Favorite Gettysburg Myth/Legend?

[OldReliable1862]

I don't think many people will accuse me of exaggeration if I say that the battle of Gettysburg is the most famous military engagement in North American history, and one of the most famous in the world. Like any great event in history, it has become encrusted in layers of myth and legend. With the anniversary of Gettysburg fast approaching, I thought I might ask the forum: what is your favorite common myth of the battle of Gettysburg?

I had to do some interpretation regarding just what constitutes a "common myth," and I apologize if I did not include your favorite. Nevertheless, I think that I have successfully included all (or at least most) of the "greatest hits" of Gettysburg.

 

[JeffBrooks]

That it was the most important battle of the war.

 

[OldReliable1862]

That it was the most important battle of the war.

Indeed. I should perhaps have added that to the list.

 

[Mint Julep]

"Hearing that a supply of shoes was to be obtained in Gettysburg, eight miles distant from Cashtown, and greatly needing shoes for my men, I directed General Pettigrew to go to Gettysburg and get these supplies."

More legend than myth.

 

[LCYingling3rd]

Of those you listed I voted for the "Longstreet lost the battle" one because I am in the, "don't think he did" camp and do truly enjoy discussing the topic. It goes round and round and the painted ponies go up and down! But Lee should have listened to him instead of Ewell and Hill.... I think Sears said that before me...

Of your list, the 20th Maine myth is a close second. If not for Ken Burns and the movie Gettysburg .... Me, I am a, "Hey, what about what the 140th NY did on the other side of the hill" advocate.

But my favorite Gettysburg myth/legend is not on your list. It is the story of Wesley and William Culp. And Jack Skelly and Jennie Wade....such pathos, and lost love and it could generate poetry and Halmark movies! It is also a fascinating story. Some believe the Jennie Wade part is embellished...Probably? Maybe? Maybe not?

You all know the basics; Wesley and William Culp were brothers growing up in Gettysburg with their boyhood friend Jack Shelly. Wesley follows his employer down to Shepherdstown, VA in the 1850's and when war breaks out, he follows his adopted neighbors into the 2nd VA Infantry of the famous Stonewall Brigade. meanwhile, brother William and Jack Skelly join the 87th PA like many of their Adams County neighbors.

The war goes on until the fateful day of June 15, 1863, when the 2nd VA Infantry collides with the 87th PA in widow Carter's woods at Stephenson's Depot just north of Winchester. Legend has it that Confederate Wesley Culp finds boyhood friend and foe; Jack Skelly, mortally wounded on the field. A touching moment occurs with Jack asking Wes to tell his sweetheart that he died thinking of her if he should ever make it back to their hometown of Gettysburg. Alas, the message will remain forever ungiven because Wesley Culp has the honor of being the only member of the 2nd VA Infantry to die at Gettysburg - on Culps Hill of all places. And it wouldn't have mattered if he lived because the sweetheart was the only civilian to die at the battle, Jennie Wade....

Who knows the actual truth. I believe the famous picture of Jennie Wade was found in the Skelly family, but who knows...?

Regardless, this story must be my favorite because my paternal great grandfather, George E. Yingling, and his brother Silas were in the 87th PA with William and Jack and my mother's ancestor, Samuel Stuckey was in the 2nd VA Infantry with Wesley!!! Such coincidences demand attention! And that George Yingling was captured by the 2nd VA Infantry that fateful June morning outside Winchester simply boggles the complications of history itself!

Laugh out loud!!! It's just fun!

Thanks for the very interesting post! Longstreet was right! Smiling face with a wink!

 

[Tom Elmore]

The 20th Maine was the first legend that came to my attention thanks to The Killer Angels, by Michael Shaara, which came to life from Ted Turner's movie based on it. Although Chamberlain has been accused of embellishing his role and that of his regiment, his comment to a member of the 19th Maine, who suggested that it was rather his regiment who saved Gettysburg, has resonated with me: "Every picket that sticks to the fence can claim the honor of keeping the pigs out of the garden." The comment reflects the theme that war (along with other grand endeavors) can only be successful if it is a team effort comprised of many individual efforts.

 

[6thMichCav]

If Oates' exhausted and dehydrated troops had passed the 20th Maine, they would have had to deal with the rest of Vincent's brigade and the 140th New York, and they had no reinforcements behind them. I don't take anything away from the 20th Maine or Oates' command; but they were essentially two waves cresting at the same moment, in my opinion.

 

[bdtex]

That it was the most important battle of the war.

And/or "turning point" too.

 

[JeffBrooks]

The 20th Maine was the first legend that came to my attention thanks to The Killer Angels, by Michael Shaara, which came to life from Ted Turner's movie based on it. Although Chamberlain has been accused of embellishing his role and that of his regiment, his comment to a member of the 19th Maine, who suggested that it was rather his regiment who saved Gettysburg, has resonated with me: "Every picket that sticks to the fence can claim the honor of keeping the pigs out of the garden." The comment reflects the theme that war (along with other grand endeavors) can only be successful if it is a team effort comprised of many individual efforts.

When I teach my Gettysburg lesson to my 8th graders (I insist on a full day for the battle, while most teachers spend about five minutes and content themselves with a few bullet points), I show the scene from the movie of the charge of the 20th Maine at Little Round Top. But I also tell them that "there were lots of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlains and lots of 20th Maines at the Battle of Gettysburg".

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

The 20th Maine was the first legend that came to my attention thanks to The Killer Angels, by Michael Shaara, which came to life from Ted Turner's movie based on it.

Actually, I believe that those who study the late 19th and early 20th century can easily see that it was not Little Round Top, but rather Cemetery Hill, the Copse of Trees, and even Culp's Hill that were more popular visiting spots on the battlefield prior to that book and movie.

I would argue that the overwhelming emphasis on the bravery of the 20th Maine on LRT was only recently created by Michael Shaara and Ted Turner, not by anything Joshua Chamberlain wrote, although Chamberlain is the one a lot of people today seem to want to blame.

 

[Gettysburg Greg]

Good list of myths and legends, how about the horses' hooves myth that still persists. Since Gettysburg photography is my primary interest, I find the myth that irritates me most is the often-repeated claim that the post battle photographers routinely moved bodies around to create more dramatic death scenes. However, as made clear by the master of Civil War photography, William Frassanito and most other authors and historians, there is only ONE documented case of the photographer moving a body to a more appealing location. That, of course, is the famous "Home of a Rebel Sharpshooter" photo taken by Gardner after moving the corpse 72 yards from where he fell. That is not to say that photos weren't "staged" by adding props such as rifles, shells, canteens, etc. to the frame.

 

[RebelWeber]

That it was the most important battle of the war.

Agreed, That distinction rightly belongs to Vicksburg!

 

[Tony Z]

Good list of myths and legends, how about the horses' hooves myth that still persists. Since Gettysburg photography is my primary interest, I find the myth that irritates me most is the often-repeated claim that the post battle photographers routinely moved bodies around to create more dramatic death scenes. However, as made clear by the master of Civil War photography, William Frassanito and most other authors and historians, there is only ONE documented case of the photographer moving a body to a more appealing location. That, of course, is the famous "Home of a Rebel Sharpshooter" photo taken by Gardner after moving the corpse 72 yards from where he fell. That is not to say that photos weren't "staged" by adding props such as rifles, shells, canteens, etc. to the frame.

Can you elaborate on the "horses' hooves" myth? It's one I haven't heard!

Thanks in advance!

T

 

[JerryD]

That Sickles saved the day by adopting his ridiculously weak line in advance of the rest of the army.

 

[Library Lady]

The 20th Maine was the first legend that came to my attention thanks to The Killer Angels, by Michael Shaara, which came to life from Ted Turner's movie based on it. Although Chamberlain has been accused of embellishing his role and that of his regiment, his comment to a member of the 19th Maine, who suggested that it was rather his regiment who saved Gettysburg, has resonated with me: "Every picket that sticks to the fence can claim the honor of keeping the pigs out of the garden." The comment reflects the theme that war (along with other grand endeavors) can only be successful if it is a team effort comprised of many individual efforts.

We've got a thread going elsewhere about what we see in our mind's eye when we read. Well, in my case, when I read the Chamberlain quote, I clearly heard the voice of Jeff Daniels in my mind. Occupational hazard from being a medical transcriptionist for about 45 years?

But back to the matter at hand, These Honored Dead by Thomas A. Desjardin is a great book about how as a nation we've come to mythologize Gettysburg.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

Can you elaborate on the "horses' hooves" myth? It's one I haven't heard!

Thanks in advance!

T

Here's a thread by @Gettysburg Greg that covers the issue-

Thread 'The Myth of the Horses' Hooves'

Apr 27, 2016

Does the position of the horses' hooves on the equestrian statues at Gettysburg correlate to the rider's conditon after the battle? The answer is "yes" and "no". Supporting the "yes" contention, Meade,Sedgwick, Slocum, Howard, and Lee, none of which were wounded or killed, are displayed on horses with all four hooves on the ground. Hancock, who was wounded, but survived, is shown on a horse with one hoof in the air, while General Reynolds, killed early on Day One, is riding a... horse with two hooves up. Based on these facts, the myth arose that the position of the horses' hooves is a code...

• Gettysburg Greg
• Replies: 16
• Forum: Gettysburg

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[Tony Z]

Thanks, heard that one, but not described as hooves

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

My favorite myths are the ones so thoroughly debunked I never hear about them again.

 

[Gettysburg Greg]

Can you elaborate on the "horses' hooves" myth? It's one I haven't heard!

Thanks in advance!

T

Regarding the horses hooves myth passed down over the decades. Each Corps Commander statue is an equestrian one. Completely unintentionally, the horses hooves position can be matched to the riders outcome of the battle. As follows, Reynolds, two hooves up and he died. Hancock, one leg up, wounded. Meade, Howard, Slocome, Sedgewick, no hooves up, not wounded.

 

[7thWisconsin]

The shoes. It has the be the shoes. This myth even makes it into John Brown's Body (Steven Vincent Benet) in a wonderful poignant verse:
"What are you doing here, sir?" The officer
Explains. He, too, has come there to look for shoes.
—Fabulous shoes of Gettysburg, dead men's shoes,
Did anyone ever wear you, when it was done,
When the men were gone, when the farms were spoiled with the bones,
What became of your nails and leather? The swords went home,
The swords went into museums and neat glass cases,
The swords look well there. They are clean from the war.
You wouldn't put old shoes in a neat glass case,
Still stuck with the mud of marching. And yet, a man
With a taste for such straws and fables, blown by the wind,
Might hide a pair in a labelled case sometime
Just to see how the leather looked, set down by the swords. (John Brown's Body, Book VII)