This Mighty Scourge

It seems every state that was a stakeholder in the Civil War has made announcements regarding sesquicentennial activities.  Wisconsin is taking it seriously.  They have appointed historian and author, Lance Herdegen, as chairman of the Wisconsin Sesquicentennial Commission.  Herdegen authored the widely acclaimed book, “Those Damned Black Hats: The Iron Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign.”  As an avid student of the Iron Brigade, I thoroughly enjoyed his book which was published by Savas Beatie, LLC in September 2008.  Congratulations to Lance – I’m sure he will make Wisconsin proud.  You can read Savas Beatie’s press release by clicking on the following link.

Savas Beatie Author Named Chairman of the Wisconsin Sesquicentennial Commission

Today, the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission held a hearing on the proposed casino in Gettysburg.  The fight is definitely not over and the Civil War Preservation Trust needs your support to fight this abomination.  There is no reason to build this casino adjacent to one of the most hallowed pieces of ground in the United States.  There are several other cities competing to have this casino – let it go anywhere but Gettysburg.

The following linked video, “Our Gettysburg Legacy,” was played during today’s hearing.  Many famous celebrities volunteered their time to make the video.  Please click on the link and watch the video.  If you are able to donate to the Civil War Preservation Trust for this campaign, click HERE.  United, we can win – Divided we WILL lose.  God Bless the USA.

“Our Gettysburg Legacy” featuring Ken Burns, Matthew Broderick, Sam Waterston, Stephen Lang, David McCullough and others.

This is the 147th anniversary of the close of the Battle of Gettysburg.  It is also the 147th anniversary of the “interview” between CSA Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton and US Major General Ulysses S. Grant at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  On July 4, 1863 Abraham Lincoln would learn of the Federal victory at Gettysburg and the capitulation of John Pemberton’s forces at Vicksburg.  There would be much rejoicing throughout the United States on th 87th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence.  Today, I have three new sets of photographs on my Flickr site to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Day 1
Pictures that highlight the fighting at McPherson Ridge, Oak Ridge and Barlow’s Knoll

Day 2
Pictures that hightlight the fighting at Devil’s Den, East Cemetery Hill, the Wheat Field, Little Round Top, the Peach Orchard and Culp’s Hill

Day 3
Pictures that Hightlight the fighting at East Cavalry Field, Cemetery Ridge (Pickett’s Charge), Culp’s Hill and South Cavalry Field

Enjoy your July 4th celebrations and God Bless the United States!

The Civil War Preservation Trust issued the following press release today.  It is good to see so many people coming out against the proposed Gettysburg casino.  The idea of a casino within a mile of our most famous battlefield is preposterous.  Kudos to the CWPT and the historians who have come out against the proposed gaming parlor.

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CWPT

For Immediate Release: 06/30/10

Nation’s Historians Speak Out Against Proposed Gettysburg Casino

In letter to Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, more than 275 American historians unite to urge rejection of proposed gaming resort one-half mile from Gettysburg National Military Park

(Gettysburg, Pa.) – To mark the 147th anniversary of the bloodiest battle in American history, 276 American historians, including some of the country’s most respected academics, today sent a letter to Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board chairman Gregory Fajt, urging the rejection of the application for the Mason-Dixon Gaming Resort.  If approved, the proposed gambling hall will be located just one-half mile from America’s most hallowed battleground.

Although many individual historians have previously voiced opposition to the casino proposal, such a large and diverse group uniting in this cause demonstrates Gettysburg’s unique place in our nation’s heritage.  Among the signers are some of the most prominent historians in America, including James McPherson, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Battle Cry of Freedom; Garry Wills, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America; Carol Reardon, director of graduate studies in history at Pennsylvania State University; Jeffery C. Wert, author of the acclaimed Gettysburg, Day Three; and Edwin C. Bearss, Chief Historian Emeritus of the National Park Service.

In part, their message states that as professional historians, they “feel strongly that Gettysburg is a unique historic and cultural treasure deserving of our protection.  Gettysburg belongs to all Americans equally—future generations no less than those of us alive today,” before concluding that “there are many places in Pennsylvania to build a casino, but there’s only one Gettysburg.”

Beyond the individual signatories, the message and its sentiment has received the endorsement and support of the American Historical Association, National Coalition for History, National Council on Public History, Organization of American Historians, Society for Military History and Southern Historical Association.

The Battle of Gettysburg, fought July 1–3, 1863, was the largest and bloodiest battle of the American Civil War.  Commonly called the “high water mark of the Confederacy,” the battle saw nearly 160,000 Americans locked in mortal combat; more than 50,000 became casualties.  Historians concur that the engagement was the greatest of Civil War battles, but its place in history was further cemented four months later, when President Abraham Lincoln travelled to the small Pennsylvania farm town to help dedicate a national cemetery for those who died.  Lincoln’s “few appropriate remarks” for the occasion, popularly known as the Gettysburg Address, have become one of the world’s most recognized speeches.

Although the proposed casino site along the Emmitsburg Road lies outside the current administrative boundaries of Gettysburg National Military Park, it would be on land identified as historically sensitive by the American Battlefield Protection Program, an arm of the National Park Service.  The application before the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board would retrofit an existing family-friendly hotel complex into a gambling resort with an initial 600 slot machines in addition to table games.

According to Princeton University professor emeritus and author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Battle Cry of Freedom, James McPherson, “The proposed site of the casino lies athwart the advance of Union cavalry toward what became known as South Cavalry Field, which saw substantial fighting on the afternoon of July 3, 1863.  This ground is as hallowed as any other part of the Gettysburg battlefield, and the idea of a casino near the fields and woods where men of both North and South gave the last full measure of devotion is simply outrageous.”

This assessment of the importance of this part of the battlefield is shared by Eric Wittenberg, the author of numerous books on cavalry during the Gettysburg Campaign, including the only volume specifically dedicated to the actions that took place on South Cavalry Field.  In response to casino proponents who have tried to minimize the significance of actions fought nearby, Wittenberg said, “This was a protracted and ferocious fight.  American soldiers died on that ground, and to suggest otherwise only underscores the disregard these misguided investors have for our national treasure.”

In addition to the inappropriate juxtaposition, historians also fear negative indirect impacts on their efforts to interpret the battlefield and share their knowledge with students and heritage tourists.  Gettysburg resident and director of the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War at West Virginia’s Shepherd University, Dr. Mark Snell is extremely concerned about the increased traffic and certain commercialization with which visitors and guides will have to contend should the casino be approved..

