Civil War History - Gettysburg ForumGettysburg! It's not just a National Park. It's a Civil War Battlefield. For some it's historic and storied past are almost an obsession! All related discussions are welcome here!
The Union Cavalry had tied Stuart's cavalry up in skirmishes and battles, only days before Stuart's departure north to Pennsylvania.
Stuart was also the last scheduled unit to leave for Pennsylvania. In fact, on the day Stuart started for PA, Ewell already had his corps in and near Pennsylvania. Stuart was given the job of screening Ewell's Corps, not the rest of the Confederate army. Ewell was already far to the north.
Lee ordered Stuart to move though a pass in the Bull Run Mountains. Yankee cavalry blocked it the day before Stuart was to pass there.
Hancock's infantry blocked Stuart from using two other passes, so he had to pass south and east of the Union army moving north. That meant delay getting to Pennsylvania.
Stuart did not know that Hooker, then still in command, had started his army across the Potomac River on the very same day Stuart started north from Virginia. Since Stuart was some thirty miles south of the Potomac River, he had no way of knowing the Army of the Potomac was crossing its namesake river.
By the time Stuart reached York, the Confederate army was not there. Lee had intended to have more than a corps in that area, attempting to cross the Susquehanna River. It was not happenstance that Stuart went to York. Going to York was in the original orders. Jubal Early had been in York, but withdrew towards Gettysburg on Lee's new orders. Stuart was not informed of the change in orders. By this time Stuart was moving blind and had no idea where the Confederate army was. Stuart had no reason to believe two corps had layed up in Chambersburg, and had not advanced further, according to the original Lee orders.
As in all wars, separate an army, and bad things can happen.
Anyone who doubts what I say about water, find out where the modern town of Gettysburg gets its water, and how it gets its water. If you visit, ask to see the huge reservoir serving Gettysburg.
You may have studied Gettysburg for years. But if you never studied water , you were severely shortchanged.---Whitworth
Whitworth,
With all due repect I think you're way off base here. I own a home in Adams County and can assure you that the water tables in 1863 were much higher then, than they are now. Your statement is borderline preposterous. Have you ever studied how high the water was in Rock Creek when Johnson crossed? Or even the spot on Willoughby Run where Pickett forded after his retreat?
Also,
If Lige White didn't get back to Lee on the terrain then he should've been shot. What's the job of a cavalryman of rank? Jed Hotchkiss also had access to the 1858 Adams County map, as did both Meade and Lee.
If Lee screwed up on Day One then I'll bet you a dollar to a donut that he wish he screwed up that bad in every battle of the War.
Stuart left Robertson and Jones behind. Along with the unattached Imboden, who was to the west. If Lee didn't, and he in fact didn't, use them correctly you can't blame JEB.
Your posts are thought provoking but I wholeheartedly and respectfully beg to differ.
The Confederate Army was plagued by rain coming and leaving Gettysburg. But it did run into a stretch of dry weather during the battle.
Adams County was never highly populated because of a limited source of water. It had no major reservoir or major river. Consider that it was next to York County, which has always had larger populations. York County always had more water resources.
One high ranking Confederate did make an observation about rain and the water situation in Gettsburg during the battle. "The arid hills of Gettysburg afford no springs, and wells are there speedily exhausted."
Gettysburg Report of Gen. Pendleton -water shortage
...In the operations thus imperfectly reported, officers and men, al-most without exception, evinced in high degree the important virtues of courage, fortitude, and patience. Shrinking from no danger at the call of duty, they accepted with equal fidelity the hardships in-
cident to just forbearance and stern service in an enemy’s country.
Alternating heat and protracted storms aggravated other trials. The arid hills of Gettysburg afford no springs, and wells are there speedily exhausted. Many, therefore, were the sufferers from thirst in this long midsummer conflict. Subsequently, on the march, scarcely less was endurance taxed by pouring rain day and night.
Yet all this, and whatever else occurred, was borne with ready ac-quiescence and steady resolution.
W. N. PENDLETON,
Brigadier-General, and Chief of Artillery,
"Throughout the 19th century and into the 20th century, the county's newspaper reported frequently the "invasions" of typhoid fever, a disease frequently traced to impure water. "
"With all due repect I think you're way off base here. I own a home in Adams County and can assure you that the water tables in 1863 were much higher then, than they are now. Your statement is borderline preposterous."
Well Lefty, I'm not one of the Adams County/Gettysburg homers. I did my research.
Adams County was heavily depended on well water in 1863, as it is today. Wells, I might add that in 1863, did not have electric pumps. Its county population was around 28,000. General Lee brought about that many horses and mules. Plus about 60 to 70 thousand soldiers looking for a drink on those hot July days.
The reason Adams County was so sparcely populated was the lack of readily accessible water. That was the reason it was a center of wagon and carriage building. It had a ready access to timber; timber that would have been cleared by farmers, it there had been enough water for more farms.
Even in modern times, Gettysburg has its water access problems.
Gettysburg Municipal Authority
2006 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
"The water, which is delivered to you, is a combination of surface water and ground waters. The surface water is withdrawn from the Marsh Creek intake at the Sachs Mill Bridge. The ground water comes from seven (7) active wells. Four wells are located in Cumberland Township, two wells are located in the Gettysburg Borough, and one is located in Straban Township."
Even with Gettysburg's small population, Marsh Creek is able to meet only part of Gettysburg's water needs today.
I've read that Adams County started running water lines from York County a few years ago, to supply more water.
What, for a population running around 100,000 for the whole county.
No large reservoir in Adams County either, for use by the entire county.
And another question: where were the troops? It would seem that Marsh Creek would have been readily accessible to only part of Lee's guys. There was Plum Run, but I don't expect there was much water dippered up there, on either side. Then there was Rock Creek, but it might have been risky to slake your thirst there, as well.
Longstreet's and Hill's guys were generally located on and around Seminary Ridge. Ewell's were east and south of town. The AotP occupied Cemetary Ridge and Hill with some on Culp's. Looks to me like wells would have been the primary source, rather than creeks.
Now. In three days, how crucial could water have been? Discomfort, certainly, but critical? Not enough for coffee?
Excellent discussion, guys. I'm learning from you.
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Wells meant to supply a family of five or six. A total population of 2500 or so living great off the water available. The sudden presence of 200,000 more people is going to put a heavy strain on what you have. How fast does a well fill back up? Honestly, I never had one so I don't really have a refference. But as stated before it would have effected both sides.
__________________ "In mortal combat, a man may and will become so infuriated by the din and dangers of a bloody fight that his heart will turn to stone and his every de sire [be] for blood."
John Hadley, 7th Indiana after the battle at Port Republic
Honestly I think Marsh Creek should be enough for the Army of Northern Virginia for the time that they were there. Remember, they don't need the water to irrigate farms to grow food to eat off of (in which case clearly it would be insufficient)
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Stuart had several problems before Gettysburg 
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