"Buster" Kilrain - real or fictional?

[tomh]

Max,

When Stuart did finally show up for the dance he was dressed down by General Lee. I have seen a couple of versions of what was actually said and doubt whether there is an exact quote available, but the concensus is that Lee told Stuart that he had disappointed him. Apparently Stuart offered his resignation and Lee responded "There is no time for that!", or something to that effect.

Some historians question whether the dressing down led to the charge that took place on the 3rd day when Stuart was assigned the task of riding around the north of the Federal line to attempt to get in their rear. The ensuing battle at the East Cavalry Field was marked by several saber charges by both sides (the most memorable being Custer's Wolverines slamming into the center of the CS column). One of the very few saber and pistol charges conducted through the entire war (another being on the same day at the South Cavalry Field, where Federal troopers slammed into the remains of Hood's Division on the Slyder farm, resulting in a rout of the Federal Cav).

Just a humble opinion,
TomH

[blue_zouave]

Hikimenwaza, don't rely on your teachers, do your own research. Kilrain is as real a person as Tom Sawyer or Scarlett O'Hara, which means that his creators made him live for us and seem more real than the "real" people in "The Killer Angels" and "Gettysburg." BTW, if you haven't read "The Killer Angels," you're in for a great experience.

Yes, even the Zouave has read it.

Regards,
Zou

[maryingettysburg]

Originally Posted by tomh

I believe that the only "real" soldiers in the portrayal of the 20th Maine were the Chamberlain brothers and Ellis Spear.
TomH

Actually Tom, the Merrill brothers, Private Foss, Sargeant Owen, Andrew Tozier, Estabrook & Capt. Clark , all of which were mentioned in the movie, were all real.

[tomh]

maryingettysburg,

Thanks for correcting me on that point.

Were the Merrill brothers the two soldiers who prefered to fire standing?

I don't remember any of the other characters mentioned, I guess I need to watch the movie again.

Thanks,
TomH

[dadaken]

As efficient and documentarian as Col. Chamberlain was I would fine it hard to believe that anyone he knew as intimately as he seem to know "Buster" Kilrain
and vice-versa, Col. Chamberlain would have mentioned him somewhere in his memoirs. He is a fictional character, who shall we say, been blessed with the
best traits and humaity of those men i and around the 20th Maine.

[maryingettysburg]

Originally Posted by tomh

Were the Merrill brothers the two soldiers who prefered to fire standing?


Thanks,
TomH

Yes, Tom, that was them. I've watched the movie at least 85 times this year alone....guess I know it TOO well. And after having watched it so much, I've found alot of "bloopers". And would be interested in hearing about any I may have missed. Perhaps I'll start a blooper thread. As for the Merrills, they are probably in two of the unmarked graves up in the cemetery. There are MANY unmarked 20th's in the Maine plot. One of those is likely George Washington Buck. there are alot more than I thought of Chamberlain's boys buried up there that never got to go home.
Private Foss is up there (the guy who was praying in the movie), his grave is marked.

[tomh]

maryingettysburg,

Thanks for the info.

If you haven't already, try to get a copy of the "Director's Cut" of the film. More bloopers than the release version. my favorite is as the CS troops step off in PPT's assault there is a clearly visible white panel truck driving by in the background. Must have been one of those legendary CS stealth vans <grin>.

TomH

[ole]

maryingettysburg;

I heard of another, although I've not seen it or, if I did, thought nothing of it. My nephew tells me that when a priest was blessing the Irish Brigade, he made the sign of the cross wrong. On your 86th viewing, look for it. I don't much care, but you did ask for bloopers that you might've missed ...

The biggest bloopers were those ridiculous beards on Longstreet and Stuart. I can't watch either with a straight face. Maybe it's the absinth.

[cwreader]

In response to TomH,

Watched "Gettysburg" again the other night and caught these names of men in the 20th Maine. By checking on the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors website cited above I came up with the following:

Capt. Clark (Atherton W.)
Sgt. Owens (William H) (also a John Owens listed as Corporal)
Pvt. Foss (there are ten Foss's listed - I think John Foss is listed on the 20th
Maine memorial as having been kia at Little Round Top but will have to
check on that)
Merrill Brothers - there are 6 Merrills listed and one is named William

Sgt. Estabrook - two listed George and Glazier (I think Glazier was mentioned
in the movie)
Sgt. Tozier - listed as Andrew J. Tozier - rank out as 1st Sgt.

I could not find any of the 2nd Maine men named in the movie:
Pvt. Bucklin (spelling?)
or Dan Burns (even though there are two other Burns's listed.)

It was surprising to find so many of the names listed there. That's a great site for looking up soldiers!

[chuck71]

Another person who was fictional was 'Captain Brewer' of the 118th PA.
He was the OIC of the detail that delivered the 120 2nd ME mutineers to
Chamberlain. The last time I was at G'burg, I looked on the PA Monument.
They have every regiment listed from PA that fought at the battle. The
118 was definitely there, but no 'Captain Brewer' was listed. Michael
Shirra may have used literary license for his name, due to the fact that
JLC was born in Brewer, ME. Just a thought. Chuck71.