Confederates Clear the Wheatfield

[Tom Elmore]

Wofford's fresh troops, appearing suddenly on the flank of Sweitzer's brigade, precipitated a brief hand-to-hand melee. Simultaneously they directed a concentrated fire upon Burbank's flank at under 300 yards, pushing Burbank back into Day's brigade and defeating the Regulars. But a combined pursuit by the Confederates was repulsed in Plum Run valley to the east, where they encountered substantial Union forces, including a Pennsylvania Reserve brigade controlled by Crawford and two lead brigades from the Sixth Corps. Attached map illustrates the action at 7:05 p.m.

"My aide, Lieutenant [John A. M.] Seitz … came back at a full run [his horse having been shot] … said that the enemy were in the woods on our right and … and in rear of the field … that we were surrounded … My men became engaged hand-to-hand with the enemy … I gave orders to fall back" – Colonel Jacob B. Sweitzer.

"We pitched into [the Yankees] with a piercing yell. We caught them after a short distance and the most terrific hand-to-hand fighting occurred" – Captain James L. Lemon, Company A, 18th Georgia.

"Our flag was seized by a Confederate who was bearing it off. Colonel Jeffords rushed after him and slew him … and seized the flag. A Confederate behind the colonel thrust his bayonet through him" – Lieutenant Robert H. Campbell, 4th Michigan.

"The rebels came up to the right wing of our regiment and one of the officers demanded them to halt and surrender, when one of my men … brought the butt [of his musket] down on the officer's head" – Jacob B. Funk, Company A, 62nd Pennsylvania.

"The enemy … charged directly upon the flank of the 4th Michigan, curling it and the 62nd Pennsylvania up like a worm at the touch of fire and throwing them into the greatest confusion" – Historian, 32nd Massachusetts.

"Colonel Sweitzer, who was near the front of the 4th Michigan, gave the order about face, but I was so far to the left I did not hear the order … but soon found they were retreating so gave the order to about face, forward, when I was hit seven times all in less than a minute" – Colonel George L. Prescott, 32nd Massachusetts.

"The enemy … were coming in all directions; we were exposed to a galling fire" – Lieutenant Colonel Luther Stephenson, 32nd Massachusetts.

"The enemy … poured in a most destructive fire, almost decimating my regiment" – Major Arthur T. Lee, 2nd U.S. Regulars.

"The enemy became visible upon our right flank … While retiring, the fire of the enemy became very destructive" – Captain David P. Hancock, 7th U.S. Regulars.

"The enemy now opened a destructive upon our men, who were far inferior as to numbers" – Captain William Clinton, 10th U.S. Regulars.

"I received an order to move by the right flank a distance equal to my front" – Captain Thomas S. Dunn, 12th U.S. Regulars.

Sources:
-Supplemental Report of Col. Jacob B. Sweitzer, Supplement to the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, ed. by Janet B. Hewitt, Noah A. Trudeau, Bryce A. Suderow, Wilmington, NC: Broadfoot Publishing Company, 1995.
-Feed Them the Steel," Being, the Wartime Recollections of Capt. James Lile Lemon, Co. A, 18th Georgia Infantry, Mark H. Lemon, 2016.
-War Reminiscences: Campbell, Robert H. (1st Lieutenant and Quartermaster), "Service with the Old 4th Michigan Infantry," Michigan Commandery, Bentley Historical Library, Civil War Collections Online.
-Jacob B. Funk, Correspondence of John S. Patton, Library and Archives Division, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh.
-The Story of the Thirty-Second Regiment Massachusetts Infantry, by Francis J. Parker, Colonel, Boston: C. W. Calkins & Co., Publishers, 1880.
-George L. Prescott Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society, on file at Gettysburg National Military Park.
-A Sketch … The Thirty-Second Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, by General Luther Stephenson, Regiment Association, 1900?
-Official Reports of Maj. Arthur T. Lee, Capt. David P. Hancock, Capt. William Clinton and Capt. Thomas S. Dunn.

 

[Cycom]

These first hand accounts show just how savage the ACW got by this point.

