General Hunt's Cows?

[Gettysburg Greg]

The photo accompanying this post is highly magnified and may not be legible on this forum in which case I will remove. Hopefully it is clear enough for you to see what I see, or think I see. On the afternoon of July 2nd, General Henry Hunt rode to the area of Devil's Den to inquire as to why Smith's battery positioned on Houck's Ridge had not begun firing at the Confederate skirmishers advancing from Warfield Ridge. He dismounted and climbed the ridge to speak to Captain Smith. While there, Confederate artillery struck in the valley (of Death) killing a cow and stampeding the rest. Apparently the stampeding cows terrified the General for he mentioned the incident in his after battle report stating he was never more scared that day than when he had to retrieve his horse from the valley among the cows.
Two weeks later, Mathew Brady recorded a panorama from the summit of Little Round Top that included the valley below where the "cow incident" took place. I have found that under high magnification there appears to be several cows down near Plum Run. It would seem logical that these could be the very cows mentioned by the General.
As you can see, I have identified Mathew Brady standing in profile just below the breastworks. That is his often photographed assistant with the broad brimmed hat on the left.

 

[Andy Cardinal]

That is one of my favorite stories of the battle. Thanks for the picture!

 

[Kip124thNY]

Thanks for posting. Interesting "Gettysburg moment".

 

[Nathanb1]

That is very cool! "Cows! We have cows!"

 

[PeterT]

Very mooooooving!

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

One of my favorite stories, too. Post battle, the local paper is littered with ads, cows found and held, asking owners to come claim them.

Ok, must ask. Brady's assistant's hat, the person just to the left of Brady- is a woman's hat. Wide brim, ribbon. There are several Brady photos from Gettysburg where you think " Is that person wearing pants a female? ". Talking to Widow Thompson, standing in the Bryan yard- maybe another.

 

[Gettysburg Greg]

One of my favorite stories, too. Post battle, the local paper is littered with ads, cows found and held, asking owners to come claim them.

Ok, must ask. Brady's assistant's hat, the person just to the left of Brady- is a woman's hat. Wide brim, ribbon. There are several Brady photos from Gettysburg where you think " Is that person wearing pants a female? ". Talking to Widow Thompson, standing in the Bryan yard- maybe another.

As many times as I've studied these images, I've never noticed that, thanks for pointing it out. I do think there is no doubt though, that it is a man as his goatee shows up in several images.

 

[Jackson'sArm]

What is the elevation there, vertical distance from Brady and assistant, to valley floor where the cows lie?

 

[donna]

Interesting about cows. Never knew this.

It could be part of Four Footed Friends Forum too but know it really about Gettysburg.

 

[Andy Cardinal]

From Battles and Leaders, "The Second Day at Gettysburg":

"On climbing to the summit, I found that Smith had just got his guns, one by one, over the rocks and chasms, into an excellent position. After pointing out to me the advancing lines of the enemy, he opened, and very effectively. Many guns were immediately turned on him, relieving so far the rest of the line. Telling him that I that he would probably lose his battery, I left to seek infantry supports, very doubtful if I would find my horse, for the storm of shell bursting over the place was enough to drive away any animal wild. On reaching the foot of the cliff, I found myself in a place at once ludicrous, painful, and dangerous. A herd of horned cattle had been driven into the valley between Devil's Den and Round Top, from which they could not escape. A shell had exploded in the body of one of them, tearing it to pieces; others were torn and wounded. All were stampeded, and were bellowing and rushing in their terror, first the one side and then to the other, to escape the shells that were bursting over them and among them. Cross I must, and in doing so I had my most trying experience of that battle-field. Luckily the poor beasts were as frightened as I was, but their rage was subdued by terror, and they were good enough to let me pass through scot-free, but "badly demoralized." However, my horse was safe, I mounted, and in the busy excitement that followed almost forgot my scare.