November 30, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

I’ve seen (and taken) a good many photos of Gen. Longstreet and his trusty steed, but rarely has anyone photographed the front of the horse. I like this view as it not only shows a different angle but also showcases the typical look of Gettysburg in late autumn . . . few colored leaves, but a sort of bare-branched barrenness that makes you feel as if you have the place all to yourself. In the left background is the National Park Service amphitheater. Oh, and be careful walking on the river of leaves, especially if it’s just rained . . . and don’t wear good boots. Consider that your tip for the day :-)

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. HANNABAL DOWNS

Co. F, 60^TH New York Infantry

Born November 05, 1831 --- Died July 02, 1863 at age 31

Pvt. Downs enlisted in September 1861. He was a farmer, and married to Lucretia. At Gettysburg he was mortally wounded in the head and was first buried at the Henry Spangler farm, later reinterred at the National Cemetery. Unfortunately his stone bears the name “Hannibal Dorset.”

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

November 25, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

 

Any idea where you can this beautiful stone eagle? (I won’t make you guess). He sits atop the New York auxiliary monument along Cemetery Ridge, very near the Pennsylvania State Memorial. I realized on this last trip that I’d never really gotten a good look at him, and since the sky was so un-Gettysburg-like (meaning it’s usually gray, rainy, and washed-out in autumn, and I instead had a stunning blue sky!) I figured I had to stop have him pose for a picture. :-) You may think this monument looks a little newer in design than its late-19^TH-century counterparts, and you’d be right . . . it was dedicated in 1925. I urge you to check out this website: Gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/union-monuments/new-york/new-york-state-auxiliary-monument/ which lists the names of New York officers at Gettysburg.

**HONORED TODAY**

2^ND LT. PRESTON BYRD NORRED

Co. I, 44^TH Alabama Infantry

Born about 1826/27 --- Died July 02/04, 1863

2^ND Lt. Norred enlisted in April 1862. He was a farmer, and was married to Mary Ann, with the following children: Winfield (age 14 in 1863), Leonidas (age 13), John (age 10), James (age 8), Robert (age 6), Annie (age 4), and Elizabeth (age 1). It is possibly Annie’s name was actually Amanda, born instead in 1859. Lt. Norred’s burial place is unknown.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

November 23, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Here’s a new (taken on the 14^TH of November) photo of the Moses McLean farm nestled on the slope of Oak Hill. At far left you can see the remaining cannon from Page’s Battery of the Morris Artillery (you may remember there were once a few artillery pieces here, as well as an overabundance of trees which I’m not sorry to see gone!). The cozy McLean farm has withstood the test of time wonderfully. If you have particularly sharp eyes, you might notice the tiny gray “square” in the field just below and to the right of the white farmhouse. That’s the advanced position marker for the 45^TH New York Infantry, an interesting regiment which deserves further study. As usual, the thing I like most about this photo is the lack of modern intrusions.

**HONORED TODAY**

CPL. THOMAS M. AMES

Co. H, 14^TH Connecticut Infantry

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

Cpl. Ames enlisted in August 1862 and was a farmer. Sadly, he never knew his mother, who died the year of his birth. He was mortally wounded at Gettysburg and later buried at Ames Cemetery in Waterford, Connecticut.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

November 18, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Today’s post on the Old Alms House Cemetery features Mrs. Anna B. Flint. Her stone supposedly states (per Find A Grave) only that she died February 19, 1972, and was the wife of “A. Flint.” I believe this transcription may be in error, as her stone seems to say “1853” or “1873.” (This would be more logical considering most of the dates in the cemetery).Though straw obscures part of the inscription, it appears she was in her 30s when she died. Anna is likely related to Edward Alex Flint, age 2, who is also buried at this cemetery.

**HONORED TODAY**

SGT. GEORGE J. DANIEL

Co. D, 48^TH Georgia Infantry

Born November 30, 1827 --- Died July 02, 1863 at age 35

Sgt. Daniel entered in military in March 1862. The husband of Angeline, he was also father to Rosaline (age 12 at her father’s death), Ella or Ellafair (age 8), and James (age 5).

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray