September 16, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

I view this as sort of a philosophical photo in a way; anyone who wants to sit and imbibe Gettysburg’s atmosphere, remembering what took place at this very spot, is welcome. From left to right we see the Pennsylvania Memorial (far in the left distance), the Sherfy farm, and, far to the right, the area of the Peach Orchard. This photo was taken just behind the Louisiana State Memorial. I’m not sure why, but I really like the addition of the bench. I hope anyone who’s come to see this monument has taken the opportunity to just sit and ponder . . .

 

**HONORED TODAY**

CPL. LEONIDAS TORRENCE

Co. H, 23rd North Carolina Infantry

Born about 1836 --- Died July 07, 1863 at age 27

Cpl. Torrence, known as Leon, enlisted in July 1861. He was a farmer. Though he escaped the initial butchery of Iverson’s North Carolinians on the 1st of July, he died just a week later.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

September 14, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

I admire a great many Gettysburg monuments, but there are some which have always seemed, as least in my opinion, to go above and beyond in the realism department. One of my particular favorites is the monument to Rickett’s Battery, also known as Battery F and G of the 1^ST Pennsylvania Artillery. A quick search in my records reveals that the following 5 men were killed in battle or died shortly thereafter: Elijah Y. Anderson, Sgt. Myron C. French, Theodore Miller, James H. Riggin, and Ephraim Wagner. Of the remaining mortally wounded, William Hetrick died 05/19 July, Jones Puryne died 20 Jul, William Mencer died 21/31 July, and John Given died 27 October of wounds.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. THOMAS W. BANISTER

Co. K, 147th New York Infantry

Born between 1815-1818 --- Died July 01, 1863

Pvt. Banister, who enlisted in August 1862, was married to Hannah and had 2 grown children, Lucinda (age 23) and Lorinda (age 19), as well as 2 teenagers, Thomas (age 17) and William (age 13) and one young child, Caroline (age 9). He was buried at Gettysburg National Cemetery and may be listed there as an unknown.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

September 09, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

I’ve mentioned before how much I love stone buildings. I’ve also mentioned (in my post of August 31, 2015) that I had the pleasure of coming across the McClelland Cemetery near Black Horse Tavern, which of course means I had to stop at the tavern itself. Historically owned by Francis Bream, this place is a beaut. The current structure dates from 1812 and, it appears, hasn’t much changed its looks in the past 200 years. Many of Longstreet’s men either saw or passed very near this place, and some were buried in the vicinity.

**HONORED TODAY**

PVT. ENOCH BLAKE

Alleghany Artillery (Carpenter’s Virginia Battery)

Born about 1844 --- Died August 18, 1863 at age 19

Pvt. Blake enlisted in March 1862. He was severely wounded in the arm at Gettysburg and taken to DeCamp General Hospital at David’s Island, New York, where he later died. He is buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray

September 07, 2015

** This blog published Mondays and Wednesdays **

What wonders can we find in this photo? :-) Well, to me, all of Gettysburg is wondrous, but here goes. From left to right: McPherson’s/Reynolds/Herbst Woods (take your pick!), South Mountain, and the McPherson barn (used by the Slentz family at the time of the battle). Nearer the camera is a small building that is part of the Lutheran Seminary complex; I have no idea of its purpose. Those desiring a closer peek into this part of the battlefield can do by taking the relatively new interpretive path (part of which is seen in the foreground) which takes you on a pleasant walk from the Seminary to the edge of McPherson’s Ridge.

**HONORED TODAY**

CPT. STEPHEN C. WHITEHOUSE

Co. K, 16th Maine Infantry

Born about 1819 --- Died July 01, 1863 at age 44

Cpt. Whitehouse enlisted in June 1861. Known children include Wilmot (born abt. 1843) and George (born abt. 1845), signifying that is highly likely both his children were in the military as well. Cpt. Whitehouse was a caulker by trade and received a mortal wound on the 1st of July. He was buried at Pine Knoll Cemetery in Newcastle, Maine.

(c) 2012-2015 Skies of Blue and Gray