May 13, 2013

I just got back from a trip to Gettysburg and of course spent most of my time snapping photos. There were some that were unplanned and some that were accidents (such as the monument you really wanted a picture of but forgot until you were halfway past it) that actually turned out nice in their own right. The photo above is one of those “accident” shots. I was aiming for a monument just to the right and got this framed shot instead. This is at Culp’s Hill. The monument represents the 123^rd New York Infantry. Note the woman holding the scroll: she is the personification of “History.”

What I find particular interesting is that the 123^rd New York --- and their foes --- fought among these same rocks. Though the soldiers might not have paid them much attention at the time, they were undoubtedly aware of their existence, and it is inevitable that the wounded fell beside or even upon these old mossy boulders. Besides the monument, there is nothing is this photo that wouldn’t have looked much the same in 1863. Those are the parts of Gettysburg I love the best.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. SIMON WILSON CREAMER

Co. K, 12^th New Jersey Infantry

Born November 21, 1839 --- Died July 03, 1863 at age 23

Pvt. Creamer’s wartime residence was probably Pittsgrove, New Jersey. His last duties were a bit different than the ones he was accustomed to. Though he had enlisted in the 12^th New Jersey Infantry and was charged with pushing back the Confederate tide like so many other Union men during the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge, on the morning of July 3^rd he was sent to the 1^st Rhode Island Light Artillery to help in whatever way possible. Unfortunately, this proved to be his death. Pvt. Creamer is buried at Gettysburg National Cemetery. A photo can be found here.


(c) 2013 Skies of Blue and Gray