The Triangular Field at Gettysburg

[bankerpapaw]

Would someone explain the significance of the Triangular
Field at Gettysburg? Showing my ignorance, I had never heard of it until I joined this chat site.

[J_Man0507]

The Triangular Field at Gettysburg is a field that is situated on the eastern third of the southern side of Rose's Woods and is behind Devils Den. On the second day of fighting, Longstreets men came pouring over these fields toward the men of Hobart Ward's Second Brigade of Birneys Division, and Captain James Smith's 4th Battery, New York Light Artillery. The following comes from Harry Pfanz's Gettysburg: The Second Day.

"The triangular open plot abutted the eastern third of the south boundary of Rose's Woods. It was an equillateral triangle of about three acres in area bounded by some stone walls five hundred feet on a side.. The walls faced the north toward Rose's Woods, and to the southwest and the southeast....The triangular plot was a curious place. It enclosed a slope that was essentially bare of trees at the time of the battle, but it was too rocky to be cultivated or to have been a good pasture. Yet some farmer had taken great trouble to erect the walls that formed it. We can only speculate over its intended use; perhaps it was a pen for cattle or hogs.
These two features [the woods and the field] figured prominently in the battle on this part of the field....The walls of the triangle had defensive potential, for the force that held a wall controlled the ground beyond it. The southwest wall provided shelter for the Confederates forming for attacks on the Union line at the crest above it. The north wall gave the Confederates an advantage in their control of the south portion of Rose's Woods. Thus, these two walls were prizes to be safeguarded or sought, and as General Ward wrote of the southwest wall, 'for the space of one and a half hours did we advance and retire, both parties endeavoring to gain possession of the stone wall.'"

It was an important feature to the field as can be seen. It was heavily contested, and eventually, after a great deal of combat, was taken by the Confederates. I suggest getting Pfanz's book if you don't have it, and give it read. All of his works on the battle of Gettysburg are excellent, especially the indepth studies of the first and second days, and that of Cemetery and Culps Hill. You get much more than you do in a one volume treatment of the battle.

Hope that answers your question (without going to incredibly in depth.)

[mt155]

Some folks say that this spot is haunted, or strange things are afoot at the Triangular Field. People have reported seeing soldiers walking about only to find out that there are no reenactments going on. Others report that there cameras etc. don't work there either. Mine has always worked. It sells alot of books.

Mike .T

[Garyjd]

Originally Posted by mt155

Some folks say that this spot is haunted, or strange things are afoot at the Triangular Field. People have reported seeing soldiers walking about only to find out that there are no reenactments going on. Others report that there cameras etc. don't work there either. Mine has always worked. It sells alot of books.

Mike .T

...and some still believe in the Santa Claus. lol

[bankerpapaw]

Originally Posted by J_Man0507

The Triangular Field at Gettysburg is a field that is situated on the eastern third of the southern side of Rose's Woods and is behind Devils Den. On the second day of fighting, Longstreets men came pouring over these fields toward the men of Hobart Ward's Second Brigade of Birneys Division, and Captain James Smith's 4th Battery, New York Light Artillery. The following comes from Harry Pfanz's Gettysburg: The Second Day.

"The triangular open plot abutted the eastern third of the south boundary of Rose's Woods. It was an equillateral triangle of about three acres in area bounded by some stone walls five hundred feet on a side.. The walls faced the north toward Rose's Woods, and to the southwest and the southeast....The triangular plot was a curious place. It enclosed a slope that was essentially bare of trees at the time of the battle, but it was too rocky to be cultivated or to have been a good pasture. Yet some farmer had taken great trouble to erect the walls that formed it. We can only speculate over its intended use; perhaps it was a pen for cattle or hogs.
These two features [the woods and the field] figured prominently in the battle on this part of the field....The walls of the triangle had defensive potential, for the force that held a wall controlled the ground beyond it. The southwest wall provided shelter for the Confederates forming for attacks on the Union line at the crest above it. The north wall gave the Confederates an advantage in their control of the south portion of Rose's Woods. Thus, these two walls were prizes to be safeguarded or sought, and as General Ward wrote of the southwest wall, 'for the space of one and a half hours did we advance and retire, both parties endeavoring to gain possession of the stone wall.'"

It was an important feature to the field as can be seen. It was heavily contested, and eventually, after a great deal of combat, was taken by the Confederates. I suggest getting Pfanz's book if you don't have it, and give it read. All of his works on the battle of Gettysburg are excellent, especially the indepth studies of the first and second days, and that of Cemetery and Culps Hill. You get much more than you do in a one volume treatment of the battle.

Hope that answers your question (without going to incredibly in depth.)

Thanks for the information concerning the Triangular Field.