November 27, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving, all!

I’ve probably said before that Gettysburg at sunset is a magical place. Though the feeling of reverence, sorrow, and pride exists during the day, it’s somehow magnified at dusk, and the pent-up emotions seem to overflow during that time. I was lucky enough to catch the Copse at sunset, and despite being more or less chilled to the bone, I really enjoyed it.

At far left is the monument to Cowan’s New York artillery. The bronze sign directly beside the Copse pays homage to the 20^TH Massachusetts Infantry, whose unique boulder monument can be found nearby. The cannon is a 3-inch Ordnance Rifle dating from 1862 and was produced at Phoenix Iron Works in Phoenixville, PA. The two cannon on either side of the bronze “High Water Mark” book are part of the memorial. You might notice that the trees have thinned out considerably over the past few decades. To the right is that monument most photographed, especially at sunrise or sunset: the 72^ND Pennsylvania Infantry.

**HONORED TODAY**

2^ND Lt. Jasper Newton Beck

Co. E, 3^RD Battalion Georgia Sharpshooters

Born May 10, 1832 --- Died July 03, 1863 at age 31

Born into a military family, with a father who held the rank of colonel, Lt. Beck may have been one of those sharpshooters who thought themselves invincible due to their superior skills. Unfortunately, it proved false in his case. He was killed at Gettysburg and buried at an unknown location . . . it’s possible that he still lies on the battlefield. Interestingly, his father, Colonel Samuel Beck, also died on July 03^RD, in the year 1876.


(c) 2013 Skies of Blue and Gray