GDG- RE: Heth

[Jim Lamason]

JD, 

You and I have had this conversation. I don't remember right off where I
read this, maybe Codington, but there was a cluster of officers who made the
decision to finally setup on Cemetery Hill. (BTW Folks JD has an advantage
so he knows whats coming right JD? :-) )  

IIRC it was Hancock, Howard, Buford, Doubleday, and some guy from the Chief
of Engineers G.K. Warren.  

Truly Reynolds and Buford though were the visionaries when it comes to the
initial consideration. 

I also believe Reynolds dispatch back to Meade shortly before he is KIA
which in essence says we will fight them in the streets if we have to and
redeploy back to CH. That points to CH as the FINAL place where the battle
will be fought. 

Jim Lamason
Middlesex, NJ 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com [mailto:gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com]
On Behalf Of J. David Petruzzi
Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 11:33 PM
To: GDG
Subject: RE: GDG- RE: Heth

Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:


JC,

Actually, I'd say you hit on it.  According to two different primary
accounts, Buford told Reynolds (shortly after the latter's arrival) that
Cemetery Hill was "where the army belongs."  Reynolds, while watching his
troops file off the Emmitsburg Rd toward the Seminary after consulting with
Buford up there, looked back at Cemetery Hill several times and said, "That
would be a good place to form."

Buford selected Gettysburg.  Reynolds then selected it based on Buford's
recommendation, and continued Buford's covering force action out to the west
to protect the better ground behind them.  After a series of field
commanders, Howard then selected CH also likely based on Buford's
recommendation, since Buford assisted Howard.

After that, some guy named Hancock said the ultimate "Okey doke.."  :-)

Of course, we know that Howard got the thanks of Congress for selecting
Cemetery Hill, but he was about the 6th or so commander to do so...

J.D.

J. David Petruzzi
My blog: http://petruzzi.wordpress.com
My book: http://www.stuartsride.com


>>Interesting observations and discussion here. Could one consider that
perhaps Buford and Reynolds selected the ground...

JC>>

 
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