“As someone who has tried to give a tour to my students at South Cavalry Field — within easy walking distance of the proposed casino,” said Snell, “I personally can attest that the last thing that is needed on the Emmitsburg Road, where that fight took place, is any increased traffic.  It wouldn’t just be noisy, it would be dangerous.”

In 2006, when a previous proposal to bring gambling to the fringes of the Gettysburg Battlefield was under consideration, a group of prominent historians similarly spoke out against the ill-advised project.  Such thorough and widespread public opposition was among the reasons explicitly cited by the Gaming Control Board in its rejection of the application.

One of those at the forefront of that effort was Ed Bearss, chief historian emeritus of the National Park Service and America’s foremost battlefield guide.  A former historian at Vicksburg National Battlefield, who feels that site was irreparably damaged by the emergence of gaming nearby, his opposition to this newer proposal has not diminished in the least.  Over the course of his storied career, Bearss has spent many thousands of hours leading tours of the Gettysburg Battlefield.

“Gettysburg, if it embraces the casino, is forfeiting that which has undeniable national and international significance,” said Bearss.  “Do you want the most iconic battlefield in America and the site of Abraham Lincoln’s immortal Gettysburg Address, or do want just another slots parlor?”

The letter was circulated among the historian community by a coalition of preservation groups which have opposed both efforts to bring gambling to Gettysburg.  The Civil War Preservation Trust, National Parks Conservation Association, National Trust for Historic Preservation and Preservation Pennsylvania have consistently emphasized that their opposition stems from the direct threat posed to the battlefield by the site’s proximity and potential for increasing traffic and development pressures on the park, as opposed to any objection to gaming.  Spurred by the passionate involvement of so many individual members, member groups of the National Coalition for History also lent their institutional weight to the effort.

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About the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT)
With 55,000 members, the Civil War Preservation Trust is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States.  Its mission is to preserve our nation’s remaining Civil War battlefields and encourage their appreciation through education and heritage tourism.  Since 1987, the organization has saved more than 29,000 acres of hallowed ground, including 700 acres at Gettysburg.  CWPT’s website is located at www.civilwar.org.

About the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA)
Since 1919, the nonpartisan, nonprofit National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice of the American people in protecting and enhancing our National Park System. NPCA, its members, and partners work together to protect the park system and preserve our nation’s natural, historical, and cultural heritage for generations to come.  NPCA is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization with more than 325,000 members, including more than 15,000 members in Pennsylvania.   NPCA’s website is located at www.npca.org.

About the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP)
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them.  By saving the places where great moments from history took place, NTHP helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability.  With headquarters in Washington, DC, 9 regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, NTHP provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America’s stories.  NTHP’s website is located at www.preservationnation.org.

About Preservation Pennsylvania
Preservation Pennsylvania is a private statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Pennsylvania’s historic places through creative partnerships, targeted educational programs and grassroots advocacy programs.  Since 1982 and with the support of 2600 members and member agencies, the organization has been the statewide voice for historic preservation and has provided support and technical assistance to individuals, groups and municipalities.  Preservation Pennsylvania’s website is www.preservationpa.org.

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To read the complete letter and view the list of historian supporters, click HERE.

If you are not involved in the Civil War Preservation Trust, I encourage you to do so.  Click HERE to learn more about the No Casino Gettysburg Campaign.

Recently the Civil War Preservation Trust released its list of the most endangered Civil War battlefields.  It should be no surprise that the Gettysburg and the Wilderness battlefields lead the list –  however, there are some new additions this year.  Below is the press release that was sent out recently to CWPT members.

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EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL
10:00 a.m. EDT, May 13, 2010

For more information, contact:
Mary Koik, CWPT, (202) 367-1861 x7231
Beth Newburger, Epoch, (571) 436-0887

Civil War Preservation Trust Releases Annual Report on Nation’s Most Endangered Battlefields

Best-Selling Author Jeff Shaara Joins Trust to Unveil “History Under Siege” Report

(Washington D.C.) – The iconic Pennsylvania battlefield synonymous with American valor, now facing a second attempt to bring casino gambling to its doorstep; a Virginia crossroads where a single marching order set the Union army on the road to victory, now proposed for a monstrous commercial development; and a rocky Arizona spire where Confederate and Union forces fiercely faced off, now jeopardized by state budget cuts; are some of the nation’s most endangered Civil War battlefields.

At a news conference held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) unveiled its annual report on the status of the nation’s historic battlegrounds.  The report, entitled History Under Siege™: A Guide to America’s Most Endangered Civil War Battlefields, identifies the most threatened Civil War sites in the United States and what can be done to save them.

“All across the country, our nation’s irreplaceable battlefields – these tangible links to our shared history – are threatened by inappropriate development, misguided public policy, limited financial resources and, in some cases, simple apathy,” said CWPT President James Lighthizer at the report’s unveiling.  “Next year marks the Sesquicentennial of the bloodiest conflict in our nation’s history, and as we prepare for that seminal moment, it is an opportune time to shine a spotlight on the places that tell America’s story.”

Joining Lighthizer at the news conference was best-selling author Jeff Shaara, who also serves on the CWPT Board of Trustees.  The author of nine New York Times bestsellers, Shaara’s novels, including the Civil War-themed Gods and Generals and The Last Full Measure, have been praised by historians for their painstaking research.  His  only non-fiction work, Jeff Shaara’s Civil War Battlefields,  is a unique and personal tour across ten of America’s most hallowed battlegrounds.  In testament to his commitment to historic preservation, Shaara donated the entire advance from the project toward battlefield protection efforts.

“Nothing creates an emotional connection between present and past like walking in the footsteps of our Civil War soldiers,” said Shaara.  “I hope that by drawing attention to endangered Civil War battlefields, Americans will this see hallowed ground in a new way and understand that these sites must be preserved for future generations to experience.”

Also taking the podium at the news conference was Dr. Mark Snell, director of the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War at Shepherd University.  A Civil War scholar and retired army officer, Snell was appointed to the West Virginia Sesquicentennial of the Civil War Commission last summer by Governor Joe Manchin, and was subsequently elected vice-chairman.

“Particularly on the eve of the Civil War’s 150th anniversary, there is no more fitting commemoration of American valor than respectfully protecting the land where our soldiers fought and bled,” said Snell.

For three days in the summer of 1863, 160,000 men in blue and gray fought the Civil War’s largest and bloodiest battle around the crossroads town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. In 2006, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board rejected a proposal to build a slots parlor near Gettysburg’s East Cavalry Field, citing widespread public opposition to the plan. However, earlier this year the same chief investor rolled the dice again and announced plans for another Gettysburg casino.  Although smaller than the previous proposal, this casino would be only one half-mile from Gettysburg National Military Park.

