January 09, 2013

Many of the states that participated in the battle of Gettysburg never got the fame they deserved. Tennessee is one of these. Those who proved themselves worthy of remembrance were part of Gen. James J. Archer's Tennessee Brigade, which engaged the Iron Brigade on the first day of battle and which was later funneled into the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge. It is believed that Tennesseans were also present in the town of Gettysburg itself. Here they supposedly worked as snipers inside homes such as the beautiful Shriver House Museum, gunning down Union troops on East Cemetery Hill.

The Tennesseans who fought and died at Gettysburg are honored by the Tennessee State Memorial located very near the North Carolina State Memorial along West Confederate Avenue. This small, unassuming granite monument was dedicated in 1982 and is often missed by travelers, though its streamlined design and an outline of the state of Tennessee on its base are quite striking. This monument lends itself for some stunning photos at dusk, when sunset colors reflect in the polished granite. The face of the monument reads as follows: “Tennessee – Valor and Courage Were Virtues of the Three Tennessee Regiments.”

Lest we forget.

**HONORED TODAY**

LT. COL. DAVID READ EVANS WINN

Co. K, 4^th Georgia Infantry

Born July 05, 1831 --- Died July 01, 1863 at age 31

Before the war began, Lt. Col. Winn had worked as a physician in Americus, Georgia. In 1861 he bid farewell to his wife of five years and to his sons Cooper and David to join the war as a Georgia soldier. He quickly rose through the ranks until he reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in November 1862. His life ended just shy of his 32^nd birthday, and he was later buried at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Savannah. A photo of Lt. Col. Winn can be found here.


(c) 2013 Skies of Blue and Gray