Question about Elon Farnsworth

Joined
Nov 9, 2019
Elon Farnsworth certainly deserves more recognition than the hotel/restaurant that took his name.
Question: Were there any other generals during the Civil War, besides Elon Farnsworth, killed behind enemy lines?
 
Not sure it is correct to say that Farnsworth was killed "behind enemy lines." Farnsworth was an upcoming cavalry leader who was ordered by his superior officer, Judson Kilpatrick, to assault Hood's Confederate position south of Devils Den on July 3rd. This, despite the fact that the major actions of that day had already resulted in Union victories (Pickett's Charge, Stuart's East Cavalry action), and a direct cavalry assault into infantry lines was little more than a "forlorn hope." Farnsworth appropriately questioned the order, but was accused of "cowardice" by Kilpatrick. That accusation prompted Farnsworth to carry out the order, which led directly to his death.
 
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When one looks at the overall battlefield, I take your point that his charge is in fact charge on the Confederate flank. That said, his charge punched through TX and GA skirmishers and caused AL troops initially focused toward the Roundtops to turn around 180 degrees to shoot at him and the 1st VT during their effort to return to the starting point. From the descriptions of the charge that I have read, it sure sounded like they felt as though they were behind the enemy's lines.
 
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