April 17, 2017

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

There are some monuments in Gettysburg which have always touched my heart, not because they’re particularly big or grand or beautiful but because there’s something about their aestheticism that I like. The 147^TH Pennsylvania Infantry monument on Culp’s Hill across from Pardee Field is one of these. This particular photo really captures the appeal of Gettysburg in the spring, I think . . .still few enough leaves on the trees that the ancient boulders can be easily seen, but a few sprigs of redbud here and there in the background. This monument dates from 1885, and the star has special significance . . . the Twelfth Corps, to which the 147^TH belonged, had a star for its symbol.

**HONORED TODAY**

3^RD LT. JULIUS ERWIN BATES

Born 1841 --- Died July 1863 at age 22

Co. K, 12^TH Alabama Infantry

3^RD Lt. Bates’ death date is given as both July 3^RD and July 4^TH. He enlisted in August 1861. Interestingly, his brother John was killed 19 Sep 1863 at the battle of Chickamauga, and soon after that date, their father offered his services to the Confederate army. 

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