August 05, 2013

 

The Abraham Trostle property is one of the most recognizable farms on the Gettysburg battlefield, partially due to the Trostle barn’s cannonball hole that proves the farm’s role in the battle without a shadow of a doubt. Before 1863 this was just another farm . . . relatively new, having been built in the 1850s and 60s, it was used by Gen. Daniel Sickles as a headquarters. It was later taken for a hospital as was every other available structure on the battlefield, but supposedly only for a short time. The website “Draw the Sword” says it’s also likely that sharpshooters saw the advantage of the property and used the farmhouse accordingly.

The first photo shows the Trostle barn as it appears from United States Avenue along Cemetery Ridge. The second shot features a Napoleon representing the 9^TH Massachusetts Battery, which also took position during the battle along Wheatfield Road near the Peach Orchard. The third photo shows the cannonball hole quite clearly, and while the artillery shell is no longer wedged inside the barn, one can easily imagine the things this structure witnessed.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. ANREW MCSHEAN

Co. C, 95^TH New York Infantry

 

Born 1824 --- Died July 01, 1863 at age 39

Pvt. McShean was instantly killed during the fight between boys in blue from New York and Wisconsin and boys in gray from Mississippi at the Railroad Cut along McPherson’s Ridge. The 95^TH New York Infantry’s monument can be found directly to the right of the Cut while driving Reynolds Avenue, down over a bank and beside the 6^TH Wisconsin Infantry’s monument. It is likely that Pvt. McShean was never removed from the battlefield and still lies where he fell.


(c) 2013 Skies of Blue and Gray