- Joined
- Jan 16, 2015
One Confederate unit that receives little attention is the 17th Virginia Cavalry. Commanded by Colonel William H. French, it crossed the Potomac on June 15, and was put under the command of Maj. Gen. Jubal Early on June 17. Captain Robert Gore's Company D was detached to serve as Early's bodyguard. The remainder of the regiment was kept busy scouting, picketing and foraging on the route through Chambersburg, Gettysburg and York, and on to the Susquehanna. On June 26, led by Major Frederick F. Smith, it played a large role in helping rout the 26th Pennsylvania Emergency Infantry, gathering up many prisoners, including six men hiding up in an apple tree, a portly lieutenant who became stuck in a corn crib, and another officer who emerged from a family bake oven covered in soot and ashes. Other booty included rifles and wagons with their teams.
The regiment was already in the saddle when the sun rose at 4:35 a.m. on July 1, leading Early's force towards Gettysburg. It halted before 3 p.m. in front of the woods that Brig. Gen. John Gordon's brigade of Georgians entered to attack the Federal line across Rock Creek. The regiment remained idle for more than an hour, then trotted "by fours" through the recent field of battle and into the town, where it collected many prisoners. Company D had preceded the regiment, hard on the heels of the Eleventh Corps, and Capt. Gore was alone in front when he personally accepted the surrender of a group of about 150 soldiers, being slightly wounded in the process. Lesser deeds on this field were rewarded with a Medal of Honor, but Capt. Gore's heroism appears to have gone entirely unnoticed.
The next morning, the regiment was placed in charge of thousands of Federal prisoners who had been captured on the first day. Thus they escaped the carnage of the battle. One of those prisoners, Charles P. Potts of the 151st Pennsylvania, recalled being corralled in a field about one mile northwest of the town. Potts said his fellow prisoners were well treated, and he found the "old Colonel" (French) to be a gentleman, even if provisions were lacking. Quite a number of the prisoners accepted the proffered parole, despite word having been circulated that the Federal Government would not recognize it. On the morning of July 4, the balance, consisting of some 180 officers and 4,000 (give or take) non-commissioned officers and privates, were turned over to the remnants of Maj. Gen. George Pickett's division, relieving the 17th Virginia Cavalry and concluding their role in the battle.
Estimated strength of the 17th Virginia Cavalry on June 30: 12 officers, 262 enlisted men.
Estimated number engaged: 11 officers, 230 enlisted men.
Casualties: 2 wounded, and 6 captured/missing.
[Sources: Manuscript of Private Floyd Alexander Boling, in Mercer County History, Sesquicentennial Year 1987; James H. Hodam, From Potomac to Susquehanna, Under Both Flags, by George Morley Vickers; Diary of Charles P. Potts; New York Sunday Mercury; Compiled Service Records; Regimental Strengths and Losses at Gettysburg, by John W. Busey and David G. Martin]
The regiment was already in the saddle when the sun rose at 4:35 a.m. on July 1, leading Early's force towards Gettysburg. It halted before 3 p.m. in front of the woods that Brig. Gen. John Gordon's brigade of Georgians entered to attack the Federal line across Rock Creek. The regiment remained idle for more than an hour, then trotted "by fours" through the recent field of battle and into the town, where it collected many prisoners. Company D had preceded the regiment, hard on the heels of the Eleventh Corps, and Capt. Gore was alone in front when he personally accepted the surrender of a group of about 150 soldiers, being slightly wounded in the process. Lesser deeds on this field were rewarded with a Medal of Honor, but Capt. Gore's heroism appears to have gone entirely unnoticed.
The next morning, the regiment was placed in charge of thousands of Federal prisoners who had been captured on the first day. Thus they escaped the carnage of the battle. One of those prisoners, Charles P. Potts of the 151st Pennsylvania, recalled being corralled in a field about one mile northwest of the town. Potts said his fellow prisoners were well treated, and he found the "old Colonel" (French) to be a gentleman, even if provisions were lacking. Quite a number of the prisoners accepted the proffered parole, despite word having been circulated that the Federal Government would not recognize it. On the morning of July 4, the balance, consisting of some 180 officers and 4,000 (give or take) non-commissioned officers and privates, were turned over to the remnants of Maj. Gen. George Pickett's division, relieving the 17th Virginia Cavalry and concluding their role in the battle.
Estimated strength of the 17th Virginia Cavalry on June 30: 12 officers, 262 enlisted men.
Estimated number engaged: 11 officers, 230 enlisted men.
Casualties: 2 wounded, and 6 captured/missing.
[Sources: Manuscript of Private Floyd Alexander Boling, in Mercer County History, Sesquicentennial Year 1987; James H. Hodam, From Potomac to Susquehanna, Under Both Flags, by George Morley Vickers; Diary of Charles P. Potts; New York Sunday Mercury; Compiled Service Records; Regimental Strengths and Losses at Gettysburg, by John W. Busey and David G. Martin]
Bringing the