Henry Wentz was an ordnance sergeant with Taylor's Virginia Battery .
He was also a native of Gettysburg and grew up on his fathers farm on the east side of Emmittsburg road near the infamous Peach Orchard .
On July 2nd Henry found himself preparing to lob shells near his childhood home . Evidently he was able to enter the family homestead and was surprised to find his father STILL THERE ! Legend has it that the elder Wentz informed his son that he would under no circumstances leave the property .
As we know the men of Barksdale's regiment overran the Union troops in and around the Wentz house . Death and destruction ensued . The property was ravaged .
Fearing the worst Henry returned on July 3rd . Henry finds his father fast asleep in the cellar . He decides not to wake him and pins a note to his father's lapel and returns to the ANV . When the old man awakes he finds all the soldiers are gone .
So much for a good story . Maybe its true .
However, Henry Wentz's presence in Gettysburg July 2nd & 3rd seems to be a fact . Longstreet's frustrating counter march July 2nd is also an established fact .
What I find fascinating is the fact that Gettysburg native Henry Wentz 's knowledge of the area was not utilized by Alexander OR Longstreet . No mention of Henry Wentz appears in Alexander's post war writings . It seems he wasn't aware a Gettysburg native was among his men !?
Anybody have any ideas ? Did Henry Wentz hide the fact he grew up in Gettysburg ? His knowledge of the area must have been a value ?
He was also a native of Gettysburg and grew up on his fathers farm on the east side of Emmittsburg road near the infamous Peach Orchard .
On July 2nd Henry found himself preparing to lob shells near his childhood home . Evidently he was able to enter the family homestead and was surprised to find his father STILL THERE ! Legend has it that the elder Wentz informed his son that he would under no circumstances leave the property .
As we know the men of Barksdale's regiment overran the Union troops in and around the Wentz house . Death and destruction ensued . The property was ravaged .
Fearing the worst Henry returned on July 3rd . Henry finds his father fast asleep in the cellar . He decides not to wake him and pins a note to his father's lapel and returns to the ANV . When the old man awakes he finds all the soldiers are gone .
So much for a good story . Maybe its true .
However, Henry Wentz's presence in Gettysburg July 2nd & 3rd seems to be a fact . Longstreet's frustrating counter march July 2nd is also an established fact .
What I find fascinating is the fact that Gettysburg native Henry Wentz 's knowledge of the area was not utilized by Alexander OR Longstreet . No mention of Henry Wentz appears in Alexander's post war writings . It seems he wasn't aware a Gettysburg native was among his men !?
Anybody have any ideas ? Did Henry Wentz hide the fact he grew up in Gettysburg ? His knowledge of the area must have been a value ?