February 27, 2017

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Sunset over the field of Pickett’s Charge is a magical sight. Here, one of the artillery pieces of Cowan’s 1^ST New York Independent Battery shares the glory, as well as the monument to the 59^TH New York Infantry. The Nicholas Codori barn and part of Emmitsburg Road can be seen in the distance. While many consider this to be a rather creepy place after nightfall, I also find it peaceful, contemplative, and intriguing.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. BENJAMIN THOMAS MARTIN ENNIS

Born April 17, 1844 --- Died July 26, 1863 at age 19

Co. E, 14^TH Alabama Infantry

Pvt. Ennis, a drummer, first suffered a wound at Chancellorsville in May 1863. He recovered enough to fight at Gettysburg two months later. This wound, in the leg, proved to be mortal. He was either buried at Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery or at Oakwood Cemetery in Lanett, Alabama.

(c) 2012-2017 Skies of Blue and Gray

February 22, 2017

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

For some reason this staircase reminds me of something you’d see inside a large ship. Actually, it’s located inside the Pennsylvania State Memorial. This 110-foot-tall monument was dedicated in 1910, though I imagine the stairs have been probably been replaced more recently after a century of foot traffic. Interestingly, much of the monument is made of North Carolina granite. By entering the monument and climbing quite a few stairs, you’ll have a fine view of the surrounding battlefield.

**HONORED TODAY**

CPT. DAVID ACHESON

Born January 10, 1841 --- Died July 02, 1863 at age 22

Co. C, 140^TH Pennsylvania Infantry

Cpt. Acheson enlisted in August 1862, a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College. He was mortally wounded at Stony Hill (supposedly shot twice by members of the 3^RD South Carolina) and later received a third wound. He was buried at Washington Cemetery in Washington, Pennsylvania, and his photo can be found here.

(c) 2012-2017 Skies of Blue and Gray

February 20, 2017

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

The initial view from Little Round Top is a very special experience. In this shot we see the Devil’s Den witness tree (the first distant tree at center left which “sticks out”), the Philip Snyder farmhouse (top center), the 99^TH Pennsylvania monument (hard to see, center of the photo), and Rose Woods, as well as part of Crawford Avenue at bottom right. The darkness of the trees which surround the view on either side gives it a mysterious and intriguing quality.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. RICHARD JAMES NASH

Born 1836 --- Died August 16, 1863 at age 27

Co. G, 9^TH Virginia Infantry

Pvt. Nash was mortally wounded in the right femur and suffered an amputation as a result. Secondary hemorrhaging brought on his death, and he passed away at Camp Letterman over a month after being wounded. He was eventually buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.

(c) 2012-2017 Skies of Blue and Gray

February 15, 2017

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Something else to make you long for spring in Gettysburg! I took this photo of redbuds at Little Round Top a few springs ago, and can’t wait to see them again. The 140^TH New York Infantry monument is visible through the branches at bottom center-left. The skies aren’t very inviting, but they’re intriguing nonetheless . . . a hint of rain on the battlefield is always a treat for those who love ambiance, though perhaps not for those on Segways, bikes, motorcycles, or their own two feet.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. TALMADGE WOOD

Died July 14, 1863

Co. C, 150^TH New York Infantry

Pvt. Wood enlisted in September 1862. He married Lydia and was widowed when she died in 1854. He had two daughters, Phoebe born 1840 and Maria born 1845. He was mortally wounded in the chest on July 3^RD, supposedly by a sharpshooter, and died 11 days later. Pvt. Wood was buried at Gettysburg National Cemetery.

(c) 2012-2017 Skies of Blue and Gray