May 30, 2016

**Happy Memorial Day to each and all . . . join me in remembering the victims of Gettysburg today!**

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Whether or not you’re into the whole ghost-hunting scene, Culp’s Hill can be an eerie place in the dark. I’ve experienced that myself . . . a strange sense of uneasiness followed by a certain peacefulness at sunrise. This sunrise photo isn’t particularly special, but as I love any sunrise over the battlefield, it holds sentimental value. It was taken at the summit of the hill near Knap’s Pennsylvania Battery, looking down through the trees at the start of a promising new day. (Again, any day in Gettysburg is promising . . . rain, shine, hot, cold, any season, I guarantee I’ll find many wonderful ways to occupy my time).

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. SAMUEL A. MORRISON

Co. B, 72^ND Pennsylvania Infantry

Died July 03, 1863

Pvt. Morrison enlisted in August 1861. He was a marble polisher from Philadelphia, and was later buried in that same city. Unfortunately I have little information regarding his life.

(c) 2012-2016 Skies of Blue and Gray

May 25, 2016

 ** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

This is the view from the Pennsylvania Memorial facing Hancock Avenue, looking across Cemetery Ridge toward Emmitsburg Road. The white structure in the center distance is the Daniel Klingel farmhouse. The cannon at right is part of Thomas’s Battery, also known as Battery C of the 4^TH U. S. Artillery. Notice the fences of various configurations and the nice contrast of greens, browns, and blues; autumn in Gettysburg is almost magical, which I’m sure anyone who’s visited at that time of year well knows.

**HONORED TODAY**

3^RD LT. WESLEY LEWIS BATTLE

Co. D, 37^TH North Carolina Infantry

Born October 13, 1843 --- Died August 23, 1863 at age 19

 

3^RD Lt. Battle enlisted in July 1862 and was transferred to the 37^TH North Carolina in January 1863. He received a mortal wound during battle and was taken to Camp Letterman, where he underwent an amputation. A second surgery on the 23^RD of August resulted in death. Lt. Battle was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, or possibly at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. A photo can be found here.

(c) 2012-2016 Skies of Blue and Gray

May 23, 2016

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

The road less traveled.

I hardly ever see any other living souls at East Cavalry Field although it’s a pretty interesting place. The beautiful Rummel farm, a handful of impressive monuments, and the rows of artillery are enough to warrant a visit, and if you’re the sort who likes solitary, peaceful battlefield strolls, this is definitely the place. I recall many times that we took advantage of the pull-off located just beyond this point to have an in-car picnic lunch while looking out over the fields.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. NICHOLAUS YOUNG

Co. G, 26^TH Wisconsin Infantry

Died August 08, 1863

 

Pvt. Young enlisted in August 1862. He was mortally wounded in battle on the 1^ST of July, suffering a fracture of the thigh, and died at Camp Letterman over a month later. It is thought that he was buried at Gettysburg National Cemetery with a stone that says “Lieut. Martin Young”. Many of the old stones at this cemetery are in error concerning names and sometimes states.

(c) 2012-2016 Skies of Blue and Gray