Wofford's Brigade Question

[dennmorr]

Somewhere in my earlier reading I understood that Wofford's Brigade advanced in column until a point east of the Emmitsburg Pike. Does any one here know if that is correct? Getting older and trying not rely on memory alone.
Dennis

 

[johncla]

Somewhere in my earlier reading I understood that Wofford's Brigade advanced in column until a point east of the Emmitsburg Pike. Does any one here know if that is correct? Getting older and trying not rely on memory alone.
Dennis

On the second day? Reading Gottfried and looking at my 2nd day map it seems that they charged in line of battle across Emmitsburg Road, through the Wheatfield to the base of Little Round Top, and were then ordered to withdraw.
I'm not the best authority on this and am eager to be corrected.

 

[infomanpa]

I can't see what advantage there would be to advance in column under those conditions. I don't know of any sources that indicate that the brigade advanced in that manner. The evidence shows that Wofford's brigade was stretched from the Peach Orchard to the Rose Farm. That means that they would have been in the normal line of battle.

 

[ronzzo]

I can't see what advantage there would be to advance in column under those conditions. I don't know of any sources that indicate that the brigade advanced in that manner. The evidence shows that Wofford's brigade was stretched from the Peach Orchard to the Rose Farm. That means that they would have been in the normal line of battle.

Especially on the East side of Emmitsburg Rd.

 

[lelliott19]

Hi Dennis and welcome to CivilWarTalk - the best place on the internet for Civil War discussion.

There is no evidence to indicate that Wofford's brigade advanced in column at any time during the Battle of Gettysburg. In fact, all evidence indicates that they were arrayed in normal line of battle from right to left> 18th GA, 24th GA, 16th GA, Cobb's Legion, Phillips Legion with the 3d Battalion Sharpshooters likely out from as skirmishers. Most of the available accounts have been compiled in this thread which may be of further interest.

Golden Thread - "Cheer less, boys and fight more" - Wofford's Brigade at Gettysburg | Gettysburg

Wofford's Brigade at Gettysburg - 16th, 18th, and 24th Georgia Infantry, Cobb's and Philip's Legions, and 3d Battalion GA Sharpshooters Presently, but after what seemed like an eternity, Gen'l Longstreet accompanied by Gen'l McLaws, rode near us and spoke briefly to Gen'l Wofford, who saluted...

civilwartalk.com

 

[rpkennedy]

Somewhere in my earlier reading I understood that Wofford's Brigade advanced in column until a point east of the Emmitsburg Pike. Does any one here know if that is correct? Getting older and trying not rely on memory alone.
Dennis

That would have been odd since all of the brigades in McLaws' and Hood's Divisions were in line of battle when they formed on Seminary Ridge.

Ryan

 

[dennmorr]

Thanks to all for your responses.

I was doing some internet searching and found Guelzo at P. 297 "To his dismay St. Clair Mulholland, in the Irish Brigade, also saw Wofford's brigade 'coming in on the right' in column 'in battalion front.' "

Guelzo's notes indicate that this comes from Bachelder p. 422. (No mention of columns or Battalions there). Digging further I read Mulholland's "Story of the 116 Pennsylvania infantry" P.127 "As the Regiment stood in line waiting for the foe in front to advance, a column of the enemy, supposed to be Semm's and Wofford's Brigades, passed through the peach orchard, formed a line in rear and began to advance just as the line in front began moving forward."

The odd thing is that I have not read Guelzo or Mulholland's "Story" before today.

I agree it would make more sense for them to be in line from the time they stepped off.
Dennis

 

[Gettysburg Guide #154]

In his work "Brigades of Gettysburg", Bradley M. Gottfried says that there are no official reports filed by anyone from Wofford's Brigade. (Reading that made me feel much better about searching in vain through the O.R. for Wofford's report.) Accordingly, we cannot be certain of the alignment of the brigade. However, all reports that mention Wofford's Brigade indicate that they were positioned in support of Barksdale's Brigade, so it would make sense that they were in battle alignment. Gottfried also indicates that other sources talk about the brigade becoming a bit disorganized (albeit momentarily) as they passed through the artillery. Again, this would indicate a battle line, not a column. You should also be aware that contemporary reports during the Civil War will often refer to a line of battle as an attacking column. Perhaps that might be the source of the confusion.

 

[infomanpa]

You should also be aware that contemporary reports during the Civil War will often refer to a line of battle as an attacking column. Perhaps that might be the source of the confusion.

That's a great point. I've noticed that myself while reading reports.

