Carrying the Flag: The Story of Private Charles Whilden, the Confederacy's Most Unlikely Hero

Book Description

The story of Private Charles Whilden, a hapless South Carolinian whose bravery at the Battle of Spotsylvania in 1864 prolonged the Civil War for the Confederates

For forty years, Charles Whilden lived a life noteworthy for failure. Then, in a remarkable chain of events, this aging, epileptic desk clerk from Charleston found himself plunged into the brutal battlefields of the Wilderness (May 57, 1864) and Spotsylvania Court House (May 820, 1864). In an astonishing act of bravery, he wrapped the flag around his body and led a charge that won critical ground for the Confederates, changing the course of one of the war's most significant battles.

Gordon C. Rhea combines his deep knowledge of Civil War history with original sources, such as a treasure trove of letters written by Charles Whilden, to tell the story of this unusual life. Growing up in a prominent family that had fallen on hard times, Charles received a good education, and his letters reveal flashes of intelligence. But he failed at the practice of law in his home state and in his endeavors elsewhere, including copper speculation, real estate ventures, and farming. After the attack on Fort Sumter, Charles returned to Charleston to enlist in Confederate service, only to be turned down until the rebellion was on its last legs. Even then he saw only a few weeks of combat. But in that time, he discovered a bravery within himself that nothing in his former existence suggested he had.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2007-08-03

Rhea - his trilogy was excellent but this book is exquisite and is highly recommended.

A private changes the course of an entire war.......2006-10-09

A General or a Colonel certainly has the ability to alter the course of
history or make his name well-known to his countrymen through actions.
But does a common private lost within the ranks have the same ability?
Gordon Rhea answers this question brilliantly in this book about a
middle-aged Confederate private set amongst two of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War.
Charles Whilden went from obscurity to fame at a place called the
Bloody Angle, a key position on the battlefield of Spotsylvania Courthouse, where he carried a tattered battle flag in front of a desperate charge that eventually led to a Confederate victory and prolonged an already endless war. Without Whilden's heroics, the Confederates wouldn't have rallied for victory and would likely have been crushed, along with the Confederacy itself. Does this make Whilden a hero or a villain? After all, the 'victory' that he initiated was only short-lived, and only led to more death and destruction. This is one of the questions that may come across a reader's mind amidst the awe and respect for the common infantryman that develops over the course of this book.Another question is this: How many other Private Whilden's are there scattered about America's short, yet war-ridden, past? Was there a Private Whilden at San Juan Hill, or Iwo Jima, or Saratoga? Rhea's ability to shrink something as grand as war into something as familiar as a common man fighting for a cause has a way of reminding us that wars are not fought by generals. Not only that, but his descriptions of the two brutal campaigns of The Wilderness and Spotsylvania Courthouse would make any Civil War buff foam at the mouth.
One man can change the course of history. This book will teach you
that if nothing else. But, more important, it also teaches that the common soldier, no matter what side he fights for, is driven by a courage that should at the very least be honored and always respected.

Great for buffs, and raises questions..........2005-09-04

For anyone wanting to learn the specifics of two major battles between Grant and Lee, this book is excellent. I am always glad to see books that resist glorification by detailing the horrendous conditions of some of the most brutal fighting of the war, which is saying a lot. SPOILER--But the author couldn't resist talking about Whilden's actions as heroic and how the day was won for the Confederacy as if it were a truly noble outcome. Now look at it another way: if Whildon were shot down and the Rebels didn't have a rallying point to successfully rienforce the earthworks, then Grant would've plowed through, cutting Lee's army in half and most likely defeat them. With this outcome, you would not have had the endless series of massacres throughout central Virginia, no siege of Petersburg, no Cold Harbor. With the war over, you probably wouldn't have Atlanta and Colombia in ashes and the atrocity of Sherman's March. Just food for thought-Discuss...

AN UNLIKELY HERO.......2005-04-15

The author, Gordon Rhea, notes in the INTRODUCTION that "....books about privates are rare" and continues "None tell a story half as fascinating as that of Charles Whilden...." The text is a brief account of Whilden's life stating that his first forty years were characterized by mediocrity and failure. However, Whilden's brief fifteen minutes of glory came at the Bloody Angle at Spotsylvania Court House where he vividly demonstrated the capacity of an insignificant player "to alter the course of history."

Chapter 1 gives a short review of the 1864 strategic conditions in central Virginia which "By most estimates, 1864 loomed as the war's decisive year." In March 1864 President Lincoln made Grant commander-in-chief whose aim was the destruction of the Confederate armies, not to capture territory. The author observed "Thus the stage set for the Civil War's decisive campaign....The campaign would be a duel to the death between Grant and Lee, the best generals either side could field. The prize was the fate of two nations." Chapter 2 presents a concise account of pre-Civil War Charleston, S.C. stating the source of Charleston's wealth was rice and that the city's affluence "rested on the back of slaves." The author gives an interesting review of the area's concern about a slave rebellion and continues "As the Carolina Low country's slave population grew so grew the white minority's unease about servile insurrection."