In May 1864, Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s bloody Overland Campaign began in a tangled mass of second-growth trees and scrub known as the Wilderness, Virginia.  When portions of Grant’s army attacked elements of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s army on May 5, 1864, it was the first time the two legendary commanders met in battle.  In August 2009, the Orange County, Va. Board of Supervisors approved a massive commercial center featuring a Walmart and four retailers at the gateway to the historic battlefield.  A lawsuit to block the project is pending.

While most of the battles of the Civil War took place on southern soil, Confederate and Union forces engaged in their westernmost struggle at Picacho Pass, Arizona, on April 15, 1862.  Confederate Capt. Sherod Hunter raised his flag in the small, frontier settlement of Tucson, hoping to take another step toward the Pacific and the creation of an ocean-to-ocean Confederacy.  The Confederate rangers were met by a detachment of Union cavalry under the leadership of Lt. James Barrett near Picacho Peak, a rocky spire 50 miles northwest of Tucson.  Although Picacho Peak State Park is a popular tourist destination, it will close to the public on June 3, 2010, due to drastic cuts in the state budget – less than one year before the sesquicentennial of the war.

The Civil War Preservation Trust is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields and to promoting appreciation of these hallowed grounds through education and heritage tourism.  History Under Siege is composed of two parts; one identifying the 10 most endangered battlefields in the nation, and a second section lists 15 additional “at risk” sites also confronted by serious threats.  Sites discussed in the report range from the famous to the nearly forgotten, but at least part of each site is in danger of being lost forever.  Battlefields were chosen based on geographic location, military significance, and the immediacy of current threats.

History Under Siege™ also includes:

Camp Allegheny, W.Va., December 15, 1861: Early in the war, North and South both strove to gain control over the western counties of Virginia, meeting in a number of engagements among the peaks and valleys of the Appalachian Mountains.  Today, the scenic beauty of Camp Allegheny, West Virginia stands to be compromised by a field of 40-story-high wind turbines — 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty — to be built within view of the battlefield.

Cedar Creek, Va., October 19, 1864: In the fall of 1864, Union Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan marched up the fertile Shenandoah Valley, stripping the countryside bare to starve out Confederate forces.  After a daring Confederate surprise attack at Cedar Creek, Union forces launched a crushing counterattack, extinguishing the South’s last hope of recovering the Valley.  In 2008, the Frederick County Board of Supervisors approved a massive expansion of the mine operating adjacent to Cedar Creek, which would destroy nearly 400 acres of battlefield land crucial to telling the story of this decisive struggle.

Fort Stevens, Washington, D.C., July 11-12, 1864: Fort Stevens was part of an extensive ring of fortifications surrounding Civil War Washington, but in July 1864 those defenses were vulnerable to a direct attack by Confederate forces under Lt. Gen. Jubal Early.  President Abraham Lincoln, watching the action from Fort Stevens, came under fire from sharpshooters.  Last year, a church adjacent to the fort applied for a zoning exemption to build an immense community center complex.  The new construction would tower over the fort, significantly degrading the visitor experience.

Pickett’s Mill, Ga., May 27, 1864: The Battle of Pickett’s Mill was one of the most stinging Union defeats of the 1864 Atlanta Campaign and the first serious check on Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s momentous campaign against this Confederate transportation center.  Although Pickett’s Mill Battlefield State Historic Site is widely regarded as thoroughly preserved and interpreted, the park was forced to reduce its hours significantly due to budget cuts, and last autumn it was inundated by floodwaters that destroyed footbridges and a portion of the historic mill.

Richmond, Ky., August 29-30, 1862: Confederate Maj. Gen. Kirby Smith’s newly-dubbed “Army of Kentucky”—a bearded, shoeless band of rebel soldiers — marched north in the soaring heat of August 1862 and encountered a hastily-formed Union force led by Maj. Gen. William Nelson.  The ensuing battle became one of the most decisive Confederate victories of the Civil War.  Although the battlefield has been well protected to date, future preservation efforts will be complicated by the addition of a new highway interchange, paving the way for significant commercial growth in an area that has previously experienced little development pressure.

South Mountain, Md., September 14, 1862: In early September 1862, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee launched an audacious invasion of the North.  But when a copy of his orders was discovered by Union soldiers in a field, wrapped around cigars, federal commanders were able to move quickly against the vulnerable Confederates at the Battle of South Mountain.  In December 2008, Dominion Power purchased 135 acres of battlefield land for a proposed $55 million natural gas compression station, a plan that has been subsequently suspended with an option to re-file.

Thoroughfare Gap, Va., August 28, 1862: Although a relatively small engagement, the Battle of Thoroughfare Gap was of immense strategic significance, setting the stage for the battles of Second Manassas and, ultimately, Antietam.  In February, consultants began seeking comments from the preservation community regarding a proposal to build a 150-foot-tall communications tower within the core battlefield area at Thoroughfare Gap.  Although construction of Interstate 66 in the 1960s saw portions of the mountain gap widened, the area retains much of its rural, scenic beauty.

With 55,000 members, CWPT is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States.  Its mission is to preserve our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds.  CWPT has preserved more than 29,000 acres of battlefield land across the nation. CWPT’s website is www.civilwar.org.

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(For additional materials, visit us online at http://www.civilwar.org/historyundersiege)

I recently finished reading Scott L. Mingus’ newest book, “The Louisiana Tigers in the Gettysburg Campaign: June-July 1863.”  I am a fan of Scott Mingus.  My first experience with one of his excellent narratives was a year  ago, when I read “Flames Beyond Gettysburg: The Gordon Expedition, June 1863.”  During a subsequent interview with Scott, published on this blog, I learned that Scott was working on a book on the Louisiana Tigers and their fight at East Cemetery Hill, on the second day of Gettysburg.  Several months ago, Scott sent me an email letting me know my copy of the book would soon be sent out.  Unfortunately, when I received the book, I had a lot of other things I was working on.  I was finally able to start reading it during late January. 

The book was worth the wait.  Scott provides a brief biography on Chatham R.  Wheat’s  1st Louisiana Battalion and the formation of the 1st Louisiana Brigade, better known as the Louisiana Tigers.  Another short biography follows on the brigade’s first commander, Harry T. Hays.  Hays, a wealthy New Orleans entrepreneur, was a logical choice to command the brigade as he was well connected and had experience in the military.  Hays would command the brigade until he was severely wounded at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in May 1863.  After recovering from his wounds he would be transferred to the trans-Mississippi theater where he would command the forces in Louisiana.

“The Louisiana Tigers” picks up the action after the Battle of Chancellorsville.  With CSA Lieutenant General Richard S. Ewell’s 2d Corps in the van, as the Army of Northern Virginia marched for Pennsylvania, the men of his corps would inevitably see action.  Hays’ brigade was part of CSA Major General Jubal A. Early’s Division of the 2d Corps.  Choosing to use the Shenandoah Valley to screen his army’s movements, CSA General Robert E. Lee needed to clear the valley of Federal resistance.  US Major General Robert H. Milroy’s garrison was at Winchester, Virginia, with parts of his division garrisoned at Berryville and Martinsburg.  With the 2d Corps leading the march north, they would be the first infantry to arrive south of Winchester.  Encountering the Federal forces south of Winchester, Ewell’s soldiers quickly pushed them back to the defenses of Winchester.  On June 14, 1863, during the Battle of Second Winchester, Ewell was able to make one of he more spectacular, often overlooked, flank marches during the entire Civil War.  With a mountain screening his movements, and timber on the mountain hiding his rapidly assembling force, Ewell was able to surprise the Federal garrison at Winchester, pushing them towards Harpers Ferry.  Hays’ Tigers took a prominent role in the fighting at Second Winchester and Mingus provides an excellent narrative of the battle.

Mingus next leads the reader on a journey with the Tigers to Pennsylvania.  The primary source material that the author was able to locate makes you feel like you are marching with the Tigers.  This is not a “pro Tiger” book.  The author does not fail to provide balance in his writing and he is quick to note the trepidations the Louisiana soldiers turned loose on the northern populace.  These human interest stories, involving the interactions of the Louisianans with the civilian population of Pennsylvania, make the book a real page turner.  Mingus adroitly weaves the compelling stories of the soldiers with the well written battlefield narratives.

Before attaining their objective - the capture of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania - Ewell’s 2d Corps was ordered back to the rest of the army near Cashtown, or Gettysburg, whichever circumstances required.  On July 1, the 2d Corps would hear artillery and musketry coming from the Gettysburg area.  Early would quickly march his division to the sounds of fighting, reaching the area of present day Barlow’s Knoll, in time to participate in the fight against US Major General O.O. Howard’s XI Corps.  By the end of the day, the Tigers were positioned on the north side of Gettysburg, facing the I and XI corps positioned on East Cemetery Hill and Culp’s Hill.  The stage was set for a significant engagement on July 2.  The action during these first two days of fighting, at Gettysburg, jumps off the pages as you read the book.  The imagery Mingus paints, through his prose, provides a clear picture of what it was like to be a Tiger, facing the Federal forces arrayed on East Cemetery Hill.  The author’s description of the fight for Cemetery Hill is detailed and provides enough action for any serious Civil War student.  At the end of the narrative, of the second day’s fight, Mingus challenges the reader to understand the missed opportunities the 2d Corps did not exploit.  Hays’ Louisiana Tigers had provided one of the best opportunities to change the course of the Battle of Gettysburg – and perhaps the outcome of the three day fight.

On March 1, I was able to have a talk with Scott.  This talk reveals that Mingus is an expert historian on the Gettysburg Campaign.  He provides a great deal of information on the Louisiana Tigers and their battlefield exploits at Second Winchester and Gettysburg.  It was a lively discussion and one I am confident you will enjoy listening to.  If you have not purchased Scott’s book “Flames Beyond Gettysburg,” I highly recommend that you do so.  The book covers the Confederate 2d Corps’ early movements into Pennsylvania and their attempt to capture the state capital.  Each book stands well by itself, and you can read them in any order.  “The Louisiana Tigers,” published by LSU Press, is a must read for any serious Civil War student – or anyone with an interest in the Battle of Gettysburg.  I recommend that you pick up both books and strap yourself in for a magnificent journey, with Scott Mingus as your tour guide.

Details about “The Louisiana Tigers in the Gettysburg Campaign”
Written by: Scott L. Mingus, Sr.
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Louisiana State University Press
Date of First Edition: October 15, 2009
ISBN-10: 0807134791

 

 

Scott L. Mingus, Sr. Interview – 12 Parts
Total Time: 1 hour 16 minutes 57 seconds
* Note: Scott’s audio is a little quiter than I would have liked.  It would be helpful to listen to this interview on external speakers or with earphones.

Part 1:

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Time: 6:49
Contents: Welcome and introductions | Why write about the Louisiana Tigers? | Recap on Scott’s recent book, “Flames Beyond Gettysburg | What about those Louisiana Tigers?! – “Ferocious, Fearless, Powerful, Determined, Unyielding, Untamed.” | About the First Louisiana Brigade’s commander, Harry T. Hays

Part 2:

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Time: 6:43
Contents: The Tigers feared by Federal troops and Confederate civilians | Hays’ Louisiana Tigers at the Battle of Second Winchester, Virginia – was it one of the most successful flank marches for the Army of Northern Virginia?

Part 3:

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Time: 4:28
Contents: A discussion on the use of Dr. Bradley Gottfried’s maps on the Battle of Second Winchester | The use of first hand accounts and primary source material – did Scott experience any difficulties researching “The Louisiana Tigers?”

Part 4:

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Time: 7:09
Contents: The opening actions of the Gettysburg Campaign in Pennsylvania | Jubal Early’s Confederate 2d Corps Division marches towards their objective: Harrisburg | What? – the Louisiana Tigers behaving themselves in enemy territory?? | The “Tigers” begin to show their true colors | Jubal Early ransoms the city of York

Part 5:

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Time: 5:56
Contents: The Tigers go to work pillaging the Pennsylvania countryside | Confederate commanders turn a “blind eye” to pillaging | Lee orders Ewell’s 2d Corps back to Cashtown, Pennsylvania | Hays’ Tigers arrive at Gettysburg and the fight against the Federal XI Corps at Barlow’s Knoll and Coster’s brigade at the brickyard

Part 6:

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Time: 5:40
Contents: The Louisiana Tigers fight through the streets of Gettysburg | Robert E. Lee meets with Ewell, Early and Robert E. Rodes suggesting they consolidate the Army of Northern Virginia on Seminary Ridge – Early convinces Lee to keep the 2d Corps north of East Cemetery Hill and Culp’s Hill – How did this impact the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg?

Part 7:

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Time: 6:47
Contents: Mingus describes the tactical situation facing the 2d Corps on the morning of July 2 | What the Tigers faced on East Cemetery Hill | “Extra Billy” Smith’s Brigade is positioned east of Gettysburg to protect Early’s flank at East Cemetery Hill – how did this impact the tactical situation for the Louisiana Tigers? | With the artillery south of Gettysburg falling silent, signaling James Longstreet’s 1st Corps attack, the Federals on Cemetery Hill prepare for the Rebels to attack – Mingus’ description of the Federal preparations on East Cemetery Hill

Part 8:

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Time: 8:12
Contents: Avery’s North Carolinians initiate the attack on East Cemetery Hill | While Federal artillery rakes Avery’s brigade, the situation is different on Hays’ front | With darkness falling the Louisiana Tigers enter the battle | Hand-to-hand combat along the Federal line | Hays is forced to withdraw his First Louisiana Brigade – the soldiers’ reactions | A grand opportunity missed? | Where was Robert E. Rodes’ Division?

Part 9:

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Time: 7:16
Contents: Samuel Carroll’s Federal Gibraltar Brigade arrives on East Cemetery Hill in time to participate in the rout of Early’s Division | A discussion on Hays’ attack on East Cemetery Hill – could rapid support for Early’s attack changed the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg?

Part 10:

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Time: 6:25
Contents: The “no-man’s land” after Early’s attack – what the medics, chaplains and soldiers found | Sharpshooters on both sides were effective on July 3 – a testament to the effectiveness of the rifles at long range

Part 11:

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Time: 8:07
Contents: The Army of Northern Virginia begins its retreat to Virginia | The suffering continues for the Louisiana Tigers in field hospitals – what was their longterm plight? | The Louisiana Tigers receive praise for their actions at Second Winchester and Gettysburg | Hays promoted to division command and the last two years of service for the Tigers

Part 12:

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Time: 3:25
Contents: Scott’s future projects | Wrap up and closing

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Details about “Flames Beyond Gettysburg: The Gordon Expedition, June 1863”
Written by: Scott L. Mingus, Sr.
Paperback: 624 pages
Publisher: Ironclad Publishing
Date of First Edition: March 2009
ISBN-10: 0967377080

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
* For my review on “Flames Beyond Gettysburg,” including an interview with Scott Mingus, click HERE.

Today is the 146th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln delivering a “few appropriate remarks” at the dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  When Lincoln received an invitation, from David Wills, to attend the dedication, he believed it was an opportunity for him to connect with the American people, providing them with an explanation for the long, bloody war and his evolving position on the dreadful conflict.  Most importantly it was his desire to honor all of the casualties of the fratricidal war.(i)

Lincoln received Wills’ invitation on November 2, 1863, leaving him less than three weeks to prepare his speech.  There is some evidence to suggest that he was aware of the upcoming invitation a full month earlier.  However, at the time, there was speculation that Wills, and Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin, had ulterior motives for inviting the president so late.  This probably was not the case, as Wills also included a personal note, with the invitation, inviting Lincoln to stay at his home.

President Lincoln left for Gettysburg on November 18.  Popular myth has it that Lincoln wrote his famous address on the back on envelope, while on the train.  This has been dispelled over the years as several early drafts of the speech were found on White House stationery.  Arriving with his Secretary of State, William H. Seward and Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P. Chase, they were greeted at the Gettysburg train station with ringing bells and well wishers, as dusk settled over the quaint town.  The president’s group was escorted to the home of David Wills.  While putting the finishing touches on his speech, Lincoln was encouraged by a throng of people to come out and make a short speech.  He did not.  Instead Seward came forward and spoke for several minutes about the solemn occasion.

The president was not the keynote speaker for the dedication of the National Cemetery.  This honor was given to Edward Everett.  Everett had been Secretary of State, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative and Governor of Massachusetts.  Well known for his oratory skills, there was much anticipation ahead of his speech – a speech that would stretch to two hours.  Lincoln’s short address would officially set aside the ground as a National Cemetery.

At 9:30 a.m., on November 19, the dignitaries left Wills’ home.  Proceeding south to the cemetery, their group would also include six governors from the 24 northern states.  With a crowd estimated to be near 15,000 people, the events began with music by Birgfield’s Band and an invocation by Reverend T.H. Stockton.  Next, while Lincoln sat in his chair, observing the events, Everett delivered his long oration.  After Everett finished, with the crowds cheering, a hymn by B.B. French was sung.  Lincoln would slowly stand up, and walk to the podium.  While several versions of the Gettysburg Address exist, the so called Bliss version is accepted as the short speech he delivered.  Less than 300 words, the speech was said to take between two and three minutes to deliver.  In fact, it was so short that most of the crowd did not realize Lincoln had concluded until he stepped away from the podium.  As Lincoln started speaking, his high-pitched voice could be heard clearly by the gathered spectators….

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.  We are met on a great battle-field of that war.  We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.  It is altogether fitting and proper that we do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate - we can not consecrate – we can not hallow – this ground.  The brave me, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.  The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.  It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.  It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take an increased devotion to the cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

It is said, that as Lincoln walked back to his seat, he believed that his speech would not be well accepted.  As might be expected, the opposition Democrat newspapers claimed it was parochial and embarrassing.  The Republican papers, however, offered much praise for Lincoln’s address.  But, Edward Everett summed it up best in a letter to Lincoln, on November 20, “I should be glad if I could flatter myself that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion, in two hours, as you did in two minutes.”(ii)  After the speech, Lincoln provided two drafts and three copies of the speech.  One draft went to each of his secretaries, John Hay and John Nicolay.  Three copies were written for Edward Everett, historian George Bancroft and Bancroft’s stepson, Colonel Alexander Bliss.  The Hay and Nicolay drafts are located in the Library of Congress.  Everett’s copy is at the Illinois State Historical Library, in Springfield, Illinois, Bancroft’s is at Cornell University and the Bliss copy is in the Lincoln Room, at the White House.

The Gettysburg Address is considered one of the greatest speeches ever given in American history.  While it was given nearly 150 years ago, its tenets still ring true in the United States today, “Liberty,” “all men are created equal,” “freedom,” “government of the people, by the people for the people.”  These are the underpinnings that make the United States the best country in the world.  While I nearly know the Gettysburg address by heart, the words still move me – making me proud to say I am an American.  Thank you, Abraham Lincoln.

(i) The Gettysburg Address, at the Library of Congress, was used to research this article.
(ii) A Gracious Compliment, at the Library of Congress, for more information, click HERE.

As a follow up to my recent article, “Gettysburg National Military Park – A Study In Contrasts,” I received an update today on the ongoing battlefield rehabilitation efforts at Gettysburg National Military Park.  Sent to me by Katie Lawhon, of the Gettysburg National Park Service staff, it provides a glimpse into the goals of their extensive rehabilitation efforts.  The National Park Service should be commended for their efforts to restore the Gettysburg Battlefield to its wartime appearance.  Thank you Katie for providing this update to This Mighty Scourge.

The following is an outline of the goals of their rehabilitation project.

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GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK
BATTLEFIELD REHABILITATION GOALS

One of the most important purposes of Gettysburg National Military Park is to preserve the topographic, landscape, and cultural features that were significant to the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg.  However, many of these features have been obscured or changed over the years, as the natural processes have been allowed to take over.  As just one example, fields that have not been farmed over the past 65 years have become forests.  In many cases, the lack of an accurate understanding of these historic topographic features and their significance has led to their loss.  That loss, in turn, meant that neither visitors nor historians could fully understand the Battle of Gettysburg.

The National Park Service (NPS) is bringing back missing features that affected the fighting of the Battle of Gettysburg, a multi-year project with historical benefits and environmental benefits as well.  The goals of the project are:

Restoring Gettysburg’s historic integrity – Changes to the landscapes have occurred over time including the growth of trees, changing field sizes, and missing fences, orchards, and farm lanes.  These changes obscure the key terrain, avenues of approach, and fields of fire that affected the outcome of the battle.  As a result, some portions of the battlefield have changed physically.  They can no longer convey to people today what it was like for the soldiers who fought here.

The project is being phased and includes the replacement of historic fencelines, orchards, and farm lanes as well as the return of grasslands, farmlands, orchards and woodlands that played important roles in the battle.

Enhancing visitor opportunities and understanding – Restoring the integrity of key battle areas contributes to improved educational experiences, and an overall greater understanding of the events as they unfolded on July 1, 2, and 3, 1863.  Battlefield rehabilitation is allowing visitors to have a more accurate understanding of obstacles faced by those on the field as well as the command decisions made by both armies.  Over time, the project will offer new opportunities for visitors to see the battlefield through the soldiers’ eyes.

Creating a sustainable historic environment by improving wetlands, water quality and wildlife habitat – Since the time of the battle, non-native species, hardwood stands, and changing agricultural landscapes have had a negative effect on the historic terrain.  If left alone, the environment will continue to change and potentially obscure more historic lands.

The historical benefits of the battlefield rehabilitation are obvious to many but there are clear environmental benefits as well.  The project calls for reestablishing grasslands, restoring wetlands, and replanting orchards.  Long term improvements to the environment include restoration of up to 100 acres of wetlands; fencing cattle from streams to improve water quality; and increasing habitat for grassland species, ground nesting birds and native plants.  The plan is in compliance with the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Federal Water Pollution Act and Water Quality Act, floodplain management, protection of wetlands, and all other applicable laws and policies that protect the environment.

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The following table provides an update on the progress of the battlefield rehabilitation project at Gettysburg.

Earlier this month, I was fortunate enough to have business in New Jersey.  This provided all the incentive necessary for me to take a day off of work to visit Gettysburg.  Less than two hours from Philadelphia, Gettysburg is easy to visit.  It amazes me when I talk to my friends, who live within several hours of Gettysburg, that they have never visited this national treasure.  Many of these friends have younger children that would really enjoy visiting the battlefield.

I was also fortunate to meet with author, and friend, Jim Hessler for dinner and few adult beverages.  If you have not picked up Jim’s new book, “Sickles at Gettysburg” (published by Savas Beatie, LLC in June), I would recommend that you do so.  It has really improved my knowledge of the second day’s fight and I have a new found appreciation for how tenuous the situation was in the III Corps’ sector.  Check out my review of “Sickles at Gettysburg” and interview with James Hessler by clicking HERE.

While with Jim, I met some new Gettysburg friends.  John Hoptak, Tim Smith, Eric Lindblade, Jim Glessner and Erik Dorr.  John Hoptak is a National Park Service Ranger at Antietam and has recently published “Our Boys Did Nobly: Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Soldiers at the Battles of South Mountain and Antietam.”  This is a wonderful book and I plan on reviewing it soon.  Tim Smith is not only an author, but the Gettysburg Historian Extraordinaire and knows just about everything about the Battle of Gettysburg – and he proved it to me in a very short time!  Eric Lindblade and Jim Glessner recently formed a new publishing house, Ten Roads Publishing.  I definitely look forward to working with them in the future.  Lastly, Erik Dorr is the curator of The Gettysburg Museum of History.  This museum is a “must see” for anyone with an interest in Gettysburg – or American Military History.  Hopefully my next visit to Gettysburg will provide me enough time to visit Erik’s museum.

This was my third trip to Gettysburg during 2009.  It has been interesting to watch the transformation of some areas where the National Park Service is clear cutting ground to reestablish the sight lines of the summer of 1863.  This is especially noticeable southwest of the Devil’s Den, over the ground that CSA Brigadier General Henry Benning’s Georgian’s approached Houck’s Ridge and Devil’s Den.  The National Park Service has been quite busy in the area and the results are very evident.

Click HERE to read an official report from Gettysburg National Military Park on the rehabilitation effort and the status of the project.

CSA Brigadier General Henry Benning’s Approach – May 2007

Here is a photo that I took, from Little Round Top, in May 2007.  If you look over the Devil’s Den area, you can see how wooded the area of Benning’s attack was.  In 1863 this area was primarily rocky fields with small woodlots scattered about.  By 2007, the woodlots had grown together giving the area a much different look than Benning’s Georgians would have seen as they pushed towards Houck’s Ridge, and the Devil’s Den.

 
 

This is a much closer view, from May 2007, of the fields that Benning’s Georgians pushed through to reach Houck’s Ridge and the Devil’s Den.  While this is a rocky field, the woods in the distance were not there in 1863.  From this angle on Houck’s Ridge, above the Devil’s Den, you would have been able to see the Slyder farm in the distance.

 

 

 

 

 
CSA Brigadier General Henry Benning’s Approach – April 2008

This view is nearly identical to the picture taken in May 2007, from Little Round Top.  In May 2007 (see the first photo above), the area southwest of Houck’s Ridge was nearly a continuous woodlot, running from the east to the west (L-R).  In this photo, the highlighted area is clearly much more open, with views unimpeded to South Confederate Avenue.

 

 

CSA Brigadier General Henry Benning’s Approach – October 2009

This view is from October 2009, from the point of approach of CSA Brigadier General Henry Benning’s Georgia Brigade.  Taken at the Slyder Farm, you can clearly see Houck’s Ridge on the left, and the south slope of Little Round Top, via the Slaughter Pen, on the right.  The large tree behind the arrowhead, is the “witness tree” on Houck’s Ridge, above the Devil’s Den.  This sight line would have been much as Benning’s Georgians would have seen as they approached US Major General David B. Birney’s III Corps Division, on the afternoon of July 2, 1863.

