GDG- Col. John Logan Black

[Tom Ryan]

Jim Brinton sent a private message identifying a letter from Colonel Black
to John Bachelder that states that Lee assigned Black to Longstreet on the
morning of July 2, and Longsteet assigned him to explore the roads and place
a battery.  Black says he was with Longstreet "much of the fore part that
day."

>From this it would appear that Black and his cavalry was available to guide
McLaws and Hood's divisions to the point of attack, but Longstreet chose not
to use him for that purpose.

Tom Ryan

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Ryan [mailto:pennmardel at mchsi.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 3:58 PM
To: GDG
Subject: RE: GDG- Col. John Logan Black


I did not see a response to this query.  This item is important in
determining Longstreet's options for leading his two divisions to the point
of attack on July 2.  We know that Lee assigned Capt. Samuel Johnston, who
had made an early morning recon, to guide Longstreet's forces, and it was he
that somehow took them down the road where the Union SC could observe
them -- thereby requiring a countermarch.

If Colonel Black and a number of South Carolina cavalry were already
assigned to Longstreet prior to this event, it seems logical that Longstreet
should have employed them in scouting the Confederate right for good roads
and also assigned them to lead the corps to its launch position.

Appreciate it if anyone can pinpoint exactly when Lee assigned Black and his
contingent of cavalry to Longstreet.

It should be noted also that Longstreet had one other option, and that was
to employ cavalry from the 39th Virginia Battalion, two companies of which
were available to Lee and Longstreet.  These troops were experienced scouts
and guides.

However, my question is focused on Colonel Black in this case.

Tom Ryan

-----Original Message-----
From: gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com
[mailto:gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com]On Behalf Of Tom Ryan
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 4:11 PM
To: GDG
Subject: GDG- Col. John Logan Black


Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:


I am trying to determine when Col. Black and some South Carolina cavalry of
Hampton's brigade became available to Longstreet at Gettysburg.  Black and
these cav arrived late at Gettysburg, and Lee assigned them to Longstreet on
the right of the line.  In Cavalry at Gettysburg, Longacre mentions Black in
conjunction with activity on July 3, but says they had arrived "a few days
before."

Specifically, I want to know if Black & cav were available to Longstreet on
July 2 when he was maneuvering to get McLaws and Hood's divisions into
position for an attack on the Union left.  I checked a few sources, but have
not come up with anything as yet.

Appreciate any help on this.

Tom Ryan


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