could in some way have been used by the armies of the Confederacy.  This march also of course freed the men held at Anderson Prison.  Not a pretty site as men were skin and bones. 
Of course after reaching Savannah all was not over.  The then did the same thing, but to a more harsh degree as the traveled north through South Carolina.  South Carolina was the first state to secede, and where the war started, and so deserving of the greater punishment.
In the mean time, Grant continued to lengthen his line around Petersburg.  The Confederacy suffered desertion, and low morale, and eventually their line was too thin and inviting a break, which happened.  After which it was a race to see if Grant could surround Lee's army and cut it off and force surrender.  This eventually happened at Appomattox, and Lee asked for terms and the surrender was negotiated.  The official surrender took place with General John B. Gordon, Gordon and his troops surrendering to General Joshua Chamberlain. 

Documentary Review: Civil War Episode Six: Valley of the Shadow of Death

This episode introduces us to the generals, Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee.  Grant comes to Washington, and meets President Lincoln at a ball.  In the mean time General Lee has had the ability to predict what the opposing general is going to do.  He has this canny knack with Grant as well, however Grant's idea is to keep on the offensive.  The first engage at the Wilderness (close to Chancellorsville and in fact their are unburied bones on the battlefield.)  The most harrowing thing about this battle is the area was very dry.  The canister set fire to the kindling.  The wounded had no way to escape this fire, and many were burned alive, their screams reaching the men on both sides.  Not pleasant.
Instead of retreating as all the other generals had done, Grant continued forward, around his left flank.  He did this time and again, driving Lee towards Richmond; The Wilderness, Spotsylvania, New Market, and Cold Harbor.  The one time Lee missed predicting Grants next move was before the siege of Petersburg.  Lee had though Grant would attack directly at Richmond, but instead went around Richmond and tried to take the rail junction south of the city.  It was only by providence that enough Confederates were able to arrive, which lead to the long siege from June to April of the next year. 
Before turning to the Western theater, the movie talked about the hospital system.  Union Hospitals totaled 350 at the end of the war, up from a handful.  The Confederacy had 150 hospitals.  Dorothea Dix or Dragon Dix as she was called, was the head of nursing, working without pay.  Dorothea Dix is known as the founder of my profession, social work.  Early in the war she wanted the nurses to be plain, to dress plainly, and have no interest in the men.  However, as the war progressed, she just wanted nurses.  Walt Whitman served in the hospitals, dressing wounds, reading poetry. 
As for they Western theater, the Union drove towards Atlanta.  For the most part Sherman moved around the flanks, avoiding frontal attacks, except for at Kennesaw Mountain, where he felt the Confederates ere too thin, but the Confederates were dug in and the Union suffered significant loss.

Civil War: Episode Five: The Universe of Battle (1863)

This series was presented in 1990 on PBS.  The fifth episode tells the story of Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Chikamauga, and Chattanooga.  It also talks of some of the women's programs, and the involvement of African Americans in the war.  It ends with Abraham Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address.  This presentation does a very good job of the three day battle at Gettysburg.  The Confederate had things mostly their way the first day, and they were so close to breaking the confederates and both flanks.  The story of Joshua Chamberlain and the 20th Maine is beautifully done.  It is good to understand the import of the battle on the flank, and how timely was the defense of Little round Top.
And then the third day, Lee's biggest mistake of the war in Pickett's Charge.  It was across too wide a distance, into the face of too many canon and too many rifles.  It was doomed from the start, and those who actually made it to the Union line were killed or captured.  Lee took responsibility, and offered his resignation, which was not accepted.
The war in the West saw Union success, with the surrender of Vicksburg after a long siege, and then pushing back the Confederates in Tennessee.  It is also proper that the show focused on the conributions of women.  Did you know Clara Barton was less that 5 feet tall.  The societies that contributed to the war effort, and medical supplies were vital. 
Ten percent of the Union troops by the end of the war were African American.  That represents ten percent of the total, while the Black population in the North was only one percent.  85 percent of those who could serve, actually served in the war.  In a very real sense, the African American population fought for their own freedom, and for that of their people.
The recitation of Lincoln's two-minute speech which he gave at Gettysburg highlights this film. 
Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate-we can not consecrate-we can not hallow-this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us-that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion-that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain-that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.
Those are beautiful words, words that inspire even to this day.

