GDG- Beverly Robertson
Tom Ryan
pennmardel at mchsi.com
Thu Aug 10 18:32:40 CDT 2006
The derivation of Stuart and Lee's low opinion of Beverly Robertson is
covered in Edward Longacre's "Lee's Cavalrymen." Longacre says that soon
after Robertson became commander of the 4th Virginia Cavalry under Stuart's
command in 1861, he was considered by those around him to be a prima donna,
Stuart labeled him "by far the most troublesome man I have to deal with."
Although Robertson was soon voted out of office by his troops and was
temporarily without a command, as sometimes happened in the
politically-oriented promotion system, he was elevated to brigadier general
and put in charge of a brigade.
In 1862, when Stonewall Jackson became dissatisfied with Robertson's
leadership ability, he complained to Lee who sent Stuart to inspect
Robertson's unit. Stuart concurred with Jackson that Robertson was
incompetent and that he also appeared to lack the confidence of his own men.
When Lee received Stuart's report, he planned to relieve Robertson of
command which actually occurred as soon as the Second Bull Run Campaign was
over. Robertson ended up in North Carolina for reassignment.
The story of Robertson's return to the ANV in time for the Gettysburg
Campaign was the subject of the earlier posts.
Tom Ryan
-----Original Message-----
From: gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com
[mailto:gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com]On Behalf Of Tom Ryan
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 4:19 PM
To: GDG
Subject: GDG- Re: Gettysburg Digest, Vol 27, Issue 10
Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:
A little more light on the Robertson situation. In a message dated May 23,
1863, Lee gave Stuart instructions and advice about the organization and
conditioning of the cavalry division. In talking about the recent additions
to the cavalry force, Lee mentioned:
"I wished to leave Robertson in North Carolina, but learned from the
President that General Hill had attached each of the three [cavalry]
regiments there to the divisions of Generals French, Whiting, and himself,
and consequently he had no command [for Robertson] but the [two] regiments
he brought out [to Virginia]. I shall endeavor, if possible, to get another
regiment from North Carolina, but think it doubtful. I wish we had a camp
of instruction and refreshment for cavalry. Robertson would be an excellent
person to put in charge of it, but, as far as I can see, he would now have
but little to do."
What appears to have happened here is that Hill, in order to get rid of
Robertson, took the three cavalry regiments that were to stay behind in NC
and assigned them directly to infantry divisions to avoid having a cavalry
command for Robertson, and, therefore, a reason for him to stay in NC.
Instead, the two cavalry regiments that were being sent to the ANV needed a
commander, and Robertson was given the job to go north with them.
Lee, knowing Stuart's negative feelings toward Robertson, apparently tried
to console him with his comments about wishing the ANV had a cavalry
training school of some sort to which Robertson would fit in nicely as
commander. In the end, Stuart had to be reconciled to accepting Robertson
as one of his brigade commanders. As a result, there would be trouble
ahead.
Tom Ryan
-----Original Message-----
From: gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com
[mailto:gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com]On Behalf Of Tom Ryan
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 3:35 PM
To: GDG
Subject: GDG- Re: Gettysburg Digest, Vol 27, Issue 10
Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:
Some further insight into the politics surrounding the return of Brig. Gen.
Beverly Robertson to the ANV after he had been reassigned to North Carolina.
In discussing in a message to President Davis the possibility of D.H. Hill
releasing some NC cavalry to reinforce the ANV, on June 2, 1863 Lee had this
to say:
"I do not know the condition of the cavalry proposed by General Hill to be
sent to this army. He offered a regiment, and I accepted it....
I thin it would be better if General Robertson were in command of the
cavalry within the State [of North Carolina], as he is a good organizer and
instructor, but General Hill does not appear to require him. I would then
brigade the North Carolina regiments in this army, under Colonel Baker, from
that State, who is said to be a good offier."
Cutting through the diplomatic double talk, what is being said here is that
Lee wants the NC cavalry but please do not send me Gen. Robertson. The
business about him being a good organizer and instructor is a polite way of
saying that Robertson is worthless to me as a field commander. (This is
roughly equivalent to the fact that George B. McClellan was good at
organizing and training the AoP, but did not know what to do with it once he
left his encampments.)
Also note Lee's subtle reference to the fact that "General Hill does not
appear to require him." Translation: "Hill is trying to dump Robertson on
me, and I would prefer that he stay in NC." Lee had a ready solution in
proposing that Col. Baker would head the brigade of North Carolinians in the
ANV. However, that was not to be, because Gen. Hill ended up getting his
way. Robertson came north with the troops.
The source for this message is OR, vol. 25, part 2, page 848.
Tom Ryan
-----Original Message-----
From: gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com
[mailto:gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com]On Behalf Of Tom Ryan
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 8:39 AM
To: GDG
Subject: RE: GDG- Re: Gettysburg Digest, Vol 27, Issue 10
Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:
<<It would seem that the first domino to fall in the chain of unfortunate
decisions was the decision to reassign Robertson back to the ANV in the
spring of 1863. Haines does not make it clear who made this decision, only
that Lee was opposed. If Robertson was as obviously incompetent as the
article makes him sound, surely they could have found a way to leave him in
North Carolina.>>
Tim,
What happened here was that Lee requested the War Department to beef up the
cavalry contingent of the ANV in light of the growing size and
sophistication of the Union cavalry. Lee told Secretary Seddon that he
needed to substantially increase the size of the ANV cavalry that stood at
about 5,000 at the time including the three brigades of Fitz Lee, Hampton
and "Rooney" Lee.
Three cavalry brigades were added from the Shenandoah Valley (Jones and
Jenkins) and from Western Virginia (Imboden). In addition a demi-brigade
(two regiments) was sent from North Carolina, and along with them came
Robertson who had earlier been exiled to that location by Lee and the War
Department. However, apparently D.H. Hill, who was in charge in NC, did not
appreciate the services of Robertson anymore than Lee did. So he sent
Robertson along with the two regiments back to Virginia. Lee, for his part,
had little choice in the matter. If he wanted the additional cav from NC,
he had to accept Robertson along with them. Lee made no protest.
Tom Ryan
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