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The second stop was to take photos at and near the George Disney grave. To reach this site, I hike about a mile steeply up a mountain (I think it's Rocky Face but I'm not positive).

In 1864, Confederate pickets had an outpost on the northern extremity of the mountain, just before the point where it sloped steeply downhill to Buzzard Roost Gap. The terrain, as shown in this photo, is rocky and falls steeply to a level valley. I-75 is just to the right of this photo.

This is Disney's grave. The headstone was placed by a Dalton Boy Scout troop in the 1930s.

According to the author a story about Disney, he was posted with other pickets observing Union troop movements in the valley to the north. One morning, his comrades found Disney slumped over, dead. They thought he'd had a heart attack until they found blood coming from his mouth. The conclusion was that he'd been shot by a sniper so distant that they hadn't noticed the sound of the shot.

My visit to the grave gave me a chance to look around. If Disney fell at or near the gravesite, there is no way he was hit by an aimed shot fired from the valley below, as I've always heard. The spot is on a narrow but flat piece of ground that would be protected from view from all points below. There's a chance a Union sharpshooter aimed in the general vicinity, knowing it was a picket post, and scored a blind hit.

Also, there's a mountain on the other side of Buzzard Roost Gap, pehraps a mile distant, as the crow flies. I don't know if Union or Rebel pickets occupied that point. I don't think even the best rifles had that kind of range, but I'm going to look into it, as that's the kind of thing your Forumites would do. Then you'd school me on possibilities.

I don't know if Union or Rebel pickets occupied that point. I don't think even the best rifles had that kind of range, but I'm going to look into it, as that's the kind of thing your Forumites would do.

The Union, probably not. The Confederates, just maybe:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitworth_rifle

The 66th Ill [4 x Missouri Companies, 3 x Illinois Companies, 2 x Ohio Companies, 1 x Michigan Companies] the western counterpart to the Eastern Berdan sharpshooters, was present and they had around 150 of the Dimick Rifle [55cal, octagonal barrel], these were specialized target rifles. There is a difference between effective range and maximum range, Whitworth had a maximum range of 1050 yds, the Springfield rifle was 900 yds; do not know what the Dimick's maximum range was, but it was originally designed for long range shooting on the plains and very few were made. Most of the 66th at that time were armed with 16 shot Henry repeaters.

The story of his death as told in Thompson's "History of the Orphan Brigade":

"In February, 1864, Rocky Face Ridge was occupied by Johnston as a signal station. The Fourth Kentucky was so deployed as to form a living telegraph line from the valley next to Dalton to the top and front face of the Ridge at a point where, next to the Federals, the ascent was perpendicular. From the top of this ridge the Federal army was in full view. The next day after the formation of this line, there was a collision of the Federal and Confederate forces on the right of our line, and when the Federals would move, word was passed from man to man of the living telegraph, as, “Two more brigades advancing on such and such a point.” The first night after the formation of the telegraph, the men slept at their posts. The next morning George Disney, a private of Company B, arose to a sitting posture, after a night's sleep on the top of this height in the open air, and was in the act of gaping, as many men are wont to do on first awaking. He was seen suddenly to resume his recumbent position, as though resolved to take another nap; but after he had been so lying for an hour or two, men who tried to wake him found that life had departed. A careful examination at the time disclosed no wound, and it was conjectured that he had died from failure of the heart or other disease. Later, another examination was made, and while washing the face of the corpse, the hair on the back of his head was found stiff from clotted blood; and it was then clear that while gaping a minie ball from a Federal musket in the valley in front had entered the open mouth and crashed through the back of the head of the unfortunate soldier. He was a native of England." Virginius Hutcfien, (Fourth Kentucky).

gaping = yawning ? Shot in the mouth while yawning.

North Georgia Citizen, May 16, 1912 -- page 1

Shot into a open mouth.....an amazing shot, intentional or not. And more amazing that the sound was not heard as a threat... due to the fact that potshots, and maybe occasional cannon fire, were common background noise so the fatal shot was not perceived as important. Or was it during a thunderstorm?


And the shooter could have sneaked up close to the Rebel position.

