Maj. Benjamin W. Leigh (C.S.A)

[eBrowne]

Here is the Elliot Burial Map link.
https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3824g.cw0332000/?r=0.53,1.245,0.262,0.101,0
Question: If you look at the map at Culp's Hill, you will find Maj. Leigh's original burial spot. The map however appears to depict that two Confederate soldiers were buried next to one another, one being Maj. Leigh. Confederate soldiers are depicted by a vertical line - while Union soldiers are depicted by a crossed line. Who is the other Confederate? Or is that in error? Also next to where Leigh was buried there are four Union soldiers whose graves are surrounded on the map by a dotted rectangle. What does that dotted rectangle represent? a fence? a wall? Why were those Union soldiers seemingly buried separately?

 

[UnderTheRedPatch]

In some of the sources that are cited in the Killed at Gettysburg post, specifically the letters of the person struggling to bring Leigh home, it is explained that his body was buried next to an unknown Confederate private. However, I've yet to find an explanation for the private's burial.

Also, with any mention of the Elliot map, it is a great resource but has some issues. In many cases it is not really exact to number, and it is not exact to location in the GPS-coordinate-fashion that modern viewers often expect.

 

[eBrowne]

Do we know the ledge of rocks where Leigh was killed. There seem to be a number of references for different regiments who claimed that he was killed in front of their regiment.

 

[Tom Elmore]

I believe we can be confident about the location of the ledge of rocks because I think there is only one such formation that fits the description anywhere in the area. After closely examining the position on April 18, 2015, I think the boulders there could protect upwards of 40-50 men, which is the approximate number who surrendered there on the late morning of July 3. It's my favorite place on the entire battlefield. Perhaps the Park will recognize it as such some day and create a path so that visitors can access the spot. It's where the flag of the 4th Virginia was picked up after the fight was over. Captain Givens Brown Strickler of Company I, 4th Virginia wrote a detailed account of this action.

My own sketch (attached) reveals the location based on the existing monuments to the 149 and 122 NY. I would be surprised if no one has previously identified it, but am unaware of any such disclosure. Readers can explore for themselves on their next visit and judge for themselves. I believe it accords nicely with where we might expect the 4th Virginia to have attacked.

 

[Jeffry]

I visited this spot yesterday. The Shockoe Hill Cemetery brochure calls Leigh's marker a cenotaph (memorial marker), suggesting he remains among the G'burg unknown.

As an aside, very nearby are two headstones for the offspring of Rooney Lee. Robert E. Lee III, Lee's first grandchild died on 30 June 1862 at the age of 2, next to him is the remains of Charlotte Carter Lee, who died at 7 weeks of age on 6 December 1862.

1862 was obviously a year of great triumphs and great personal tragedy for Gen. Lee. I attempted to include images of these headstones but for some reason was blocked from doing so.

As the author of the Friends of Shockoe Hill Cemetery brochure, I can advise that the recent re-printing of the brochure has corrected that error. He is in fact with his family at Shockoe Hill.

 

[eBrowne]

Wilkison D. Perrin of Battery H 1st Ohio. July 4, 1863 "went of to the battle ground where the 12th corps fought the rebels layd in piles an awful looking sight to be sure saw Ewells Adjutant Gen."
Capt. James F. Huntington, The Marietta Register, July 17, 1863 "The rebels charged up a hill against log breastworks, lined with our splendid infantry.- I was on the ground afterwards. It was a sickening sight. In one place I traced the line of an entire company shot dead where they stood with the Captain at his post. - Here Gen. Ewell's Adjutant General was killed trying to rally his men."

 

[Tom Elmore]

Just found a mention by Captain William L. Stork of Company I, 29th Pennsylvania (Personal Recollections ... The Lutheran Observer, May 27, 1904, p. 676) : I now recall during our engagement the daring ride of the adjutant general of General Johnson's (Confederate) staff immediately in front of our lines. It was a most reckless and dare-devil act; the poor fellow was literally riddled with bullets. During a lull in the fighting some of our brigade ventured out and rifled the adjutant's pockets. He had a pocket-full of gold and greenbacks and a fine gold watch. He was handsomely uniformed, and had a pair of unusually good cavalry boots on his feet. These were also stripped from him and appropriated to the use of some one of our soldiers; but I am glad to say these free-booters were not of my immediate command.