Who killed General John Reynolds?

There are a few stories from Gettysburg, including these references:

-Christian Benner wrote: At the house next to ours on the road to town a Rebel sharpshooter had climbed up in a tree in the yard and buckled himself fast to a limb with his belt. He was picking off our men,and of course it wasn't easy for them to make out where he was because the thick leaves hid him. But at last they noticed a puff of smoke, when he'd sent a bullet among 'em ... that was the last shot he fired. They aimed at the place the smoke came from and killed him, and after the battle, I'll be dog-goned if he wasn't still in the tree hanging by his belt.

-A Confederate soldier climbed a lone oak tree about 400 yards west of Cemetery Ridge fired several rounds at Major Boynton of the 14th Vermont, without success. He was himself struck by a ball and tumbled out of the tree. (Edwin F. Palmer, The Second Brigade or Camp Life by a Volunteer)

-On July 3, the 2nd Pennsylvania Reserves were annoyed by another "tree frog," who succeeded in shooting several men. His location was finally discovered and two Union soldiers stole up on him while a third drew his attention. Getting under the tree, they shook it until the Rebel cried out that he would come down. (E. M. Woodward, Our Campaigns)

-Another was found hanging in the crotch of a tree with his head and feet dangling.

-Some men of Robertson's brigade were convinced that some close incoming shots fired at them near the Round Tops were from a Federal ensconced up a tree.

-A Rebel who hid himself in a tree was credited with wounding and killing several men in the Union Eleventh Corps, until he was claimed by a member of the 54th New York. (Skirmishers, by Thomas L. Elmore, The Gettysburg Magazine, issue no. 6)

Notably, all of these are examples of relatively static skirmishing and harassing and aren't when units are advancing and retreating (with the possible exception of Robertson's men's claims, if accurate).

Ryan
 
So, in conclusion, I have determined that the claim of the LBG who told me that a Tennessee sergeant was responsible is probably only half right. I don't think that any credible evidence exists that his rank was sergeant.
 
@Tom Elmore Hoping it's ok to come in so late to this discussion. Something that has bothered me is how practical is it for a soldier up in a tree to reload a muzzle loading weapon while up there. We have Mr. Benners eyewitness accounts of course, so we know it was done, but in your opinion was this something that was done on a regular basis, sharpshooter or otherwise?
 
@Tom ElmoreSomething that has bothered me is how practical is it for a soldier up in a tree to reload a muzzle loading weapon while up there. We have Mr. Benners eyewitness accounts of course, so we know it was done, but in your opinion was this something that was done on a regular basis, sharpshooter or otherwise?
I have not tried it, but I do think it is doable if you tire yourself to the tree with a belt and use the sling like shown in this youtube video.
He use a P60. (With live ammo) but I belive the CSA sharpshooter batalions did try to get the short P60.


Not in any way saying they did this... just that Iam sure they tried out a lot of things... and it would surprise me if someone didn't try this.
 
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@Tom Elmore Hoping it's ok to come in so late to this discussion. Something that has bothered me is how practical is it for a soldier up in a tree to reload a muzzle loading weapon while up there. We have Mr. Benners eyewitness accounts of course, so we know it was done, but in your opinion was this something that was done on a regular basis, sharpshooter or otherwise?

It's not easy but it is possible. One can tie themselves to a tree or have comrades passing up loaded rifles. But for this to work, the lines have to be fairly static because it is a time consuming action.

Ryan
 
@Thomas aagard. rpkennedy. Thank you both for the video and information. If I tried that I would most likely fall out of the tree.
 
Yes, I am saying there is no evidence of any sharpshooters on that portion of the battlefield during this critical time period. If you have primary sources that indicate otherwise, please share them. Federal cavalry fell back from either side of the McPherson woods in front of Archer's advance shortly before Meredith's brigade arrived, so the woods would have been behind Federal lines until Archer entered them.

Infantrymen were expected to remain in the line of battle during an advance; I can recall no instance at Gettysburg where they were permitted to leave the ranks to take up a static position in the rear, to include climbing trees for a better shot. Incidentally, after the first Federal volley, those open woods would have been further obscured with smoke. Woods are an effective barrier for artillery or small-arms fire, but they also allow for deflected shots off of branches or trunks as Ryan mentioned, so this may also explain a downward trajectory.

You missed my point. As far as trajectory, I will leave that discussion to the experts. However, whatever path the projectile took to reach Reynold's neck, once it entered his body it could have gone up, down or around. If you read the many cases detailed in the multi-volume Medical History, this assertion will become abundantly clear.

Plus... He could have turned his head, looked down, bent over, etc

Trajectory in that situation is going to be tough to determine.
 
Are you saying that there is no evidence of any sharpshooters on that portion of the battlefield during this crucial time period? How can you be sure of this? What evidence or expertise do you have that would prove your point regarding the trajectory of minie balls and if they can change their course when fired at a target? If we are to believe your point, in order to hit Reynolds in the spot where Veil indicated, the bullet would have to change its trajectory in mid flight. In other words, the bullet had to come from a position that was higher than Reynolds. David.
Perhaps with Reynolds leaning forward on the horse would explain the entrance wound.
 
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