GDG- Buford's Feint Fact or Myth

[J. David Petruzzi]

Hi Dick,

I do definitely believe it, and always talk about it and show the locations
of the event on my tours.  There are corroborating comments about the event
actually taking place by both Hancock (who, in witnessing it, described it
as one of the most beautiful military maneuvers he had ever seen) as well as
Buford's signal officer Lt. Aaron B. Jerome.

J.D.



>>Does this august  body believe that on July 1, 1863 in the late afternoon
around 16:00 hours that Col. Wm. Gamble's command pulled back from their
skirmish line on Seminary ridge behind a stone wall to feint a cavalry
charge. And, that their bluff was so effective that it caused Lane's Bgde of
Penders Division to deploy into a hollow square formation. This event seems
to have occurred  as Lane's unit crossed the fairfield road into the open
farm fields South of it. This feint reputedly bought additional time for the
union line South of the Seminary to withdraw.
  This great story is one I have read about in several reputable places but
have always wondered about since it is such a great story. My primary source
is an article by Gary Kross in Blue and Gray Magazines Special Gettysburg
Issue, 1995. Is this story fact or one of the many great GB stories which
sound amazing but won't stand up under examination?
  Thanks,
  Dick>>