August 31, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

If you’ve never visited Black Horse Tavern, a historic site very near Gettysburg which played a part in Longstreet’s counter-march on July 2nd, it’s quite easy to get there from town. Just take Fairfield Road past the Lutheran Seminary and keep straight until you see a sign at right that says “Black Horse Tavern Road.” Not only will you find a beautiful 18th century structure admired by thousands of Lee’s men, but also this mysterious little cemetery, the McClellan(d) Cemetery. There are 23 (known) burials, and being a details person, I thought it be nice to honor the folks buried here by including their names.

Most are of the McClellan family: Ann Eliza (1799 – 1812), Baltzer Spangler (1794 – 1815), David (d. 1813), a baby born and died 1823, Jacob (d. 1827), James (1767 – 1838), Margaret (d. 1817), Margaret (d. 1822), Samuel Wagner (1815 – 1816), and William (d. 1843). Other people said to be buried here are Elizabeth Butt (d. 1861), Col. William Davie DeSaussure (a Gettysburg casualty who was later reinterred), James Dinwiddie (dates unknown), Sarah Dinwiddie (1810 – 1813), Sarah McClelland Dinwiddie (1688 – 1744), Hugh Donwoody (dates unknown), Hugh Dunwoody (d. 1805), Jane McClure Dunwoody (1727 – 1781), William Dunwoody (1748 – 1767), Alexander Irvine (d. 1844), Sarah Jameson (1719 – 1807), John M. McLeary (d. 1844), and Huston G. Simpson (1923 – 1956).

I’m not sure why the last person on the list would have been buried here so late in time. It’s very likely all (or most) of these folks are related by marriage, but I couldn’t say how exactly. Interestingly, Jennie Wade, Gettysburg’s only civilian death, was the sister of Georgia Wade who married John Louis McClellan. In all likelihood, this is his family.

**HONORED TODAY**

1ST SGT. HUGH KELLY

Co. G, 69th Pennsylvania Infantry

Died July 20, 1863

1st Sgt. Kelly was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and after coming to America took up work as a painter. He originally served in the 27th Pennsylvania. Wounded on July 3rd, he succumbed less than 3 weeks later, and was buried at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Philadelphia.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

August 26, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Today we’ll take a quick look at the Ashland Artillery (Woolfolk’s Battery) near the Longstreet Tower along Seminary Ridge. You’ll notice this cannon is a little different than its neighbors, being a 20-pounder Parrott Rifle. According to waymarking.com, though this particular piece carries a date of 1863 and lists Tredegar Iron Works as the place of origin, it is most likely a reproduction. The artillery of Woolfolk’s Battery are nicely-maintained and, provided you can find a parking space, are very easy to photograph and explore.

**HONORED TODAY**

CPT. SAMUEL PATTON WAGG

Co. A, 26th North Carolina Infantry

Born February 03, 1840 --- Died July 03, 1863 at age 23

Cpt. Wagg enlisted in May 1861 as a sergeant, making it only two years in the war (a feat all its own). He was promoted to Captain in April 1862 and was mortally wounded by grapeshot at the battle of Gettysburg.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

August 24, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

 

You can see a few interesting places on this photo of Carlisle Street, though unfortunately not as many as you would have seen in 1863, as many structures have been demolished and replaced over the past 152 years. At left are three more modern buildings, but the low red-roofed building is Lincoln Diner. Now, the building itself doesn’t date from the battle, but in 1863 this was the location of the Washington Hotel. On the right we see part of the modern incarnation of the Gettysburg Hotel. Of particular interest is the Majestic Theater, a Gettysburg icon since 1925. A gray section of the battle-era railroad station can be seen directly underneath the “Majestic” marquee.

**HONORED TODAY**

2ND LT. JOHN ANDREW BAYARD

Co. H, 148th Pennsylvania Infantry

Born 1827 --- Died August 03, 1863 at age 36

2nd Lt. Bayard enlisted in August 16, 1862 and had previously served in the 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry (from August 1861 to February 1862). He was married to Agnes and had a one-year-old daughter, Ella, when he fell at Gettysburg. The lieutenant received a mortal wound to the hip on July 2nd and succumbed to his injuries a little more than a month later. He was buried at Union Cemetery in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

August 19, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

  

I disliked the Louisiana State Memorial until I finally got out and really looked at it. This monument is incredible! The level of detail, the emotion, the in-your-face realism . . . the only thing I didn’t care for were the over-embellished hands and feet, which I hear is sometimes a bone of contention with admirers of the Mississippi and Louisiana memorials at Gettysburg. That aside, I’m really glad I took the time to really see this monument for the first time. (Which is sad because I’ve been visiting Gettysburg for twenty-five years). My interest in this particular sculpture was heightened by a recent interest in the Louisiana Tigers. (Check them out; fascinating story). If you’re wondering, I didn’t whiten the sky . . . it really was one of those washed-out Gettysburg days which I have the misfortune to encounter so often :-)

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. WILLIAM FRANKLIN LEWIS

Co. B, 28th North Carolina Infantry

Born January 08, 1842 --- Died July 1863 at age 21

Pvt. Lewis’s death date is given as both July 03rd and July 17th. He enlisted in July 1861, making it nearly two years through the war, and was mortally wounded in his leg at Gettysburg. His burial place is unknown; he may be at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, or possibly Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond. Both contain large numbers of Gettysburg casualties. A marker to him can be found at New Hope Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Gastonia, North Carolina.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray