A Second Battle Line @ Sunken Rd "Before" R H Ande

[JnoWFairfax]

Gang,

In reading the Carman MS description of the Battle of Sharpsburg (link:
http://kperlotto3.home.comcast.net/~kperlotto3/carman/carman.html)
lists three mentions of a second line of battle behind the main Confederate battle line at the Sunken Road.

I had _always_ been under the impression there was only the battle line actually in the road comprised of the survivors of Garland/Colquitt plus Cobb on the far left, then Rodes and then Anderson, in that order, before reinforcements from R H Anderson show up.

Apparently, the Carman MS seems to state there was a secondary battle line on the higher (in some places) southern bank of the Sunken Road and this _before_ R H Anderson's division, notably Pryor's, Featherston's, Wright's and Posey's brigades show up on the right flank of the North Carolinians.

Here is where I found the mentions, from the Carman Battle MS:

(Weber's brigade attack)
"On the right the 1st Delaware advanced so far that its left was
but 50 yards from the Sunken Road, and the fire from the road and
from a line on higher ground beyond it, ..."

From Kimball's report/description:
"Directly in my front, in a narrow road running parallel with my
line, and, being washed by water, forming a natural rifle-pit
between my line and a large cornfield, I found the enemy in great
force, as also in the cornfield in rear of the ditch."

Kimball again:
"firing at the heads and shoulders of such of the enemy as
exposed themselves in the Sunken Road, and at others who were
firing from the cornfield beyond, and in this manner..."

Note: This seems, from the Carman MS, to indicate a secondary CS battle line well before R H Anderson's division attempts to reinforce the centre and right of the CS line in the Sunken Road.

Any help which could be given, would be most gratefully appreciated!



[/u]
_________________
Your Humble Servant,
Jno. Walter Fairfax, AA/IG, I Corps, ANV


"This is a hard fight, and we had better all die than lose it."
-- Genl. Longstreet to Genl. Pryor, September 17, 1862

[historypiper]

I know the immediate reaction to what I'm about to say (write?) is "How the heck could you forget something like this?" but too much of whatever eventually affects most of us. I'm pretty sure I touched on this subject in an article I did on the Bloody Lane fight for ACW some years ago--I'll go back and dig out my notes and see what's there.
Regards,
Keith

[JnoWFairfax]

Dear Keith;

You can imagine my surprise when I read Carman chapters on the Battle when I found out there apparently was indeed a secondary battle line behind the lane BEFORE R H Anderson shows up.

Carman said it in his account and he did talk to actual veterans, so I think we have to take him at his word.

What I am trying to figure out is whether this secondary battle line was formed from parts of both Rodes and Anderson (G B) brigades in the road or from another briade which we have no name for?

I do not get ACW so if you can find the article, please post the link. Thanks!
_________________
Your Humble Servant,
Jno. Walter Fairfax, AA/IG, I Corps, ANV


"This is a hard fight, and we had better all die than lose it."
-- Genl. Longstreet to Genl. Pryor, September 17, 1862

[RickAllen]

I seem to recall this second line deal, but I don't believe the lines in the Piper Orchard were a part of Rodes or GB Andersons Brigades.......but I have heard of it.

Regards,

Rick
_________________
" Do you like French fries, Wyatt Earp?"

[JnoWFairfax]

Dear Rick,

Carman is silent about whose command is behind the Sunken Road before R H Anderson comes up. However he is quite clear... and quotes Kimball twice...about there being a line of CS infantry on the higher southern bank of the Sunken Road. Also, from the way he says it, it seems that this second line extended behind both Rodes and G B Anderson.

Carman is also quite clear about when R H Anderson's division arrives behind the Sunken Road, on the Piper farm.

If you want to read the Carman battle MS yourself, go to this link:
http://kperlotto3.home.comcast.net/~kperlotto3/carman/carman.html

and then click on the hyperlink that says Carman Manuscript. It will download a pdf file... and scroll down unti lyou come to the chapt4er about the Sunken Road.

I got the quotes I originally posted here from that chapter.



_________________
Your Humble Servant,
Jno. Walter Fairfax, AA/IG, I Corps, ANV


"This is a hard fight, and we had better all die than lose it."
-- Genl. Longstreet to Genl. Pryor, September 17, 1862