What if General Strong Vincent Wasn't Killed on LRT?

[whitworth]

I think Charles DeGaulle said something along the lines of -The cemeteries are full of the indespensable.

[J_Man0507]

Gary makes a good point. I think too many people try to focus on one person who saved the battle for the Army of the Potomac. But there were so many more who did so much. Greene is a great example, with how he held Culps Hill from the Confederates. Yes, Chamberlain did something really important, that helped secure the victory. But many others made decisions that were equally, if not more, heroic.

[M E Wolf]

Dear Gunpowderjonah and List Members;

I believe that General Meade following up on General Reynold's request for immediate assistance, based upon General Buford's scoutings of the area and seeing the power behind the exposed Confederate troops; sent all of 5th Corps under then Major General George Sykes to Gettysburg.

Colonel Strong Vincent was under 5th Corps/Division 1 under Brig. General James Barns who himself was wounded on the 2nd of July; then Brig. General Charles Griffin took over on the 4th.

Colonel William Stowell Tilton had 18th Mass. Inf; 22nd Mass Inf; 1st Mich. Inf. and 118 Penn. Infantry. Colonel Jacob Bowman Sweitzer had 9th Mass Inf.; 32 Mass Inf.; 4th Mich. Inf. and 62 Penn. Inf.

Colonel Strong Vincent who was mortally wounded July 2nd--had 20th Maine Inf.; 16th Mich. Inf.; 44th NY Inf. (Colonel Rice) and 83rd Penn Inf.

From what my understanding is, that Chamberlain issued the order for bayonets and that traveled down the line. The only cause for this charge was due to the exhaustion of the ammunition. They had their orders from Colonel Vincent. Who, I might add was from Harvard; don't fall back and hold at all costs.

Colors Sergeant Andrew Tozier who was in the battle with Colonel Chamberlain also was a Medal of Honor reciever.

Now, I also will say that there was a 'beef' with Captain Walter Morrill of the 20th Maine and there was friction there and well after the Battle of Gettysburg. It is further my belief, Captain Morrill was next to the 16th Mich, 83rd Penn Infantries...down the line per se. Captain Atherton W. Clark was responsible for making the reports for HQ and those officers above Chamberlain. He would have been the one most likely next to Chamberlain other than Chamerlain's brother Tom, who was Adj. But, what isn't mentioned are the other Captains besides Captain Clark, Captain Ellis Spear (who use to be Col. Chamberlain's teacher in school),
Captain Howard L. Prince and Capt. Walter G. Morrill just in 20th Maine alone. There were Lieutenants also--Lt. Arad H. Linscott (mortal wound.); Lt. James H. Nichols; Lt. Homer S. Melcher; Lt. Linscott (k.)
Lt. Kendall (k.) in the 20th Maine. No telling how many sergeants and carriers passing messages back and forth.

I also wish to say that the afore mentioned is just one piece of the pie per se--as 5th Corps had others participating, to include Acting Brig. Gen. Stephen Hinsdale Weed ( k., July 2);Capt. James Pipes (MOH);Lt. James J. Purman (MOH). Then, you have Col. Sidney Burbank's command--Order of Battle of Gettysburg; you have a huge amount of his officers killed/wounded.

In summary, not all good men got their Medal of Honors (MOH). Some may have deserved it--some not. But--these medals were awarded way after the Civil War ended and were issued by Congress. Captain A. Clark was assigned to do all of the report writing for Chamberlain's 20th Maine.

The areas I've read involving Colonel J. Lawrence Chamberlain, was that the men really liked him and felt he really cared about them. He was wounded six times and so severely at one point, General Grant promoted him on the field. General Grant had J. L. Chamberlain at the rank of General to recieve the first flag of surrender at Appomatox, from General Gordon - CSA. General Gordon was impressed by Chamberlain --so if an enemy is impressed--there must be something in the person to impress upon as a human being.

So, the question would be--what would have happened if Colonel Vincent lived beyond Gettysburg into the final day of the Civil War--Well, Colonel Clay Rice wouldn't have been promoted as to take his place and would have remained with his 44 NY Infantry. Colonel Rice may have been mortally wounded along with many of his officers in the 44th NY Infantry-
Capt. Lucius S. Larrabee (44NYInf)(k.);Capt. Bennett Munger (44NYInf)(w.); 1st Lt. Charles H. Zeilmanm (44NYInf)(w.);Lt. Eugene L. Dunham (44thNYInf)(k.); 2d Lt. Benjamin N. Thomas (44NYInf)( mw.)--about half of his Infantry.

With the many generals though, I am not so positively sure that Colonel Vincent would have been promoted and do wonderful things. But, we won't know. It wouldn't be possible to know as there are too many 'what ifs.' I haven't seen any outstanding troop commanding stories for Colonel Vincent--not to say that there aren't any.

The same can be said about the what ifs if Colonel Chamberlain died at Gettysburg. I do know his brother Tom Chamberlain went on to do great things on his own and rose to the rank of general without any help from his brother Lawrence.

Just some thoughts.

Sincerely,
M. E. Wolf










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[timewalker]

I believe this is the article mentioned earlier in the thread:

http://www.historynet.com/magazines/...r/3806961.html

[FSPowers]

I've read some of the posts in this thread and just in case I'm echoing someone elses view:

Vincent would have been a Major General with a corps command, easy.