Barksdale’s Brigade was part of Longstreet’s corps. They had their own charge the evening before Pickett. Barksdale went through the Peach Orchard and flanked the Union line, only to be repelled by Chamberlain.
“Barksdale’s charge is remembered for its intensity and the distance covered, with some Union observers describing it as the “grandest charge that was ever seen by mortal man”.”
Barksdale was killed, as was my g-grand uncle. Shelby Foote regarded that brigade as the hardest hitting unit in Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.
Your g-grand uncle was a brave man. I’m so sorry your family lost him. He would have brought so much to all of you.
I didn’t have anyone at Gettysburg. My 2nd g uncle commanded the 17th New York Volunteer Infantry but they fought in the first two years of the war.
https://www.iment.com/maida/familytree/lansing/henryseymourlansing.htm
With his brother, my 2nd ggrandfather, with whom he’s constantly confused because they both had the first name of Henry, the two started the Military Association of NY.
https://www.iment.com/maida/familytree/lansing/henrylivingstonlansing.htm
His son-in-law, great grandfather, was in the Ohio 2nd Cavalry until his horse rolled on him and he transferred to the Judge Advocate Corps, getting the death penalty for the Southern Conspirators. Though they did get it repealed later.
https://www.iment.com/maida/familytree/burnett/images/middletownhlbobituary1-5-1916.jpg
All of the genealogy connections made me an avid collector of Civil War autobiographies and biographies.
One of my dearest friends was obsessed with Gettysburg and I watched the movie twice while copying it for him. He desperately wanted to do a parallel book on Chamberlain at Appomattox and wanted me to find a buddy relationship to center around then. Never found one strong enough for him to use. The most fun is always when you have someone to enthuse with. Our Gettysburg conversations are some of my fondest memories.
