March 31, 2014

Click for larger size - find those elusive monuments!

This photo of the Virginians’ July 3^RD step-off point has a lot going for it. First of all, it shows one of my favorite places and one of the battlefield “haunts” that touches me most: the fields where the men of the ill-fated Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge fought and fell. Also, it has an array of fences, a frost of snow, and a nice contrast of colors. Above and to the right of the first monument, Gen. Lee stands tall and proud atop Traveler at the Virginia State Memorial. Spangler’s Woods can be seen from left to right.

One thing I noticed about the photo was that it showed three monuments rarely seen: The 12^TH New Jersey Infantry to the right of the leftmost tree, while two other markers, to the 14^TH Connecticut Infantry, can be seen to the right of the fourth tree. In 1863 the Bliss farm stood in this area, but sadly it was damaged during the battle and the family never recovered from the financial loss.  

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. FRANCIS “FRANK” ROYAL

Co. F, 40^TH New York Infantry

Born November 28, 1837 --- Died July 02, 1863 at age 25

Pvt. Royal was born in England and later joined the Union Army in defense of his adopted country. In civilian life he had the interesting occupation of “goldbeater.” Pvt. Royal was killed at Gettysburg, probably in or near the marshes along Crawford Avenue near Little Round Top and the Valley of Death where his regimental monument now stands.


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