July 14, 2014

Why Little Round Top “Rocks”

When you think about ancient boulders on the Gettysburg battlefield, you probably think of Devil’s Den. In truth, Little Round Top has the same kind of massive rocks. On the first photo you can see the haphazard way boulders are piled on top of each other, and I like this view because of the 155^TH Pennsylvania poking up in the distance. Beyond, to the left, lies Emmitsburg Road and Cemetery Ridge. How many soldiers stepped on these rocks? Did they take notice of particular cracks, ridges, and crevices as they waited to meet the enemy? That’s the sort of thing I love to ponder.

View #2 showcases more of the surrounding area . . . the hill where part of the 4^TH New York Battery was put to good use, Crawford Avenue (center), Wheatfield Road (at far right), and of course, the Zouave fellow from the 155^TH Pennsylvania again. (He’s not very social, is he? Always has his back turned whenever I take a photo). The views from Little Round Top are amazing; I feel very glad that the only “observation deck” in the vicinity is the 12^TH/44^TH New York monument, as any other kind of tower would drastically reduce the beauty of the area. Now if only those invasive plants would beat a hasty retreat!

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. WALTER WILLIAM KOON

Co. I, 15^TH South Carolina Infantry

Born October 05, 1837 --- Died July 10, 1863 at age 25

(Name also appears as William Walter). Pvt. Koon bid farewell to his wife Mary Jane before enlisting in Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, ultimately reaching Gettysburg in time to die for his cause. Letters from his wife must have been precious; his mother had died in 1844 and his father in 1855, and he and Mary Jane had no children. Years after his death Pvt. Koon was reburied at Magnolia Cemetery in Charlestown, SC.


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