Reminds me of some stories my father-in-law told me about the CW in Lebanon. Butchery with axes and all kinds of firearms.

 

[NDR5thNY]

View attachment 404436

Wofford's fresh troops, appearing suddenly on the flank of Sweitzer's brigade, precipitated a brief hand-to-hand melee. Simultaneously they directed a concentrated fire upon Burbank's flank at under 300 yards, pushing Burbank back into Day's brigade and defeating the Regulars. But a combined pursuit by the Confederates was repulsed in Plum Run valley to the east, where they encountered substantial Union forces, including a Pennsylvania Reserve brigade controlled by Crawford and two lead brigades from the Sixth Corps. Attached map illustrates the action at 7:05 p.m.

"My aide, Lieutenant [John A. M.] Seitz … came back at a full run [his horse having been shot] … said that the enemy were in the woods on our right and … and in rear of the field … that we were surrounded … My men became engaged hand-to-hand with the enemy … I gave orders to fall back" – Colonel Jacob B. Sweitzer.

"We pitched into [the Yankees] with a piercing yell. We caught them after a short distance and the most terrific hand-to-hand fighting occurred" – Captain James L. Lemon, Company A, 18th Georgia.

"Our flag was seized by a Confederate who was bearing it off. Colonel Jeffords rushed after him and slew him … and seized the flag. A Confederate behind the colonel thrust his bayonet through him" – Lieutenant Robert H. Campbell, 4th Michigan.

"The rebels came up to the right wing of our regiment and one of the officers demanded them to halt and surrender, when one of my men … brought the butt [of his musket] down on the officer's head" – Jacob B. Funk, Company A, 62nd Pennsylvania.

"The enemy … charged directly upon the flank of the 4th Michigan, curling it and the 62nd Pennsylvania up like a worm at the touch of fire and throwing them into the greatest confusion" – Historian, 32nd Massachusetts.

"Colonel Sweitzer, who was near the front of the 4th Michigan, gave the order about face, but I was so far to the left I did not hear the order … but soon found they were retreating so gave the order to about face, forward, when I was hit seven times all in less than a minute" – Colonel George L. Prescott, 32nd Massachusetts.

"The enemy … were coming in all directions; we were exposed to a galling fire" – Lieutenant Colonel Luther Stephenson, 32nd Massachusetts.

"The enemy … poured in a most destructive fire, almost decimating my regiment" – Major Arthur T. Lee, 2nd U.S. Regulars.

"The enemy became visible upon our right flank … While retiring, the fire of the enemy became very destructive" – Captain David P. Hancock, 7th U.S. Regulars.

"The enemy now opened a destructive upon our men, who were far inferior as to numbers" – Captain William Clinton, 10th U.S. Regulars.

"I received an order to move by the right flank a distance equal to my front" – Captain Thomas S. Dunn, 12th U.S. Regulars.

Sources:
-Supplemental Report of Col. Jacob B. Sweitzer, Supplement to the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, ed. by Janet B. Hewitt, Noah A. Trudeau, Bryce A. Suderow, Wilmington, NC: Broadfoot Publishing Company, 1995.
-Feed Them the Steel," Being, the Wartime Recollections of Capt. James Lile Lemon, Co. A, 18th Georgia Infantry, Mark H. Lemon, 2016.
-War Reminiscences: Campbell, Robert H. (1st Lieutenant and Quartermaster), "Service with the Old 4th Michigan Infantry," Michigan Commandery, Bentley Historical Library, Civil War Collections Online.
-Jacob B. Funk, Correspondence of John S. Patton, Library and Archives Division, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh.
-The Story of the Thirty-Second Regiment Massachusetts Infantry, by Francis J. Parker, Colonel, Boston: C. W. Calkins & Co., Publishers, 1880.
-George L. Prescott Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society, on file at Gettysburg National Military Park.
-A Sketch … The Thirty-Second Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, by General Luther Stephenson, Regiment Association, 1900?
-Official Reports of Maj. Arthur T. Lee, Capt. David P. Hancock, Capt. William Clinton and Capt. Thomas S. Dunn.

