GDG- "We again bore the brunt of the battle at Gettysburg."

[DShultz180 at aol.com]

Egad, I had no clue my ill - edited thread, or reply to Hall, titled "We 
again bore the brunt of the battle at Gettysburg" would create so much private 
email (sorry for the mistakes and spelling but was in a hurry to scoot out of 
here). 

Having spent a long time scouring the files of the batteries engaged at 
Gettysburg I can honestly state I have no clue as to which Federal battery's 
service at that battle could be deemed the best and or most crucial. Far to many to 
choose from ....

Several come to mind, however, ...

 On July 1st one cannot dismiss Calef's command. Outgunned five to one his 
three sections held at bay not only Confederate artillery but helped slow down 
overwhelming numbers of Gray - Clad infantry. One must also recall Roder's 
single piece charging out the eastern cut at just the right moment to allow Hall 
enough time to drag off his last section (loosing one piece) at the pike. Then 
again there is Hall, Lieutenant's Stewart and Davidson, Breck, Wilber, and of 
course Cooper.   Until one reads and understands Coopers entire engagement 
that day Hall, in my opinion, will not be the holder of the title of "we bore the 
brunt."

North of town, Wheeler's support of Dilger pretty much goes unrecorded as he 
reversed trot in the face of overwhelming odds fronting due north only to open 
with small loads of canister and shrapnel to little make much difference 
against advancing infantry. The last piece off that field (north of Mummasburg 
Road) was under Wheeler's command but was physically commanded by Dilger (Wheeler 
having retired with his and Dilger's remaining guns). Dilger stayed with that 
piece till it reached the collage before dismissing it while assuming control 
over his own last section (Scritpure). 

Two of the single most important rounds were fired by the FEds were 
discharged July Second in my opinion. The first was of course the one which knocked 
Hood out. No one knows who fired that round. Suggesting it was Smith is 
speculative in that it could have been Clark, Bucklyn or even Winslow. Whom ever fired 
that round of shrapnel did great damage and unknowingly so.   

The second most important round fired July Second was no accident. Spying a 
group of mounted officers on Blocher's Knoll from a point just north of the 
Evergreen Gatehouse, Dilger personally sighted Wiedrich's Number Four piece 
(section commanded by Lt. Schmidt) that had been placed just west of the pike near 
Battery K. Stepping back he directed the gun crew exactly how to handle their 
piece and with the pulling of that lanyard knocked General Jenkins out of that 
battle. What an artillerist, what a shot! 

Then again we have Taft's six 20-Pounder's arriving in the nick time (6:30) 
on East Cemetery Hill to counter that of Graham's four 20-Pounder Parrott's 
(First Rockbridge Artillery, Dance's Btn) that had been decimating all those on 
Cemetery Hill since a little after 12:30 p.m., from the highest point on 
Benner's Hill south of and above the York Pike, to far for anything the AOP had till 
Taft arrived. Taft silenced Graham in less then 15 minutes allowing all 
Federal artillery to resupply unhindered whilst some were replaced and or 
repositioned. Had Taft not arrived to counter Graham as he did one can only imagine 
what may have happened a few hours later.

Bigelow, Turnbull, Seeley, Thompson, Phillips, etc., etc., etc. How can we 
define who bore the brunt.

July Third is no different. What battery bore the brunt?   I have no clue. I 
could suggest Kinzie and Rugg as they dismantled Daniels' brigade as they lay 
in Spangler's meadow   How about Rittenhouse on LRT as he methodically and 
deliberately lobbed shells into Kemper and Wilcox's seemingly safe haven in their 
respective swales west of Emmitsburg Road. Most of Kemper's men were ready to 
advance July third just for the need and want to leave that living Hell in 
which they had, by no choice of their own, been placed in. 

And of course we have the batteries north of the trees that were NOT overrun 
by Wright Juy Second. Although knocked senseless during the great cannonade 
July Third they held their works to the last as ordered ... but not without 
support.

Before Hall, Fuger, Taft, Dilger or Rittenhouse, or anyone else for that 
matter, can claim "they bore the brunt,   they had better look to their left and 
right and note their infantry support that for the most part allowd them to 
unlimber, engage and retire, and survived to tell the story of "spiking an enemy 
gun with on of your own solid shots (NOT)," or that of "bearing the blunt on 
the enemy attacks." Hall's engagement and survival July First was made possible 
by Cutler and crew as well as some savage fighting by a man named Dawes and 
his dastardly cheesheads (6th Wis.) not to mention Lt. Roder and some very 
brave horse artillerists. I'd also add that a few cavalrymen had a little 
something to do with Hall's survival July First. 

In my opinion no one Federal battery at Gettysburg can claim "We again bore 
the brunt of the battle at Gettysburg" without mentioning the infantry, whom 
ever they were, who stayed to see that they lived to suggest that. 

Hall did his job no more no less then what was expected ... and he did so 
exceptionally well. 

Dave S.







 


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