 

[dennmorr]

Thanks again for all of the input. At this point it seem to me that "battle line" makes the most sense. As some of you know I create artwork from my diorama. I am currently working on "Cheer less-Fight more!" Hope to post it here in "beta" status for review in a few days.
Dennis Morris

In his work "Brigades of Gettysburg", Bradley M. Gottfried says that there are no official reports filed by anyone from Wofford's Brigade. (Reading that made me feel much better about searching in vain through the O.R. for Wofford's report.) Accordingly, we cannot be certain of the alignment of the brigade. However, all reports that mention Wofford's Brigade indicate that they were positioned in support of Barksdale's Brigade, so it would make sense that they were in battle alignment. Gottfried also indicates that other sources talk about the brigade becoming a bit disorganized (albeit momentarily) as they passed through the artillery. Again, this would indicate a battle line, not a column. You should also be aware that contemporary reports during the Civil War will often refer to a line of battle as an attacking column. Perhaps that might be the source of the confusion.

 

[lelliott19]

Accordingly, we cannot be certain of the alignment of the brigade.

Wofford either never filed an official report after he was promoted to BG or else they were lost. Except for the Report of Lt Col Nathan L Hutchins (3d Battn GA SS) dated January 1, 1864, OR, Series I, Vol XXI, Part 1, pp. 518-520, not a single report on the brigade is included in the OR.

There are, however, a number of primary source accounts that relate to the alignment of the brigade at Gettysburg. Most of them have been compiled in this ongoing thread here at CWT

Golden Thread - "Cheer less, boys and fight more" - Wofford's Brigade at Gettysburg | Gettysburg

Wofford's Brigade at Gettysburg - 16th, 18th, and 24th Georgia Infantry, Cobb's and Philip's Legions, and 3d Battalion GA Sharpshooters Presently, but after what seemed like an eternity, Gen'l Longstreet accompanied by Gen'l McLaws, rode near us and spoke briefly to Gen'l Wofford, who saluted...

civilwartalk.com

IMO the one from Capt James Lile Lemon (A/18thGA) - which specifies the alignment as L>R Phillips Legion, Cobbs Legion, 16th GA, 24th GA, 18th GA - should be accepted as definitive. I've explained my reasons in the linked thread. The specific source is a drawing by Lemon he called "Alignment of regiments Wofford's Brigade"; Wartime Recollections of Captain James Lile Lemon 18th Georgia.

 

[datameister]

Thanks to all for your responses.

I was doing some internet searching and found Guelzo at P. 297 "To his dismay St. Clair Mulholland, in the Irish Brigade, also saw Wofford's brigade 'coming in on the right' in column 'in battalion front.' "

Guelzo's notes indicate that this comes from Bachelder p. 422. (No mention of columns or Battalions there). Digging further I read Mulholland's "Story of the 116 Pennsylvania infantry" P.127 "As the Regiment stood in line waiting for the foe in front to advance, a column of the enemy, supposed to be Semm's and Wofford's Brigades, passed through the peach orchard, formed a line in rear and began to advance just as the line in front began moving forward."

The odd thing is that I have not read Guelzo or Mulholland's "Story" before today.

I agree it would make more sense for them to be in line from the time they stepped off.
Dennis

Great research on your part! Several historians and LBG, John Fitzpatrick, say you should take Mulholland's comments with a grain of salt, considering the time after the battle, the audience, and the motivation. There is also a tendency to use "column" as a generic term rather than the specific as we know it.

Irish Brigade at Gettysburg Part 9: Licensed Battlefield Guide John Fitzpatrick | Gettysburg Daily

Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide John Fitzpatrick is the host for this series on the Irish[...]

www.gettysburgdaily.com

 

[dennmorr]

As I promised here is Woffords brigade "Cheer less-Fight more!" -in line of Battle. Specifically the 18th Georgia. Input is always appreciated.
Dennis Morris

Thanks again for all of the input. At this point it seem to me that "battle line" makes the most sense. As some of you know I create artwork from my diorama. I am currently working on "Cheer less-Fight more!" Hope to post it here in "beta" status for review in a few days.
Dennis Morris

 

[rpkennedy]

As I promised here is Woffords brigade "Cheer less-Fight more!" -in line of Battle. Specifically the 18th Georgia. Input is always appreciated.
Dennis Morris
View attachment 356602

Outstanding work.

Ryan

 

[Cavalier]

That's really nice. Congratulations!

John

 

[dgfred]

One of the best I have seen. Thumbs up!