Post by Diane Merkel on Jul 8, 2007 20:48:04 GMT -6
Unfortunately, these reenactments have already taken place, but you might want to mark your calendar for next year. Here's an excerpt:
Article: www.eveningsun.com/adamsweekly/ci_6314401
Website: www.gettysburgreenactment.com/
CUSTER'S TRAP - THE BATTLE OF HUNTERSTOWN (CAVALRY BATTLE):
It all began with Brigadier-General Custer ordering elements of the 6th and 7th Michigan Cavalry to dismount and move south on foot beyond and below the ridge along both sides of the Hunterstown Road east of Gettysburg.
These troops, hidden by the wheat fields, inconspicuously moved forward to the Felty Farm where the units marksmen took cover in the large bank barn on the west side of the road.
The Felty's barn was large enough to conceal Lieutenant A.C.M. Pennington's 2nd U.S. Battery. Meanwhile the men of the 7th Michigan undetected in the tall wheat east of the Hunterstown Road, formed a cross fire with the 6th Michigan.
Young Custer had set the perfect trap; he led approximately sixty mounted men of the Company A, 6th Michigan on a daring charge toward the Confederates.
Since the Hunterstown Road was tightly flanked on both sides with post and rail fences, it was impossible for more than one company to move along the road at a gallop. Realizing this, Custer has Company A act as a small shock force and establishes contact with the Confederate Cavalry.
After smacking them around and getting their fight up, Custer retreats drawing the southerners with him in pursuit. As Custer retreated he drew the Confederate cavalry back north towards the ambush that was waiting east and west of the Hunterstown Road at Felty's farm.
The horses of Cobb's Legion raced in the summer air nose to tail with Company A up the narrow Hunterstown Road, all-the-while bouncing between the fences which hemmed them in. They were so caught up in the chase that they fell like a hungry mouse right into the trap, which was released on them as soon as Custer's Cavalry cleared the waiting crossfire.
You can experience this thrill of thundering hooves, the whinny of horses and the shouts of cavalry commands while viewing cavalry battle "Custer's Trap" at 11 a.m. Saturday at the 144th Gettysburg Battle Anniversary Reenactment.
Article: www.eveningsun.com/adamsweekly/ci_6314401
Website: www.gettysburgreenactment.com/