- Joined
- Jan 16, 2015
Some months ago I came across an article on the Preserving York blog by Blake Stough, which can also be found on the Gettysburg National Military Park site: https://npsgnmp.wordpress.com/2015/06/19/sergeant-stouch-returns-to-gettysburg/
The rock in question lies in the "Valley of Death," along the Plum Run valley in front of Little Round Top, specifically near the section of Smith's battery, as shown in my attached photograph. Thus it can readily be found. It was behind this rock that Sergeant Major W. H. Stouch of the 11th U.S. Infantry took refuge, along with Lieutenants Elder and Fetter, 1st Sergeant Price, and Privates Smith and Cooke of his regiment, after they were overrun by Cobb's Georgia Legion and other men of Wofford's brigade, around 7:10 p.m. on July 2. Elder and Fetter had previously been wounded.
When it appeared likely the group was about to be recaptured by the charge of the Pennsylvania Reserves, a Confederate soldier who was posted behind another rock some 50 yards away in the direction of Devil's Den, deliberately began to pick off the men. His first shot instantly killed Private Cooke. His successive two shots struck Sgt. Price in the neck, and Sgt. Maj. Stouch in the wrist, but at that moment the Reserves reached their position and the Confederates fell back over the rocky ledge at Devil's Den.
Other such instances of shooting helpless men are recorded on this battlefield and others. It reminds us of the brutal nature of war. It is also a compelling human interest story to be able to detail the history of a particular spot on the field, and it aids the historian and casual visitor alike to visualize and appreciate troop movements and fighting in this immediate vicinity. It is possible to find a couple of likely candidate rocks that concealed the Confederate soldier in question, which brings the event vividly to life, of a brief two minutes in time, over 150 years ago.
The rock in question lies in the "Valley of Death," along the Plum Run valley in front of Little Round Top, specifically near the section of Smith's battery, as shown in my attached photograph. Thus it can readily be found. It was behind this rock that Sergeant Major W. H. Stouch of the 11th U.S. Infantry took refuge, along with Lieutenants Elder and Fetter, 1st Sergeant Price, and Privates Smith and Cooke of his regiment, after they were overrun by Cobb's Georgia Legion and other men of Wofford's brigade, around 7:10 p.m. on July 2. Elder and Fetter had previously been wounded.
When it appeared likely the group was about to be recaptured by the charge of the Pennsylvania Reserves, a Confederate soldier who was posted behind another rock some 50 yards away in the direction of Devil's Den, deliberately began to pick off the men. His first shot instantly killed Private Cooke. His successive two shots struck Sgt. Price in the neck, and Sgt. Maj. Stouch in the wrist, but at that moment the Reserves reached their position and the Confederates fell back over the rocky ledge at Devil's Den.
Other such instances of shooting helpless men are recorded on this battlefield and others. It reminds us of the brutal nature of war. It is also a compelling human interest story to be able to detail the history of a particular spot on the field, and it aids the historian and casual visitor alike to visualize and appreciate troop movements and fighting in this immediate vicinity. It is possible to find a couple of likely candidate rocks that concealed the Confederate soldier in question, which brings the event vividly to life, of a brief two minutes in time, over 150 years ago.