January 27, 2014

I had a close call this week . . . I started having artillery withdrawal! Fortunately, the 10^TH New York Independent Light Artillery was on hand to save me. This battery can be found along Wheatfield Road near Excelsior Field, and as proof, the Excelsior Brigade monument (along with Clark’s New Jersey battery) is visible in the background). Though the 10^TH New York’s monument is classy in a simple, elegant sort of way, this photo automatically loses points with me because there are no monuments in the background to identify :-)

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. JOSEPH THOMAS CHESTON

Co. C, 11^TH New Jersey Infantry

Born November 23, 1845 --- Died July 02, 1863

How long did it take Pvt. Cheston’s mother to find out that her son had enlisted at the age of 16? His father had died just five months before, and Joseph’s newfound patriotism (and/or sense of adventure) must have been a blow for the family. He marched away to Gettysburg and made his “last stand” at Emmitsburg Road, only to fall mortally wounded at 17. 


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