December 08, 2014

The George Weikert farmhouse is one of my favorite structures on the battlefield for two reasons: first, it’s made of stone (I’ve always been partial to stone buildings), and second, it has quite a history attached to it (some quite mysterious . . .). This photo was taken from a different angle, coming up Sedgwick Avenue to Cemetery Ridge. Interestingly, the Weikert house predates the battle of Gettysburg by sixty-five years, making it a witness to many other events, however mundane, before blue and gray ever clashed here.

I love the fact that the current owners have kept the house true to its original form, both structure-wise and in decoration, and I especially like the two American flags draped over the wooden framework (is it an arbor?). The only thing that stands out as really modern is the air conditioner at bottom right, and I can’t begrudge folks that! Summer in Gettysburg, as the soldiers knew very well, can be a scorcher.

**HONORED TODAY**

CPL. DELOS W. HARRIS

Co. C, 7^TH Michigan Infantry

Born abt. 1840 --- Died July 08, 1863

Cpl. Harris enlisted in August 1861 and was severely wounded in the lung at Gettysburg . . . having been hit by an artillery shell, he had little chance of recovery, and died only a few days after his wounding. He was later buried at Gettysburg’s National Cemetery, erroneously listed as a member of the Michigan cavalry.


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