Disclaimer: The book "The Killer Angels" was written my Micheal Shaara.
I do not own it or any portion of it.
Chapter 2: The First Day of Reality
The 12th New Jersey struck the tents after breakfast the next
morning. Gettysburg was still a two day march. It was smooth relatively
flat ground to march on, but in those leather boots named brogans it
could be pure hell.
The morning of July the 1st 1863 was a hot one. Unusually hot.
The tempurature was up over 80 degrees. It was very humid too and that
made things especially worse in the Union wool uniforms. Some men would
succumb to the heat before they even reached the rebels.
4th Sergeant William Cole slung his canteen over his shoulders
and picked up his musket. It was time to move out. He had rested long
enough. When he got back in line, they immediately started to march
with the wagons in tow. It was a day that would long be remembered in
the history of the United States. Somehow, William knew that July 1st
would be the start of the battle of Gettysburg.
As the 12th marched on, William wondered what kind of battle
this would really be. Would it be bloody? A skirmish? One that wouldn't
even go in the history books? Well, he would find out in a couple of
days.
THE 6 POUND NAPOLEON CANNON FIRED, sending a ball of lead
downfield that would explode when it hit the ground. Buford's cavalry
brigades spread along the fence and got a good position to fire into
the on coming Confederate troops. In their midst was General John
Buford on his horse giving orders to an aide to tell Devon all reserve
forward now. And the aide rode off to relay the order.
Genral Reynolds should be arriving soon, thought Buford. He
told an aide he was going up to the top of the college and he did so.
Reynolds will be here, thought Buford.
And Major General John Reynolds arrived and brought his corps
up with him and together Buford and Reynolds held off the Confederates
until General Reynolds was shot by a sniper. The Confederates swept the
1st day of Gettysburg.
4TH SERGEANT WILLIAM COLE had no knowledge of what was going on
in Gettysburg. He could have no knowledge of it. All he knew was to
march, march, march.
The route step was called and William fell out of step and
switched the musket to the other arm. He was thankful for the break.
"Sergeant Cole," a call for William from behind him in the
ranks. It sounded a little like Dael.
"Yes?" Willaim said. He now carried the musket slung behind his
shoulders. It was dreadfully hot and his cotton undershirt was soaked.
"How much farther?" the voice asked and William automatically
knew that it was not Dael.
William looked towards the Captain. "Sir, permission to move
to rear to talk to the private?"
"Granted," the Captain said shortly and Willaim stepped out of
line and walked to Dael.
"Who asked me that, Private?" William asked his trustworthy
snitch. Dael was easier to manipulate that McClellan.
"Private Stratton, Sergeant," Dael said.
"Thank you, Private." William looked to the young man named
Stratton who was in his platoon. "Private Stratton, would you please
step out of the ranks and come here?"
The private walked nervously to William who stopped by the side
of the road. Cole merely glanced down at the private. "Never, ever, ask
that. We'll get there when we do. Back in line." The two hustled back
to the unit and each resumed their positions.
The 12th New Jersey would arrive at Gettysburg on July the 2nd
of 1863 and then the Confederates would learn who to fear, well, at
least according to the Captain.
Solemnly, the boys in blue, soaked in sweat from head to toe,
marched on. It would be soon that they would taste battle again.
I do not own it or any portion of it.
Chapter 2: The First Day of Reality
The 12th New Jersey struck the tents after breakfast the next
morning. Gettysburg was still a two day march. It was smooth relatively
flat ground to march on, but in those leather boots named brogans it
could be pure hell.
The morning of July the 1st 1863 was a hot one. Unusually hot.
The tempurature was up over 80 degrees. It was very humid too and that
made things especially worse in the Union wool uniforms. Some men would
succumb to the heat before they even reached the rebels.
4th Sergeant William Cole slung his canteen over his shoulders
and picked up his musket. It was time to move out. He had rested long
enough. When he got back in line, they immediately started to march
with the wagons in tow. It was a day that would long be remembered in
the history of the United States. Somehow, William knew that July 1st
would be the start of the battle of Gettysburg.
As the 12th marched on, William wondered what kind of battle
this would really be. Would it be bloody? A skirmish? One that wouldn't
even go in the history books? Well, he would find out in a couple of
days.
THE 6 POUND NAPOLEON CANNON FIRED, sending a ball of lead
downfield that would explode when it hit the ground. Buford's cavalry
brigades spread along the fence and got a good position to fire into
the on coming Confederate troops. In their midst was General John
Buford on his horse giving orders to an aide to tell Devon all reserve
forward now. And the aide rode off to relay the order.
Genral Reynolds should be arriving soon, thought Buford. He
told an aide he was going up to the top of the college and he did so.
Reynolds will be here, thought Buford.
And Major General John Reynolds arrived and brought his corps
up with him and together Buford and Reynolds held off the Confederates
until General Reynolds was shot by a sniper. The Confederates swept the
1st day of Gettysburg.
4TH SERGEANT WILLIAM COLE had no knowledge of what was going on
in Gettysburg. He could have no knowledge of it. All he knew was to
march, march, march.
The route step was called and William fell out of step and
switched the musket to the other arm. He was thankful for the break.
"Sergeant Cole," a call for William from behind him in the
ranks. It sounded a little like Dael.
"Yes?" Willaim said. He now carried the musket slung behind his
shoulders. It was dreadfully hot and his cotton undershirt was soaked.
"How much farther?" the voice asked and William automatically
knew that it was not Dael.
William looked towards the Captain. "Sir, permission to move
to rear to talk to the private?"
"Granted," the Captain said shortly and Willaim stepped out of
line and walked to Dael.
"Who asked me that, Private?" William asked his trustworthy
snitch. Dael was easier to manipulate that McClellan.
"Private Stratton, Sergeant," Dael said.
"Thank you, Private." William looked to the young man named
Stratton who was in his platoon. "Private Stratton, would you please
step out of the ranks and come here?"
The private walked nervously to William who stopped by the side
of the road. Cole merely glanced down at the private. "Never, ever, ask
that. We'll get there when we do. Back in line." The two hustled back
to the unit and each resumed their positions.
The 12th New Jersey would arrive at Gettysburg on July the 2nd
of 1863 and then the Confederates would learn who to fear, well, at
least according to the Captain.
Solemnly, the boys in blue, soaked in sweat from head to toe,
marched on. It would be soon that they would taste battle again.