GDG- Re: Here we go ... Sickles was not supposed to replace Geary

[DShultz180 at aol.com]

>  <<Geary's assigned position of the 1st was the position which Sickles was 
> supposed to take over on the morning of the 2nd, from the North slope of LRT 
> north along Cemetery Ridge, connecting to elements of II Corps.>>
> 
Jack,

Yes, I am aware Geary was on scene when Ward's brigade arrived. I am also 
aware Geary sent skirmishers forward to set up a picket line nearer the 
Emmitsburg Road. Question is, how far did those men advance?   Very possible it was 
Geary. I can visualize his riding forward to take a peek. 

With that said I humbly disagree with your suggesting Sickles was to take 
over Geary's position the morning of July 2nd. That position was intended for the 
5th Corps on it's arrival. Case in point is the fact Birney sent Ward well to 
the North after arriving around 7-7:30 pm, July 1, to a position he would 
probably be occupying July 2nd. Ward's July 1st position is clearly marked. His 
men bivouacked around the G. Weikert farm east of Plum Run with Clark and 
Bucklyn's batteries nearer the Hummelbaugh Lane, pickets as far west as Emmitsburg 
Road.   Ward's left was probably somewhat connected with Geary's overly thin 
right somewhere south of Weikert's farm.   When Humphreys arrived after 
midnight he placed his two brigades in Trostle Meadows while Seeley parked his six 
Napoleons nearer the barn above Plum Run.

At no time July 2nd was it ever intended for Sickles' line to be stretched 
from near the Hummelbaugh Farm Lane south to LRT. Geary's premature departure 
forced Birney to send Ward to LRT with hopes Sykes' 5th Corps would arrive in 
time to cement the line. We all know the circumstances and what occurred. Bottom 
line ... Hancock's (Caldwell)   left was to be near the Hummelbaugh Farm Lane 
with Humphreys to his left followed by Birny whose left would have extended 
south of present day U. S Avenue connecting with Sykes' right. One must 
remember Syke's forward elements arrived on the field using the G Weikert Farm Lane 
(connected with Taneytown Road at present day U. S Avenue through Patterson 
Woods), not present day Wheatfield Road. Why? As a matter of fact Hazlet, Walcott 
and Watson, parked their respective batteries on present day U.S Avenue west 
of and below the ridge waiting to be placed. Why is it that if that corps' 
right flank was to be LRT these guns were parked so far north? Not relevant 
whatsoever. 

It was Geary's premature departure that created the myth Sickles was at 
fault. It was simple communication ... or lack of. Geary departed way to early. 
Sickles' issue with history was he did not pull Humphreys back to plug the gap 
between Birney and Caldwell, not that he did not occupy LRT or the ridge 
immediately north of it. And he of course chose to move west instead of occupying 
intended position. Ward was initially placed July 1 where he was supposed to be 
July 2nd. Meade, Howard and Hunt, spoke with Birney on their recon. They knew 
where Ward was at 3:00 a.m July 2nd. They knew were Humphreys was. They knew 
were Geary was. There was no reason at that early hour to think Sickles would 
not comply

It is the gap between Birney and Caldwell that David Weick and I discuss in 
"BBTFL's."    I realize Wayne W. and a few other notables are steadfast that 
Sickles presented questionable issues when his corps did not occupy the position 
intended for the 5th Corps. We can again hash over the Pain -in- the -%$#@ 
map but for what? I will stand by what we present in that Birney's left was to 
be just south of, or near, the G Weikert farm with Humphreys' right connected 
with Caldwell near the Hummelbaugh Farm Lane.

Clark specifically recalled that at 4:00 am he and Bucklyn rode to the 
Emmitsburg Road using a farm lane (Codori-Hummelbaugh no doubt) in which it 
connected with Emmitsburg Road one-half mile west of where he and Bucklyn were then 
parked. He then asked Randolph and Hunt when would they be moving there as it 
was better ground. Hunt informed him he was to occupy the rise to his rear from 
near where he was parked. He and Bucklyn were both bivouacked somewhere west 
of present day Pennsylvania Monument. Clark was surprised when he was moved 
south, before Caldwell arrived, to a position just north LRT, north of where 
where he had seen the now departed section of John Egan the night earlier. As 
Kinzie and Egan both told Meade earlier; "it was unfavorable ground."   Bucklyn 
was placed at the base of LRT covering present day Wheatfield Road (talk of a 
terrible position).

And lastly ... why were both Clark and Bucklyn sent back north of Trostle 
Lane when Ward moved west to Houck's Ridge. How about because Hunt knew where 
Meade wanted Birney and was adhering to the plan. No reason whatsoever to pull 
artillery support away if the line Ward was initially moved to July 2 was the 
intended line. 

Whew ... another short story. Let me have it gang! 

Dave






**************************************
 See what's free at http://www.aol.com.