Wesley Culp's Rifle Stock

[Gettysburg Greg]

I have found in the archives, some posts related to Wesley Culp, but there are few details about his death or exactly where he was buried. Here is a post I made to a Facebook group that includes the information I was able to glean from a number of sources.
Wesley Culp was with the 2nd Virginia at Gettysburg and fought near Culp's Hill where he had played as a youngster growing up in Gettysburg. The irony doesn't end there as he also was killed and buried near his childhood home on July 3rd, 1863, the only man from the 2nd Virginia killed in the battle. Apparently, his broken rifle stock with his name carved into it was found somewhere in that area and now resides in the Gettysburg National Park Archives. The "PPM" on the reverse side may be the first owner of the gun, just guessing. Interestingly, I'm having a problem finding any details on who found it and when, but I did recently find photos of the stock shown below. Any additional information you could add would be appreciated. Regarding Culp's rifle, one of his officers, Henry Kyd Douglas wrote of him, "twenty-four years old and very little, if any, over five feet and when captain of the company I procured a special gun for him." Could this broken stock be from the "special gun" procured for him by HKD? Could be, IMHO.

 

[Tom Elmore]

I don't have a definitive answer, but have always wondered whether the following description refers to Private (John) Wesley Culp:

"A neighbor of ours - old Mr. Tawney - came to get some flour on Tuesday [July 7], and he said, 'Over here in the woods I found a dead man.' So Father and I took a mattock and a shovel and went along with Mr. Tawney to the spot where he'd come across the body. There it was, all bloated up, seated leaning against a tree. We had to make the grave a rod or so away on account of the tree roots. It was impossible to handle the man to get him there, he was so decayed like, and we hitched his belt to his legs and dragged him along, and no sooner did we start with him than his scalp slipped right off. We just turned him in on his side and covered him with earth."

(The Farmer's Son, Battleground Adventures, by Clifton Johnson, Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, Cambridge, 1915, pp. 174-175)

The author is Christian Benner's son, who lived with his family across Rock Creek from Culp's Hill. Their neighbor was Zepheniah Tawney, on whose property some companies of the 2nd Virginia fought as skirmishers. The deceased was leaning against a tree, either crawling there to rest after being badly wounded, or else placed there by a comrade. If it was indeed Wesley Culp, I have always wondered if he spent his final moments contemplating the strange fate that had brought him back near his boyhood home to die.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Judging by the several carvings seen on the rifle stock, it looks like this weapon may have had multiple previous owners, with W. Culp being the most recent. (It also seems the rifle may have been smashed by a person unknown.)

The engraving above 'W. Culp' appears to read as, 'F. WEAVER'.

If the rifle ended up in Culp's possession, could it have been retrieved previously from a dead comrade or enemy soldier.

 

[121st PA Vols]

If that was Wes Culp, he and the 2nd were sure in a vulnerable spot maybe 1/2 to 3/4-mile East of the Baltimore Pike and right under the guns along the Pike and Powers Hill just east (corrected to say west) of the pike, catching hell July 3rd-AM. And the 12th corps came in from that direction as well returning from the left. Bad spot.
I always had a place in my heart for Wes playing in the same woods and in school with a Culp a year ahead of me. The family was still in the town when I was in HS. We were back in there hunting with a bow (30lb) that was taller than me at the time and swimming in one of the few deep holes in Rock Creek. Poor Wes.
I was wondering what stock that is (??), looking like it doesn't have enough curve ('S'....the butt) for a Springfield or Enfield. Gettysburg Greg did mention it was a 'special gun' per his shortness put together by an officer in the unit. Good stuff Gettysburg Greg.

 

[Story]

Could this broken stock be from the "special gun" procured for him by HKD? Could be, IMHO.

IF the type of musket/rifle can be determined, then there should be a standard L.O.P. (Length Of Pull, measurement from the buttplate to a set point along the stock - usually around the wrist).

If the factory standard L.O.P. can be found and compared to the same two points on the fragment, you can tell if it's been shortened.

