December 30, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Any Gettysburg buff recognizes that whenever the car stops, even if it’s just for a few seconds to let some little puddle-jumper through, it’s the perfect time to snap a photo. Here I happened to capture the marker of Joseph Davis’s Brigade, and the fields through which they marched before reaching the Railroad Cut. Sadly, the story didn’t end well for the boys from Mississippi and North Carolina, as many of them were killed and wounded, and still more were captured.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. NATHAN DAVID BARKER

Co. M, 22^ND North Carolina Infantry

Born 1834 --- Died August 04, 1863

Pvt. Barker’s story is quite unusual. He enlisted in June 1861 and survived over two years in the war, only to be wounded at Gettysburg . . . in the toe. Whether he suffered gangrene before receiving medical care or the ensuing infection was the result of amputation, we’ll never know. He died at Philadelphia and was buried there at Philadelphia National Cemetery.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

December 28, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Lunettes. Check. Artillery. Check. Monument showing infantry placement. Check. Flank markers. Check. Evergreen Cemetery with graves of both battle victims and men and women who lived in Gettysburg during the battle. Check. East Cemetery Hill has it all; everything but the soldiers. (And some people say that at certain times you can see them too . . .) The monument, by the way, is the 4^TH Ohio Infantry. It’s not really blue, but that’s what blue skies will do to your camera. ;-)

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. HENRY NICKEL

Co. A, 1^ST Minnesota Infantry

1839 --- August 10, 1863

Pvt. Nickel was born in Stuttgart, Prussia, and after arriving in America he became a shoemaker. He was wounded in the thigh on the third day of battle and later transported to Camp Letterman, where he died. Pvt. Nickel is buried at Gettysburg at National Cemetery as “H. Nichols.”

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

December 23, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

If you’ve visited the Coster Avenue mural lately, you’ve likely noticed something different. The mural has not only been restored but also sheltered behind glass, with has its positives and negatives. First and foremost, I’m glad it’s protected and will last hopefully for generations. On the other hand, with all the houses across the street reflecting on the glass, it makes taking photos a little tricky. The monument at left is the 154^TH New York Infantry.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. SAMUEL HARRIS

and

1^ST LT. WILLIAM E. HARRIS

Co. F, 45^TH North Carolina Infantry

Brothers Samuel and William enlisted in March 1862. Though Samuel was single, William was married to a lady named Rachel, and they had four children. William died on the first day of battle while Samuel lingered until the 15^TH of July. It is believed that Samuel, not yet injured, may have buried William, little dreaming he himself would soon be mortally wounded.This was not the Harris family’s only tragedy. Another brother, John, had died only two months earlier of typhoid fever, and brother James was taken prisoner twice until he was released in July 1865.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

December 21, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

This shot of the Old Alms House Cemetery on the 11^TH Corps Line also shows the 107^TH Ohio Infantry monument at center. If you click to enlarge the photo you might few more monuments at center left, but they’re difficult to identify. Note that all the graves have colorful flower bouquets, a nice sight to see at a place that seems more or less abandoned. Oak Hill (and its crowning observation tower) can be seen at far center right.

**HONORED TODAY**

2^ND LT. WILLIAM HARRISON HAMILTON

Co. I, 14^TH Vermont Infantry

Died July 06, 1863

2^ND Lt. Hamilton enlisted as Sergeant in September 1862 and was a lawyer in civilian life. He lost both legs when he was hit by a Confederate shell, and died a few days later. He was buried at Gettysburg’s National Cemetery.


(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray