January 30, 2017

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

I’m particularly fond of photos with various points of interest, and this one is no exception. From left to right we have Gen. Lee’s headquarters/Mary Thompson house, Stewart’s Battery B, 4^TH U.S. Artillery, the post-battle Lutheran Theological Seminary chapel, and the famous Old Dorm cupola. It was a perfect November day, as seen by the bright blue sky, though with the kind of wind that cuts straight through to the bone and makes you wish you hadn’t left your nice warm coat in the car!

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. ROBERT THOMAS

Died July 03, 1863

Co. E, 52^ND North Carolina Infantry

Pvt. Thomas was a farmer and enlisted in May 1862. He was married to Clementine, with children Harrell (born 1855), Garrit (born 1856), and Martha (born 1860). Four of his brothers also died young . . . James in January 1863, John in August 1864, Wiley in August 1864, and Wesley in July 1865. Pvt. Thomas was buried at Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery.

(c) 2012-2017 Skies of Blue and Gray

January 25, 2017

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

You’ve heard of “The Hills Have Eyes”? Well, the houses have eyes too . . . and a nose. This close-up of the Abraham Bryan farm is strangely attractive, though somewhat creepy at the same time. It looks as if someone kicked dirt against the bottom of the house . . . I hope that’s not the case. If you go up to the windows and peer inside, you can see period furniture (and wonder how in the world more than one person lived there without driving each other crazy).

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. PIERCE HARVEY

 Born 1818 --- Died July 17, 1863 at age 45

Co. B, 16^TH Massachusetts Infantry

  

Pvt. Harvey, a carpenter from Boston, enlisted in August 1862. He was married to Catharine and had four children, John (born abt. 1841), Thomas (born 1844), Thaddeus (born abt. 1846), and Catharine (born abt. 1850). He was wounded in the foot on the 2^ND of July and died two weeks later. Gettysburg’s National Cemetery is his final resting place.

(c) 2012-2017 Skies of Blue and Gray

January 23, 2017

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Two summers ago, I made it part-way up the Longstreet Tower along Confederate Avenue before my back decided to rebel. This is my view. Visible are the division marker for Laws’ Division, the Georgia Troup Artillery, the Georgia State Memorial, the 1^ST North Carolina Artillery, and the South Carolina Memorial. The Ashland Artillery is at lower left, hidden in the trees. I’ve always loved this sweeping scene over the fields, which isn’t properly captured in this photo . . . the view is amazing. And to the owners of these vehicles, smile! You’re famous now.

**HONORED TODAY**

1^ST LT. PLEASANT HOSSEY THOMPSON

Born abt. 1838 --- Died July 02, 1863 at age 35

Co. G, 3^RD Arkansas Infantry

1^ST Lt. Thompson, a farmer, enlisted in June 1861 and endured two years of war. He was killed in battle, and his place of burial is uncertain.

(c) 2012-2017 Skies of Blue and Gray

January 18, 2017

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

No one knows for certain how many witness trees still exist on the Gettysburg battlefield, and unless you know what you’re looking for, it can be hard to determine a particular tree’s age. There are, however, a handful of trees that are known witnesses to the battle, such as this white oak above Devil’s Den at Houck’s Ridge. Though the features aren’t sharp, the lighting in the photo shows the beauty and mystery of a rainy day in Gettysburg, somehow enhancing the scene. Smith’s 4^TH New York Independent Battery can be seen along the ridge.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. DAVID ALEXANDER

 

Born bet. 1816-18 --- Died July 02, 1863

Co. H, 75^TH Ohio Infantry

Pvt. Alexander enlisted in November 1861. His wife, Kima, gave him at least two children, Allen (born 1841) and Austin (born 1846). It’s likely that they both served in the army as well. Pvt. Alexander was killed in battle and is possibly buried at Gettysburg’s National Cemetery, though he may still lie on the field.

(c) 2012-2017 Skies of Blue and Gray