Where was General Kershaw at this time? Was he with the bulk of his command at the Rose Farm or was he with his troops at the Wheat Field?

 

[Tom Elmore]

So far as I can determine, Kershaw remained with the bulk of his command at the Rose farm. No extant account has him proceeding closer to the front that evening. General McLaws on the other hand, went to the western border of the Wheatfield, as reported by Private John Coxe of the 2nd South Carolina, where he was cheered by his men (see map on my next post, "Counterattack by the Pennsylvania Reserves").

 

[NDR5thNY]

So far as I can determine, Kershaw remained with the bulk of his command at the Rose farm. No extant account has him proceeding closer to the front that evening. General McLaws on the other hand, went to the western border of the Wheatfield, as reported by Private John Coxe of the 2nd South Carolina, where he was cheered by his men (see map on my next post, "Counterattack by the Pennsylvania Reserves").

Thank you !

 

[NDR5thNY]

Thank you !

Do you know where Company G of the SC were located?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

In hindsight one could say that Sweitzer's brigade was put in a horrible position–especially on the right-flank, but from the readings it was clear at the time many in that area of the battlefield knew it was put in a horrible position.

Tilton's brigade leaving the field exasperated the situation.

 

[NDR5thNY]

Do you know where Company G of the SC were located?

Company G 8 TH SC?

 

[lelliott19]

So far as I can determine, Kershaw remained with the bulk of his command at the Rose farm. No extant account has him proceeding closer to the front that evening.

Tom - what about McGlashan's account that places Kershaw in conference with Dubose, Benning and McGlashan? Where do you imagine that meeting took place? I would presume that Dubose and Benning would not have strayed too far from their commands? Probably no further than Rose Run in that short window? If so, then the meeting between the four likely occurred somewhere in the area of the right flank of the 53rd GA as shown on your map?

I figure the meeting of McGlashan, DuBose, Kershaw and Benning took place between 7:15 and 7:25 p.m., a very short window before Crawford's Pennsylvania Reserves charged to the eastern edge of the Wheatfield (by 7:30 p.m.).

 

[51st Georgia]

More 51st Georgia and Semmes brigade please

 

[Tom Elmore]

Tom - what about McGlashan's account that places Kershaw in conference with Dubose, Benning and McGlashan? Where do you imagine that meeting took place? I would presume that Dubose and Benning would not have strayed too far from their commands? Probably no further than Rose Run in that short window? If so, then the meeting between the four likely occurred somewhere in the area of the right flank of the 53rd GA as shown on your map?

Laura, you have me there; I stand corrected. I had forgotten this account. DuBose likely stayed with his regiment, which moved back and forth through the eastern portion of Rose woods, and McGlashan's account suggests their meeting may have taken place around 7:20 p.m., before McCandless charged. But I do find it curious that Kershaw, who is very detailed in his accounts, omits mention of this meeting or a personal reconnaissance through Rose woods at the time of the general Confederate advance before sunset.

 

[lelliott19]

Laura, you have me there; I stand corrected. I had forgotten this account. DuBose likely stayed with his regiment, which moved back and forth through the eastern portion of Rose woods, and McGlashan's account suggests their meeting may have taken place around 7:20 p.m., before McCandless charged. But I do find it curious that Kershaw, who is very detailed in his accounts, omits mention of this meeting or a personal reconnaissance through Rose woods at the time of the general Confederate advance before sunset.

Ill see if I can find anything that might confirm that Gen Kershaw moved ahead.

 

[Scott F]

Tom - what about McGlashan's account that places Kershaw in conference with Dubose, Benning and McGlashan? Where do you imagine that meeting took place? I would presume that Dubose and Benning would not have strayed too far from their commands? Probably no further than Rose Run in that short window? If so, then the meeting between the four likely occurred somewhere in the area of the right flank of the 53rd GA as shown on your map?

