February 02, 2015

** This blog now published Mondays and Wednesdays **

  

Imagine standing in pitch darkness, well aware that the enemy is all around you, and you have no idea how close they are. The only way you can even tell they’re closing down on you and your comrades is by the sparks from their rifles. You can’t see the sloping hills and meadows, the outline of the cemetery gatehouse across Baltimore Pike, the distance houses of Gettysburg. You can’t see the hulking shadow of Culp’s Hill in the distance. Just pure darkness alleviated only by flashes of gunfire. That’s what Wiedrich’s Battery I had to deal with.

The two 3-inch Ordnance Rifles that flank the battery’s monument appear to be keeping silent vigil over a stormy sky; they stood similarly firm as Harry Hays’ “Louisiana Tigers” overran their position on the night of July 2^ND, but were forced to submit to greater numbers. A close-up of the monument plaque shows brave men at their post, ready to fire one of their artillery pieces. We’re looking in the direction of the Tigers’ march to capture East Cemetery Hill, an action that, unfortunately for them, was short-lived.

**HONORED TODAY**

COLOR SGT. JUDSON A. HICKS

Co. A, 111^TH New York Infantry

Born March 22, 1836 --- Died July 02, 1863 at age 27 

Sgt. Hicks enlisted in July 1862, dying in battle less than a year later. His cousin Thomas had the sad duty and witnessing and reporting his death, sending his effects home to his family. Sgt. Hicks was buried at Marion Cemetery in Marion, NY.


(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray