· overland · 3 min read
Overland.11: Proper Yankee Welcome
Discover the fate of Harry Wilson's cavalry division and why it was absent and miles away during the opening hours of the Battle of the Wilderness (Part II).
Play Now
Overland Season 1 - Episode 11
In This Episode
It’s afternoon on May 5th, 1864 — Greenhorn cavalry officer Brig. Gen. Harry Wilson has stumbled onto a third Confederate cavalry force coming down the Catharpin Road. While he prepares his troopers to repeal a rebel counter-attack from his former West Point classmate Gen. Thomas “Tex” Rosser of Virginia, he is desperate to get this new information to Meade before it is too late. The only problem is that Wilson’s entire cavalry division — over 3,000 men and horses — is completely cut off from the rest of the Union Army. No one is coming to save him or his men.
Notable Quotes
“I had had no word from Sheridan that day and knew absolutely nothing as to his whereabouts or even as to the position of any part of the army except my own.”
— Brig. Gen. Harry Wilson
“Pistol and sabre were busy in slaughter while the shrieks of the stricken and the shouts of the victors mingled with the roar of battle.”
— Confederate Cavalryman
“General Wilson is falling back to this point, followed by the enemy. Col. Chapman reports the enemy that attacked very superior to his [force] and compelled him to retire. Wilson himself had not yet arrived and I can’t say what I will do. I have my command here and will receive the enemy.”
— Brig.Gen. Gregg
“Artilleryyy-ist… Artilllllery-ist? Artiller-ist? No. Can’t say it. How’s about, ‘good shot with a cannon!‘”
— Kyle M. Bondo, Amateur Cannoneer
Support the War Yankee Podcast
Every episode is a work of passion that requires a lot of coffee. I research, read, visit, host, mix, edit, and produce every episode myself. I would greatly appreciate it if you could do two things for me:
- COFFEE: If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting the show by buying me a cup of coffee (or two)!
- FEEDBACK: Send me a quick note of encouragement at thewaryankee@gmail.com. This keeps me going when times get tough!
Thank you for taking the time to listen. You are appreciated!
War Yankee Supports ABT
American Battlefield Trust knows that there is no substitute for experiencing history in the places where it actually took place and has worked to become the only one national organization working to save America’s historic battlefields today and discover how you can help preserve American history forever. Join me in the fight to save our nation’s historic battlefields by visiting the American Battlefield Trust website at battlefields.org.
Subscribe to War Yankee
Tell Your Story
War Yankee is an Oncetold Production. Tell your own story with Oncetold.