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

[Laurence D. Schiller]

Hello all - Again, another indication of how careful we need to be in 
assessing primary sources. The story sure can change over time - 
sometimes just fading memory, sometimes just exaggeration, and 
sometimes deliberately to make yourself look better.

best,

Laurie Schiller


>Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:
>
>
>>>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.
>
> 
>----------------------------------------------------------------
>You may unsubscribe by going to 
>http://mailman.arthes.com/mailman/listinfo/gettysburg
>
>You can add yourself to the GDG map at: 
>http://www.frappr.com/gettysburgdiscussiongroup
>
>View archived posts from May 2004 -  present at 
>http://mailman.arthes.com/pipermail/gettysburg/


-- 
Dr. Laurence Dana Schiller
Maitre d'Armes
Head Fencing Coach
Department of History
Northwestern University
Commissioner, Midwest Fencing Conference
Midwest VP, US Fencing Coaches' Association
Vice-Chair USFA Illinois Division
Lds307 at northwestern.edu
847-491-4654
FAX 847-467-1406
Official Sports site: http://nusports.ocsn.com/
Student web site: http://groups.northwestern.edu/fencing/