April 11, 2014

**Antietam Friday**

This bucolic scene can be found on Route 65 on the Antietam National Battlefield. Naturally I like the Napoleons in the background! Those aren’t green clouds in the background, just some of Antietam’s trademark mountains. (Though I’m sure you already knew that …) I spy fences in the background, an orchard of some sort, and some small red flowers below the sign.

The second marker is worth a look both for its design and for the scene. In the background I can see a sloping hill, wooden fences, and some trees/bushes in bad need of a trim. As you probably noticed, both markers have the National Park Service symbol. That way you won’t forget that you’re on park land and that you’d better behave! :-)

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. CALVIN JENKINS WHITTEN (name also listed as “Craven”)

Co. H, 17^TH Georgia Infantry

Born March 08, 1833 --- Died July 02, 1863 at age 30

Though Pvt. Whitten had been blessed with a wife, Joicey, and two children, Joel and Louisa (age 4 and 1 during the battle of Gettysburg), he hardly led a charmed life after his enlistment. First he was wounded during the Battle of 1^ST Manassas/Bull Run, then apparently suffered an “accidental” injury (I’m not sure how, when, or where). At Gettysburg he received his mortal wound while storming Devil’s Den. His burial is unknown.


 (c) 2013-2014 Skies of Blue and Gray

April 9, 2014

Okay, I know everyone has probably seen more than their fair share of Gettysburg snow pictures, but I had to post these (1) because they were taken recently and I’m still missing Gettysburg with a vengeance, and (2) come on, it’s artillery! Nobody ever gets tired of artillery photos, do they? (At least I don’t). The cannon in question is a “false Napoleon”, originally built as a Model 1841 Field Gun. This particular piece dates from 1861. If you peer into the distance you can see a variety of landmarks including the McPherson barn, Reynolds’ Woods, and Route 30 / Chambersburg Pike.

If you really want to be a detective, a few monuments are visible along Reynolds Avenue, which runs from left to right just below the woods. The “rounded top” monument belongs to Battery L, 1^ST New York Infantry. Note the tiny artillery pieces alongside it. There are a few headquarters markers, and the tall black monument (barely visible, between the branches of the tree to the left) is Gen. Doubleday’s headquarters marker. The tall square marker below and to the right of the McPherson barn is probably the 1^ST Corps marker. Also, I’ve heard, though I can’t confirm, that the orange roof seen just behind the barn belongs to the Herr Tavern complex.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. BYRON WELCH

Co. I, 1^ST Minnesota Infantry

Born 1838 --- Died July 02, 1863 at age 25

Pvt. Welch was born in Connecticut and enlisted in May 1861. At one point he supplemented his stint as a soldier by acting as a wagoner, and friends spoke very highly of him. Little is known of his life, but it is known that he died in the 1^ST Minnesota’s great and terrible charge, and he was later buried at Gettysburg’s National Cemetery.


(c) 2013-2014 Skies of Blue and Gray

April 07, 2014

If you’re like me, you tend to forget there are many boulders across from Devil’s Den, just as ominous and eerie as the den itself, but somehow overlooked. I’m fascinated by the random way they’re stacked and can definitely appreciate their stark, ancient appearance. One particular reason why I like this photo is that it could have been taken in 1863. There’s no element in the shot that wouldn’t have been there during the battle, even down to the tree cover on Big Round Top in the background. And I know Plum Run is in there somewhere . . . 


Just pondering the age of these mammoths is impressive, but knowing that soldiers in blue and gray fought among them is just incredible.I like the way the sun's coming over the rocks in the middle of the photo, making for a washed-out, somehow artistic look. It's been awhile since I could see Big Round Top due to all the weeds and brush, but on this photo I'm reminded how close the terrain really is to the Slaughter Pen and Devil's Den.

**HONORED TODAY**

SGT. WILLIAM P. DAWSON

Co. K, 52^ND North Carolina Infantry

Born 1835 --- Died July 01, 1863 at age 28

Sgt. Dawson was a farmer before the war. He enlisted in March 1862 and died at Gettysburg, later being reinterred at Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery. Unfortunately, little information is available regarding his life.


(c) 2013-2014 Skies of Blue and Gray

April 04, 2014

**Antietam Friday**

Into the bowels of the . . .

