GDG- Re: Guns captured by Wright have been Identified.

[Tom Ryan]

<< As with Johnston's example, Heth not only had nothing to gain by lauding
Buford's efforts (emphasized by the fact that it began the battle that was
ultimately lost) but for about 20 years after the war he steadfastly
maintained that he never faced any Federal cavalry whatsoever on July 1.
Read only Confederate accounts, and the first two hours aren't even a blip
on the screen.  >>

<<In a way, it's actually very understandable that Heth and his troops may
not
have realized who and what they were up against.  Unless prisoners were
being taken, or the advance was coming across dead bodies in cavalry
uniforms, about all there would be to be seen was puffs of smoke a few
hundred yards off.  Except for the men actually out on the skirmish line,
for the troops back in the column all they'd have known was that there was
some kind of contact up ahead, and that it was holding things up somewhat.
Entirely routine for any movement in hostile territory.  Little wonder it
doesn't get much attention in the Confederate accounts.  For most of Heth's
men, things didn't turn into a big deal until the infantry action started.>>

	This raises the curiosity about whether Buford's horse holders and horses
were visible to the oncoming Rebel troops.  Does anyone know whether they
were out of their line of sight or not?  If not, that should have been a
strong indication of what they were facing.  Certainly the Rebel officers
with field glasses should have picked that up.

Tom Ryan