JPK Huson 1863
Brev. Brig. Gen'l
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2012
- Location
- Central Pennsylvania
General Francis Channing Barlow, Haper's Weekly 1865
Here's a few famous moments from July 1st, 1863 to track down- plus a few from 1899. Did John B. Gordon find Francis Barlow twice? Ot even once. There's so much disagreement out there I just cannot ascertain what on earth the case would be. Found this in an early 1900's era newspaper but the maddening thing about era newspapers is their unique mix of fact v. agoodstory. I will say that inventing stories about the war was risky. The old vets could be awfully touchy hence all the wonderful back and forths in post war newspapers.
We know Arabella Barlow did indeed come to nurse husband Francis ( again ) after his wound July 1st. I spent four years watching Gettysburg College rugby matches within sight of where it happened. Rugby is as baffling as the Barlow-Gordon story.
" Barlow's or Blocher's Knoll at Gettysburg is one of the less visited parts of the battlefield, but it is an important part of the Day 1 action. Barlow's Knoll, off the Harrisburg Pike and across Rock Creek from the Josiah Benner farm, was where the Union XI Corps was hit by Early's men, and was flanked, and pushed back toward Cemetery Hill as was the rest of the Union Army. The 153rd PA had the unfortunate position of being, along with companies from Ohio and New York in the XI Corps, in the same unenviable position as they had been at Chancellorsville, this time because of poor forethought by their commander, Francis Barlow . "
by @pamc153PA , here. https://civilwartalk.com/threads/barlows-blochers-knoll-then-photos.101916/
Back to the legend/story.
As chronicled by Mr. Reser from notes made at Attica, Indiana, while listening to General John B. Gordon speak. The thing is, the vets were pretty quick to jump on the slightest inaccuracy, you can see why. They were there. If this wasn't a true story they'd have erupted.
I'm sure everyone has seen the images posted here already- in the off chance someone missed one-
Probably taken around the same time Mr. Reser heard John B. Gordon speak- Barlow's Knoll, center and @reading48 commented in the other thread the almshouse cemetery is behind it. ( If so, Jennie Wade's father was buried there ).
I'm still back at Wrightsville bridge. The story of Gordon's men fighting flames along with civilians doesn't get a lot of ' press '. It's what made me interested in John B. Gordon in the first place.
Sorry it's such small print- it's a little lengthy.
We've all seen this, too- I just like the image, always happy to see Hancock looking like a Winslow Homer hero and Barlow lounging.
I don't know enough to comment either way. If you think about it there are a lot weirder stories from those awful days we know are indeed true. " My brother Henry " for instance and Wesley Culp and the Sister nursing at St. Xavier's who came across her brother and a dozen others. You bump into statements on the Barlow-Gordon encounter like ' historians have been arguing for years...'. Why, please? True or not true?
AND now to go track down Mrs. Gordon's war. If she followed her husband she'll have a lot to say.