Although Kershaw doesn't mention going forward with his 15th SC and part Semmes' brigade, he may have hinted to it in his report when he wrote, "Going back to the stone wall near my rear, I found Colonel Aiken in position..." At that point he had already followed his troops out of the woods and saw Wofford coming in "splendid style." Then he writes, "I moved them up to the stone wall, and, finding that Wofford's men were coming out, I retained them at that point to check any attempt of the enemy to advance." It seems there is a significant period of time in his account missing. Also Sgt. Johnson from the 2nd SC mentions the appearance of Col. Aiken and his regiment in the eastern woods just before he was wounded, rendered unconscious and captured. When did this take place? When and if Kershaw moved forward, perhaps Aiken did too. It is rather puzzling.

 

[dgfred]

"curling it up like a worm at the touch of fire"

dang... what a good/different description of a line being smashed.

 

[Tom Elmore]

Although Kershaw doesn't mention going forward with his 15th SC and part Semmes' brigade, he may have hinted to it in his report when he wrote, "Going back to the stone wall near my rear, I found Colonel Aiken in position..." At that point he had already followed his troops out of the woods and saw Wofford coming in "splendid style." Then he writes, "I moved them up to the stone wall, and, finding that Wofford's men were coming out, I retained them at that point to check any attempt of the enemy to advance." It seems there is a significant period of time in his account missing. Also Sgt. Johnson from the 2nd SC mentions the appearance of Col. Aiken and his regiment in the eastern woods just before he was wounded, rendered unconscious and captured. When did this take place? When and if Kershaw moved forward, perhaps Aiken did too. It is rather puzzling.

The "stone wall" that Kershaw mentioned led to my placement of the 7th South Carolina southeast of the Rose buildings. It's also difficult for me to imagine that the 7th, having just been battered in an extended fight at close quarters, could be rallied so quickly for a forward movement deep into the Rose woods.

 

[lelliott19]

"curling it up like a worm at the touch of fire"

dang... what a good/different description of a line being smashed.

I thought the exact same thing!

 

[infomanpa]

There appears to be a lot of rearranging of units in the Wheatfield between this map and your next one (1910). Therefore, I am having some difficulty tracking the movement of Burbank's brigade. You have this brigade in a perpendicular position whereas I have only seen accounts and maps showing that they were roughly in a line of battle as they swept through the Wheatfield. Do you agree and simply did not show this configuration which would have been depicted on a theoretical map between 1905 and 1910?

 

[Tom Elmore]

I have since modified map 1905 to reflect 11 US joining 10 US, 7 US and 2 US as they were wheeling around to the left toward the Rose woods. The depiction takes into account the following statements:

"Ordered to cross the fence and wheel to the left and form in line perpendicular to the original direction" – Captain Daniel P. Hancock, 7th U.S. Regulars.

"The move was about half completed when the enemy was observed to be moving rapidly to outflank the right" – member of the 2nd U.S. Regulars.

The 2nd U.S. had the farthest distance to travel in their wheel, meaning the regiments on their left would have been further along in the movement, which when complete, would in my mind have made Burbank's brigade appear like a reverse "L," 17 US being perpendicular to the remainder of the brigade as Captain Hancock relates. So here is my revised interpretation, in completed form (by Hal Jespersen), which also shows the base map changes previously discussed:

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Easy to see the ugliness that is about to fall upon the regulars.

 

[infomanpa]

I have since modified map 1905 to reflect 11 US joining 10 US, 7 US and 2 US as they were wheeling around to the left toward the Rose woods. The depiction takes into account the following statements:

"Ordered to cross the fence and wheel to the left and form in line perpendicular to the original direction" – Captain Daniel P. Hancock, 7th U.S. Regulars.

"The move was about half completed when the enemy was observed to be moving rapidly to outflank the right" – member of the 2nd U.S. Regulars.

The 2nd U.S. had the farthest distance to travel in their wheel, meaning the regiments on their left would have been further along in the movement, which when complete, would in my mind have made Burbank's brigade appear like a reverse "L," 17 US being perpendicular to the remainder of the brigade as Captain Hancock relates. So here is my revised interpretation, in completed form (by Hal Jespersen), which also shows the base map changes previously discussed:

Excellent. This map is more consistent with others that I have seen.