Pheidippides ran 26 miles to deliver news of the Greek victory at the Battle of Marathon. His run is reenacted in modern times as a footrace with the name 'marathon'. There were feats of endurance and athleticism (anachronistic, I know) at the Battle of Gettysburg. Maybe they could be celebrated with a similar event?
For example, the run by the 56th PA and 76th NY of Cutler's brigade from the Codori farm to their deployment on Oak Ridge. That was about 2.75 miles, supposedly done in 30 minutes. Five and a quarter miles per hour, sustained for 30 minutes, off-road and over a ridge carrying a pack? How heavy was the pack? Check my read on the distance, I think it's correct but you might have to walk it with a GPS to be sure.
For fans of horses, there's the ride by Hall's battery from at their stopping point at the rear of Cutler's brigade, somehow passing the brigade and deploying soon enough to provide counter-battery fire covering their deployment. Simple geometry suggests they made that move faster than 5.25 mph, because they had to start at the back and arrive before everyone else. Horse-drawn artillery experts will probably say this speed off-road is hard to do.
There also may be a famous 21-mile march, followed by combat. A Gettysburg guide and former Marine officer told me about this one, and said he himself did the same walk and made it clear he thought it was unreasonable to expect men to walk that far (carrying packs presumably) and then perform well in combat immediately after. Can anyone tell me which brigade that was? Kershaw? Kemper? I've forgotten, sorry.
How heavy were the packs carried by Civil War infantry?
Maybe there's an opportunity here for the Gettysburg Chamber of Commerce, or the Park Service, or Adidas or Nike. Anyway, celebrate the incredible toughness and commitment of our forefathers!
For example, the run by the 56th PA and 76th NY of Cutler's brigade from the Codori farm to their deployment on Oak Ridge. That was about 2.75 miles, supposedly done in 30 minutes. Five and a quarter miles per hour, sustained for 30 minutes, off-road and over a ridge carrying a pack? How heavy was the pack? Check my read on the distance, I think it's correct but you might have to walk it with a GPS to be sure.
For fans of horses, there's the ride by Hall's battery from at their stopping point at the rear of Cutler's brigade, somehow passing the brigade and deploying soon enough to provide counter-battery fire covering their deployment. Simple geometry suggests they made that move faster than 5.25 mph, because they had to start at the back and arrive before everyone else. Horse-drawn artillery experts will probably say this speed off-road is hard to do.
There also may be a famous 21-mile march, followed by combat. A Gettysburg guide and former Marine officer told me about this one, and said he himself did the same walk and made it clear he thought it was unreasonable to expect men to walk that far (carrying packs presumably) and then perform well in combat immediately after. Can anyone tell me which brigade that was? Kershaw? Kemper? I've forgotten, sorry.
How heavy were the packs carried by Civil War infantry?
Maybe there's an opportunity here for the Gettysburg Chamber of Commerce, or the Park Service, or Adidas or Nike. Anyway, celebrate the incredible toughness and commitment of our forefathers!
Bringing the