As the story goes.....
John 'Uncle John' Sedgwick. Born in Connecticut in 1813, graduated West Point in 1837. A Colonel at the start of the Civil War (of the 'War between the States' for my southern brethren) he rose in rank to Major General at the time of his death in VA, 1864. He is really remembered for two things: one is certainly true, the other one is sketchy but makes a great story either way.
First, he was the highest ranking US officer to be killed during the Civil War, or more accurately, was one of two Major Generals to be killed in action during that war (the other was John Reynolds, killed at Gettysburg, 1863).
The other thing that is notable is that during the battle of Spotsylvania Court House, he stood tall and tried to rally his men while they ducked and cowed. He showed frank amazement as there was nothing but occasional rifle fire, no artillery or even concentrated rifle fire aimed anywhere near him or his men and even that being fired from at least 1,000 yards and further away. He berated and bullied them in an effort to get them to stand and man the artillery pieces he commanded without success and finally said: "They could not hit an elephant at this distance!" but never actually finished the final word as a confederate sharp- shooter hit him and killed him where he stood; he was dead before he hit the ground.
As I said, it is a great story. But another version, this one by Gen. Sedgwick's adjutant, who was present when the General was killed, said this:
" I gave the necessary order to move the troops to the right, and as they rose to execute the movement the enemy opened a sprinkling fire, partly from sharp-shooters. As the bullets whistled by, some of the men dodged. The general said laughingly, "What! what! men, dodging this way for single bullets! What will you do when they open fire along the whole line? I am ashamed of you. They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." A few seconds after, a man who had been separated from his regiment passed directly in front of the general, and at the same moment a sharp-shooter's bullet passed with a long shrill whistle very close, and the soldier, who was then just in front of the general, dodged to the ground. The general touched him gently with his foot, and said, "Why, my man, I am ashamed of you, dodging that way," and repeated the remark, "They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." The man rose and saluted and said good-naturedly, "General, I dodged a shell once, and if I hadn't, it would have taken my head off. I believe in dodging. "The general laughed and replied, "All right, my man; go to your place."
For a third time the same shrill whistle, closing with a dull, heavy stroke, interrupted our talk; when, as I was about to resume, the general's face turned slowly to me, the blood spurting from his left cheek under the eye in a steady stream. He fell in my direction ; I was so close to him that my effort to support him failed, and I fell with him. "
Source:
http://www.phrases.org.uk/quotes/last-words/john-sedgwick.htmlI think everyone has to admit, the other version of the story is better even if it is.... er, stretched somewhat.
Brian
Edited to correct a simple mistake regarding what century something may have occurred in.