Commissioned into the army in 1847, he fought Mexicans,
Seminoles and Comanches. As a captain of artillery at Fort Sumter,
he sighted and fired the first counter-battery cannon salvo when
fired upon by secessionists in Charleston, S.C. He rose quickly in
rank to lead troops at Second Bull Run, South Mountain and
Antietam.
His most notable military accomplishment came at Gettysburg,
where he arrived on the field just as his General, John Reynolds,
was felled by a snipers bullet. Immediately taking command, his
troops held their position at Seminary Ridge, on the opening day of
the three day battle, long enough to allow the rest of the army to
come up and establish a formidable defensive line on the high
ground at Cemetery Ridge.
The above coordinates lead to a spot (and a small
cache)overlooking the Potomac River in Williamsport, Md., where
this general is "said" to have pursued elements of General Lee’s
retreating army. Occupying this spot, it is also "said" by some
that he authorized cannon fire across the river at the fleeing
enemy, the only cannon fire of the war directed across the Potomac,
north to south. No historical substantiation of the above
statements exists. The relationship between this general and this
spot is indeed nebulous.
Be that as it may, the three cannons overlooking the river today
are not original nor have they ever been fired. They are not even
made of cast or rifled steel. They are plastic. This blew my mind
when, in twelve inches of snow, I first visited this spot. Note
that the brick and STEEL-CAPPED pedestals upon which they are
affixed are indeed real brick and STEEL. However, the view of the
Potomac, the C & O Canal and the town of Williamsport are
special. During the first (?) Continental Congress, Williamsport
was studied as one potential spot for the nations’ capital.
A long and distinguished military career, however, is not this
general’s real or supposed claim to fame. To claim this cache, sign
the on-site log and answer by e-mail the following:
1- What is this general’s name? 2- And what is his ‘supposed
claim to fame’?
Note: The historical marker on-site does not refer to his
‘supposed claim to fame.’ You will have to do some research, easy
though that may be.
The fit here is precise. Please retrieve precisely as found.
Thank You.