July 21, 2014

If I were to guess, I’d say that many people who visit the Gettysburg battlefield don’t notice Benner’s Hill, which is unfortunate; I’d definitely recommend making the trip. There isn’t a whole lot to see, but cannon buffs will love the variety of Southern artillery pieces. The most “unique” artillery batteries are located not at Benner’s Hill but opposite the hill (across Hanover Road). Actually, it’s not the pieces themselves that make the batteries unique . . .

Once upon a time, every artillery piece in Gettysburg had a decorative triangle of cannonballs alongside it. As years passed and materials were needed for the war effort --- and there was likely theft involved --- the cannonballs disappeared. Those that remain at Milledge’s and Kirkpatrick’s Batteries are supposed the only piles of “authentic” cannonballs left on the battlefield.

**HONORED TODAY**

1^ST SGT. SAMUEL H. C. TOBIAS

Co. C, 110^TH Pennsylvania Infantry

Born July 26, 1842 --- Died July 02, 1863 at age 20½ 

1^ST Sgt. Tobias never had the opportunity to celebrate his twenty-first birthday. He was mortally wounded at Gettysburg and was first buried at the George Weikert house. He was later reinterred at Hickory Bottom Cemetery, Woodbury, Pennsylvania. His stone says “Killed at the battle of Gettysburg” underneath the words “Tribute of a Sister.”


(c) 2012-2014 Skies of Blue and Gray