Benning & Wilcox day 2

yankee hoorah

First Sergeant
Joined
Feb 21, 2014
Location
Maryland
Can anyone describe the actions of Wilcox and Benning
On the 2nd day?
If you can, please describe the actions of the 15th GA, 8th Al & 11th Al. Thank you.
YH
 
I can offer some information on the 15th Georgia :

Organized in July of 1861 they were the largest regiment in Bennings Brigade ......368 men I believe .
They lost three commanders in 1862 before 28 yr old Col Dudley Debose took over in early 1863 .

They sat 200 yards north of the A. Currens house behind the crest of the ridge before following Robertson's Brigade toward Ward's line in the vicinity of Houck's Ridge/Devils Den .

The 15th Georgia participated in the fighting around Houck's Ridge , Devils Den and The Wheatfield .

Robertson's Brigade and part of Law's were busy with Ward's Federals when Benning arrived at a crucial time ; just at the right moment to send the charging Union troops back up the ridge in confusion . With Bennings arrival the manpower odds now favored the Confederates .

The 15th was positioned on the FAR left of Bennings line and were lucky to have the protection of the edge of the Rosewoods as they advanced closer to the Union line. They probably marched by the Timbers Farm . As they approached the ridge somehow they became intermingled with the 1st Texas . For the rest of the day the 15th Ga and the 1st Texas fought together as one unit . Both regiments were fortunate not to be totally out in the open . They were able to take advantage of cover which resulted in very effective fighting .

Together they managed to arrive at a stone wall parallel to the Plum Run . From there they blasted the Feds on the ridge eventually driving them off . The color bearers from the two regiments evidently competed with each other as they ran forward to plant their flags on the wall previously occupied by Ward's men . The guy from the 1st Texas got bragging rights .

Then they advanced north along the crest of the ridge and to the east end of the Rosewoods....perhaps advancing 1/4 mile .... eventually firing on Winslow's battery in the Wheatfield and the 5th New Hampshire in the Rosewoods . They witnessed Brookes sweep across the Wheatfield and shot up his left regiments and probably some of Cadwell's other troops . I believe they captured close to 140 men .

Brookes advance scared them back towards Devils Den and later they probably tangled with the 13th Pa Reserves at the very end of the day . They spent the night in and around Houck's Ridge / Devils Den amongst the dead , dying and wounded . Benning complained that he had just two ambulances for his entire brigade . It was a rough night indeed .

On July 3rd a misunderstanding of orders left the 15th in an isolated position in the Rosewoods and it was then that they lost 100 or so men captured by an overwhealming force of V & VI Corps troops assigned to clear the area of rebels .
 
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