GDG- 71st Pa at the Wall

[ernscave at aol.com]

The answer to the question - How many companies of the 71st Pa were at the wall on July 3 depends upon which
time of day you focus upon.? I spend much time in my book "At The Wall"? exploring this issue.

During the bombardment - NO companies of the 71st were at the wall.

Immediately after the bombardment all 10 companies moved forward but the right two companies "stepped over the rear
wall" and did not go all the way to the front. That makes eight.

However, very quickly Colonel William Penn Smith realized that all eight could not fit at the front wall. In fact, the left
half ( 4 companies) would have been stretched out along the fence that runs north from the angle. Colonel Smith then pulled back to the rear wall those four companies. That left 4 companies who were there when Garnett arrived.
COMPANIES? K, G, H, C?? (from North to South)?????? An examination of "captured" "Killed" "wounded" and two diaries
provide excellent evidence.

Don Ernsberger
Paddy Owen's Regulars
At The Wall