ORIGINAL: Bearcat2

The 66th Ill [4 x Missouri Companies, 3 x Illinois Companies, 2 x Ohio Companies, 1 x Michigan Companies] the western counterpart to the Eastern Berdan sharpshooters, was present and they had around 150 of the Dimick Rifle [55cal, octagonal barrel], these were specialized target rifles. There is a difference between effective range and maximum range, Whitworth had a maximum range of 1050 yds, the Springfield rifle was 900 yds; do not know what the Dimick's maximum range was, but it was originally designed for long range shooting on the plains and very few were made. Most of the 66th at that time were armed with 16 shot Henry repeaters.

This shows 66th Illinois Infantry Regiment time frame on Feb.24, 1864 as being in Illinois:


"January 22, the men received four months' pay and $100 veteran bounty. On the 23d, left Louisville and took cars for Chicago, where they arrived January 28, and marched to North Market Hall, Here the Regiment received its thirty days' veteran furlough.

On March 3, 1864, the Regiment re-assembled at Joliet, Ill.,"

Although, that may just be part of the unit that had returned to Illinois.

https://civilwar.illinoisgenweb.org/history/066.html

Thanks for the information, gents.

If he was buried where he was hit, there is no way it was an aimed shot from "a federal musket in the valley." But, as noted above, perhaps a Union soldier took a blind shot knowing there were Confederates on the mountain in that vicinity. The only other plausible explanation is that a Union picket or scout climbed the mountain and fired an aimed shot from relatively close by, though that seems more unlikely.

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Thanks for the information, gents.

If he was buried where he was hit, there is no way it was an aimed shot from "a federal musket in the valley." But, as noted above, perhaps a Union soldier took a blind shot knowing there were Confederates on the mountain in that vicinity. The only other plausible explanation is that a Union picket or scout climbed the mountain and fired an aimed shot from relatively close by, though that seems more unlikely.

"... clotted blood"
Or.... he was shot in the back of the head in the previous action, did not tell anyone and died later on.

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Thanks for the information, gents.

If he was buried where he was hit, there is no way it was an aimed shot from "a federal musket in the valley." But, as noted above, perhaps a Union soldier took a blind shot knowing there were Confederates on the mountain in that vicinity. The only other plausible explanation is that a Union picket or scout climbed the mountain and fired an aimed shot from relatively close by, though that seems more unlikely.

Since it says he slept in his duty location before being shot, I think it unlikely that he was buried in the exact spot he was shot. Another man would have taken the duty position and Disney would have been carried to someplace more out of the way.

So if you visit his grave does that count as going to Disney Land?

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Thanks for the information, gents.

If he was buried where he was hit, there is no way it was an aimed shot from "a federal musket in the valley." But, as noted above, perhaps a Union soldier took a blind shot knowing there were Confederates on the mountain in that vicinity. The only other plausible explanation is that a Union picket or scout climbed the mountain and fired an aimed shot from relatively close by, though that seems more unlikely.

Since it says he slept in his duty location before being shot, I think it unlikely that he was buried in the exact spot he was shot. Another man would have taken the duty position and Disney would have been carried to someplace more out of the way.

"buried where he fell" will just be a euphemism to say he was not interred in a military cemetery and not necessarily buried exactly where he was hit.

On a similar topic, did anyone see the episode of Who Do You Think You Are? Episode 4 – Matthew Broderick?? This was a similar situation where Matthew was looking for a Civil War ancestor and describes how soldiers were temporarily buried before re-interment a few years later in a national cemetery. (Obviously not the case for poor George).

The show was interesting in that the research for the program identified Matthew's great-great-grandfather's grave who previously had been an unknown soldier (fairly common back then considering the record keeping).

Poor Matthew seemed rather oblivious of American history. (Not one of us at all...) [:(]

ORIGINAL: MakeeLearn

ORIGINAL: Bearcat2

The 66th Ill [4 x Missouri Companies, 3 x Illinois Companies, 2 x Ohio Companies, 1 x Michigan Companies] the western counterpart to the Eastern Berdan sharpshooters, was present and they had around 150 of the Dimick Rifle [55cal, octagonal barrel], these were specialized target rifles. There is a difference between effective range and maximum range, Whitworth had a maximum range of 1050 yds, the Springfield rifle was 900 yds; do not know what the Dimick's maximum range was, but it was originally designed for long range shooting on the plains and very few were made. Most of the 66th at that time were armed with 16 shot Henry repeaters.