 

A Study In Contrasts – Gettysburg Then and Now

After spending some time researching my pictures of CSA Brigadier General Henry Benning’s approach to the Devil’s Den, I decided to look at other areas of the battlefield that have changed significantly over the previous 14 decades.  I determined the best way to do this would be to compare pictures of fixed objects to old photos of the same area.  Fixed objects would be no problem as I have hundreds of pictures of regimental, cavalry, artillery and brigade monuments – many of which go back several years.  The dilemma was to find historical pictures of the monuments.  After searching the internet, I came across a great site, Stephen Recker’s Virtual Gettysburg.  This site is a wonderful Gettysburg site and one that I will continue to reference for articles I write about Gettysburg.  Besides Virtual Gettysburg, Recker also has a similar site on Antietam, Stephen Recker’s Virtual Anietam.  Virtual Gettysburg offered access to many historical pictures of the monuments at Gettysburg.  All of the pictures in the following photo essay come from Virtual Gettysburg.  I am deeply indebted to Stephen for allowing me to use them.  It should be noted that none of the monuments were erected during the war years.  The first monuments began appearing in the years after the war, but most were placed in the 1880′s and some as late as the latter part of the 20th Century.  I do not know the dates of the “THEN” monument pictures so this is not a scientific study – just something fun and interesting to look at.  So, let’s begin to explore some areas of Gettyburg battlefield that have changed significantly over the years.

143d Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment Monument

The 143d Pennsylvania Infantry was heavily engaged in the first day’s fighting at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863.  This monument is located facing Chambersburg Pike, from the south, near South Reynolds Avenue on McPherson Ridge.  The most noticable difference between “THEN and “NOW” is the cedar tree growing behind the monument.  More significant is the expansion of the Reynolds Woods in the distance.

About the 143d Pennsylvania Infantry
* US Major General John F. Reynolds’ I Corps
* US Major General Abner Doubleday’s Third Division
* US Colonel Roy Stone’s Second Brigade
* Commanded by Colonel Edmund L. Dana
* Strength: 465 Casualties: 253(i)

 

Today, the 143d Pennsylvania Infantry regiment monument looks unchanged from the earlier picture.  The most noticeable change, as mentioned above, is the cedar tree growing southwest of the monument – providing it shade 365 days per year.  The most significant change, however, is the density and size of Reynolds’ Woods, in the distance.

 

 

 

 

The 76th New York Infantry Regiment Monument

Like the 143d Pennsylvania, the 76th New York was part of John Reynolds’ I Corps and was heavily engaged during the first day’s fight at Gettysburg.  Fighting north of the railroad cut, it would engage CSA Brigadier General Joseph R. Davis’ 3d Corps Brigade.  This picture, likely from the late 19th century, clearly shows some trees in the background, south of present day Wadsworth Avenue.

About the 76th Pennsylvania Infantry
* US Major General John F. Reynold’s I Corps
* US Brigadier General James Wadsworth’s First Division
* US Brigadier General Lysander Cutler’s Second Brigade
* Commanded by Major Andrew J. Grover (killed)
* Strength: 375 Casualties: 234

 

Standing on McPherson Ridge, north of the railroad cut, the 76th New York Infantry monument looks much the same as it did after it was erected.  The most significant difference is the expansion, and thickening of the woodlot, in the distance, south of Wadsworth Avenue.

 

 

 

 

 
The 104th New York Infantry Regiment Monument

The 104th New York Infantry regiment would be sent to the northern spur of Oak Ridge, to support US Brigadier General Henry Baxter’s Second Division, I Corps brigade.  Baxter was heavily engaged with CSA Brigadier General Alfred Iverson’s 2d Corps brigade when the 104th New York arrived.  This period specific photo, probably from the late 19th century, clearly shows a landscape clear of trees, all the way to Barlow’s Knoll.

About the 104th New York Infantry
* US Major General John F. Reynolds’ I Corps
* US Brigadier General John C. Robinson’s Second Division
* US Brigadier General Gabriel R. Paul’s First Brigade
* Commanded by Colonel Gilbert G. Prey
* Strength: 286 Casualties: 194

 

Today, the 104th New York Infantry monument sits on a shaded knoll below Brigadier General John Cleveland Robinson’s monument.  This picture is taken from a slightly different angle, but you can clearly see trees in the distance, towards Barlow’s Knoll.

 

 

 

 

 

The 1st U.S. Sharpshooter’s Monument

On the afternoon of July 2, 1863, US Major General David B. Birney sent Colonel Henry Berdan’s 1st U.S. Sharpshooters, and the 3d Maine Infantry, to scout near the center of the Confederate line, close to the Pitzer Woods.  When they reached Seminary Ridge, they engaged CSA Brigadier General Cadmus Wilcox’s Alabama brigade.  The “THEN” picture, to the left, clearly shows the 1st U.S. Sharpshooter’s monument on a hill, as written in Berdan’s after action report.  The view is to the northeast and there are few trees in the picture.

About the 1st U.S. Sharpshooters Regiment
* US Major General Daniel E. Sickles’ III Corps
* US Major General David B. Birney’s First Division
* US Brigadier General J. Hobart Ward’s Second Brigade
* Commanded by Colonel Hiram Berdan
* Strength: 313 Casualties: 49
 

Today, Colonel Hiram Berdan’s 1st U.S. Sharpshooters’ monument sits on a shaded hill on Berdan Avenue, just west of West Confederate Avenue.  While this view is towards the south, the entire area around the monument is surrounded by tall trees, much like those in this picture.  This area of West Confederate Avenue has changed significantly over the years.

 

 

 

 

The 5th New York Cavalry Monument

The 5th New York Cavalry was part of US Brigadier General Elon J. Farnsworth’s Cavalry Brigade.  Farnsworth was ordered to attack CSA Lt. General James Longstreet’s right flank on the afternoon of July 3.  The attack would be initiated from Bushman Hill, where the 5th New York Cavalry monument is located.  The changes in the landscape here are quite visible.  This picture, likely from the late 19th century, shows scattered trees on this hill.  They have since grown up significantly.

About the 5th New York Cavalry
* US Major General Alfred Pleasanton’s Cavalry Corps
* US Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick’s Third Division
* US Brigadier General Elon J. Farnsworth’s First Brigade
* Commanded by Major John Hammond
* Strength: 420 Casualties: 6
 

Today, the 5th New York Cavalry monument, on Bushman Hill, has darkened.  Additionally, the trees surrounding the monument have grown significantly.  Standing at the monument you cannot see the fields around the Slyder Farm.  At Gettysburg, the trees were thin enough that Longstreet’s soldiers could be seen.  This is one of the most dramatic areas of change at Gettysburg.

