February 26, 2014

Pennsylvania’s state monument is the largest on the Gettysburg battlefield, and though it’s a handsome memorial in entirety, the details are what make it great. The first photo shows one of many plaques that showcase particular Pennsylvania regiments and their most valorous moments on the field. This scene brings the 150^TH Infantry, the “Bucktails” to life. Note the McPherson barn in the background.

 

The figure standing high atop the monument represents peace, a fitting tribute on a field where peace was once the last thing on anyone’s mind. (Though one has to wonder exactly how peaceful it is to hold a sword over one’s head in a menacing fashion . . .) The second photo features the same relief but is clearer and shows more of the monument underneath.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. LEMUEL COOLEY

Co. B, 47^TH North Carolina Infantry

Born 1847 --- Died July 14, 1863 at age 16

If Pvt. Cooley had lived in this time, he would have been barely old enough to drive, still considered a child in many ways, yet at age 16 he gave his life for his cause on a battlefield hundreds of miles from home. He enlisted in March 1862 and fought his way through various conflicts until his regiment met its match at Gettysburg. Wounded during the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge, he was taken prisoner and died eleven days later. Pvt. Cooley was buried at Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery.


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