September 30, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

The gang’s all here: beautifully contrasting colors, a perfect summer sky, rock walls, wooden fences, a picturesque tree, and the sacred ground of the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge. (Oh, and Hancock Avenue, but there’s nothing particular special about that). I always consider myself extremely lucky when my photos have such a great sky to work with. (And it’s rather rare for me!) It’s fairly easy to imagine thousands of Southern soldiers marching slowly but steadily through the fields, though of course the modern scene is much safer, much more peaceful. Still, war or peace, this must have been a stunning bit of countryside.

**HONORED TODAY**

CPL. MELVILLE C. ROBERTS

Co. C, 35^TH Georgia Infantry

September 28, 1834 --- Died July 03, 1863 at age 28

Cpl. Roberts enlisted in April 1862, and upon his death at Gettysburg was the husband of Susan and father of three children, 5-year-old William, 3-year-old Sarah, and 1-year-old John. 

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

September 28, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

This picturesque scene was shot near the Peach Orchard on what is a typical day for us to visit Gettysburg (cool, gloomy, and ready to rainJ). I love the contrast of flower, fence, and field, and the peaceful bucolic atmosphere. There’s nothing in this photo that the soldiers couldn’t have seen, and likely did. I’ve always wondered if the men in blue and gray had just as many problems with chiggers, ticks, and fleas during the battle as modern-day visitors to the fields have to contend with. I imagine they did. I wish I could say in what direction I’m looking, but I’m not as familiar with the Peach Orchard area as with the rest of the field.

**HONORED TODAY**

SGT. SPENCER MARVIN TRAIN

Co. C, 2^ND Wisconsin Infantry

Born about 1833 --- Died August 25, 1863 at age 30

Sgt. Train had a dangerous stint in the military before coming to Gettysburg. Enlisting in April 1862, he was taken prisoner in Virginia in August 1862 and was later wounded at Fredericksburg in December. He was cited for “Distinguished Service” (I’m not sure for which battle). Mortally wounded in the leg at Gettysburg, he was taken to Camp Letterman, where he later died. Sgt. Train is buried in Gettysburg’s National Cemetery.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

September 23, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Even if Gettysburg was just a pretty Pennsylvania town with no history, the scenery alone would be enough to merit a visit.  The location is Marsh Creek just past Sachs Covered Bride, very near the battlefield. Though you’ll often see distant fishermen or perhaps even “ghost hunters”, it’s generally very quiet and peaceful here, making it a perfect place for contemplation. Autumn is an especially great time to visit (this photo, with its abundance of yellow, was taken in November).

 

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. JESSE S. BROWN

Co. H, 26^TH North Carolina Infantry

Born 1839 --- Died July 01, 1863 at age 24

Pvt. Brown enlisted in March 1862. He was married to Mary and a daughter, Angeline Elizabeth called Annie, who was born the year of his enlistment. He was likely killed during the fight with the 24^TH Michigan Infantry in McPherson’s Woods.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

September 21, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

It may be difficult to see, but this picture is pretty special, at least to me. It was a cool, quiet morning, and I’d stopped for a moment at Big Round Top. Looking toward Little Round Top, you could see beams of a “mist” of sunlight arcing through the trees and beaming down into the woods below. It was an incredibly peaceful feeling. I always feel blessed when I encounter an experience like this one, simple though it may be. Gettysburg is full of these peaceful, beautiful moments. Considering the carnage that took place here, that fact never ceases to amaze me.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. WILLIAM H. WYDNER

5^TH Maine Battery

Born about 1836 --- Died July 07, 1863 at age 27

Pvt. Wydner was a volunteer from the 94^TH New York Infantry, called to assist the 5^TH Maine Battery during the battle. In personal life he was a farmer, and records list him as being 5’9” tall with hazel eyes and auburn hair. He was apparently killed during a retreat.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray