GDG- Masters of the Field

[James Cameron]

<< One possible source for the confusion of "overrun" batteries is in the
accounts of Brown's battery (Battery B, 1st RI Lt. Art.)located south of
Cushing's battery on the south side of the Copse). >>

Jack,

Here's what Hazard, 2nd Corps artillery brigade commander, had to say about 
it, in his OR report.  He first describes the alignment of his five 
batteries as, from right to left, Woodruff (I, 1st US), Arnold (A, 1st RI), 
Cushing (A, 4th US), Brown (B, 1st RI), and Sheldon (B, 1st NY Light).

"The two batteries on the left, being at the main point of attack on the 
left and center of the line, suffered the most severely.  Battery B, First 
New York Light Artillery, lost 1 man killed, 8 men wounded, and 13 horses 
disabled.  Battery B, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, lost 1 man killed, 
7 men wounded, and 2 missing.  This battery was exposed to a most severe 
infantry fire; 24 horses were killed and 6 disabled, and it became necessary 
to send two guns to the rear.  First Lieut. T. Fred. Brown was severely 
wounded in the neck by a musket-shot while gallantly commanding the battery, 
and the command devolved upon First Lieut. W.S. Perrin.  First Lieut Samuel 
Canby, of Battery A, Fourth U.S. Artillery, was severly wounded in the 
hand."

This is a very specific, detailed report, clearly indicating that the main 
point of attack was on his brigade's two left batteries.  There is nothing 
to even suggest that Cushing or Arnold were ever overrun, surrounded, or had 
to have their guns rescued by the infantry.  Note also that Hazard takes the 
time to list a specific casualty in Cushing's battery, showing that he was 
by no means unaware of what had taken place in that battery during the 
action.

If two out of Hazard's five batteries had been overrun, he would have know 
about it.  Hunt would have known about it.  Hancock would have known about 
it.  Hays would have known about it.  It wouldn't be a matter of the gunners 
not wanting to mention it to the boss.  It's going to take a lot more that a 
vague reference in a diary to seeming to be surrounded at one point, and 
some pieces being reversed, to "prove" that Cushing and Arnold were both 
overrun by Wright north of the Copse.

Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan put it best.  "Everyone is entitled to their 
own opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts."

Jim Cameron