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[101combatvet]

One of the random articles posted on the first page of this site had descriptive writings of the first causality at Gettysburg. The altercation occurred on the Baltimore pike and Rock Creek near the McAllister field. Is this in the vicinity of Wolf Hill?

http://gburginfo.brinkster.net/firstkilled.htm

[PvtClewell]

According to a map I found in Coddington, Wolf's Hill is almost epicenter between the Baltimore Pike and Hanover Road, and almost directly east of Spangler's Spring.

If the above action occurred on the Baltimore Pike and Rock Creek near McAllister's Mill, it's not far from Wolf's Hill, but a closer landmark would be the site of present day Neill Avenue, also known as the Lost Avenue, which you need to cross private property to reach. There are some monuments there.

The question for me is that if Sandoe was the first casualty of Gettysburg, then somebody had to fire the first shot, and therefore it would no longer be be Lt. Marcellus Jones of the 8th Illinois. We'd have to remove the first shot marker from Knoxlyn Ridge.

I guess the real question is what do you consider to be the opening of the Gettysburg Campaign? Some folks would argue that it began at Brandy Station.

For me, I'll stick with July 1, 1863.

[101combatvet]

I know of one author that suggests Antietam was the prelude to the Battle of Gettysburg.... I'm starting to think that there maybe some truth to his thesis.

Thanks, for the information on Neill Avenue.

[M E Wolf]

Dear 101CombatVet;

If events/actions/battles/skirmishes/operations/demonstrations; tumble in right after one another, the path is still a string/series of events in my eyes; to which lead from one major battlefield to another.

Perhaps Antietam was a prelude to Gettysburg; only separated by months, travel of distances and armies--yet, much like a series of connected dots. Now, if there was a lull; action in the West was hot and testy and the Army of N. Virginia was resting and unmolested--the chain of events would be broken and would be harder for me to see a series of incidents in between two major battles.

Just some thoughts.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf

[M E Wolf]

Dear Pvt.Clewell;

IF it wasn't for the Official Records of the Rebellion which gave a series of dates and movements of the armies of both CSA and USA; to which seemingly used the Commanding Generals as a determination of a series of events to link together; I would agree with you.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf

[gary]

Two books which I find very useful in researching Gettysburg: Brigades of Gettysburg and its companion volume, Maps of Gettysburg. They are by Bradley Gottfried and are indespensible if you are trying to track the movements of a particular unit and the unit opposing them. I managed to get the former off Ebay at a terrific price and since Gottfried was the seller, got him to autograph my copy to me.

[101combatvet]

I'm thinking that it pertains to the bigger picture, an invasion of the north with a goal of taking the war to them syndrome. The South Mountain Campaign didn't accomplish what Lee had set out to do, part of which was Longstreet’s supply mission to western Maryland. Chew a little bit at a time but none the less an invasion of the north. Had it not been for the lost order #191 they may have accomplished their mission and further forays into the north before winter. In fact after Antietam there was reconnaissance west of Gettysburg in October of 1862.

Originally Posted by M E Wolf

Dear 101CombatVet;

If events/actions/battles/skirmishes/operations/demonstrations; tumble in right after one another, the path is still a string/series of events in my eyes; to which lead from one major battlefield to another.

Perhaps Antietam was a prelude to Gettysburg; only separated by months, travel of distances and armies--yet, much like a series of connected dots. Now, if there was a lull; action in the West was hot and testy and the Army of N. Virginia was resting and unmolested--the chain of events would be broken and would be harder for me to see a series of incidents in between two major battles.

Just some thoughts.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf