Stevens Knoll, located between the base of Culp’s Hill and East Cemetery Hill, hosts one of my favorite Gettysburg battlefield views. From here one can see the back of Cemetery Hill with its rolling dips and curves, the iconic Evergreen Cemetery gatehouse, Gettysburg’s famous rock walls, and beautiful split-rail fences. Known at the time of the battle as McKnight’s Hill, this area was renamed in honor of Cpt. Greenleaf Stevens, whose 5th Maine Artillery dominated this section of the field. The cannon shown in this photo is a 12-pounder Napoleon assembled in 1857. Though it was not used in the battle of Gettysburg, it certainly saw service in the war.
**HONORED TODAY**
WILLIAM H. HOUSTON
Co. D, 24th Michigan Infantry
Born February 10, 1842 --- Died July 01, 1863 at age 21
William H. Houston was a member of the famed “Iron Brigade” that was so heavily crushed during the first day’s battle along McPherson’s Ridge. His regiment, along with hearty soldiers from Indiana and Wisconsin, found themselves blasted by members of the 26th North Carolina who were just as eager to dominate the day. It is very likely that William was killed during this engagement that was described as the most intense fighting in the entire battle of Gettysburg. He is buried at Old Wayne Cemetery in Wayne, Michigan. It is known that he fought in other iconic battles such as Fredericksburg in December 1862, as a letter written from that location is still in existence. A picture of William can be found here. (The first picture is of William's brother. William is the man standing in the second picture)
(c) Skies of Blue and Gray
(c) Skies of Blue and Gray
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