Iron Brigade - July 2-3

[eBrowne]

When reading about the Iron Brigade at Gettysburg, the battle of July 1 dominates the literature. I often wonder what these soldiers witnessed on July 2-3 while on Culp's Hill. They would have witnessed the night attack on East Cemetery Hill of July 2. Did they write about the fierce fighting for Culp's Hill of July 2-3? In particular, I'm interested in reading primary accounts about those days. Anyone have any interesting primary accounts?

 

[infomanpa]

Not only did they witness the fighting ion Culp's Hill on July 2-3, some of them participated in it! The 6th Wisconsin was called on to help defend the saddle area on the night of July 2.

 

[Tom Elmore]

Not much was going with the brigade EXCEPT for the 6th Wisconsin. The 6th would bolster Greene's right flank on the evening of July 2, especially around 8 p.m. when it essentially relieved the 137th New York (in my estimation) when the latter was finally overwhelmed by Steuart's brigade. It allowed the 137th to rally without being pursued, and within a few minutes the 137th reentered the fight and relieved the 6th. But not long afterward, the 6th moved to reinforce Greene's men in the trenches further to the left where it remained for the rest of the night, being finally relieved just before daybreak on July 3, when it returned to its original position on the right of the Iron Brigade. While on Culp's Hill, the brigade, when all together, was commanded by Colonel W. W. Robinson of the 7th Wisconsin. When the 6th was detached it was of course led by Colonel Dawes, although directed by Brig. Gen. George S. Greene, to whom the regiment reported as a reinforcement. Attached draft map is my interpretation of the moment when the 6th Wisconsin literally stepped up to hold the line just long enough to allow the 137th New York to regroup. Of course, even at that moment it got by "with a little help from its friends," in particular the 14th Brooklyn. The positions shown for 24 MI-19 IN-7 WI-2 WI never changed. Although not expressly described by any source I show the left of the large 7th Indiana extended into a single line to fill the gap left by the departure of the 6th Wisconsin. The tiny remnant of the 2nd Wisconsin could not have been of much help in closing that gap. As you can see, Jones' brigade never really pressured the Iron Brigade's position on the north slope of the hill. By the way, this map also depicts that unfortunate moment when the 1st North Carolina moved up behind the 3rd North Carolina in the dark, mistaking the latter for the foe and opened fire into the backs of their own men.

 

[Gettysburg Guide #154]

If you visit the ground and step a few steps into the hillside, you will quickly realize why Jones' Virginians are not much of a threat. One is hard pressed just to climb that hill in the dark, let alone fight men who are hunkered down behind barricades at the top of the hill.

As for sources that describe the fighting on Culp's Hill on July 2 and 3, I suggest you check the Bibliography for Harry Pfanz's "Gettysburg: Cemetery Hill and Culp's Hill".

 

[eBrowne]

Not much in Pfanz's book about the Iron Brigade on Culp's Hill. Rufus Dawes has some with "Service with the Sixth Wisconsin." Don't see much in "The Iron Brigade" by Alan Nolan.

 

[Gettysburg Guide #154]

Sorry that I misunderstood your question. I was thinking that you were looking for material on the fighting on Culp's Hill generally. As for Wadsworth's Division, as noted by Tom Elmore, they did not move much on Days 2 and 3, and were really not seriously threatened by any Confederate assaults. Their contribution was in sending two regiments to support Greene's right, which was done successfully.

 

[111thNYSV]

Been to their position several times on Culp's hill. You can still make out where they dug in. It would have been a rough go for the rebels to assault that part of the hill.