Documentary Review: Ken Burns' Civil War 4: Simply Murder

The title of this section of the Civil War documentary refers to George Burnsides repeated attempts to take the stone wall at the top of Marye's Heights.  The Union forces were attacking at Fredericksburg, having cross the Rappahannock.  The then tried to attack the Confederates in a well defended location, and only served as target practice for the defenders.  I thinks this battle was the most lopsided of the war.
Ar the conclusion of this battle, the film takes looks at both presidents, Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis.  It also examines the politics which surrounded both men at the time.  The Confederacy was stuck on state's rights, which prevented the federal control needed to win the war.  On the other hand, the faced desertion by those who did not want to fight  for emancipation.
The next scene is Chancellorsville, which again proved to be a disaster for the North.  Joe Hooker was now commander of the army, and after a brilliant opening move in which he flanked General Robert E. Lee, but then lost confidence in himself, and gave away their edge.  Lee divided his troops, sending Stonewall Jackson to attack Hooker's right flank.  The fourteen mile march took most of the day, so the surprise attack came towards the end of the day.  They routed the Yankees, but were unable to follow up.  Jackson was scouting for a night attack, when he was mistakenly shot by his own men.  He would die a couple days later.  His last words, "Let us cross over the river and rest in the shade of the trees."  Jackson's loss would be greatly felt.  Again a Southern victory, but at a great cost. 

Docuentary Review: Civil War (3): Ken Burns: Forever Free

This movie begins with the exploits of Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley.  Jackson was able to keep three armies occupied, and kept requested reinforcements from McClellan on the peninsula.  His motto in generalship was in full display:

“Always mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy, if possible; and when you strike and overcome him, never let up in the pursuit so long as your men have strength to follow; for an army routed, if hotly pursued, becomes panic-stricken, and can then be destroyed by half their number. The other rule is, never fight against heavy odds, if by any possible maneuvering you can hurl your own force on only a part, and that the weakest part, of your enemy and crush it. Such tactics will win every time, and a small army may thus destroy a large one in detail, and repeated victory will make it invincible.”

Then we have General Lee taking the initiative on the peninsula in the Seven Days Battle and pushing the federals back, and eventually forcing their withdrawal. The Confederates continued with momentum to the second battle of Bull Run or Mannasses.  Again this was a resounding defeat of the federals.   

This finally lead to the Confederate Army heading north into Maryland, and the Battle of Antietam.  There is a very good explanation of this battle.  Even though McClellan had General Lee's battle plans, he was still slow to act.  The documentary explains how there was a series of three major engagements.  First on the Confederate left, where Jackson's Corp held, just barely.  Despite the carnage Jackson said, "God has been very good to us."  Then in the center where there was a tremendous fight around the sunken road.  Initially this position was well defensed, until they were flanked.  Corpses were three deep in the road.  The Union could have followed up and split the confederate forces, but McClellan decided against this.  Lastly General George Burnside had to contend with crossing stone bridge which was defended by a much smaller group of confederates.  They finally were able to cross, but during their celebration they were counterattacked by newly arriving forces from Harper's Ferry under A.P. Hill.  Burnside requested reinforcements, but none were coming.  This battle proved to be the highest total one day loss of life during the war.  Casualties were heavier on the Union side; but Lee's losses represented a fourth of his forces. 

Abraham took the repulse of the Confederate forces as the victory he was looking for.  Only five days after the battle he issued the Emancipation Proclamation and changed the reason for the war.  The proclamation said all slaves in rebelling states were proclaimed free as of January 1st.  This lead to the organization of Black regiments.  The evening of December 31st, many emancipationist gathered
for a large party.  They heard from Frederick Douglas, and hailed Harriet Beecher Stowe.  The war was forever changed, and this moved made it so the Confederacy would not receive any aid from Europe.  What country wanted to defend slavery?  The "Battle Hymn of the Republic" had new meaning.  "As he died to made men holy, let us die to make men free."  If the North should be victorious and the country reunited, it would never be as before.

Documentary Review: Civil War 2: A Very Bloody Affair: Ken Burns

The title of this second episode refers to the Battle of Shiloh.  General Grant had established a line, and was waiting for General Don Carlos Buell to reinforce him so they together could march on Corinth, Mississippi.  However General Albert Sidney Johnston took the initiative, hoping to attack Grant before he could be reinforced.  The attack began April 6, 1862.  Initially the federals were able to collapse the federal line, and were pushing to Pittsburg Landing.  They met a defending force of Generals Benjamin Prentiss and G.H.L. Wallace which put up a fight at the sunken road (not really sunken) and the area became known as the hornet's nest.  It wasn't until the Confederates brought up 50 artillery that they were able to overcome this area and force surrender.  By then it was too late to continue much fighting around Pittsburg Landing and force Grant to retreat.  Johnston lead the last charge at the hornet's nest, in which he was wounded. 

