Garnett

[cw1865]

Of course anything is possible, but most likely scenario for getting unhorsed is if he actually gets wounded or if the horse takes a hit. Handling horses was definitely in the skill set of the Civil War general. It will just be one of those Gettysburg mysteries - Horse is ok, we cannot find Garnett

[samgrant]

Originally Posted by Borderruffian

How bout this. Garnett gets unhorsed somehow continues on foot to the muzzles of the guns or near them. One shot of canister and he's bloody pile of rags.

Well, he only rode cause he couldn't walk, had been kicked in the leg by a horse.

[ole]

Sounds like Garnett's "skill set" failed him at a bad time.

ole

[Borderruffian]

Skill set or no. Like Grandpa used to say; "It ain't if ya get throwed. It's when ya get throwed."

Known alot men that have had that skill set. Not one of them ever claimed never to have bucked down. Horses even well trained are still animals with a mind of their own.

As far as not being able to walk. Just me but I think I'd hobble my gimped self forward rather than try to recross that killing ground. If for nothing else than the sense of honor that men like Garnett possessed.

[ole]

As far as not being able to walk. Just me but I think I'd hobble my gimped self forward rather than try to recross that killing ground. If for nothing else than the sense of honor that men like Garnett possessed.

Agreed. If Garnett got throw'd, he'd have hobbled forward and maybe, just maybe, walked into a double charge of cannister.

ole

[whitworth]

"A lengthy article could be written speculating on why Garnett's body was never identified and presumably buried."

"Too many variables to be certain why Garnett wasn't given a General's burial."

The orders were to bury the Confederate dead that layed in front of each corps position. No mention was made to identify bodies or identify officers.

The task was so horrendous, as it was, burying so many rotting corpses, was task enough.

[kat1121]

I recall one source that mentioned how the horse's saddle was covered with blood. The theory was that Garnett rode close enough that he took the full impact of the cannon's burst and was swept off the saddle; the burst was high enough to clear the horse and permit it to survive.

Given that Garnett had to deal with Stonewall's wrath after Kernstown, he would not have retreated or otherwise deserted and I believe it is documented that that is why he insisted on going into battle at Gettysburg. After Kernstown, he would not permit anyone to impune his honor or do anything that might be considered cowardly.

Also, there is a mass grave in the cemetery at Richmond; it contains remains transferred from Gettysburg. The headstone legend indicates that among the remains are those "believed" to be Garnett's.

[ole]

Excellent contribution, kat. But let's look at some of those reports one more time.

"Saddle covered with blood." If he'd been blown out of the saddle, there'd have been no blood. If the saddle was, indeed, covered with blood, it would indicate that he'd have been badly wounded and remained in the saddle long enough to bleed on it.

Much appreciated that Garnett was not about to lend credence to Jackson's charge by hanging back.

We ought to be hearing more from you. Come back and hang around.

ole

[kat1121]

Ole, I used to spend alot of time on this board when I was writing my master's thesis several years ago. I always loved the people here, had some tremendous discussions, and got some great tips on information and sources. I believe the same discussion on the causes of the War is still going on, on a different thread.

If I get a chance I will try to wrangle up some of the material I had on Garnett. I had a particular interest in him -- a very good friend of mine has the first name of Garnett and is the third generation to carry on the name. His mother's family was Cherokee, and had a legend that Richard Garnett had done something to save a family member in the Texas area prior to the Civil War. Unfortunately, my friend Gar is not a Civil War enthusiast and never followed up on the story about why he was carrying on the name!!! I researched what I could, but the stories on Garnett are few and far between. It was nice to see him remembered here and I couldn't resist.

Kat

[samgrant]

Welcome back Kat, don't be a stranger.

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