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| 123rd Indiana Infantry |
It is important to note that both Union and Confederate unit's took great pride in displaying such honors, a tradition the U.S. Army still continues to this day, albeit now with streamers.
All the honors, with the exception of Wise's Forks, were battles fought in the Civil War's Western Theater. I know some may argue that General Sherman's 1865 operations in the Carolinas should also be considered Western Theater, however, lets hold that discussion for another time.
My point in displaying the 123rd Indiana colors is to help explain why I decided to spell the battle as Wise's Forks as I did in my book To Prepare for Sherman's Coming: The Battle of Wise's Forks March 1865. In both the title and throughout the manuscript I chose not to use Wyse Fork, the more contemporary and widely recognized version. Before making this decision I wrestled with the issue and actually sought the advise of several noted Civil War historians.
Since the book's release I have been questioned by individuals on my decision to identify the battle as Wise's Forks. The good news is most have been courteous and professional, while a few have been downright ugly. For those of you that are unfamiliar with how battles were named in the Civil War it can be quite confusing at times leaving some engagements with multiple identifications. Well, the battle of Wise's Forks is no exception.
So why did I go with what I believe to be the historically accurate version? Its important to note that by no means am I breaking new ground here. Other more distinguished professional historians have already done so, in particular, John G. Barrett and Mark Bradley, both of whom used the spelling Wise's Forks in their published works.
After more than a decade of researching the battle I have yet to discover one Confederate source written during or immediately after the battle that identifies the battle as Wyse Fork. It is important to note, written in 1865, not 30, 40, or 50 years after the war. Southern letters, diaries, and journals from the time typically used either Kinston, Southwest Creek, or Jackson's Mill. Interestingly, if you were a soldier from the Deep South, serving in the Army of Tennessee, you identified the battle as Kingston. It is only in the late 19th Century and early part of the 20th Century do you see the battle identified as Wyse Fork in writings.
If you understand how the battle occurred and where Confederate forces principally operated, it was only for a brief period on March 10th did they attack the heavily entrenched Federal positions near the modern day community of Wyse Fork. The remaining time during the battle they were entrenched on either side of Southwest Creek.
For the Union forces, its easy, just read the military correspondence written during the battle or the official reports published shortly after. The U.S. Army identified the battle as Wise's Forks. With that said, I refer you back to the photo of the 123rd Indiana colors.
I admit now, with the benefit of hindsight, I should have added at least Kinston into the title, perhaps I might have avoided all the fuss, but, that's okay. I am an American Soldier, and have been one for just about all my adult life, and if that is how the Soldiers that fought at the battle spelled it, than by God, that's how this Soldier is going to spell it.
There you have it folks, the true Paul Harvey!
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| Hoke's Attack March 10, 1865 Stephen McCall (artist) |