 

 

 

 

The 52d New York Infantry Regiment Monument

The 52d New York Infantry was part of the reinforcements sent to the III Corps by II Corps commander, US Major General Winfield S. Hancock.  Part of Samuel Zook’s brigade, the 52d would fight near the present day Loop.  This is another dramatic change at Gettysburg.  The woods here have thickened considerably.  The older photo shows significantly less trees.

About the 52d New York Infantry
* US Major General Winfield S. Hancock’s II Corps
* US Brigadier General John Caldwell’s First Division
* US Brigadier General Samuel K. Zook’s Third Brigade
* Commanded by Lt. Colonel Charles G. Freudenberg
* Strength: 134 Casualties: 38

 

Today, things have changed significantly in the area of the Loop, on Sickles Avenue.  The woodlot has filled in dramatically over the past several generations impeding the sight line towards the Wheatfield.

 

 

 

 

 

The 118th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment Monument

The 118th Pennsylvania was part of the reinforcements sent by US Major General George Sykes.  Part of the V Corps, it would also fight in the area of the Loop – west of the Wheatfield.  Like the area around the 52d New York, the differences between this historic photo, and the picture I recently took are stunning.  The entire area has been filled in with woods.

About the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry
* US Major General George Sykes’ V Corps
* US Brigadier General James Barnes’ First Division
* US Colonel William Tilton’s First Brigade
* Commanded by Lt. Colonel James Gwyn
* Strength: 235 Casualties: 25

 

Today, the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry monument has shade most of the day.  In the intervening years since the “THEN” photo was taken, the trees have slowly encroached on the monument.  The Loop is a beautiful area of the battlefield, but an area that has changed drastically since the Civil War.

 

 

 

 

The 140th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment Monument

The 140th Pennsylvania Infantry was another supporting regiment from US Major General Winfield S. Hancock’s II Corps.  Ordered towards the Wheatfield area, with the rest of the II Corps’ First Division, they would be ordered to the area between the Wheatfield, and the Peach Orchard, by General Sickles.  In this historic picture, very few trees can be seen, and there is a clear view north towards Wheatfield Road.

About the 140th Pennsylvania Infantry
* US Major General Winfield S. Hancock’s II Corps
* US Brigadier General John C. Caldwell’s First Division
* US Brigadier General Samuel K. Zook’s Third Brigade
* Commanded by Colonel Richard P. Roberts
* Strength: 515 Casualties 241

 

Today, the view towards the north, is dramatically different.  The most noticeable difference is the overhanging trees.  More significant, however, is the dense woodlot visible in the distance near the base of the monument.  These pictures were taken from the same angle, but the distant woodlot is not present in the historic photograph.

 

 

 

 

The 10th Pennsylvania Reserves (39th PN) Infantry Monument

The 10th Pennsylvania Reserves Infantry (39th Pennsylvania in Federal Service) was part of US Major General George Sykes’ V Corps.  It would help defend the Federal line on Little Round Top on July 2, 1863.  This historic picture clearly shows the monument in a fairly open clearing in the woods.

About the 10th Pennsylvania Reserves Infantry
* US Major General George Sykes’ V Corps
* US Brigadier General Samuel W. Crawford’s Third Division
* US Colonel Joseph Fisher’s Third Brigade
* Commanded by Colonel Adoniram J. Warner
* Strength: 401 Casualties 5

 

 

Today, the 10th Pennsylvania Reserves monument is in a somewhat constricted clearing in a section of deep woods just east of South Confederate Avenue, south of Crawford Road.  It is a very detailed monument that can be easy to miss as it sits between the two Round Tops and is not well marked.  The woods have closed in on this monument, as can clearly be seen when comparing the “THEN” photo to the “NOW” photo.

 

 

 

 

The 137th New York Infantry Regiment Monument

The 137 New York Infantry was part of US Major General Henry W. Slocum’s defensive line on Culp’s Hill.  Part of US Brigadier General George S. Greene’s XII Corps brigade, the 137th saw action on July 2 and 3, 1863.  The monument is located on North Slocum Avenue, with a view towards the north.  The contrasts between the historical picture and my picture, from May 2007, are evident.  Culp’s Hill has become significantly more wooded.

About the 137th New York Infantry
* US Major General Henry W. Slocum’s XII Corps
* US Brigadier General John W. Geary’s Second Division
* US Brigadier General George S. Greene’s Third Brigade
*Commanded by Colonel David Ireland
* Strength: 423 Casualties: 137

 

Today, the changes of Culp’s Hill are dramatic.  The lines of approach for CSA Lieutenant General Richard S. Ewell’s 2d Corps are covered with woods.  In fact, you cannot see the ground north of Culp’s Hill from the 137th New York Infantry monument.

 

 

 

 

Personal Observations and Commentary:
While there is no doubt, that the National Park Service, and the Gettysburg National Battlefield Park, have done a fine job restoring sight lines to certain areas of the battlefield, there is much work left to do.  Serious Civil War buffs and Gettysburg scholars have little trouble visualizing troop movements during a visit to the park.  However, casual enthusiasts, students and first time visitors will have difficulty visualizing the same things.  Gettysburg was a very complex battle and without the aid of the original sight lines, a visit to the park may be interesting, but may not be readily comprehended.  We need to continue to encourage the National Park Service to continue their efforts to restore the original landscape so our current generation, and future generations, will leave the park with a more complete understanding of what happened here nearly 150 years ago.

If you haven’t done so already, check out my Gettysburg Collection on Flickr.  I have organized and cataloged my most recent trips to Gettysburg, placing them on Flickr to make them easier to view and easier for search engines to find.  Let me know what you think!

(i) Trudeau, Noah Andre, Gettysburg: A Testing of Courage, published by Harper Collins in 2002, The Opposing Armies section starting on page 565. (for all troop strengths and casualties)

Over the past week, I have been working diligently to catalog, and label, nearly 650 pictures from my most recent trips to Gettysburg National Military Park.  As I mentioned in an earlier blog article, I have decided to include most of my collection of battlefield photographs on my Flickr site, so they would appear in more search engines.  By far, Gettysburg is my largest collection.  Included in this collection of photos are pictures from a trip to Gettysburg earlier this month.  Watch for an article, later this week, on my October 2009 trip to Gettysburg, and the official launch of my Gettysburg photo collection.