 

. . . Antietam National Battlefield visitor center. I’m not a museum-y type --- I prefer getting out on the battlefield and seeing/touching things for myself --- but when I ducked into the visitor center many moons ago, I saw some interesting displays. I was particularly drawn to the large paintings of important battles, namely Burnside’s Brigade and Dunker Church. Somehow the darkness of the room puts me in mind of the “old” Gettysburg visitor center (remember it?) and that homey “good-old-days-of-tourism” feel. (I really miss that museum. Sadly, not even the parking lot was left in place).

And in this corner . . . lots of Civil War era weapons. I don’t claim to know anything about 19^TH century firearms, but this seemed to be a nice simple display and took a good photo. Note the fierce-looking bayonets in the background. Though I can’t remember the exact set-up of the museum and was strapped for time, hopefully I’ll soon have a chance to go back and give it another look.

**HONORED TODAY**

SGT. JAMES MADISON HASKELL

Co. A, 32^ND Massachusetts Infantry

Born July 24, 1835 --- Died August 25, 1863 at age 28

Online records say that his family name was originally “Haskins” until it was altered by his father. In civilian life Sgt. Haskell was a currier, and he enlisted in late 1861. He was wounded in both legs at Gettysburg and suffered an amputation. After being transported to Camp Letterman, he died in late August and was later buried in Gettysburg National Cemetery.


(c) 2013-2014 Skies of Blue and Gray

April 02, 2014

 

Gen. Hancock never seems to leave his East Cemetery Hill post, does he? Neither does the soldier of the 4^TH Ohio (at left; the monument base is more visible than the soldier himself) or the fellow who represents the 7^TH West Virginia, off to the right of Gen. Hancock and just barely visible. Actually, since the base can’t be seen, he looks a little too real. So what else have we got? The pyramid-shaped crown of the 14^TH Indiana is right next to the equestrian statue, while another monument is visible at bottom right, that of Battery L, 1^ST New York Artillery. The artillery pieces are from that battery.

There are two more artillery batteries visible on this picture. The one to the left above the topmost stone wall is Battery B, 4^TH U.S. Artillery, which was affiliated with the Iron Brigade, while the battery to the right of Gen. Hancock is Battery B, 1^ST Pennsylvania Light Artillery. You’ll see a tall black “post” above the cannon to the right. That’s Gen. Howard’s headquarters marker. Just for fun, I included my own Photoshopped image that would show the view if the town of Gettysburg miraculously decided to move the water tower :-)

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. PAUL W. GUTHRIE

Co. F, 38^TH Virginia Infantry

Born about 1838 --- Died July 03, 1863 at age 25

Pvt. Guthrie’s military journey was punctuated by bouts of rheumatism for which he was hospitalized more than once. He rejoined his regiment in April 1863, and, sadly enough, was killed just three months later at Gettysburg. Little is known of his family and it appears he wasn’t married. He had five brothers, all of whom would have been of an age to join the army and probably did.


(c) 2013-2014 Skies of Blue and Gray

March 31, 2014

Click for larger size - find those elusive monuments!

This photo of the Virginians’ July 3^RD step-off point has a lot going for it. First of all, it shows one of my favorite places and one of the battlefield “haunts” that touches me most: the fields where the men of the ill-fated Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge fought and fell. Also, it has an array of fences, a frost of snow, and a nice contrast of colors. Above and to the right of the first monument, Gen. Lee stands tall and proud atop Traveler at the Virginia State Memorial. Spangler’s Woods can be seen from left to right.

One thing I noticed about the photo was that it showed three monuments rarely seen: The 12^TH New Jersey Infantry to the right of the leftmost tree, while two other markers, to the 14^TH Connecticut Infantry, can be seen to the right of the fourth tree. In 1863 the Bliss farm stood in this area, but sadly it was damaged during the battle and the family never recovered from the financial loss.  

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. FRANCIS “FRANK” ROYAL

Co. F, 40^TH New York Infantry

Born November 28, 1837 --- Died July 02, 1863 at age 25

Pvt. Royal was born in England and later joined the Union Army in defense of his adopted country. In civilian life he had the interesting occupation of “goldbeater.” Pvt. Royal was killed at Gettysburg, probably in or near the marshes along Crawford Avenue near Little Round Top and the Valley of Death where his regimental monument now stands.


(c) 2013-2014 Skies of Blue and Gray