GDG- Sixth Corps Distance

[Chet Diestel]

    I happen to be away from my library this Sunday, but if memory serves 
me, wasn't there a fair amount of necessary counter-marching by some of the 
VI Corps units which could, in turn, account for the difference in miles 
tramped that very long night of July 1 and the first half of July 2 in order 
to reach the battlefield?
   Also, just how accurate was the mileage count for any march given the 
time and place? Were there mileage posts along the roads, for example, or 
were the statements of distance marched simply best guest estimates ---  
based, of course, on experience --- rather than some sort of measured-off 
distances?
   With regards,
       Chet


 Esteemed GDG Member Jim L Weaver Contributes:

    In 'Full Duty, Vermonters in the Civil War" by Howard Coffin (Countryman 
Press, 1993) He quotes a letter from Wilbur Fisk of the 2nd Vermont 
regiment,  "Weak and weary, stiff and sore, we plodded along... We called it 
that  we had  traveled 28 miles" (p183).
     In 'Vermont in the Civil War, volume 1' by G. G. Benedict (1888) cites 
a  distance of 30 miles (p 385). He also quotes the order from Sedgwick ".. 
to put   the Vermonters ahead and keep the column well closed up".


            Jim Weaver