July 29, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

There are plenty of photos showing the front of the North Carolina State Memorial along Confederate Avenue, but you don’t see too many from the back. I like the contrast of colors, blue sky, dark bronze, green grass and fields beyond, especially since those fields in the distance are none other than the legendary “stomping grounds” of the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge. (You can see the Copse to the right of the monument).The detail in this monument is stunning. If you’re planning on visiting Gettysburg, check it out. It’s one of my favorite state memorials.

**HONORED TODAY**

1ST LT. JOHN BEATTY CLANTON

Co. E, 11th North Carolina Infantry

Born June 20, 1831 --- Died July 27/August 01, 1863 at age 32

Lt. Clanton enlisted in February/March 1862, husband of Ann Elmira and father of William (born 1858). There was possibly another child, John, born in 1863. He was wounded on July 1st. His burial site is not known, though a tombstone exists for him at Sharon Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Charlotte, North Carolina.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

July 27, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

This was the view no Yankee wanted to have. The barrel belongs to the Madison Artillery of Louisiana, also known as Moody’s Battery, and is a 24-pounder Howitzer crafted in Austria. The barrel was cast either in 1858 or 1859 (I’m not sure which of the two pieces this one is). What I love most about this photo is the details, and the fact that despite needing a good painting, this piece is in relatively good shape considering its age.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. JOHN ALBRIGHT

Co. F, 12th New Jersey Infantry

Born circa 1828 --- Died July 03, 1863 at age 35

Pvt. Albright enlisted in August 1862 and was a farmer. At Gettysburg he suffered a mortal head wound and was first buried at the Peter Frey farm along Taneytown Road. He was later reinterred at Gettysburg National Cemetery.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

July 22, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

This photo was taken along Wainwright Avenue at the base of East Cemetery Hill and shows the flow of Menchey’s Spring in the foreground. As usual, I’m loving the combination of wooden and rock fences, and the slope of Stevens’ Knoll (McKnight’s Hill during the battle) at right. In the left distance are the fields over which Hays’ Louisiana Tigers crossed on the night of July 3rd. One was to wonder if, hours later, any of the wounded Tigers managed to make their way down here to take a drink from the spring. Stranger things have happened.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. ELIAS HESTER

Co. K,45th North Carolina Infantry

Born circa 1843 --- Died July 26, 1863

Pvt. Hester, a farmer, enlisted in March 1862.His death was not the only tragedy which visited his family; his brother James had died in November 1862, and another brother, Stephen, died at the notorious Elmira prison in September 1864.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

July 20, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

I don’t post many photos of the town of Gettysburg itself, so I figured it was high time. This particular picture was taken from one of our former hotels and shows Steinwehr Avenue. The town has a very quaint and homey feel that adds to the battle ambiance, even the sections with structures that were built after the Civil War. As many know, sunset at Gettysburg is a special occasion, and I liked being able to capture the big bright ball as it dipped down below the mountains. On a side note, hungry for sweets? Kilwin’s ice cream and Sunset Ice Cream Parlor make an appearance here, as well as some Civil War stores.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. FRANKLIN PETER WENDLING

Co. K, 151st Pennsylvania Infantry

Died July 17, 1863 at age 17

Pvt. Wendling, also spelled “Vendlin”, enlisted in October 1862 and was a farmer. He was wounded on the 1st of July and captured the next day, but soon released. He died at Mower Hospital in Philadelphia and was later buried at Odd Fellows Cemetery.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray