Gettysburg Greg
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2010
- Location
- Decatur, Illinois
The ill-fated charge of the 27th Indiana in Spangler's Meadow on the morning of July 3rd advanced only about 100 yards before being forced back by Confederate infantry hidden behind rocks and stone walls ringing the meadow. One of the Confederate infantrymen firing from the rocks was A. L. Coble of the 1st NC. Years later during a reunion Coble's son reportedly carved his father's name into a rock where his father was positioned. I took the attached photo from Coble's POV looking across the open meadow where the Indiana boys attempted to cross from right to left. On the photo I pointed out the advance marker where the 27th turned back after suffering heavy casualties including four color bearers killed and four wounded. For orientation, I will include a google overhead showing the meadow on which I labeled the Indiana advance marker, Coble's location, as well as the stone wall occupied by "Extra" Billy Smith's Brigade during the charge. This view clearly demonstrates the hopelessness of the charge across this killing field.