East Cavalry Field; Cavalry Numbers

[Garnet Joe]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone had a good (preferably electronic, so I can access it right away) source for numbers under Stuart and Gregg (engaged or not) in the vicinity of East Cav. Field on the third? I've tried searching the forum but haven't been able to find quite what I'm after.

(I'm currently watching the talk by Eric Wittenberg which presents an interesting argument against the idea of the action there being Stuart's advance in support of Pickett's Charge)

 

[67th Tigers]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone had a good (preferably electronic, so I can access it right away) source for numbers under Stuart and Gregg (engaged or not) in the vicinity of East Cav. Field on the third? I've tried searching the forum but haven't been able to find quite what I'm after.

(I'm currently watching the talk by Eric Wittenberg which presents an interesting argument against the idea of the action there being Stuart's advance in support of Pickett's Charge)

I have Busey and Martin right next to me. This is the Confederates as per their 30th June returns. B&M estimate 15% were not available for battle by straggling or by being detailed.

Stuart and staff: 20

Jenkins' Bde
Staff: 4 (minus at least 1, Jenkins wounded 2nd)
14th Va: 301
16th Va: 301
17th Va 274
34th Va Bn: 195 - 7 coys
36th Va Bn: 142 - 5 coys
Jackson's battery: 113 with 2x 12 pdr howitzers and 2x 3" rifles

Hampton's Bde
Staff: 5
1st NC: 461
1st SC: 383
2nd SC: 209
Cobb Legion: 373 - 11 coys
Jeff Davis Legion: 278 - 6 coys
Phillips Legion: 269 - 7 coys

Fitz Lee's Bde
Staff: 4
1st Md Bn: 350 - 5 coys (probably detached)
1st Va: 350
2nd Va: 436
3rd Va: 238
4th Va: 616 - 9 coys (Coy I disbanded)
5th Va: 170

WHF Lee's Bde (Chambliss)
Staff: 4
2nd NC: 163
9th Va: 556
10th Va: 267
13th Va: 338

Beckham's Horse Arty
Staff: 9
Breathed's Bty: 112 with 4x 3" rifles
Griffin's Bty: 112 with 4x 10 pdr Parrott rifles
Hart's Bty: 113 with 3x Blakely Rifles (4th lost on 21st June)
McGregor's Bty: 112 with 2x 12 pdr Napoleons and 2x 3" rifles

Sum
Staff: 20
Jenkins 1,213 exc/ bty
Hampton: 1,978
F Lee: 2,164
WHF Lee (Chamblis): 1,328
5 btys: 570 (with Bn staff) and 19 guns

 

[67th Tigers]

Federals

McIntosh's Bde
Staff: 7
Band: 12
1st Md: 335
Purnell Legion: 78
1st NJ: 234
1st Pa: 418
3rd Pa: 394
Rank's Battery: 55 with 2x 3" rifles

Gregg's Bde
Staff: 8
1st Maine: 370
10th NY: 392
4th Pa: 304
16th Pa: 411

Custer's Bde
Staff: 1 (Custer)
1st Mich: 502
5th Mich: 770
6th Mich: 611
7th Mich: 461

Pennington's Bty: 129 with 6x 3" rifles
Randol's Bty: 91 with 4x 3" rifles

McIntosh: 1,478 exc/ bty
Gregg: 1,485
Custer: 2,345
3 btys: 275 with 12 guns

 

[67th Tigers]

In sum:

Confederates: 6,683 mounted men plus 19 guns
Federals: 5,308 mounted men plus 12 guns

 

[67th Tigers]

The reason for the Federal victory is quite simple; they had sabres and used them, and the Confederates did not.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I'm currently watching the talk by Eric Wittenberg which presents an interesting argument against the idea of the action there being Stuart's advance in support of Pickett's Charge)

Perhaps Wittenberg can also help you with your questions.

Paging @Eric Wittenberg.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

I don't have time to give a lengthy response--I have to give a lecture on Buford at Gettysburg today.

Simply put, there is not so much as a shred of evidence to suggest that Stuart's presence was anything but what he and Lee both explicitly said, which is that the Confederate cavalry was there to guard the flank. Perhaps I will have more time later today to expand.

 

[Garnet Joe]

Thanks for replying everyone;
I only needed a source with the numbers really at the moment. I watched your Cspan talk last night Eric, very interesting.

 

[Garnet Joe]

Thanks 67th Tigers; I shall have to get a copy of Busey and Martin for the long haul - I can't seem to find the numbers for the South Field action either , save 300 engaged with the 1st Vermont but I was under the impression more of the 3rd div. were committed

 

[Garnet Joe]

Well, it looks like I can get Eric's Forgotten Cavalry Actions on Prime

 

[67th Tigers]

The basic structure of the Cavalry Corps at the time of Gettysburg was 3 divisions, and a reserve brigade of mainly regulars.

Buford's division was detached from the field to guard the trains after the 1st day, and Huey's brigade had been sent to Emmittsburg ISTR. The remaining 5 brigades were assigned 3 on the Federal right (McIntosh, Col Gregg and Custer, under BG Gregg) and 2 on the left (Farnsworth and Merritt's reserves, under Kilpatrick)

Merritt's reserve brigade
Staff: 4
6th Pa: 364 (but 1 sqn, 20% of the regt, is detached to GHQ leaving ca. 291)
1st US: 466
2nd US: 510
5th US: 578
(6th US detached)
Graham's Battery: 123 with 6x 3" rifles

Farnsworth's bde
Staff: 1
5th NY: 468
18th Pa: 599
1st Vt: 688
1st West Va: 433
Elder's battery: 66 with 4x 3" rifles

= 4,038 mounted men and 10 guns (as per the 30th June return)

 

[Garnet Joe]

Superlative, thanks again! - am I right in the notion that the 5th NY was not engaged as part of Kilpatrick's assaults, and that the 18th, 1st VT and 1st WV were committed sequentially?

 

[67th Tigers]

Superlative, thanks again! - am I right in the notion that the 5th NY was not engaged as part of Kilpatrick's assaults, and that the 18th, 1st VT and 1st WV were committed sequentially?

The 5th NY Cavalry were posted to support Elder's battery. I believe a squadron may have moved forward but didn't charge. Indeed the 1st WV, 18th Pa and 1st Vt charged sequentially (in that order) against the 1st Texas Infantry. The last charge broke through but then what? They were unsupported and surrounded by the enemy.

 

[Garnet Joe]

Thanks This has put helped me get a handle on this part of the battle, I appreciate it.