January 18, 2013

As I mentioned before, the artillery of Gettysburg has always fascinated me. Over the years I’ve tried to snap random photos of random artillery pieces to identify in the future. The above cannon is located along West Confederate Avenue across from the Virginia State Memorial and is a 12-pound Howitzer associated with Poague’s Battalion. According to the “Historical Marker Database” and photographer Craig Swain, these particular guns were in existence at the time of the battle, having been cast in Georgia by Noble and Brothers just a year earlier. I remember walking across to these cannons on a warm April day, enjoying the scenery and soaking in the ambiance. There is just something about old artillery pieces that invites photography.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. JAMES H. AMASON

Co. E, 3^rd Arkansas Infantry

Born 1840 --- Died July 02, 1863 at age 23

Pvt. Amason was born in Georgia and moved to Arkansas as a child. His prewar residence was likely Franklin, Arkansas. He enlisted in Champagnolle. His family provided him with a marker at Bethel Cemetery in El Dorado, Arkansas, but it is very likely that he is still buried on the Gettysburg battlefield. The 3^rd Arkansas was a member of Hood’s Texas Brigade during the battle and for long afterwards, and it is very likely he was killed either while crossing Warfield Ridge past the Michael Bushman farm or coming out across Triangular Field after emerging from the trees at the base of Big Round Top.


(c) 2013 Skies of Blue and Gray