After a unsuccessful brief career as a lawyer, Charles moved to Detroit where his lack of success continued to plague him.He left Detroit in 1855 and accompanied Colonel Grayson to Santa Fe, New Mexico as the colonel's personal secretary. In Santa Fe his mediocre success continued. When the Civil War commenced, Charles began the long trip home to Charleston. The ship he was on heading for the Carolina coast was badly damaged; and his health was compromised; for the rest of his life he suffered from epileptic seizures. In Charleston he tried to enlist a number of times; but due to his epilepsy he was unsuccessful in enlisting. By January 1864, Confederate manpower shortages were critical; and at age 39 Whilden was at last able to enlist as a private in Company I of the 1st Carolina at Orange Court House in February 1864.

Author Rhea uses Whilden and the 1st Carolina as the narrative vehicle for an interesting account of the battles of The Wilderness and at Spotsylvania. Whilden's unit was "destined to the worst of the campaign's carnage." Whilden received his baptism-under-fire on May 5 in the Battle of the Wilderness, had not run and was appointed as flag barrier when the flag barrier was wounded. Rhea observes "The post of flag bearer was important, not only for sentimental reasons but for practical ones as well." Charles career as a color barrier was off to a bad start as Union General Hancock troops overran Charles's unit. Only the last minute arrival of Confederate General Longstreet on May 6th saved the day. On the night of May 7-8 Grant's and Lee's armies moved south to the vicinity of Spotsylvania Court House where Lee erected sophisticated earthworks. The text briefly narrates Grant's fruitless efforts over the next three days to break through Lee's battlements.

Lee had erected a salient, nicknamed The Mule Shoe, and Grant had selected it for a massive attack by Union General Hancock on May 12. Union troops soon overran the pickets and the outer earthworks including the high ground, referred to as "the angle", to the Confederate left. The author gives a chilling account of the gruesome, bloody chaotic fighting as the Confederates fought to regain the angle and survive. Lee ordered General McGowan's brigade into the Mule Shoe. Charles, "still wracked by seizures" clearly understood the situation and fixing his eyes on the angle, carried the flag never expecting to reach the angle alive. When the flag was shot from its pole, Whilden wrapped the flag around his body. Behind him followed a "motley band of rebels." By ten o'clock in the morning Charles led his fellow Southerners to take over the Bloody Angle thus saving the battle for the Confederates. The butchery of May 12 was horrendous with the two armies suffering approximately seventeen thousand causalities. While Lee had won another battle, "the war in Virginia settled into a siege that would last ten months....but Grant had won the campaign, destroying the Army of Northern Virginia's offensive capacity."

His epilepsy making him unfit for service Charles returned to Charleston in August 1864 and was discharged after only eight months of duty. On September 25, 1866, during an epileptic seizure he fell facedown in a mud puddle, and drowned. While there are no monuments to Charles Whilden, his heroic action on May 12, 1864 at the Bloody Angle lives on as a tribute to the potential of an insignificant player who altered the course of Civil War history.

Gordon Rhea has done considerable research on the campaigns of 1864, having previously written several books on these campaigns. This is an easy book to read. Civil War buffs who want a brief/limited account of the battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court and a private who won his fifteen minutes of fame in 1864 at the Bloody Angle, will find this book interesting.

Delightful and Informative.......2004-10-08

"Carrying the Flag" is a gem of a little book telling the story of an otherwise anonymous Confederate Private who found 15 minutes of fame in 15 hours of improbable glory. While Private Whilden's exploits at Spotsylvania's Bloody Angle were unique in their specifics, one can only imagine hundreds, if not thousands, of equally heroic deeds over the course of the war by similarly obscure infantrymen.

Private Whilden's battle experience was limited to the Wilderness and Spotsylvania. Accordingly, much of author Rhea's book details just how unexceptional Private Whilden was. The material, which seemingly holds little promise, in fact makes for an appealing window on the "middle class" antebellum South. In the end, if you can't applaud Private Whilden's take on the world and his place in it, you can surely understand it and, perhaps even applaud the depth of his commitment to it.

One of the most attractive features of the book, for me, is the compelling way in which Private Whilden's two battles unfold. There is the usual blood and gore, but more important, the narrative, complemented by just one map of each of the battlefields, is as clear as any I've read. The tactical story is the focus, but the operational and strategic context is cogently sketched in as well. Indeed, I would recommend the two battle sequences as among the best, most comprehensible short summaries of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania that I have read.

A very nice, very readable addition to the literature; highly recommended.

Carrying the Flag The story of Private Charles Whilden, the confederacy's most unlikely hero

Average customer rating:

Carrying the Flag The story of Private Charles Whilden, the confederacy's most unlikely hero
Rhea Gordon C.
Manufacturer: Basic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UF920Y

Book Description

Most archaeologists and historians of the ancient Near East have focused on the internal transformations that led to the emergence of early cities and states. In The Uruk World System, Guillermo Algaze concentrates on the unprecedented and wide-ranging process of external expansion that coincided with the rapid initial crystallization of Mesopotamian civilization. In this extensive study, he contends that the rise of early Sumerian polities cannot be understood without also taking into account the developments in surrounding peripheral areas. This new edition includes a substantial new chapter that explores recent data and interpretations of the expansion of Uruk settlements across Syro-Mesopotamia.

Customer Reviews:

Never Heard Dinosaurs Called Dragons..........2005-06-27

The first reports of "feathered" dinosaurs (aka dragons) came out of China in 1997. Here in the U. S., Dr. John Ostrom examined one he termed BABGIRAPTOR FEINBERGI in October, 1997, in Montana. At the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center in April, 2000, he gave thirty-five talks about his find. Michael W. Skrepnick made the unusual illustration of this 'find' which looks like a giant baby duck. This is the cover for "Feathered Dragons."

Dr. Ostrom revealed finding a DEINONYCHUS in 1969, an unusual discover in paleontology which shows that dinosaurs were the logical ancestors of birds. Guess they at a lot to get so big.

It was thought that they were a primitive form of Asian bird. The early dinosaurs had avian traits and could fly. They laid eggs like birds do, but fish do, too. They could be a combination of the two but how'd they get so large.

The feathered COELUROSAURS were found in China and the SINOSAUROPTERYX were in Patagonia and Mongolia. The editors all all specialists in the field of dinosaurs. There were various contributors to this study of feathered "dragons."

"Life of the Past" was by James O. Farlow.

Feathered Dinosaurs of China (Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 (Awards))

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BACK TO THE PAST, WITH FEATHERED DINOSAURS OF CHINA!

Feathered Dinosaurs of China (Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 (Awards))

Manufacturer: Charlesbridge Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

BACK TO THE PAST, WITH FEATHERED DINOSAURS OF CHINA!.......2004-02-12

Gregory Wenzel's yeoman outing as writer/illustrator, FEATHERED DINOSAURS OF CHINA, is nothing less than a spectacular time machine ride back to the early Cretaceous to spend the day with an extraordinary assemblage of extinct animals. Smartly written for younger readers (but still enjoyable and informative for adults), this book features 16 stunning full-color scenes (including the cover) and 14 alternating color spot illustrations, plus a map showing the location of Liaoning Province in China where the fossilized remains of these animals originated.

2004 marked ten years since the astounding announcement of the discovery of a dinosaur with feathers came out of China. In all that time, only four childrens books on the subject were published (this being one of them), and none of the other three dealt with the incredibly rich Liaoning fauna in any real detail. Fortunately, it's fallen to someone of Wenzel's proven abilities to take on that task, and FEATHERED DINOSAURS OF CHINA stands out as a singular accomplishment in that regard. The book's storyline and visuals have an engaging nature documentary feel to them. Wenzel's informative, accessible storytelling style harkens back to the classic Jane Werner Watson/Rudolph Zallinger collaboration THE GIANT GOLDEN BOOK OF DINOSAURS AND OTHER PREHISTORIC REPTILES from 1960.

FEATHERED DINOSAURS OF CHINA begins with a short primer on the discovery of these exceptional fossils, including the first dinosaur with a non-scaly integument. Then quickly it's off to the past, journeying back 124 million years to see and experience the living animals in their environment, their interaction with one another and their cohabitants along a prehistoric lakeshore. In a spritely, reader-friendly narration, Wenzel introduces select members of the cast of dinosaurs and other Yixian Formation denizens, bouncing from one animal to another as their paths cross during the course of a single day. Refreshingly, he tempers his depiction of dinosaur behavior, going for realism rather than the more-typical over-the-top excess that's become the norm when discussing how dinosaurs lived and interacted. In the wrap-up, we get some perspective on the relationship of the book's titular subject and modern birds.

Wenzel's strength as an illustrator lies in his brilliant sense of composition. Eschewing the need to render every scale or feather on an animal in anally-photographic detail, he instead chooses (wisely) to expend his energies in the creation of stunningly realistic scenes, some of them rife with dramatic tension, others depicting quieter but equally-realistic moments. In his lush paintings, you can feel the heat of the day, hear the rustle of leaves in the forest, bask in the warm glow of sunset. These are not the ravening prehistoric monsters that are sadly still all-too-prevalent in the literature, but exotic, unique animals that play out their lives' simple dramas right there on the page before your eyes.

At a time when dinosaur books for children are a-dime-a-dozen and the greater majority of them aren't worth the paper they're printed on as far as accuracy in either text or illustration, FEATHERED DINOSAURS OF CHINA is that rare gem that succeeds brilliantly at both. Of course, Wenzel's life-long interest in natural history in general and dinosaurs in particular, and the fact that he's done actual hands-on paleontology with The Judith River Dinosaur Institute in Montana, may have something to do with that.

Customer Reviews:

Feathered Dinosaurs.......2002-11-16

Feathered Dinosaurs written by Christopher Sloan is a well-written and highly illustrated book about dinosaurs having feathers, either as young or as adult for display during mating.

This book is an easy read and could be read in the age group of 9 to 12 years old. With that said, adult readers will get information from the book as well. The theory that dinosaurs had feathers has been around since the 1970's, but the fossil record is now being tapped and as paleontologists probe further into the fossil they are uncovering more and more evidence that, indeed, certain dinosaurs did have feathers.

Dinosaurs, being endothermic, that is warm-blooded, needed protection from hot and cold and feathers work well for this purpose. Like birds of today, the use of feathers make for a good display during mating and also, for recognizing like-kind, but more importantly to help regulate body temperature.

After 65 millions years since the extinction of the dinosaurs took place, we find that the flying dinosaurs made it and advanced through time to the present. One of the amazing stories of nature and her will to survive, the reason should be obvious... they could fly great distances and avoid climatic changes.

Searching for clues for the connectionbetween dinosaurs and birds of today, one has to have a keen sense of observation and compare the two. Using your sense like a detective, you must check the bones, eggs, and, of course, the feathers. More and more evidence is being unearthed every day and making the connection between early birds and dinosaurs is becoming clearer.

Book Description

Dynamic images of 20 ancient beasts, among them the Velociraptor — a deadly, six-foot-long creature with sickle-shaped claws. Identifications.

Feathered Dinosaurs Tattoos (Dover Little Activity Books)

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Feathered Dinosaurs Tattoos (Dover Little Activity Books)
Patricia J. Wynne
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0486445127

Book Description

Six fantastic portraits of prehistoric feathered reptiles offer a half-dozen ways to show that your interest in natural history goes back a long way. Dinosaur enthusiasts and tattoo lovers alike will prize these dynamic specimens of body art.

Feathered Dinosaurs: Flying Reptiles and Ancient Birds (Dover Pictorial Archive)

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Feathered Dinosaurs: Flying Reptiles and Ancient Birds (Dover Pictorial Archive)
Patricia J. Wynne
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0486442241

Book Description

Did dinosaurs have feathers? Some of them certainly did. And you'll discover some of them in this ready-to-color collection of 30 illustrations. From the turkey-sized Caudipteryx, with its long, flashy, feathered tail, to the Teratornis, a condor with a 12-foot wingspan, this carefully researched collection will amaze colorists of all ages.

Book Description

Unfortunately, they are statements we hear often - "We are destroying the environment," or "The Earth is in trouble." It is no secret that these statements are true, but often the problem is so overwhelming no one knows where to start finding a solution. Individuals fail to realize the impact their actions have, nor do they realize how small corrective actions can add up to major steps toward improving the situation. But the bottom line is that while yes, we are doing damage to the planet, it will be around - in one form or another - long after we are gone. The impending crisis is the fact that in an alarmingly short time, the Earth will no longer be able to sustain the humans that inhabit it.

John C. Krieg tackles this issue in his new work, "Environmental Cognizance: Towards the Year 2020." It is a down-to-earth, yet urgent call to arms that succinctly presents the state of the environment today, as well as what we can expect if we continue on the path we currently tread. Intended for the masses, "Environmental Cognizance" is presented in a style that speaks to all and encourages us to start thinking and working as a collective before it is too late. For it is not too late; though time is running short, Krieg explains that there is still hope if we act now. Each individual can make a difference, and it will require surprisingly little from each of us.

Resonating with passion, honesty and urgency, "Environmental Cognizance" explores a problem none of us can afford to ignore.

Customer Reviews:

Environmental Emergency.......2005-07-27

When I first saw this book I thought another typical book about how the world is going to end. Yeah right, talk about an awakening. Our precious planet, mother earth, is in serious trouble. This book gives us an idea of what we can do to save our planet and the future of our families. We all worry about what the planet is going to be like in 30 years, what about tomorrow? If you want to help save the planet pick up a copy and start today.

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