- Joined
- Aug 25, 2012
When one thinks of generals at the Battle of Gettysburg BG Gabriel Rene Paul is one name that is not often heard. As commander of Paul's Brigade, Robinson's Division. 1st Corps, Army of the Potomac. His brigade was sent to the far side of 1st Corps line to replace Baxter's Brigade on Oak Hill. When Paul's Brigade was attacked rom three directions by elements of four Confederate brigades, General Paul was shot in the right temple with the bullet passing through his head and exiting out through the left eye socket. Paul was left for dead. However, Union poisoners acting as stretcher bearers found him alive. He was blinded in both eyed by the wound. This cut short Pauls' military career.
So was it possible that BG Paul could have reached higher rank? He had graduated from West Point in 1834 and during his 29 year military career he had served well in the Seminole War and in the Mexican-American War so he seemed to have all the right tickets punched for promotion to higher command. Still only a brigade commander in July of 1863, perhaps he would never had became a division or Corps commander.
So was it possible that BG Paul could have reached higher rank? He had graduated from West Point in 1834 and during his 29 year military career he had served well in the Seminole War and in the Mexican-American War so he seemed to have all the right tickets punched for promotion to higher command. Still only a brigade commander in July of 1863, perhaps he would never had became a division or Corps commander.