January 27, 2016

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

If you’re ever on East Cemetery Hill, don’t forget to stop and say hello to Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock. This equestrian statue is only 33 years younger than the battle, having stood at this spot since 1896. If you actually had the chance to speak with Hancock, you’d be wise not to get his dander up . . . the fellow had a reputation for salty language. For a nice clean conversation you would have had to mosey on over to Gen. Oliver Otis Howard, whose monument is also located on the hill. If you let a dirty word slip out he’d be sure to let you know.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. THOMAS LEGRAND GUERRY

Sumter {Georgia} Artillery Battalion

Born October 26, 1846 --- Died July 04, 1863 at age 16

                                       

Pvt. Guerry’s family insisted he was too young for soldiering, but he stood firm. He followed his battery to Gettysburg, where it was placed in position along what is now West Confederate Avenue. During the battle he was struck in the arm by an enemy shell, necessitating amputation. He died very early on the 4^TH of July, having not yet reached his 17^TH birthday. Pvt. Guerry was buried at Savannah’s Laurel Grove Cemetery along with many other Gettysburg casualties.

(c) 2012-2016 Skies of Blue and Gray

January 25, 2016

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

You may remember the front of the 143^RD Pennsylvania Infantry monument at the corner of Reynolds Avenue and Route 30/Chambersburg Pike, but you probably haven’t noticed the back. It’s at a nice location, tucked among a small stand of trees, facing the fields crossed by Confederates before they made the fateful plunge into the Railroad Cut. Sgt. Ben Crippen, the young soldier who shook his fist at his foes, is immortalized on the face of the monument.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. MANESSEH NEWKIRK

Co. G, 120^TH New York Infantry

Born about 1837 --- Died July 02, 1863 at age 26

Pvt. Newkirk enlisted in August 1862. He was a stone cutter (some sources say teamster) and was married to Elizabeth, with a son Silas (born abt. 1856) and two daughters, Ida (born abt. 1858) and Cora (born abt. 1859).

(c) 2012-2016 Skies of Blue and Gray

January 20, 2016

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Here’s an artsy shot of the Leister farmhouse, showing part of Cemetery Ridge and Gen. Meade’s equestrian statue in the center left distance. I don’t know if the well is original, but if not it was certainly given a period design. If you’re like me, you spent a few minutes peering in the window at right, trying to see what was in there. It’s actually fully furnished, and though you can’t go inside, you can peer in through the windows and get a real feel for 19^TH century farm life.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. PHILIP DAVIS FISHER

Co. B, 28^TH Virginia Infantry

Born 1830 --- Died July 03, 1863 at 33

Pvt. Fisher was married to Harriett and was the father of at least four children, William (born abt. 1853), John (born abt. 1855), Mary or Maria (born 1857), and Zadoc (born 1861). There were possibly also two more children, Sarah “Lizzie” (born 1847), and Amanda (born Sep 1863). Pvt. Fisher was killed on the third day of battle and is possibly buried at the Fisher farm near New Castle, Virginia.

(c) 2012-2016 Skies of Blue and Gray

January 18, 2016

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

 

I was reminiscing this morning about the two times I had an opportunity to explore the McPherson barn, and I found a handful of photos I hadn’t previously featured. It was truly amazing to stand down here, nearly alone, and examine the old stonework that so many soldiers both blue and gray must have admired. The barn is in surprisingly good shape considering that it had already been standing a handful of decades before the battle.

**HONORED TODAY**

CPT. DORASTUS B. LOGAN

Co. H, 11^TH New Jersey Infantry

Born 1822 --- Died July 02, 1863 at 41

Cpt. Logan enlisted in August 1862 and was a farmer. He was married to Catharine, with at least two children, Fanny (age 15) and Katherine (age 6). He received a promotion just a short while before being killed on the battlefield, and was originally buried at the Peter Frey farm. He was later buried at United Methodist Church Cemetery in Succasunna, New Jersey, though a marker for him can be found at First Presbyterian Churchyard in Morristown.

(c) 2012-2016 Skies of Blue and Gray