GDG- Three Lines, Two Lines

[James Cameron]

I don't have any strong opinion one way or the other, but OTOH have never 
seen anything extremely compelling to indicate Pettigrew's division was 
formed in two lines.  I don't rule it out, but, having each regiment 
deployed in two lines seems to me to shorten the overall division line a 
great deal.  Also, I'd wonder why accounts of the charge, from survivors, 
don't seem to mention rear rank companies coming up to support the first 
rank.  Of course, CW regiments could and did deploy in formations other than 
a single line of battle, so lack of mention doesn't mean it didn't happen 
here.

One thing I do think is possible is that the late start by Pettigrew's two 
left wing brigades, Davis and Brockenbrough, compared to his two right wing 
brigades, may have given Union observers the impression of the advance being 
in multiple lines, by design.  Walter Taylor, in fact, commented opn how the 
uneven nature of the advance made it appear the division was advancing en 
echelon.

Jim Cameron