June 29, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

The Eleventh Corps Line is one of those places on the Gettysburg battlefield that doesn’t seem to be a particular favorite for visitors --- maybe some don’t even know it’s there. At any rate, it’s not very heavily traveled (which makes for great photos).This shot was taken from near the Francis Barlow statue and shows the Old Alms House Cemetery on an overcast autumn day.  Part of Oak Ridge and Oak Hill can be seen at right, albeit not in the best detail. I’m not sure if the rocks in a row have any significance, but since Gettysburg is so full of tradition and history, I’m guessing they probably do. (Or someone just liked the way they looked).

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. THOMAS HALEY

CO. E, 157th New York Infantry

Born 1836 --- Died July 15, 1863 at 27

Pvt. Haley enlisted in August 1862, husband of Mary Ann and father of Mary Jane (aged 3) and Agnes (aged 1). He received a mortal wound on the first day of battle and later suffered an amputation. He was buried in Gettysburg National Cemetery.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

June 24, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

The two monuments dominating this photo are the portrait statue of Gen. Andrew Humphreys and the 11th Massachusetts Infantry. Seen at left is the Emmitsburg Road. Also, two farms are visible . . . the Abraham Bryan barn at bottom left, and the Nicholas Codori barn to the right of Gen. Humphreys. Both picket fencing and wood fencing is visible. I think (though I may be wrong) that the trees to the right of the 11th Massachusetts are actually the Copse at the High Water Mark.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. JAMES M. ROBERTSON

CO. B, 2nd Mississippi Infantry

Born 1844 --- Died July 01, 1863 at 19

Pvt. Robertson, a farmer, enlisted in March 1862. He was killed in battle and later buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh. Unfortunately, I was able to find little information pertaining to his life.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

June 22, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Honest question: Is there anyone who has visited Gettysburg without being fascinated by the rocks at Devil’s Den? If you’ve been following my blog for awhile, you’ve probably noticed that I am definitely one of these people. It’s sure a thrill to be driving along the battlefield roads and then seeing this massive megalith of boulders (look how big this boulder in the photo is. That’s only one of many!) I’m not one for climbing, but just to stand and stare and imagine the battle is enough for me.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. FRANKLIN B. WEABER

CO. K, 151st Pennsylvania Infantry

Died July 27, 1863

Pvt. Weaber enlisted in October 1862. He was wounded in three places at Gettysburg and succumbed after nearly a month of medical care, dying at Harrisburg’s Camp Curtin general hospital.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

June 17, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Gettysburg’s Pennsylvania State Memorial is the sort of monument you either love or hate. I’ve seen both. I personally love it, because the sheer size, the plaques with so many names, and the ability to really wander around and explore it (there are steps to the observation deck on top) make it unique. While New York supplied the most troops for the Union side of the conflict, Pennsylvania wasn’t far behind. So, too, did Pennsylvania and New York claim the highest percentage of casualties at Gettysburg. The text at right says “89 Regiments Infantry; 9 Regiments Cavalry; 7 Batteries Artillery; Total Present 34530; Killed and Mortally Wounded 1182; Wounded 3177; Missing 880.”

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. BARTON NELSON HILLHOUSE

CO. F, 5th Florida Infantry

Born March 25, 1836 --- died July 04, 1863 at age 27

Pvt. Hillhouse enlisted in March 1862. In September 1862 he was taken prisoner at Hagerstown, MD, and was a captive from that time until March 1863. Though he was advised to return home, instead he rejoined his regiment. He fought at Gettysburg and was wounded at the Peach Orchard. There is a possibility his body was never identified and remains on the battlefield.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray