Retreat from Antietam: The Battle of Shepherdstown, September 19-20, 1862

Retreat from Antietam: The Battle of Shepherdstown, September 19-20, 1862

Following Lee’s retreat from Antietam proved deadly for the Union 5th Corps at the Battle of Shepherdstown. One of West Virginia’s largest Civil War battles, it was largely inconsequential in terms of stalling Lee’s retreat. However, it was an unforgettable event for the men who fought it.

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Suicide by Enemy Fire? The Cases of Hill and Garnett

Suicide by Enemy Fire? The Cases of Hill and Garnett

Death is an occupational hazard for the soldier; it is a basic rule of warfare that there will be casualties.  A soldier faces death when they enter battle, and accepts that they must be willing to die for their country, their cause, or whatever motivation has brought them to the front line.  But it there a point where being willing to die becomes wanting to die, and does that desire for death border on the question of suicide?  Let us examine two well known Confederate cases, those of Richard Garnett and Ambrose Powell Hill.  Now, I understand that painting one or both of these men’s deaths as suicides might ruffle a few feathers, but that is not necessarily my purpose there.  I merely want to put the question out there.  Did they want to die? Can suicide result from committing to risky behaviors outside the necessity of the situation, not just intentionally harming oneself?  Were these two cases “suicide by cop” type situations or were these just casualties of war?

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