I took this photo during a dawn visit to Devils Den with
@War Horse,
@Bee and
@Frums at the September get together. Carved into one of the rocks there. Just wanting to know if any of our Gettysburg experts know anything about it?
The surname could "B . .SK"? Then I thought it could be "BROCK"? Paging
@pamc153PA,
@Gettysburg Greg,
@Tom Elmore,
@rpkennedy @cash .......
View attachment 114188
John Besk, company F 6th U.S. Cavalry ????
Gettysburg after battle report:
Report of Capt. George C. Cram, Sixth U. S. Cavalry.
Camp near Aldie, Va., June 23, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit the following report of the part
taken by the Sixth U. S. Cavalry in the operations of June 21:
The regiment marched before breakfast from its position on picket
near Aldie, in the brigade column, and, crossing Goose Creek, was
employed at different portions of the day, with the rest of the brigade,
as a supporting reserve until reaching the slopes on the hither
side of Upperville, when, forming squadron and advancing for some
time at a trot, it was suddenly called on to defeat an effort of the enemy
on our left flank, the volunteer cavalry at this time being engaged
with the enemy in front of us. Instantly breaking from its
formation in column of squadrons, and passing through a narrow gap
in a stone wall, and reforming on the other side, as well as the time
allowed it and the circumstances and ground would permit, moved
immediately forward, and, on the command being given, charged
up to the enemy, under a harassing artillery fire and over a long
stretch of heavy and marshy ground, intersected by a most difficult
ditch and terminating in a hill of plowed ground, beyond which, on
the firm ground in the edge of the woods, the enemy in large force
awaited it. The charge was unsuccessful, the most of the horses
being so blown that it was impossible to bring or keep them for such
a distance at a charging pace.
On the regiment rallying and reforming on the nucleus of the
second squadron, commanded by Capt. Claflin, on more favorable
ground, the enemy being within easy reach and everything favorable
for a successful charge, for which it was then preparing, the regiment
was then ordered to dismount and fight on foot, and was used
dismounted, under the cover of stone walls, to protect our left flank,
the enemy retiring at the same time into the woods on our front.
On being relieved from this position, and the engagement having
terminated, it moved in column of squadrons, with the rest of the
brigade, through the woods and toward the entrance of Ashby's Gap,
till it succeeded in attracting the fire of the enemy's artillery, when
it was withdrawn, and went into bivouac on the hither side of the
town of Upperville.
The regiment marched out 12 commissioned officers and 242 enlisted
men strong.
Its casualties were Second Lieut. Henry McQuiston, severely
wounded. Privates John Might, of Company E, slightly wounded;
C. F. H. Reomer, of Company A, mortally; Jacob Couts, of Company
G, slightly; [Michael] Slattery, Company F, slightly; [Michael Kurnan,
Company A, Slightly. Privates [Joshua W.] Dubois, Company
E, Thomas McKeffrey, Company F, and Nelson H. Turner, Company
B, missing.
In closing this report, out of justice to my regiment, I would respectfully
call the attention of my superiors to the dispiriting circumstances
attending the unsuccessful charge, before described.
The men were exhausted and worn out by the recent imposition of
incessant picket duty in their position near Middleburg. They were
taken from behind stone walls which they had been guarding all
night and the day before, mounted on horses as famished as themselves,
and immediately marched with the column, and at the end of
a fatiguing day were required to charge over ground almost impracticable
in its nature and 750 paces in extent, as proved by the measurement
of experienced officers on the morning of the 22d.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. C. CRAM,
Capt. Sixth U. S. Cavalry, Comdg. Regt.
Lieut. James F. McQuesten,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Regular Cavalry Reserve Brigade.
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