September 13, 2013

Here’s another random Gettysburg photo that describes my photography skills as an opportunist, grabbing a nicely-framed shot while sitting in the parking lot beside East Cemetery Hill. The best part about this sort of photo is getting home and discovering what exactly is in the picture and what the monument represents. In this case, one of the most interesting features is the low stone wall, which seems imperative for a Gettysburg shot. The monument represents the 134^TH New York Infantry. The 134^TH’s Gettysburg story is a particularly sad one: on the evening of July 1^ST when the Union retreated (which turned out to be fortunate for the next day’s fight) this regiment was one of those chosen to stand firm as the rear-guard. It was nearly annihilated by Southerners under Gen. Hays.

Yet the fact that this monument honors an infantry regiment doesn’t explain the cannon to its left. Usually artillery pieces sit directly beside artillery monuments, making this display rather unusual. Thought the fantastic website “Gettysburg Stone Sentinels” has a map of East Cemetery Hill and its monuments, there are no artillery monuments shown directly behind the 134^TH New York. My best guess would be Battery I, 1^ST New York Light Artillery, which appears to have a renegade cannon standing behind the New York infantry monument.

**HONORED TODAY**

LT. COL. DOUGLAS FOWLER

17^TH Connecticut Infantry

Born January 26, 1826 --- July 01, 1863 at age 37

Lt. Col. Fowler was mourned by his wife Melissa after being instantly killed at Gettysburg during the first day of battle. Sadly, when his soldiers returned to retrieve his remains, previous looting had made it impossible to identify him. He was eventually found and is likely buried at Gettysburg National Cemetery.


(c) 2013 Skies of Blue and Gray