GDG- Winter Stomp

[Batrinque at aol.com]

In a message dated 1/1/07 5:21:41 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
chaplain.chuck at gmail.com writes:

> The 14th Connecticut was in support of Woodruff's Battery until moved to 
> the
> left to support Arnold's Battery, at the position where its monument now
> stands. Major Ellis in his OR indicates that this occurred sometime between
> noon and night, but is not explicit when. Curiously, Ellis told Bachelder it
> was *"the next day we were moved a little further to the left... being to
> the right of and supporting Arnold's Rhode Island Battery."* Chaplain
> Stevens of the 14th Connecticut indicated that when the Confederate attack
> of July 2 was made *"the regiment was still lying in support of Woodruff's
> battery." *
> **
> I'd be interested in the specifics of any accounts that clarify when the
> 14th Connecticut assumed the position in support of Arnold.

In his Jan 21, 1864, letter to Batchelder, Ellis is specific in placing his 
regiment's location prior to this move to the left as being "just east of the 
small white house of Mr. Bryan".  And all of us familiar with the ground know 
how close to (and in clear view of) Arnold's battery this location is.   If 
Wright had overrun Arnold, it is inconceivable that the 14th Connecticut (and 
other troops from Smyth's brigade) would not have become involved, even if they 
were techincally placed in support of Woodruff's battery.  Yet, there is no 
indication from their accounts that they did so.  

Sergeant Benjamin Hirst of the 14 CVI (Robert Bee's "The Boys from 
Rockville") placed this movement to the left as having occurred on the evening of the 
second.  

I think it quite possible that such movements to supply more direct support 
to Arnold (and to fill in the gap between Arnold and the Bryan Barn) were at 
least in partial response to Wright's attack further south.  Thus, Wright's 
attack may have had the unintentional result of strengthening that very portion of 
the Union line attacked the next day by Pettigrew and Trimble.

Bruce Trinque
Amston, CT