 

[gjpratt]

1851 Cadet Musket?

 

[RedRover]

I have found in the archives, some posts related to Wesley Culp, but there are few details about his death or exactly where he was buried. Here is a post I made to a Facebook group that includes the information I was able to glean from a number of sources.
Wesley Culp was with the 2nd Virginia at Gettysburg and fought near Culp's Hill where he had played as a youngster growing up in Gettysburg. The irony doesn't end there as he also was killed and buried near his childhood home on July 3rd, 1863, the only man from the 2nd Virginia killed in the battle. Apparently, his broken rifle stock with his name carved into it was found somewhere in that area and now resides in the Gettysburg National Park Archives. The "PPM" on the reverse side may be the first owner of the gun, just guessing. Interestingly, I'm having a problem finding any details on who found it and when, but I did recently find photos of the stock shown below. Any additional information you could add would be appreciated. Regarding Culp's rifle, one of his officers, Henry Kyd Douglas wrote of him, "twenty-four years old and very little, if any, over five feet and when captain of the company I procured a special gun for him." Could this broken stock be from the "special gun" procured for him by HKD? Could be, IMHO.
View attachment 516221

At some point, between 1861 and the date the above gunstock was presented to the Gettysburg park, (A.) the stock was broken from a military rifle or musket (B.) somebody carved "W. Culp" on it, and (C.) presented it to the Gettysburg park.

Imagination must fill in the rest.

In Tom McMillan's "Gettysburg Rebels..." he simply states the gunstock was found by members of the Culp family sometime after 1863...

The question not asked generally, is how many members of the Culp family in the Gettysburg vicinity, had the initial/name "W. Culp" in the century after the battle.

National Tribune, 4-22-1909.

There are other broken gun stocks presented to the park museum...
GettysburgNMP, Beatty gun stock...

Here's another one...
GettysburgNMPriflegunstock...

 

[mwalker6043]

If that was Wes Culp, he and the 2nd were sure in a vulnerable spot maybe 1/2 to 3/4-mile East of the Baltimore Pike and right under the guns along the Pike and Powers Hill just east of the pike, catching hell July 3rd-AM. And the 12th corps came in from that direction as well returning from the left. Bad spot.
I always had a place in my heart for Wes playing in the same woods and in school with a Culp a year ahead of me. The family was still in the town when I was in HS. We were back in there hunting with a bow (30lb) that was taller than me at the time and swimming in one of the few deep holes in Rock Creek. Poor Wes.
I was wondering what stock that is (??), looking like it doesn't have enough curve ('S'....the butt) for a Springfield or Enfield. Gettysburg Greg did mention it was a 'special gun' per his shortness put together by an officer in the unit. Good stuff Gettysburg Greg.

Maybe a cavalry carbine stock?

 

[LCYingling3rd]

Thanks for the pictures and interesting discussion.

My ancestor, Samuel Stuckey, of Co. E, 2nd VA Infantry, was wounded at Fredericksburg but is listed as back with the regiment through most of 1863 and would have been with the Regiment at the time of Gettysburg. So, I have always been fascinated by the story of Wesley Culp; especially since my great grandfather was in the 87th PA Infantry with Wesley's brother, William Culp, and childhood friend, Johnston H. "Jack" Skelly Jr.

I remember there being an interpretive sign on East Confederate Ave., just north of Culps Hill - as you approach from Liberty Street in town, with the story of Wesley Culp and a picture of the rifle stock on it. I didn't see it the last time I was there. I don't know if they took it down or if I simply missed it? That is the only picture of the stock that I had ever seen. There also used to be a display case in the old Visitors Center dedicated to Wesley and William Culp. I would have to go back through my pictures to see what they had in it, yet I recall the case having muskets, some accoutrements, maybe a canteen, and maybe some uniform pieces belonging to or representing each brother. Because of the "pieced together" nature of the display, I always thought that these were actual belongings of the brothers. I don't know for sure. I do not recall ever seeing the rifle stock displayed in that case.

My understanding is that no one knows where he was buried. I even read somewhere that family members, concerned that he had returned home a Confederate, found the body and secretly buried it on Culp family property. I can imagine them being weary of ridicule. I always considered that account entirely apocryphal. The whole "Culp-Skelly-Wade" story always had a "mythic" feel to it for me. Although the Skelly family did have the famous Jennie Wade picture. However, I am fascinated by it and would love to know if it were true.

Thanks again...

 

[on again]

John wesley Culp

John Wesley Culp (1839-1863) - Find a Grave...

