For the Union Dead - Part V

Pictured above are James McSorley, a private in Company E of the 33rd New Jersey and Captain Charles Field who was the commander of Company E by late May of 1864. While the 33rd New Jersey was engaged at Dug Gap, other Federal troops moved through Snake Creek Gap, outflanking the Confederates out of their strong positions on Rocky Face Ridge.

Delays by Union General John Schofield in exploiting the success of that maneuver set up a situation at the small village of Resaca similar to that of Dug Gap. Once again the 33rd was engaged with the Confederates while another part of Sherman's army tried to outflank the Confederates. Once again this maneuver was successful, but not before the 33rd was engaged in a long standoff over a battery of Confederate cannon.

Sometime during that day at Resaca (May 15, 1864), James McSorley was shot in the hip. He was totally disabled from the wound and ultimately died from it in earl 1869. I learned McSorley's story from his descendants, Steve and Fred Stickel, who found me in their search for more information about the 33rd. I would say I get two-three such inquiries each year. Fred and Steve have been wonderfully supportive of my book, they supplied the picture of James shown above, they have purchased a number of copies and Steve made a long trip to hear me give a relatively brief presentation about the 33rd before the book was published.

After Resaca, Sherman tried to outflank the Confederates again, this time leaving his railroad supply line. Unfortunately the Confederates anticipated this move, met Sherman's army near New Hope Baptist Church where a long standoff reminiscent of World War I developed. On May 28th, Captain Field was shot through the thigh while posting a picket line. He was evacuated to Chattanooga where he died on June 5th. In remembering his fallen comrade, William Lambert wrote to the Newark Daily Advertiser, that Field was believed by all to be "the finest line officer in the 33rd regiment."