I too get a little aggravated at all the attention certain commanders receive due to their actions at Gettysburg. My aggravation tends to be more on the Confederate side, however. To wit, Pickett's Charge. Virginia seems to have conveniently forgotten the actions of our beloved Tar Heels from day one to the climax of what should be called the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge. I had at least 4 ancestors who crossed the field on day 3, all of whom survived. ALL of them were Tar Heels, NOT Virginians. Did I mention that they were bloodied and battered from the fighting on McPherson's Ridge on Day 1?
 If it weren't for the guts and determination of the average soldier none of the commanders (both Union and Confederate) would have a reputation that has been glorified almost beyond belief.
 Not meaning to sidetrack the thread, but my reenacting unit (22nd NC, Co. K) has a distinguised member. His name is Thomas Pettigrew, the 80 yr. old great nephew of Johnston Pettigrew. He has numerous artifacts that belonged to General Pettigrew, including sword, original Hardee's Tactics manual and correspondence home. Thomas Pettigrew has always portrayed a Lt. Col. of Tar Heel troops, however at a recent event, due to his hard work and efforts to promote our unit, we presented him with Generals insignia. To see the man with tears in his eyes as he accepted, was a higlight of this year for me, as well as the rest of the boys.

1st Sgt. Gregg Hensley
22nd NCST, Co K
The McDowell Boys

The NPS folks at G-burg mostly call it "Longstreet's assault." Which I think is pretty correct. Longstreet was in charge of the thing, with the 1st day Southern units under his command. Virginia is popular because of that movie. Nobody mentions much how Pickett and his fellers did at 5 Forks.

I don’t guess such is possible, but it would be intriguing to understand why some commanders and some units on both sides of the conflict are remembered while so many others who were equally involved disappeared into obscurity.  

I really think it has a lot to do with self promotion ro , promation by someone close to the person(during and after the war). Or, in our time, books and movies have selected certian individuals in order to promote and sell their products.

John Gordon’s self-serving memoirs served him well enough to get an army fort named after him.  While Nathan Bedford Forrest was tainted by his association with the KKK, Gordon, who was head of that organization in Georgia, was not.

Funny you should mention Fort Gordon. I am the editor of my SCV Camp newsletter. I always have a monthly trivia question in the newsletter. At a meeting a few month's ago, I was given fodder, so to speak, for a trivia question for the Camp newsletter. I'll pose it you good folks: How many current U.S. military installations are named for Confederate Generals?
  Think about it...why would the Federal government name military bases after Confederates? The numbers of Confederate named bases are surprising. Ever heard of Ft. Bragg?

Here's a start:

Fort Polk, LA,
Ft. Gordon, GA,
Ft Benning, GA
Ft Bragg, NC
Ft Hill, VA
Ft Hood, TX
Ft Jackson, SC
Ft Lee, VA

Curtis,

I grew up on land that was once Camp Ashby. Several of the original buildings still exist, although they were converted into residences years ago. The number of defunct camps and forts named after confederates is impressive. This particular place was POW camp.

Grumpy, you say:

Quote :

Nobody mentions much how Pickett and his fellers did at 5 Forks.

The true hero of that fight was the lowly Nottoway Shad.

Another one would be Ft. A.P. Hill, Va.


Gregg Hensley

Charles,
There is beginning to be a bit of interest in former German POW camps.  One of those locally has been turned into the maintenance headquarters area of a largish national forest.  During WWII, Camp Shelby, MS, was the largest military installation in the our country.  There was a large POW camp there.  The streets and buildings remained until put off limits due to asbestos.  Back during the days when national guard units had to cycle through civil disturbance training that old POW compound was a popular spot for such.  The abandoned buildings would be labeled bakeries, schools, courthouse, etc, etc, CS could be thrown with impunity, and a great time was had by all.