October 07, 2013

Okay, a challenge: Where on the battlefield is this artillery battery located?

All right, all right, it’s a trick challenge. Simmonds’ Kentucky Battery is located at Antietam National Battlefield! I’ve been browsing some Antietam photos from my May trip and once in awhile will probably interject a few into this blog. The battery is located along North Branch Avenue, definitely showing the value of holding the high ground.

While we’re on the subjects of Antietam and artillery, here’s a 2009 shot of the Baltimore Battery located at the Philadelphia Brigade park. This particular cannon is the only howitzer on the battlefield. While I haven’t identified all the artillery batteries at Antietam yet (Gettysburg is my main obsession!) I hope to do so soon.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. JOHN MORRISON

Co. H, 22^ND Massachusetts Infantry

Died July 02, 1863

Pvt. Morrison’s adult life was kept busy as a farm laborer and wheelwright, yet he yearned to join the army. For quite some time he shunned memories of the fields and preferred the battlefield even despite its dangers. During the Gettysburg campaign, he finally admitted that he would love to see those farm fields again. Pvt. Morrison, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall, with brown hair and blue eyes, was killed near the Wheatfield and later died of his wounds. He was interred at Gettysburg National Cemetery as an “unknown.”


(c) 2013 Skies of Blue and Gray