December 03, 2012

History has a curious way of remembering some and forgetting others.

This photo taken at the site of the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge, at the "Angle", shows the small marker of the 26th North Carolina Infantry. If you look across the fields you can see the basic trajectory of Gen. James J. Pettigrew’s men on the afternoon of July 3, 1863. Pettigrew’s men shared the distinction of being “not-Virginians.” Have you seen the movie "Gettysburg"? “For Old Virginia!” rings out the cry. For many years it may have seemed as if the fateful Pickett’s Charge was made only by citizens of the Old Dominion State. Yet there were quite a few North Carolinians involved as well, as well as Mississippians, Tennesseans, and others.

The 26^th North Carolina, was example, had suffered heavily during a previous fight at McPherson’s Ridge on July 1^st. Over six hundred men had become casualties; the unit only had about 200 men left to offer up at the altar of what would become known as Pickett’s Charge, but they did their duty faithfully. On the North Carolina State Memorial along Seminary Ridge there are various plaques, markers, and a beautiful bronze statue commemorating the North Carolinians of this fated march. One of the markers explains that out of every four Confederates who died at Gettysburg, one was a North Carolinian. If you get the chance to stand at Pickett’s Charge and honor the brave Virginians who fought and died there, don’t forget to tip your hat to the North Carolinians as well.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. JAMES RAWLINGS MAUPIN

2^nd Co., Richmond Howitzers, Albemarle, Virginia

Born January 30, 1843 --- Died July 03, 1863 at age 20

Little information is available on Pvt. Maupin. He was originally a member of the Virginia Albemarle Light Artillery but later reenlisted in the 2^nd Co. Howitzers Light Artillery. He was buried at the University of Virginia Cemetery in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it seems that Charlottesville was his residence before the war.


(c) 2012 Skies of Blue and Gray