Day 3-Culp's Hill Breastworks Print and Photo

Even though Culp's Hill was the scene of some of the most intense fighting on both July 2nd and 3rd, it seems to get the short end of the stick when it comes to post-battle photographs, tourism, and even being the subject of current CW artists. Rather ironic since many students of the battle consider it as critical as Little Round Top. One of the few and best works of art related to Culp's Hill was recently completed by artist Steve Noon. I really like the scene as it clearly shows the stout breastworks built mostly by Greene's men. Rather than display with a now pic that would show nothing more than a small earthen mound, I am including Brady's photo of his two assistants sitting behind the works for comparison. As you see the works were assembled using rocks, dirt, tree limbs, and logs including the all-important head log.

I just wanted to add that these works were critical as to the eventual victory by the Union troops. Despite being heavily outnumbered by the attacking Confederate Divisions, not one Confederate soldier ever breached these works.

It really is great artistry, but I'm going to question whether the Federals were really that closely spaced along those breastworks? I thought their numbers left them something like five feet apart.

And it is no doubt the coward in me, but what is the point of the elevated blue blouse against the head log in the center left of the picture? It's not as if they need to give the Confederates more encouragement to aim at them. I'd much rather shoot at people who are not shooting back at me. But perhaps I'm missing an important point. For myself, I would want to position myself as far away from that "target" as possible so as to avoid stray bullets.

Reconstructed Rebel said:

It really is great artistry, but I'm going to question whether the Federals were really that closely spaced along those breastworks? I thought their numbers left them something like five feet apart.

And it is no doubt the coward in me, but what is the point of the elevated blue blouse against the head log in the center left of the picture? It's not as if they need to give the Confederates more encouragement to aim at them. I'd much rather shoot at people who are not shooting back at me. But perhaps I'm missing an important point. For myself, I would want to position myself as far away from that "target" as possible so as to avoid stray bullets.

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The painting depicts the 7th Ohio on July 3. The Union lines were much more compact than when it was just Greene's men the evening before.

Ryan

rpkennedy said:

The painting depicts the 7th Ohio on July 3. The Union lines were much more compact than when it was just Greene's men the evening before.

Ryan

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I'm also looking at the account of Confederate snipers working in that area which could explain the blue blouse being waved above the head log. I believe there is a drawing by Edwin Forbes showing them in the trees at the foot of the hill. Again - a great painting. It's good to see Culp's Hill getting some respect.

I like the two full-cocked 61's in the image.

Reconstructed Rebel said:

It really is great artistry, but I'm going to question whether the Federals were really that closely spaced along those breastworks? I thought their numbers left them something like five feet apart.

And it is no doubt the coward in me, but what is the point of the elevated blue blouse against the head log in the center left of the picture? It's not as if they need to give the Confederates more encouragement to aim at them. I'd much rather shoot at people who are not shooting back at me. But perhaps I'm missing an important point. For myself, I would want to position myself as far away from that "target" as possible so as to avoid stray bullets.

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Such ruses appear to be common throughout the history of warfare. Just at Gettysburg, there are documented instances of men lifting their caps above boulders or earthworks to draw out their opponent or redirect enemy fire. But your point is taken; I would not want to be the man posted very close to such a mark. Perhaps the most amazing ruse at Gettysburg occurred on July 1 when the color guard of the 149th Pennsylvania was sent some 100 yards distant from the regiment, which drew enemy artillery fire away to the great relief of the men of the regiment as a whole, although it may have been less appreciated by members of their color guard.