July 08, 2013

Not everyone is enamored with the Gettysburg National Military Park’s stance on cutting down non-historic trees and restoring the battlefield to its 1863 appearance, but one thing can’t be denied: the discovery of historic walls is definitely a plus. A few months ago I heard that stone walls had been uncovered along Cemetery Ridge a few years ago but I’d never noticed the wall along Cemetery Ridge. I finally snapped a photo when I visited in February 2013.

This is probably not an original wall. However, it’s likely that a wall did exist in this area in 1863 and was used by many Union soldiers to help them live to see another day. The monument seen at right in the top photo is the 4TH Pennsylvania Cavalry. The 4^TH’s right flank marker is located at far bottom left just out of the shot. In the 2006 photo at right, part of the curving wall can be seen, but the majority of the rocks have not yet been uncovered.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. AMOS DAVID ASH

Co. A, 20^TH Indiana Infantry

Born July 18, 1835 --- Died July 02, 1863 at age 27

Pvt. Ash made his home in Indiana before joining the Union Army and marching toward his fate at Gettysburg. He was shot in the vicinity of the George Rose farm, falling with a mortal wound and leaving a wife and child to mourn at home. Pvt. Ash was later buried at Gettysburg National Cemetery. A photo can be found here.


(c) 2013 Skies of Blue and Gray