The femoral artery was shot, and with his surgeon unavailable, he bled out and died, leaving G.B.T. Beauregard in command.  After the first day Beauregard reported to President Jefferson Davis that he expected to clean up Grant the next day.  For his part, Grant did not feel defeated.  When his second in command met him, this conversation ensued: " 'Well, Grant,' said Sherman, 'we've had the devil's own day, haven't we?' 'Yes,' Grant replied, 'lick 'em tomorrow, though.' "
With reinforcements from Buell, the Union army was able to counter attack and control the field the next day.  Shiloh represented the bloodiest battle in American history to that point.  In face more casualties occurred in this battle than all other battles combined to that point.  "Union casualties were 13,047 (1,754 killed, 8,408 wounded, and 2,885 missing); Grant's army bore the brunt of the fighting over the two days, with casualties of 1,513 killed, 6,601 wounded, and 2,830 missing or captured. Confederate casualties were 10,699 (1,728 killed, 8,012 wounded, and 959 missing or captured)."  (Wikipedia)   There are at least 30 battles to come, which will be just as bloody.
As for the Eastern theater, Lincoln after many months delay, finally got General George McClellan to move.  He landed at Fort Monroe, and the peninsula southeast of Richmond.  However instead of attacking strait off, he got the slows and the fears, thinking the Confederate forces were much larger than the actually were.  By the time he moved, the Confederates had reinforced.  He got to within nine miles of Richmond, with only token resistance.
They other story told in this episode was that of the first ironclad battle.  The Confederates had no navy, but took a scuttled ship, re floated it and lined it with an iron hull.  It went to contend with the federal navy, and the first day, nothing could stand in its way.  However, the next day it met the Merimac, a Union iron clad with a revolving turret designed by Robert Fulton.  The two vessels battled to a stand still.  From this day, the navies of the world were obsolete. 
This episode continues the account of the bloody affair, and tells the first terrible bloody battle.  There are at least 30 battles, which will be just as bloody yet to come.  The episodes is spiced with comments from Frederick Douglas (read by Morgan Freeman) on how the war has to become one of the struggle for freedom for the slaves.
Also the account of the writing of the lyrics for the "Battle Hymn of the Republic".  It was written to the music of "John Brown's Body" by Harriet Beecher Stowe:
 Mine eyes have seen the glory
Of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage
Where the grapes of wrath are stored
He has loosed the fateful lightening
Of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on

Documentary Review: Civil War 1: The Cause: Ken Burns

This documentary begins with the story of Wilmer McLean as he lived near Manassas, and the war started mostly in his front year.  He moved away to a safer location--Appomattax Court House, and the war ended in his in his parlor where Lee surrendered to Grant.  McLean could say "The war began in my front yard and ended in my front parlor".
Burns then explores the roots for the Civil War, which were laid in the constitution, when slavery was allowed to exist, and we in essence had two Americas.  Eli Whitney, and the  cotton gin made it so slavery could be economically feasible.  There are scenes from the history of slavery.  Not pleasant scenes, and talk of how difficult it would be to raise a family in this environment, where you could be sold, and separated, at the benefit of others.
Abolitionists were hated by the South.  In the book, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe put in print what many felt, and effected a world with her words.  Even the Queen of England was moved by them.
Abraham Lincoln said in 1858:  A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become lawful in all the States, old as well as new — North as well as South.
For many years there was a precarious balance in the federal government, slave vs free state.  Those in the North worried slavery would extend to the West, and those in the South that it wouldn't.
Alton, Illinois was the first town to see a man murdered because he was abolitionist.  He published a newspaper, and when a mob came to destroy the press, he went out to dissuade them with a pistol.  He was shot and killed.
It was declared Kansas could decide for themselves, slavery or free.  This lead to a bloody conflict that lasted over ten years, and is where John Brown got his start hacking people to death.  He took his abolitionist zeal to Harper's Ferry, Virginia, where he hoped to start a revolt of the slaves.  This did not happen, and he was captured, tried and hung for treason. 
The Republican party took advantage of a divided nation, and Abraham Lincoln won the presidency with 40 percent of the vote.  He was not on the ballot in five states.  Shortly after his election, and before his confirmation, states began to secede.
The conflict started in South Carolina.  The bombardment began at 4 a.m. April 12, 1861.  The next day, about 36 hours later the white flag went up, and Major Robert Anderson surrendered to General P.G.T. Beauregard.
The nation set about recruiting armies on both sides.  There was much enthusiasm.  General Winfield Scott of the Union side was hesitant to use the army, saying they were not an army, because of their newness.  Lincoln reminded him, "Your men are green it is true, but so are those of the enemy; you are all green alike."  Prominent citizens came to watch, the the Union forces initially succeeded.  However the day would belong to the Confederates as the Union army hit a Stonewall in General Thomas Jackson and his men.  They then succumbed to a counter attack, and ran back to Washington.
The war was going to be much more than a quick affair.  William Tecumseh Sherman asked for 200,000 men in the West, and predicted a long bloody affair.
This first episode ends with letter from Sullivan Ballou, written a week before his death at First Bull Run.  It starts:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write you again, I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.
Our movement may be one of a few days duration and full of pleasure—and it may be one of severe conflict and death to me. Not my will, but thine O God, be done. If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my country, I am ready. I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.

This begins one of the most enjoyed documentaries in American history, the telling of the Civil War.  Shelby Foote, Civil War historian adds little stories throughout, peppering the documentary.  The music from the era used in the documentary is also very compelling.  The Narrator is David McCullough.  Noted actors are used to read quotations form prominent men.  This documentary uses pictures, and not reenactors to show what is happening.  I like this and it makes the message more powerful.    

Ken Burns: The West: 4, Death Runs Riot

Black Kettle

This is the fourth in this series on The West, meaning the American West.  This presentation touches on Kansas a couple of times, and takes its title from that struggle.  It talks of how Missourians crossed to Kansas, to effect the elections, and of John Brown taking his revenge by hacking to death five slave supporters.  Bleeding Kansas Slave vs Abolitionists lasted from 1854 to 1861.
During the election of 1856 Republicans ran on a platform of eliminating the dual barbarisms of slavery and polygamy.  The Mormon issues gave the new Democratic, President Buchanan something to use to get away from the topic of slavery.  Instead he sent 3500 troops to march against U.S. citizens.  This effort fizzled with a peace treaty, and pardon of all Mormons who may have participated.  The issue that hung over everyone was that of Mountain Meadows Massacre.  This was basically the killing of a group of immigrants by local Mormons and Paiute Indians.  It has remained a stain against the church to this day.
In Texas, Mexican Americans, were treated like second class citizens, even though most of the property had originally belonged to this group.  The justice system was applied unfairly.  Cortina had enough, and decided to take matters into his own hands, and became the Robin Hood of the Rio Grand.
John Brown made another uprising, at the arsenal ofHarper's Ferry.  His group killed ten people, before they were captured.  Brown was sentenced to hang.  As he went to the gallows he said, "The crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but by blood."
The slavery question spilled over into open conflict after the 1860 election of the first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln.
In 1862, 3500 Confederate soldiers were determined to invade the West, and separate the Federal government from its riches.  They had initial success, were stopped by Captain Chivington, known as the Colorado Fighting Parson John Milton Chivington, and his men of Federal Volunteers at Glorieta Pass. While his men held the Confederates at bay, others slipped around behind, and rappelling down the mountain, got into the rear of the Confederates, destroying 70 wagons of provisions, and bayoneting 500 horses and mules.  With their supplies nearly destroyed, they tried to make it back to Texas, traveling through dessert.  Of the original 3500, 1500 never returned.
Returning now to Kansas and Missouri, guerrilla parties fought back and forth.  William Quantrill lead the confederates on the infamous  Lawrence Kansas Massacre.  The difference with fighting in the West, is that civilians were often the target, and many were killed, or their homes burned, or ransacked.  No civilians would suffer more than the people of Kansas and Missouri.
Samuel Clemons  24 years ole, and his older brother, decided the war was not for them.  They headed west, and is was during this time Samuel Clemons became Mark Twain, writer for a newspaper in Virginia City.  "Nevada Territory is fabulously rich in gold, silver, lead, coal, iron, quick silver, thieves, murderers, desperadoes, lawyers, Christians, Indians, Chinamen, Spaniards, gamblers, sharpers, coyotes, poets, preachers, and jackass rabbits."  He also wrote of the three virtues of the constitution. "Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Conscience and the prudence to never practice either of them."
The movie then focuses on the Peace Chief, Black Kettle, of the Southern Cheyenne. "We are for peace, and we have made peace."  However even in making peace, he was not immune from attack.  Chivington lead a group of federal volunteers against them at Sand Creek.  Chivington responded to talk of peace saying he was not authorized to make peace.  On November 29, 1864 700 men, drunken on whiskey they had drunk to keep warm attack with Chivington's instructions,  "Kill and scalp all, big and little; nits make lice."  200 were killed, mostly women and children.  Black Kettle escaped, but then a few years later, Nov 27, 1868, was killed by a group lead by General George A. Custer.
My biggest disppontment with this movie was the exclusion of the Bear River Massacre, which if measured by loss of life, was more significant than Sand Creek.