Civil War Confederate Soldier. He was born and raised in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, but enlisted in Company B, 2nd Virginia Infantry of the Confederate Army at Harper's Ferry, Virginia on April 20, 1861. He was captured in March/April 1862 while on furlough and later exchanged. As a member of the...

www.findagrave.com

William Culp

1LT William Esaias Culp (1831-1882) - Find a Grave...

Son of Easias Jesse and Margaret Ann Sutherland Culp. Brother of John Wesley Culp (1839-1863), Barbara Anne (Culp) Myers and Julia (Culp) Welliver. Shortly before the War, William and Wesley worked for noted Gettysburg carriage maker, Charles William Hoffman. When Hoffman left Gettysburg...

www.findagrave.com

Jack Skelly

Jack Skelly (1841-1863) - Find a Grave Memorial

Civil War Union Soldier. He served as a member of the 87th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War and died in July 1863 from wounds he had received a few weeks earlier at the Battle of 2nd Winchester, Virginia. He is reputed to have been the fiancé of Mary Virginia Jennie Wade, who...

www.findagrave.com

Jennie Wade

Jennie Wade (1843-1863) - Find a Grave Memorial

American Civil War Figure. She gained her place in American history books as the only direct civilian casualty of the Battle of Gettysburg. Born Mary Virginia Wade, she was known by her family and contemporaries as merely Jennie. The three-day Civil War Battle of Gettysburg began on July 1...

www.findagrave.com

 

[RedRover]

Thanks for the pictures and interesting discussion.

My ancestor, Samuel Stuckey, of Co. E, 2nd VA Infantry, was wounded at Fredericksburg but is listed as back with the regiment through most of 1863 and would have been with the Regiment at the time of Gettysburg. So, I have always been fascinated by the story of Wesley Culp; especially since my great grandfather was in the 87th PA Infantry with Wesley's brother, William Culp, and childhood friend, Johnston H. "Jack" Skelly Jr.

I remember there being an interpretive sign on East Confederate Ave., just north of Culps Hill - as you approach from Liberty Street in town, with the story of Wesley Culp and a picture of the rifle stock on it. I didn't see it the last time I was there. I don't know if they took it down or if I simply missed it? That is the only picture of the stock that I had ever seen. There also used to be a display case in the old Visitors Center dedicated to Wesley and William Culp. I would have to go back through my pictures to see what they had in it, yet I recall the case having muskets, some accoutrements, maybe a canteen, and maybe some uniform pieces belonging to or representing each brother. Because of the "pieced together" nature of the display, I always thought that these were actual belongings of the brothers. I don't know for sure. I do not recall ever seeing the rifle stock displayed in that case.

My understanding is that no one knows where he was buried. I even read somewhere that family members, concerned that he had returned home a Confederate, found the body and secretly buried it on Culp family property. I can imagine them being weary of ridicule. I always considered that account entirely apocryphal. The whole "Culp-Skelly-Wade" story always had a "mythic" feel to it for me. Although the Skelly family did have the famous Jennie Wade picture. However, I am fascinated by it and would love to know if it were true.

Thanks again...

H.K. Douglass, says that Culp was buried on the field, within view of his family farm... I would presume by his compatriots, thus Douglass' notice, among others relating the 2nd Virginia casualties...

 

[R. Porter]

Assuming the "W.CULP" stands for Wesley Culp, the broken stock could have been a temporary grave marker that was conveniently found on the battlefield. In that case it would not have to have been from a special gun that belonged to Culp, or even to have been associated with Culp at all. However, it might be expected that Culp's name would appear just under and parallel to the butt plate so that it could be easily read when the pointed broken was driven into the ground.

 

[rob63]

It looks like a normal P53 Enfield butt stock to me.

 

[Stone in the wall]

1851 Cadet Musket?

Very possible. In May 1861 Rockbridge Grays (later Co H 4th Va) and possible others were issued borrowed VMI 1851 Cadet rifles.

 

[Tom Elmore]

According to Ewell's ordnance chief, Col. William Allan, their corps had standardized with .58 caliber ammunition by summer 1863. Abandoned Enfields might have been abundant around Culp's Hill.

Channing Bolton, the engineering officer on Pender's staff wrote: "Before the retreat, I was left with a detail of about 100 men to destroy the small-arms left on the field. All the arms that we could get transportation for had been sent on with the army. I was at work until after midnight, when we moved to join the army."

