Hi there
I live in the UK and my great, great, great uncle Capt. John Cussons, born Horncastle, Lincolnshire, England April 6th 1838- died Glen Allen, Henrico County, VA, January 5th 1912, was VADC to Gen. E M Law. Coincidently, my g.g.g.uncle and Captain Price, who was also of British Nationality, were both captured on Big Round Top, Gettysburg on the early morning of the 3rd, and ended up being prisoners on Johnson's Island Federal Prison.
About 7:15 am that same morning, the 118th PA Volunteers, the Corn Exchange Regiment, took position on Big Round Top, about opposite where the left of Law's Brigade joined with Robertson's Texans. From the history of the 118th PA is the following excerpt; The regiment was just becoming familiar with its new surroundings, when a Confederate officer, without sword or belt, with his coat thrown back with an air of ease, independence and authority, comfortably enjoying a cigar, moving calmly and leisurely as if he were out for a stroll, walked into their lines. Being close to the confederate enemy, skirmishers had advanced but a few paces, but the Confederate officer had passed them either unobserved, or had been permitted to do so, with a conviction that that his capture was certain to follow elsewhere. Astonished, in being captured, the Confederate officer moodily accepted his fate, and was conducted to the rear. It was assumed that he had had no idea that he was in such proximity to the Union lines, when a few moments before he sought a short respite from the bustle and activity of head-quarters by strolling off in a direction where he thought he would be alone. Of good address and culture, he was keenly sensitive to the reproach that might follow the unfortunate way in which he had permitted himself to be taken.
However, at about the same time as my g.g.g. uncle went on his mission, Gen. Robertson sent Capt. Francis Price out to examine the position of the Texas Brigade’s lines, at the base of Big Round Top, and report back. Price entered into the trees to be never seen again and was originally feared dead.
Unfortunately, the 118th PA never gave a physical description of their captive so, though this Confederate staff officer could have been either my g.g.g. uncle or Capt. Price, the description of how the Confederat staff officer was captured seems very unlikely, as my g.g.g. uncle regularly went on battlefield reconnaissance missions, and even though Capt. Price was probably not as experienced, even he would probably have had a good idea the Federals occupied Big Round Top. However, the officer's mein and attitude towards being captured is interesting because my g.g.g. uncle certainly would have been embarrassed, as maybe Capt. Price may have been?! Fortunately, records show that no other Confederate staff officers were captured on BRT, so it had to be one of the two.
Anyway, after all that waffle, this daft Limey is attempting to find out who the 118th PA captured. So, can anyone help solve this mystery? A discription, or a photograph, of Capt. Price might help
I live in the UK and my great, great, great uncle Capt. John Cussons, born Horncastle, Lincolnshire, England April 6th 1838- died Glen Allen, Henrico County, VA, January 5th 1912, was VADC to Gen. E M Law. Coincidently, my g.g.g.uncle and Captain Price, who was also of British Nationality, were both captured on Big Round Top, Gettysburg on the early morning of the 3rd, and ended up being prisoners on Johnson's Island Federal Prison.
About 7:15 am that same morning, the 118th PA Volunteers, the Corn Exchange Regiment, took position on Big Round Top, about opposite where the left of Law's Brigade joined with Robertson's Texans. From the history of the 118th PA is the following excerpt; The regiment was just becoming familiar with its new surroundings, when a Confederate officer, without sword or belt, with his coat thrown back with an air of ease, independence and authority, comfortably enjoying a cigar, moving calmly and leisurely as if he were out for a stroll, walked into their lines. Being close to the confederate enemy, skirmishers had advanced but a few paces, but the Confederate officer had passed them either unobserved, or had been permitted to do so, with a conviction that that his capture was certain to follow elsewhere. Astonished, in being captured, the Confederate officer moodily accepted his fate, and was conducted to the rear. It was assumed that he had had no idea that he was in such proximity to the Union lines, when a few moments before he sought a short respite from the bustle and activity of head-quarters by strolling off in a direction where he thought he would be alone. Of good address and culture, he was keenly sensitive to the reproach that might follow the unfortunate way in which he had permitted himself to be taken.
However, at about the same time as my g.g.g. uncle went on his mission, Gen. Robertson sent Capt. Francis Price out to examine the position of the Texas Brigade’s lines, at the base of Big Round Top, and report back. Price entered into the trees to be never seen again and was originally feared dead.
Unfortunately, the 118th PA never gave a physical description of their captive so, though this Confederate staff officer could have been either my g.g.g. uncle or Capt. Price, the description of how the Confederat staff officer was captured seems very unlikely, as my g.g.g. uncle regularly went on battlefield reconnaissance missions, and even though Capt. Price was probably not as experienced, even he would probably have had a good idea the Federals occupied Big Round Top. However, the officer's mein and attitude towards being captured is interesting because my g.g.g. uncle certainly would have been embarrassed, as maybe Capt. Price may have been?! Fortunately, records show that no other Confederate staff officers were captured on BRT, so it had to be one of the two.
Anyway, after all that waffle, this daft Limey is attempting to find out who the 118th PA captured. So, can anyone help solve this mystery? A discription, or a photograph, of Capt. Price might help