The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Who Shot General John Sedgwick?-- Part 3: "They Couldn't Hit An Elephant At This Distance"

This account is from Union general Martin T. McMahon, the Chief of Staff of Sedgwick's Sixth Corps.

General Martin had just given the order to move troops when "the enemy opened a sprinkling fire, partly from sharpshooters.  As the bullets whistled by, some of the men dodges.  The General said laughlingly, '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.

Famous Last Words.  --Old Secesh

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