This shows 66th Illinois Infantry Regiment time frame on Feb.24, 1864 as being in Illinois:


"January 22, the men received four months' pay and $100 veteran bounty. On the 23d, left Louisville and took cars for Chicago, where they arrived January 28, and marched to North Market Hall, Here the Regiment received its thirty days' veteran furlough.

On March 3, 1864, the Regiment re-assembled at Joliet, Ill.,"

Although, that may just be part of the unit that had returned to Illinois.

https://civilwar.illinoisgenweb.org/history/066.html

You are correct, upon further review: the Ohio companies also went to Chicago, and then to to Ohio as their enlistment time was up.
It was the 1st Ohio SS Bn[3 yr enlistment-dec62'] that was present, the 5th Ohio SS company of that unit in 1864: "they were engaged in a protracted scout between the hostile lines in February"

Feb 26th 1864: "26 Weather pleasant and warm
report that our men had a
fight three mills this side
of Dotlon " - Diary of LaFrancis E. Hackett 5th Ohio Sharpshooters

Hey Dan, a great article today in the Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/ret ... 2415895aa8

Awesome war.

The best to both of you.

-Terry

ORIGINAL: crsutton

Hey Dan, a great article today in the Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/ret ... 2415895aa8

Very interesting article and story. Thanks for posting it.

ORIGINAL: Bearcat2

ORIGINAL: MakeeLearn

ORIGINAL: Bearcat2

The 66th Ill [4 x Missouri Companies, 3 x Illinois Companies, 2 x Ohio Companies, 1 x Michigan Companies] the western counterpart to the Eastern Berdan sharpshooters, was present and they had around 150 of the Dimick Rifle [55cal, octagonal barrel], these were specialized target rifles. There is a difference between effective range and maximum range, Whitworth had a maximum range of 1050 yds, the Springfield rifle was 900 yds; do not know what the Dimick's maximum range was, but it was originally designed for long range shooting on the plains and very few were made. Most of the 66th at that time were armed with 16 shot Henry repeaters.

This shows 66th Illinois Infantry Regiment time frame on Feb.24, 1864 as being in Illinois:


"January 22, the men received four months' pay and $100 veteran bounty. On the 23d, left Louisville and took cars for Chicago, where they arrived January 28, and marched to North Market Hall, Here the Regiment received its thirty days' veteran furlough.

On March 3, 1864, the Regiment re-assembled at Joliet, Ill.,"

Although, that may just be part of the unit that had returned to Illinois.

https://civilwar.illinoisgenweb.org/history/066.html

You are correct, upon further review: the Ohio companies also went to Chicago, and then to to Ohio as their enlistment time was up.
It was the 1st Ohio SS Bn[3 yr enlistment-dec62'] that was present, the 5th Ohio SS company of that unit in 1864: "they were engaged in a protracted scout between the hostile lines in February"

Feb 26th 1864: "26 Weather pleasant and warm
report that our men had a
fight three mills this side
of Dotlon " - Diary of LaFrancis E. Hackett 5th Ohio Sharpshooters

Good find.

Hey, thanks for the good info and thoughts, gents. There may be things I can use here, especially Bearcat2's find, right down to the weather on the day of the shooting!

Ross, that was an interesting article about Sickles. I knew he'd been involved in a shooting but didn't know the details, like he troubled marriage and Francis Key's son getting shot dead.

It seems that Sickles was a serial womanizer. That reminded me of another Yankee (ha ha) womanizer who was arrested and put on trial for his infidelities. Later, on his death bed, his final words were: "And now the great mystery." Does anybody know who he was without resorting to Google?

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Hey, thanks for the good info and thoughts, gents. There may be things I can use here, especially Bearcat2's find, right down to the weather on the day of the shooting!

Ross, that was an interesting article about Sickles. I knew he'd been involved in a shooting but didn't know the details, like he troubled marriage and Francis Key's son getting shot dead.

It seems that Sickles was a serial womanizer. That reminded me of another Yankee (ha ha) womanizer who was arrested and put on trial for his infidelities. Later, on his death bed, his final words were: "And now the great mystery." Does anybody know who he was without resorting to Google?

I had to look it up. Here is a hint for those who still have not checked google. "it was standard gossip that (he) preaches to seven or eight of his mistresses every Sunday evening.'"