September 09, 2013

As I’ve stated before, my first and greatest Gettysburg love is artillery, and during my trip at the end of August I had the good fortune to snap a few great cannon shots. The photos below are of Battery K, 1^ST New York Artillery, located across from the “Angle” near the statue of Gen. George G. Meade. The first photo is of the cannon located to the right of Battery K’s monument.

The base of Gen. Meade’s statue can be seen at the top of the shot. Interesting fun fact: you’ll notice that the artillery pieces on the battlefield are always accompanied with flat square cement platforms that have nothing on them. These bases once held pyramids of cannonballs! But when World War II came along and all extra materials were needed, it seemed unnecessary to have them here, and they were never replaced. 

  
On the second photo, the “tail” of the cannon at far left belongs to the 11TH New York Independent Battery, which had been merged with Battery K. I’m not sure which battery the cannon in the distant background represents. To the right is the edge of Battery K’s monument. Again, note the flat cement platform directly behind the cannon.

**HONORED TODAY**

CPT. LUTHER MARTIN

Co. D, 11^TH New Jersey Infantry

Born October, 16, 1827 --- July 03, 1861 at age 35

Cpt. Martin left behind wife Isabella to help defend his country, yet he would never again have the opportunity to make a life for himself in his native state of New Jersey. He was promoted on the field of fire at Gettysburg after his commander was wounded but soon shared his fate, barely enjoying his position before being shot. That first wound would not be his last. As his wounded comrades dragged him to safety, Cpt. Martin was hit a second time by enemy fire and was pronounced dead. He was later brought home to Evergreen Cemetery in Hillside, New Jersey. A photo of him can be found here.


(c) 2013 Skies of Blue and Gray