 |
| Capt. James Smith's 4th NY Lt. Artillery battery on Devil's Den |
I am in the process of reading the book, Two Days of
Gettysburg by Maj. Henry Edwin Tremain. You may know that he was on Sickles'
staff at Gettysburg. It is interesting to read his views and observations. Some
of them not normally used in histories of the battle. They might seem of minor
importance to most readers/historians but I always find these interesting to
note.
He had an expression that seems to be quite common at least
to his contemporaries. Being a staff officer he frequently was called upon to ride
to other corps, division, brigade commanders and even army HQ’s with reports or
requests for orders. The staff officers had a term that they used describing
their reception and dealing with officers unknown to them. The term was
“frosting”.
Before dawn on the first day of July, Tremain was instructed
to ride north to ask Gen. Reynolds if he had any orders for Sickles. By the
time he arrived in Gettysburg and met Reynolds the battle had begun but it was
before the 1st Corps infantry was engaged fully. Reynolds was
sitting on his horse all by himself, without staff, and Tremain had never met
him before. He rode up while Reynolds was looking through his binoculars and
apparently did not sense or hear his approach. He remained quiet expecting the
General to speak. Tremain said there was an awkward very long pause and not
knowing Reynolds he didn’t know the correct etiquette and how he dealt with his
staff. According to Tremain some Generals treated their staff as messengers
only and some as confidants Sickles was the type of man that always listened
to comments in addition to reports so there was a by-play with his staff in a
very familiar manner. Tremain said the pause was almost beyond awkward and he
assumed Reynolds either didn't know he was there or was “frosting” him. He
explained that to mean treating the other person coldly and belittling them. He
gulped and was about to speak when Reynolds seemed to awaken from his concentration,
excused himself and greeted him warmly. Tremain identified himself and asked
for orders. He told Tremain to ride back to Sickles and have him bring the 3rd
corps up and continued with his field glass inspection.
 |
| statue of Maj. Gen. George G. Meade |
On the 2nd day he was instructed by Sickles to
ride to army HQ and report to Gen Meade about the skirmish that took place on
Seminary Ridge woods between Berdan’s sharpshooters and the 3rd
Maine with the Confederate column which we now know was the lead brigade of
Hill’s corps. Again, he rode to Army HQ not having met Meade ever so he was
unfamiliar with his HQ etiquette. He arrived at the widow Leister’s house
(Meade’s HQ for the battle) and was met by Meade’s staff in the yard. Meade’s
staff asked what it was he was reported and Tremain explained his mission and
was told to go into the house to report his finding to the General himself
since it was something he might want to hear directly from him and perhaps ask
questions. As he stepped into the doorway he noticed Meade alone, stooped over
a map spread out on the table. Just like
Reynolds Meade was intently scanning the map and did not notice him enter the
room. After another awkward pause Meade looked up and half smiled and asked if
he had any information for him. Tremain said he did and reported his findings
adding that Sickles thought the recent development might mean that the Rebs
were trying to flank the army on the left. . Meade thanked him and commented
that every General thinks the enemy is getting set to attack their line in
particular. He stated in his book that he felt “frosted” after Meade’s remarks.
Meade then said that he could ask Gen.
Hunt for some additional artillery to be posted on his line if needed and that
he would have cavalry posted on the left to patrol the area. He had no other
order for Sickles so Tremain saluted and left.
After the War, Tremain in speaking with other officers on Reynolds’ and
Meade’s staff that both Generals were genial fellows which did not normally
“frost” junior officers.
.JPG) |
| Maj. Henry Edwin Tremain |
The other interesting bit I read so far was the habit of
knocking down all fences in front of and around their lines. This was done to
alleviate the need in case of a future movement. The fencing always slowed
their marches and having them out of the way made their movement faster and on
the morning of the 2nd Tremain asked and received permission to get
all the fences pulled down, “before the troops moved than to be annoyed with
fences wrecking while maneuvering.”
 |
| The Klingel farm viewed from southeast of the farm. |
Now as gamer designing scenarios, whether they are
historical or otherwise, this brings up an interesting debate. Should you
layout extensive fencing everywhere or not? If Tremain’s statement can be used
as a ‘normal’ tactic then perhaps you should. If battles are more of a meeting
engagement then more then likely not. Something to think about, eh?
 |
| Farm lane to Slyder farm at the western base of Big Round Top |
One last thing that I have been more excited about: my
Kindle! I’ve had it for 2 years now. Previously I had never thought I’d get
one. I love books and an electronic book just isn’t the same! Who would want
it? It’s absurd. I bought one thinking maybe it might be more cost efficient
for a few books since a Kindle version is cheaper, takes up less space on my
overcrowded book shelf and if the book is not that interesting to keep long
term why not buy a Kindle version? At first I bought only books that I’d never
need for research, did not include an extensive photo and map section. In a way
I still use this guideline but an unexpected development has entered the fray…
the website Open Library.
Open Library is a God-send for people like me looking for
old and out of print books. A good example of what is available is the Tremain
book. That’s how I am reading it. You can’t buy this book unless you can get
through a collector or some search library. The price to purchase this book
would be very high and who knows what condition it but be in. Well you can
download this book and read it in minutes! Just think of research
possibilities! While giving my Gettysburg tour in April I was talking with 3
college Professors about this. They scoffed at E readers in general for the
exact same reasons I had. I tried to explain how it can help find those obscure
books but I don’t think I was very successful. Oh well, their loss.
There are books I would NOT buy with an E reader like Kindle
though. For books that have charts, table, pictures and maps I think it might
make it very difficult to flip back and forth. The bonus with the E reader is
the very nice searchable tool built in and you can bookmark pages and/or
passages. That’s a GREAT feature. As long as the book is mostly text it is an
amazing way and cheap way to read new and old books. Sure I love the feel of a
book and a new book smell but… I gotta say when you have no place to put books
any more you need options.
.JPG)
