March 15, 2017

**Next post will be Monday, April 04th**

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Visitors to Gettysburg’s Soldiers’ National Cemetery will likely remember that the cemetery has a section for veterans of newer wars. Identifiable stones include: Walter G. Allen (1887 ~ 1960, World War I veteran); Sgt. Richard McKonly Mattingly (1929 ~ 1960, Korean War veteran); Sgt. Joseph John Kuduk (1916 ~ 1959, veteran of World War II and later served in the army after the war’s conclusion); William Philip Bushman (1937 ~ 1958); John Harrison Palmer (1913 ~ 1957, World War II veteran); Donald Mearl Brown (1911 ~ 1960, World War II veteran); Kenneth Eugene Bowman (1839 ~ 1959); William Ludwig Mortensen (1936 ~ 1958); and Richard Eugene Carter (1934 ~ 1957, Korean War veteran).

**HONORED TODAY**

CPL. WILLIAM C. TEMPLIN

 

Born abt. 1841 --- Died August 09, 1863 at age 22

Co. A, 73^RD Ohio Infantry

Cpl. Templin, a married man, was wounded in the ankle and later taken to Camp Letterman. He suffered an amputation of lower thigh and died over a month after the battle. He was later buried at Old Clark Farm Cemetery in Greenland, Ohio.

(c) 2012-2017 Skies of Blue and Gray

March 13, 2017

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

The McPherson barn sits in the fog as a timeless sentinel, its environs hidden in a thick veil of misty silence. The trees of Reynolds’ Woods can be vaguely seen, but all else --- monuments, fields, and visitors alike --- are hidden within the fog. You haven’t truly experienced Gettysburg until you’ve traipsed around the field on a foggy morning. Not only will you be enveloped in an ambiance that can’t be replicated, but you’re also likely to see wildlife, deer in particular, taking advantage of natural cover. 

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. JOHN O’BANION

Born November 01, 1830 --- Died July 02, 1863 at age 32

Co. D, 48^TH Georgia Infantry

Pvt. O’Banion was married to Patsy and had a young son, Claudius or Clovis who was only 7 years old when his father was killed in battle. A soldier’s burial awaited John, and he’s believed to rest at Waynesboro Confederate Memorial Cemetery in Waynesboro, Georgia, though this may be only a cenotaph. 

(c) 2012-2017 Skies of Blue and Gray

March 08, 2017

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

East Cavalry Field is a rather lonesome place compared to the rest of the battlefield, but it’s definitely worth a look. There are many beautiful monuments like the one shown here: The Gregg Cavalry Shaft. It dates from 1884 and bears the names of the units who fought here --- both Union and Confederate, which makes it a rather interesting memorial. The monument seen in the background to the right of the monument is the 3^RD Pennsylvania Cavalry, placed in 1890.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. NELSON A. THAYER

Died July 02, 1863

Co. K, 123^RD New York Infantry

Pvt. Thayer enlisted in August 1862. He was shot in the head and killed at Gettysburg on the second day’s battle, and by the end of the year was taken to the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. 

(c) 2012-2017 Skies of Blue and Gray

March 06, 2017

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Father William Corby is one of Gettysburg’s most interesting figures, though he never wore blue or gray. He was the chaplain who famously led the mostly-Catholic Irish Brigade in prayer just before their fatal march to the Wheatfield on July 2^ND, 1863, raising his hand in benediction on what some believe was this very spot. (Others imagine that he stood closer to the current-day Pennsylvania State Memorial). If you’ve seen the movie Gettysburg you’ve likely noted the scene which memorializes the Irish Brigade and their brave chaplain at this pivotal moment. Though the monument, which dates from 1910, seems to depict an older gentleman, the real Father Corby was only 30 years old at the time of the battle.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. DENNIS HALL

Died July 02/04, 1863

Co. I, 8^TH Alabama Infantry

Pvt. Hall’s exact date of death is unknown. He enlisted in May 1861 and was wounded on the second day of battle, dying shortly of his wounds. He was later buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. 

(c) 2012-2017 Skies of Blue and Gray