June 29, 2016

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Here’s a pensive shot of Sherfy’s peach orchard. Note all the trees seem to have a leaning problem, undoubtedly due to wind. It’s quite humbling to think of all the blood that soaked into this small and unassuming place. Without knowing its background, it could easily be mistaken for any orchard anywhere in the country. While these aren’t the original trees, that fact doesn’t in any way diminish the importance of this hallowed ground . . . I encourage you to read off a few names of the dead while visiting any place on the battlefield. For instance, Cpt. Isaac Davis Stamps of the 21^ST Mississippi was mortally wounded at the Peach Orchard on July 2^ND and died the next day. Conversely, Cpt. Henry N. Metcalf of the 2^ND New Hampshire was killed at this place on July 2^ND. Studying Gettysburg’s dead and wounded is a fascinating pastime I highly recommend.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. JAMES H. “JIMMIE” MCCLEARY

Battery B, 1^ST Pennsylvania Light Artillery (Cooper’s Battery)

Born abt. 1839 --- Died July 1863

Pvt. McCleary enlisted in October 1861 and was a carpenter, described as being 5’10” inches tall. He was struck by Confederate cannon-fire and wounded in both legs on the 2^ND of July, and both were later amputated. He died from his injuries and was buried at Gettysburg’s Evergreen Cemetery.

(c) 2012-2016 Skies of Blue and Gray

June 27, 2016

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

If you turn right onto Wright Avenue from Sykes Avenue at Little Round Top, you’ll pass the beautiful Vermont Brigade lion, a handful of artillery pieces, and Taneytown Road. On the other side of this road is Howe Avenue, where four more monuments can be found. This particular view shows the section of Taneytown Road where many men of Gen. Hancock’s 2^ND Corps encamped late on the night of July 1^ST. Two monuments can be seen: The 6^TH Maine and the 49^TH Pennsylvania. My 3^RD-great uncle was a member of the latter, but did not enlist until February 1864 (you can find out more about him on my “Boys in Blue” memorial page, linked at the top of this page). And whoever lives in this white house on the battlefield which can be seen at the top center of the photo, boy are you lucky!

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. HENRY CLAY SWARINGEN

Co. K, 28^TH North Carolina Infantry

Born February 26, 1844 --- Died July 03, 1863 at age 19

Pvt. Swaringen enlisted in February 1862. He was taken prisoner at Fredericksburg and later released, and was killed at Gettysburg. Unfortunately I could find no further information save for some family members.

(c) 2012-2016 Skies of Blue and Gray

June 22, 2016

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

The word emblazoned on the crest of Little Round Top’s 140^TH New York Infantry monument represents a ideal which Civil War soldiers strove to attain. Colonel Patrick O’Rorke’s boys did their duty to the point of death, marching into place on this small hill without question, surging down over the slope to drive back the foe. The monument states that 26 men were killed. These were Pvt. David W. Allen, Pvt. John Allen, Cpl. Robert Blair, Pvt. Jacob Boxlor, Pvt. Philip Buchner, Pvt. Stephen Carkeek, Sgt. James G. Clapp, Pvt. Samuel Cohler, Pvt. Justus Eisenberg, Cpl. John A. Evans, Sgt. John B. Heindl, Pvt. Jeremiah Keenan, Pvt. George Kleinhaus, Pvt. Ferdinand Neuman, Pvt. George Pfefer, Pvt. Robert Shields, Pvt. Charles Speisberger, Pvt. George V. Steele, Pvt. Kinsey Stotle, Pvt. George Strobridge, Pvt. Huburt C. Taylor, Pvt. Ross Thomas, Pvt. William Warner, Pvt. Sanford O. Webb, Cpl. Theodore B. Whipple, and Pvt. John Zuller. Others later died of their wounds.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. LESTER L. BAIRD

Co. H, 14^TH Vermont Infantry

Born June 22, 1822 --- Died July 17, 1863 at age 41

Pvt. Baird enlisted September 1862 and was a millwright by trade. Married to Lucy, his children were Martha (aged 14 at her father’s death), Maria (aged 11), Elwin (aged 8), and Lucy (aged 5). Pvt. Baird was mortally wounded July 3^RD and succumbed to his injuries 2 weeks later. He was buried at Gettysburg National Cemetery.

(c) 2012-2016 Skies of Blue and Gray