Union troops likewise collected serviceable small-arms after the battle, and at least some of those deemed unsuitable were destroyed on the spot: Samuel Hankins (Simple Story of a Soldier) of the 2nd Mississippi wrote that while Union cavalry were gathering up guns, one soldier tried to break a gun over a rock when it discharged, killing him instantly. That may explain many broken gun stocks on the field.

 

[R. Porter]

According to Ewell's ordnance chief, Col. William Allan, their corps had standardized with .58 caliber ammunition by summer 1863. Abandoned Enfields might have been abundant around Culp's Hill.

Channing Bolton, the engineering officer on Pender's staff wrote: "Before the retreat, I was left with a detail of about 100 men to destroy the small-arms left on the field. All the arms that we could get transportation for had been sent on with the army. I was at work until after midnight, when we moved to join the army."

Union troops likewise collected serviceable small-arms after the battle, and at least some of those deemed unsuitable were destroyed on the spot: Samuel Hankins (Simple Story of a Soldier) of the 2nd Mississippi wrote that while Union cavalry were gathering up guns, one soldier tried to break a gun over a rock when it discharged, killing him instantly. That may explain many broken gun stocks on the field.

Breaking gun stocks at the wrist by smashing was apparently a Native American practice before turning their firearms over to the U.S. government.

 

[LCYingling3rd]

John wesley Culp

John Wesley Culp (1839-1863) - Find a Grave...

Civil War Confederate Soldier. He was born and raised in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, but enlisted in Company B, 2nd Virginia Infantry of the Confederate Army at Harper's Ferry, Virginia on April 20, 1861. He was captured in March/April 1862 while on furlough and later exchanged. As a member of the...

www.findagrave.com

William Culp

1LT William Esaias Culp (1831-1882) - Find a Grave...

Son of Easias Jesse and Margaret Ann Sutherland Culp. Brother of John Wesley Culp (1839-1863), Barbara Anne (Culp) Myers and Julia (Culp) Welliver. Shortly before the War, William and Wesley worked for noted Gettysburg carriage maker, Charles William Hoffman. When Hoffman left Gettysburg...

www.findagrave.com

Jack Skelly

Jack Skelly (1841-1863) - Find a Grave Memorial

Civil War Union Soldier. He served as a member of the 87th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War and died in July 1863 from wounds he had received a few weeks earlier at the Battle of 2nd Winchester, Virginia. He is reputed to have been the fiancé of Mary Virginia Jennie Wade, who...

www.findagrave.com

Jennie Wade

Jennie Wade (1843-1863) - Find a Grave Memorial

American Civil War Figure. She gained her place in American history books as the only direct civilian casualty of the Battle of Gettysburg. Born Mary Virginia Wade, she was known by her family and contemporaries as merely Jennie. The three-day Civil War Battle of Gettysburg began on July 1...

www.findagrave.com

Thank you for posting these. I was unaware that a gravestone for Wesley Culp has been placed at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond. That is very interesting. I guess I believe his remains are still on Culp's Hill where his comrades buried him.

I knew about Jack Skelly and Jennie Wade's fates and where they were buried, however, I hadn't known that William married Solome Sheads and had two children. And, I was unaware that he died in Chambersburg, PA in 1882.

Thanks

 

[LCYingling3rd]

H.K. Douglass, says that Culp was buried on the field, within view of his family farm... I would presume by his compatriots, thus Douglass' notice, among others relating the 2nd Virginia casualties...

View attachment 516277

Thank you. I really do need to pick up a copy of Douglas' book, "I Rode with Stonewall." I keep meaning to get one because it is such a good source.

 

[Cato3rd]

Samuel Hankins (Simple Story of a Soldier) of the 2nd Mississippi wrote that while Union cavalry were gathering up guns, one soldier tried to break a gun over a rock when it discharged, killing him instantly. That may explain many broken gun stocks on the field.

There is something so very tragic and ironic that a soldier could survive the horror of battle but die in the most accidental way possible.

 

[W117Monte]

I just read Tom McMillans "Gettysburg rebels"
On pages 151-152 he writes that Culps relatives found the gun stock while trying locate his grave on July 4th. This account was taken from an article written in 1913. This is an excellent book if you have the chance to read it!