January 07, 2013

When pondering the large-scale battle of Gettysburg, it’s easy to forget that each unit locked in mortal combat underwent its own isolation, a sensation of being complete alone on the battleground with only the enemy by your side. One such case was the intense firefight between the 26^th North Carolina and the 24^th Michigan on July 1^st, 1863. The 26^th North Carolina was perhaps the largest unit in the Army of Northern Virginia . . . unfortunately they were good candidates for the saying “the bigger they are, the harder they fall,” as they lost nearly 80% of their men on that first day.

They moved into Herbst Woods (also known as McPherson’s Woods or Reynolds Woods) on McPherson’s Ridge around 3:30 in the afternoon, quickly becoming engaged by the famous Union Iron Brigade consisting of the 2^nd, 6^th, and 7^th Wisconsin, the 19^th Indiana, and the 24^th Michigan. Michigan and North Carolina went head-to-head. For hours the “Tarheels” and the “Wolverines” poured fire into each other’s ranks, fighting what would become known as possibly the most intense fighting in the entire battle of Gettysburg. Casualties included Col. Henry Burgwyn, an able commander and a gallant soldier. It is said that fourteen color bearers of the 26^th were lost during that engagement.

When the smoke cleared, the 26^th North Carolina was utterly broken. They had lost over 550 men. Yet this sacrifice did not prevent them from being funneled into the infamous Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge two days later. It was grievously appropriate that they incurred the nickname of “Bloody 26^th.” Whatever men had survived the initial onslaught found themselves in the most trying circumstances of their lives. 800 men of the 26^th had come to Gettysburg. Only about 70 left.

The 26^th North Carolina memorial in Herbst Woods was dedicated in the late 1980s. It somberly faces the statue-topped 24^th Michigan monument across the road, the two monuments staring each other down just as the men of both units did in real life. In my opinion, these woods are some of the most peaceful of the battlefield, and the road, known as Stone-Meredith Avenue, is often quiet. Such irony is staggering.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. JOEL J. SMITH

Co. C, 1^st Vermont Cavalry

Died July 03, 1863

Pvt. Smith’s pre-war residence was in Duxbury, Vermont, and his first assignment with the Vermont Cavalry was apparently as a cook. He was remembered as a good Christian and a fine friend and was greatly missed. He fell fatally wounded during the battle of Gettysburg and was taken to a field hospital where he later passed away. Pvt. Smith was initially interred on the Slyder farm but was later moved to the Gettysburg National Cemetery.


(c) 2013 Skies of Blue and Gray