Uphill to Barlow's Knoll

[infomanpa]

In the next few weeks, I will posting pictures from views that the usual tourist never sees. I am that crazy guy who walks through tick-infested high grass to places where the soldiers fought. Hopefully, this may stimulate some discussion of the battle. When you go to Blocher's Knoll and stand on its summit, it doesn't look like much of hill, but let's look at it from the Confederate view as they charged the hill:

This is what the men of Gordon's Georgian brigade saw as they crossed Rock Creek and moved uphill. At this level, they would have been met by Von Gilsa's brigade who were defending the northeast face of the hill. This Federal brigade was probably stacked in 2 lines, but could not successfully defend their position and were driven back..

Meanwhile on the northwest side of the hill, Dole's Georgians are advancing against Ames' brigade, who would have been located where this picture was taken. These Federals also cannot withstand the assault and must fall back.

Looking at this hill from these angles, it's understandable that General Barlow, who commanded the division that included Von Gilsa's and Ames' brigades, decided to occupy this high ground.

 

[Wallyfish]

Well done! You are absolutely correct in advising people to venture off the beaten path to gain a better understanding of how the terrain factored into the battle. You can immediately see how even small elevation changes impact sight lines. Again thanks for allowing others to see the elevation changes on Barlow's Knoll.

 

[infomanpa]

Well done! You are absolutely correct in advising people to venture off the beaten path to gain a better understanding of how the terrain factored into the battle. You can immediately see how even small elevation changes impact sight lines. Again thanks for allowing others to see the elevation changes on Barlow's Knoll.

In the future, I'll be smart like you Wallyfish, and visit in other seasons when the grass isn't up to my chest! Now that I'm retired, I can go whenever.

 

[Doug5861]

You're not kidding about the ticks. I walked the path behind the 7th Wisconsin down to Willoughby Run and found two ticks on me before I got into the car. And that's an actual worn path.

 

[James N.]

I wish it had been possible to have an unobstructed view of the knoll from here on Jones' Battalion Drive northeast of Rock Creek, but as you can tell, this position of Early's artillery has been engulfed by "progress" as well as the trees along the creek having grown to block any view there once may have been.

 

[pamc153PA]

Off the beaten path is where you will usually find me. If you can find me! As far as ticks, I use a Deep Woods Off, and I very seldom find them on me. Luckily.

 

[bankerpapaw]

You're not kidding about the ticks. I walked the path behind the 7th Wisconsin down to Willoughby Run and found two ticks on me before I got into the car. And that's an actual worn path.

Ticks certainly know where to hang out awaiting their next meal.

 

[JOHN42768]

Beware of the 24-48 hour nonsense of being attached. I got it in less the 4 hours.

 

[Tom Elmore]

Gordon did not seem to have much trouble forcing back Von Gilsa's skirmish line (54-68 NY) from Rock Creek. His most obstinate opposition initially came from the woods on the right of his line, where 153 PA was posted. I agree Ames/Harris on the knoll would have put up a stiff fight had their units been properly deployed. However, they were not. The 25-75-107 OH and six companies of 17 CT were all in massed column, and aligned to meet a threat from the northwest (Doles) at the moment Gordon struck from the northeast and east.

Despite the confusion, 75 OH managed to deploy behind 153 PA, and 25 OH and 17 CT were in the process of joining them. The net effect was that they momentarily stopped the right of Gordon's brigade (60-13 GA), but as this was being done they were simultaneously being encircled by the advancing center and left of Gordon's brigade to the southeast, and Doles's left regiment (12 GA) to the northwest and west. Harris was in a bag on the knoll and adjacent woods, while the Confederates were on the move to tie the knot around their only escape route to the southwest.

The saddest spectacle was that of the large 107 Ohio, which was essentially immobilized and never did fully deploy before being swept away in the rout. It was this faulty deployment that doomed the knoll position from the outset. It didn't help that Barlow was knocked out of the fight almost immediately.

Here are a couple of my draft maps (timed at 3:10 and 3:13 p.m.) to illustrate the point:

 

[infomanpa]

You're not kidding about the ticks. I walked the path behind the 7th Wisconsin down to Willoughby Run and found two ticks on me before I got into the car. And that's an actual worn path.

Actually, I never did see a tick that day. It's because I treated my pants and socks with permethrin the day before. It works great.

Off the beaten path is where you will usually find me. If you can find me! As far as ticks, I use a Deep Woods Off, and I very seldom find them on me. Luckily.

The regular Off didn't work for me. Maybe I should give the Deep Woods type a try.

 

[infomanpa]

I wish it had been possible to have an unobstructed view of the knoll from here on Jones' Battalion Drive northeast of Rock Creek, but as you can tell, this position of Early's artillery has been engulfed by "progress" as well as the trees along the creek having grown to block any view there once may have been.

I agree, James. It's the same situation with Latimer's artillery off Hanover Rd. Although, at least I can barely make out Culp's Hill from there if I move around enough.

 

[infomanpa]

Gordon did not seem to have much trouble forcing back Von Gilsa's skirmish line (54-68 NY) from Rock Creek. His most obstinate opposition initially came from the woods on the right of his line, where 153 PA was posted. I agree Ames/Harris on the knoll would have put up a stiff fight had their units been properly deployed. However, they were not. The 25-75-107 OH and six companies of 17 CT were all in massed column, and aligned to meet a threat from the northwest (Doles) at the moment Gordon struck from the northeast and east.

Despite the confusion, 75 OH managed to deploy behind 153 PA, and 25 OH and 17 CT were in the process of joining them. The net effect was that they momentarily stopped the right of Gordon's brigade (60-13 GA), but as this was being done they were simultaneously being encircled by the advancing center and left of Gordon's brigade to the southeast, and Doles's left regiment (12 GA) to the northwest and west. Harris was in a bag on the knoll and adjacent woods, while the Confederates were on the move to tie the knot around their only escape route to the southwest.

The saddest spectacle was that of the large 107 Ohio, which was essentially immobilized and never did fully deploy before being swept away in the rout. It was this faulty deployment that doomed the knoll position from the outset. It didn't help that Barlow was knocked out of the fight almost immediately.

Always appreciate seeing differences in explaining how these troops were deployed. Comparing your maps with others such as Gottfried and Laino tell me that it's not a settled issue. For example, some think that that some or all of the 68th NY was on the northwest end of the line, extending the flank of the 107th OH. Even more interesting is that you don't show any Federal troops at all on that side of the hill. I always assumed that any Federal troops there were attacked by Doles brigade, but you have Doles much further to the west than where I usually see them positioned. So, instead of Doles and Gordon being linked in the attack, your maps appear to show that there was a large gap between these 2 brigades on the northwest slope. Or do you have a map of a later time where the brigades link up?

 

[Tom Elmore]

I have them (12 and 60 GA) linking up at 3:18 p.m. (map attached), until 3:28 p.m. when Doles was attacked by 157 NY on their right flank and headed off in a more southwesterly direction.

 

[infomanpa]

I have them (12 and 60 GA) linking up at 3:18 p.m. (map attached), until 3:28 p.m. when Doles was attacked by 157 NY on their right flank and headed off in a more southwesterly direction.

Tom, according to my research and visits to the battlefield, your maps are as good as it gets. Is there a plan for getting them published or made available some other way?

 

[Tom Elmore]

Tom, according to my research and visits to the battlefield, your maps are as good as it gets. Is there a plan for getting them published or made available some other way?

Thank you. I am working on them at the moment. Hope to publish by 2020.

 

[rpkennedy]

Thank you. I am working on them at the moment. Hope to publish by 2020.

My wife will surely thank you when I come home with another Gettysburg map book, Tom.

Ryan

 

[infomanpa]

Thank you. I am working on them at the moment. Hope to publish by 2020.

Excellent! I will look forward to it.