When Armistead fell wounded

[G-G-Grand-Dad William]

So, Sergeant James Simons report is totally plausible as to the location and all else except for the "and there died" part, knowing that it took two days (July 5th) for Armistead to die. Yes?

 

[rpkennedy]

So, Sergeant James Simons report is totally plausible as to the location and all else except for the "and there died" part, knowing that it took two days (July 5th) for Armistead to die. Yes?

It is possible, yes. **** my memory!

Ryan

 

[rpkennedy]

Nah. Day 3 Weir's battery was just North of Cushing's.

Yup. Just where the wall turns back north just past the Angle.

Ryan

 

[Tom Elmore]

Sergeant Simons said Armistead died behind the lines, which is accurate. He said nothing about when, which he would not be expected to know while the battle was still in progress, as his place was with his battery. If his gun was toward the left of the battery, he might have been able to glance over the corner of the wall and see dead or dying Confederates to his left and front. Simons seems to indicate that he did not personally hear Armistead, but the latter's words were conveyed to him by the men he dispatched to comply with Lt. Weir's order.

I can envision the fellow standing at the wall in the top photograph of the below post, by Gettysburg Greg, as being very close to where Sergeant Simons stood at around 3:30 p.m. on July 3:

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/comparing-the-cyclorama-to-1882-photograph.134316/#post-1535247

 

[G-G-Grand-Dad William]

The is a reason it is so important to me. My G-G-Grand-Dad was very near the same spot, Battery C, US 5th. I want my son and wife and I to be able to stand their and see the view that he saw. We are going to Gettysburg April 21. Thanks to all.

 

[cash]

Sergeant Simons said Armistead died behind the lines, which is accurate. He said nothing about when, which he would not be expected to know while the battle was still in progress, as his place was with his battery. If his gun was toward the left of the battery, he might have been able to glance over the corner of the wall and see dead or dying Confederates to his left and front. Simons seems to indicate that he did not personally hear Armistead, but the latter's words were conveyed to him by the men he dispatched to comply with Lt. Weir's order.

I can envision the fellow standing at the wall in the top photograph of the below post, by Gettysburg Greg, as being very close to where Sergeant Simons stood at around 3:30 p.m. on July 3:

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/comparing-the-cyclorama-to-1882-photograph.134316/#post-1535247

Oh, please. "He was placed on a stretcher, carried down the hill back of our guns, and there died."

He quite obviously is saying Armistead died behind their guns on July 3. The George Spangler Farm is nowhere near where their guns were located.

 

[rpkennedy]

Oh, please. "He was placed on a stretcher, carried down the hill back of our guns, and there died."

He quite obviously is saying Armistead died behind their guns on July 3. The George Spangler Farm is nowhere near where their guns were located.

But did the sergeant know that? He may have seen Armistead taken to the rear and told that he subsequently died. 20-odd years later, he could have condensed the time frame.

Ryan

 

[cash]

But did the sergeant know that? He may have seen Armistead taken to the rear and told that he subsequently died. 20-odd years later, he could have condensed the time frame.

Ryan

That's the point.

 

[rpkennedy]

That's the point.

But that doesn't necessarily negate the rest of what he wrote. It is a plausible scenario.

Ryan

 

[cash]

But that doesn't necessarily negate the rest of what he wrote. It is a plausible scenario.

Ryan

I don't say it negates the rest of what he wrote--just that the guy who was there isn't necessarily right.

 

[Yankeedave]

Just to play devil's advocate...
Hancock was not new to the field he was shot in. In fact I would say he knew it very well after being there for two days. If you are looking for the exact spot, who knows.
If they were shot just south of the south angle, as he and another survivor witnessed, the Hancock -Armistead Masonic exchange took place down by the south angle.
I don't think Armistead crawled over the wall, handed off his documents, said 'it's the Gates fortune, burn the papers'. But I do think if history is correct there is some freemason symbolism in the actions purported to have occurred between the two, and others involved even if the two didn't meet personally.

 

[E_just_E]

FWIW:

Hancock's and Armistead's wounding places. About 1650 ft apart: