November 14, 2014

Here’s a different view of the Gettysburg battlefield: some shots of Rock Creek near the East Confederate Avenue portion of Culp’s Hill. Even if historical significance isn’t taken into consideration, it’s a beautiful, peaceful, barely visited location. Aside from being altered by McAllister’s dam in 1863, this scene must have been much the same when opposing armies clashed among the rocks and along the banks.

There’s nothing like a chilly, desolate day at Culp’s Hill. The brooding heights seem somehow detached from the rest of the field, the hill a presence all its own . . . it must have also seemed that way to the men fighting there.I particularly like the wildness, the lack of inhibition as Rock Creek meanders along its path. It was here that Steuart's Marylanders (among others) skirmished with Pennsylvanians guarding the crossing, making this the last sight of many a young man both blue and gray.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. THOMAS CALLANDER

Co. F, 149^TH Pennsylvania Infantry

Born August 06, 1839 --- Died July 23, 1863 at age 23 ½)

Pvt. Callander was only 14 days shy of his 24^TH birthday when he died of two wounds, one in the side and one in the head. He had enlisted in August 1862 and was later buried at Pine Grove Cemetery in Harveyville, PA.


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