June 28, 2017

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Of all the places to explore on the Gettysburg battlefield, Devil’s Den is by and large my favorite. Those huge, ancient boulders have fascinated me since age 8, while the sense of perspective you get just walking among them is both unique and sobering. Here I was fairly well on top of the den, getting ready to go back down. There are plenty of paths and a small footbridge up here, and the brush has been mostly cleared. If you’re careful you shouldn’t have any trouble.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. GREEN T. THOMAS

Born 1839 --- Died July 01, 1863

Co. K, 26^TH North Carolina Infantry

Pvt. Thomas enlisted July 1^ST, 1861, exactly two years before what would be the day of his death. He was probably killed during the iconic fight between the Tar Heels and the 24^TH Michigan in Reynolds’ Woods, or at least died shortly thereafter. Pvt. Thomas is buried at the Austin Family Cemetery in Watson, North Carolina.

(c) 2012-2017 Skies of Blue and Gray

June 26, 2017

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Notice anything different? Not so very long ago, a controlled burn took place at Little Round Top, eradicating unwanted vegetation and giving visitors a better view of this iconic battleground. Visible monuments include the 155^TH Pennsylvania, the 91^ST Pennsylvania, the 140^TH New York, and the 12^TH/44^TH New York “castle”. This photo was taken atop Houck’s Ridge and above Devil’s Den.

**HONORED TODAY**

BABCOCK, Cpl. Edwin H.

 

Born November 15, 1822 --- Died October 1863

Co. K, 1^ST Michigan Cavalry

Cpl. Babcock enlisted in August 1861 and was a farmer. His death date is given as either the 9^TH, 10^TH, or 19^TH of October, and he died at Mower Hospital in Philadelphia. He was married to Harriet and together they had three children, Tracy (1855), Francis (1856), and Harriet (1859). He is buried at Philadelphia National Cemetery.

(c) 2012-2017 Skies of Blue and Gray

June 21, 2017

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

Sandwiched between Chambersburg Pike/Route 30 and the Edward McPherson farm, these two 3-inch Ordnance Rifles and their accompanying marker help to tell the story of the first day’s battle. The barrel of the gun on the left was manufactured by the Phoenix Iron Company in 1861, while the barrel on the right was forged in 1862 by the same foundry. The monument seen at left is the 149^TH Pennsylvania Infantry, part of the “1^ST Regiment Bucktail Brigade.” It dates from 1886.The McPherson barn supposedly dates from 1820 and is classified as a Pennsylvania bank barn.

**HONORED TODAY**

GENTRY, Pvt. Allen

Born between 1825 and 1828 --- Died July 02, 1863

Co. F, 44^TH Alabama Infantry

Pvt. Gentry first married Lavenia, and together they had two children: Margaret born 1848 and Fleming born 1850. He married second to a lady named Amanda and they had Susan born 1855, David born 1857, Penelope born 1859, and Caroline born 1862. 

(c) 2012-2017 Skies of Blue and Gray