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

[J. David Petruzzi]

>>From everything I have read, Heth did not see the horse holders who
were back behind Herr Ridge. Remember, there are a series of ridges
here and Heth wouldn't have been able to see over them.

Laurie>>

Pvt. Thomas Benton Kelly, Co. E 8th Illinois Cavalry, and one of the
troopers with Lt. Marcellus Jones when the first shot was fired, stated in a
1909 Boston Globe interview that all the horses were sent to the rear -
behind Seminary Ridge and near the LTS - when contact was first made about
7:30 am.  So, there were no horseholders to see until Heth's line reached
Herr Ridge.

Now as to Heth, see his OR in Ser. I, Vol. 27, part 2 on page 637:  "It may
not be improper to remark at this time - 9 o'clock on the morning of July
1 - I was ignorant what force was at or near Gettysburg, and supposed it
consisted of cavalry, most probably supported by a brigade or two of
infantry.  On reaching the summit of the second ridge of hills west of
Gettysburg, it became evident that there were infantry, cavalry, and
artillery in and around the town.  A few shot from Pegram's battalion
(Marye's battery) scattered the cavalry videttes..."

Obviously, he knew of the cavalry at the time.  However, in subsequent
writings (I believe in B&L) he denied that he ever faced cavalry that day.
30 years after the war, in his memoirs he wrote similar language as was in
his OR, that he faced Buford's cavalry and drove the videttes back.

I find the divergent claims interesting.

J.D.