Davis Brigade

[Karen Lips]

I am looking for information on the Davis Brigade. My 3rd great uncle James Phillips was in this Brigade and he was killed july3, at Gettysburg. He was in the 42 Mississippi regiment.

 

[Karen Lips]

Karen Lips I'm flying threw the thread with apologies to all if I'm repeating previously posted info. You relations unit, the 42nd Miss was involved in a famous action the first day at Gburg at the Railroad Cut. The 42nd was on the extreme right of the line meaning some were more able to escape the cut, funneling to the west and out of the cut that was previously felt to be a strong defensive position. Google the Railroad Cut-Gettysburg for more and some good maps.
Others posted this was Davis's brigades first battle. And it was quite a baptisim under fire coming up against the well-regarded 1st Union infantry corps. They were some tough, battle-hardened men, particularly Cutler's brigade and elements of the Iron brigade. Then of course, Pickett's Charge would test their mettle again and just as severely July 3rd.

Thanks

 

[Coonewah Creek]

The 55th North Carolina and 42nd Mississippi were both "rookie" regiments, organized May 1862, having only been involved in light skirmishing during the Suffolk Campaign. Davis was the most inexperienced brigade commander in Heth's Division. The veteran 11th Mississippi had been detached on July 1 to guard the divisional trains at Cashtown. The only veteran regiment in the brigade on July 1st was the 2nd Mississippi and it had pulled picket duty the night before. Given those conditions, one has to wonder why Heth would have had Davis, along with Archer, in the lead that morning.

 

[121st PA Vols]

The 55th North Carolina and 42nd Mississippi were both "rookie" regiments, organized May 1862, having only been involved in light skirmishing during the Suffolk Campaign. Davis was the most inexperienced brigade commander in Heth's Division. The veteran 11th Mississippi had been detached on July 1 to guard the divisional trains at Cashtown. The only veteran regiment in the brigade on July 1st was the 2nd Mississippi and it had pulled picket duty the night before. Given those conditions, one has to wonder why Heth would have had Davis, along with Archer, in the lead that morning.

Good info. Thanks. So many things about battle conjure up unending simple questions like....why? My ego has mellowed to the degree of knowing (finally) I can't know or think I know all the answers I thought I once could! I'll still guess at it but with less resolve knowing I can never experience the 'real time' events of the moment.

But yes, why was Davis in front of the column? Maybe Heth honestly felt it was militia Pettigrew had seen. Maybe it was just reversing marching orders (who's in the lead) for the day and it was Davis's turn to not eat dust? One thing for sure, both sides on Day-1 had little time to think about more than the immediate situation.

 

[JD-reb]

I am looking for information on the Davis Brigade. My 3rd great uncle James Phillips was in this Brigade and he was killed july3, at Gettysburg. He was in the 42 Mississippi regiment.

I would recommend that you purchase a copy of this book: THE MISSISSIPPI BRIGADE OF BRIG. GEN. JOSEPH R DAVIS: A Geographical Account of Its Campaigns and a Biographical Account of Its Personalities, 1861-1865 by T.P. Williams published by Morningside 1999 ISBN: 0-89029-335-X

 

[rpkennedy]

Given those conditions, one has to wonder why Heth would have had Davis, along with Archer, in the lead that morning.

IIRC, it was their turn. Generally speaking, unless time was of the essence, division commanders usually followed a rotating marching order so that not everyone got to lead or eat the dust of those ahead of them.

A counterexample of this was Wadsworth's march to Gettysburg. It was the Iron Brigade's turn to lead but Reynolds felt that time was critical and so Cutler was in the lead with Meredith behind.

Ryan

 

[Coonewah Creek]

A counterexample of this was Wadsworth's march to Gettysburg. It was the Iron Brigade's turn to lead but Reynolds felt that time was critical and so Cutler was in the lead with Meredith behind.

Yes, seems Heth could have used a bit of Wadsworth's foresight.

 

[rpkennedy]

Yes, seems Heth could have used a bit of Wadsworth's foresight.

In fairness, no one (outside of Pettigrew and some of his officers) believed that Heth was going to run into a determined enemy. They figured it was militia or a small cavalry force that they could easily sweep aside. It was a serious underestimation that cost Heth severely.

Ryan

 

[Karen Lips]

I would recommend that you purchase a copy of this book: THE MISSISSIPPI BRIGADE OF BRIG. GEN. JOSEPH R DAVIS: A Geographical Account of Its Campaigns and a Biographical Account of Its Personalities, 1861-1865 by T.P. Williams published by Morningside 1999 ISBN: 0-89029-335-X

I think my brother in law may have this book. Thanks for the suggestion.