October 28, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Ah, East Cemetery Hill. I wanted a bright blue sky, but I got my typical Gettysburg weather: overcast :-). Still some good shots, though. Here’s a close-up of a Parrott Rifle (not sure of which battery) flanked by the 73rd Pennsylvania Infantry on the left and Wiedrich’s Battery, 1st New York Artillery on the right. In the left distance you can see a little of Gettysburg’s kitsch --- “Tour Center” and an array of vehicles in the parking lot. Fortunately, not all of these folks were traipsing Cemetery Hill, and we had the place mostly to ourselves.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. JONATHAN BEASON

Co. F, 3^RD Arkansas Infantry

Pvt. Beason enlisted in June 1861 and was a farmer. He was killed during the Texas Brigade’s actions on the second day of battle. 

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

October 26, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Very near the site of the Texas State Memorial, the three Texas regiments and their Arkansan companions started off across Warfield Ridge to attack the area of Devil’s Den and Little Round Top. I’ve always liked this particular spot, and it’s interesting to think that some Southern boys, whether from these units are elsewhere, might have sat upon these very rocks scattered on the ground. The Texas State Memorial is a beaut and well worth a closer look.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. JOHN E. RYDER and CPL. ALFRED G. RYDER

Co. C, 24^TH MICHIGAN INFANTRY and CO. H, 1^ST MICHIGAN CAVALRY

Brothers John and Alfred may have started out at the same point in life, but their ends were vastly different. John, in the 24th Michigan Infantry, was mortally wounded in the chest on July 1st and soon died of his injuries, eventually being buried at Newburg Cemetery in Livonia, Michigan. Brother Alfred of the 1^ST Michigan Cavalry was wounded in the lung and arm in the 3^RD of July and lingered until the 22^ND, when he died. He was buried (originally) at Gettysburg’s German Reformed Church.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

October 21, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

When I first started visiting Gettysburg (23 years ago!) the Copse / High Water Mark was a lot more “impressive” than it is now. Actually, seeing how full and alive it used to look (at least to me as a kid) is sad compared to the way it looks now. Still, knowing its history makes up for the lack of aestheticism. At far left is the 106TH Pennsylvania monument with its distinctive drums on top, and to the right is the Nicholas Codori farm and the 69TH Pennsylvania. The object at far left, standing out in the field, isn’t a ghost . . . it’s someone’s tripod. :-)

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. JOHN LOGAN WELLS, SR.

Co. E/H, 18^TH North Carolina Infantry

Born 1831 --- Died July 03, 1863 at age 32

Pvt. Wells’ enlistment in July 1862 left behind a wife, Kate, and two little children, Martha A. (born 1859) and John Logan, Jr. (born 1861). Unfortunately, besides family info, little seems to be known of him. 

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

October 19, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Seriously, what is better than a foggy autumn morning at Gettysburg? Not much! This is one of Poague’s Howitzers across from the Virginia State Memorial along Confederate Avenue, and the atmosphere is just so peaceful (and a bit mysterious) that it comes right through the image to communicate the feeling of that morning. Another bonus is that, without modern intrusions, you can imagine that this is how the battlefield looked in November 1863 when President Lincoln made his touching address. (I realize the artillery pieces would have been cleared from the field by that time, but I have an imagination ... :-))

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. FRANK KING

Co. E, 6^TH Wisconsin Infantry

Died July 01, 1863

Pvt. King of Col. Rufus Dawes’ strapping Wisconsinites, was mortally wounded at the Railroad Cut and died that same day. He was remember by his friends as being a “fine singer”, and, little many other soldiers both blue and gray, for having a presentiment that he would not survive the battle. He was later buried at Gettysburg’s National Cemetery.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray