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Sunset Over The Battefield

Gettysburg Fall 09

I can never seem to get enough of Gettysburg PA. so it should be no surprise to you that Dean and I took yet another trip there. I can't explain it but there is just something about that place that calls to me and each time I go I am never ready to leave. As silly as it sounds I feel like I live there and should have a house around the corner to go to at the end of the day.
We have grown quit comfortable in our little cabin at the campground and have finally learned our way around town and the battlefield.  However each time we go we find out something we did not know before or find a place to explore that we have not seen.  This trip one of the highlights was finding that we were just down the road from the Jacob Weikert  Farm.

It was this house that fifteen year old Tillie Pierce came to along with Henrietta Shriver and her two young children to seek refuge from the battle. Henrietta's parents owned the farm and they thought that they would be safer here than in town. Unfortunately that was not true and they walk in upon some of the worst fighting of the three days. The barn and house soon became a hospital for the hundreds of injured men. Over 800 of them were housed in the barn alone

while the house was used for operating on the men.  They would carry the men into the house where  they placed them on the dinning room table. Depending on where the injury was an arm or leg would be amputated and the limb tossed out the dinning room window. The pile soon became so high that it covered the window and the limbs were taken across the yard and tossed into a nearby field.

Fall Trip Oct 10-15

Once again my husband and I visited Gettysburg. We were able to see several things we had not seen on previous trips and also took a couple of new tours. I am posting photos for your enjoyment

Looking out across Gettysburg

The Pennsylvania Monument

Civil War Reenactment Group on the battlefield

Around the Campground

Summer Sky

Outside The Cashtown Inn

Monuments

Cannons

Revisiting Gettysburg

My husband and I had a chance to visit Gettysburg again in May. We saw several things we did not see the first time and also had a chance to re-visit some places we had enjoyed on our first trip. I am going to post some photos of the trip. This area of the blog will be a photo only blog with a brief description of what I am posting

Up Date

Its been several months since I updated this blog, and I felt like it was time to publish some more of the photos taken last fall when we went to Gettysburg.
Time and money is preventing me from getting back there any time soon, but I do hope to visit again. Reflecting back on the trip both my husband and myself find it to be one of the best vacations we have ever had. When I originally published this blog I put a lot of the photos into different slide shows. That worked well at the time because I know a lot of folks wanted to "see it all", and it would have taken forever to post each photo separate. However I am going to take some of my favorite ones and start putting them on here (in no particular order)
I hope you once again enjoy my trip to Gettysburg.

During the battle of Gettysburg over 5,000 horses were killed...I am glad it wasn't any of the ancestors of these beauties

Something fun we did

One of the most interesting things we did while in Gettysburg was take a ghost walk with the Ghostly Imagines Tour Company. They took us to the former Children's Orphanage (Now the soldiers museum.) It seems that during the Civil War one solider was found dead clutching a photo of his three children. The picture was printed on October 19, 1863, in the Philadelphia Inquirer with a story under the provocative headline: "Whose Father Was He?"

The article said "a Union soldier was found in a secluded spot on the battlefield, where, wounded, he had laid himself down to die. In his hands, tightly clasped, was an ambrotype containing the portraits of three small children ... and as he silently gazed upon them his soul died. How touching! How solemn! ... It is earnestly desired that all papers in the country will draw attention to the discovery of this picture and its attendant circumstances, so that, if possible, the family of the dead hero may come into possession of it. Of what inestimable value will it be to these children, proving, as it does, that the last thought of their dying father was for them, and them only."

Amos' wife, Philinda Humiston, living in Portville, New York, eventually came upon a news account of the photo. So much sympathy was poured out for the Humiston family that the proceeds allowed for the creation of an orphanage in Gettysburg for children of soldiers.


Philinda moved to Gettysburg and for awhile ran the orphanage. She remarried and moved away leaving the children (in the orphanage) in the care of a young woman by the name of Rosa Carmichaels. Rosa was very cruel to the children. She would beat them, and chain them to the walls in the basement. There was a room that Rosa put the Orphans in to beat called the pit. She had 14 to 19 year old boys called stick boys. They carried large sticks to beat the boys as well as girl orphans. She also place the children in a cave type dwelling that has been nicknamed "The Pit".
Some of the children died while in her care, and are said to haunt the basement
and yard. Some visitors have had their clothes and bodies tugged at by invisible spirits.

The group I was with walked out to the stone wall that runs along the orphanage. The guide had warned us that some people have trouble taking photos there or have strange things show up on the camera. Several people around me took photos that came out with nothing but a white rope like streak running through the photo. When I tried to take photos I could not get my camera to work. I checked it and to my surprise found that my batteries were completely drained. We had just put fresh batteries in that had been charged just prior to going on the tour. (Thankfully we had extra batteries)
Once inside they took us in and let us see the pit and also where the children had been shacked. While listening to our guide the chain that separated the room suddenly started to swing. No one was near it and everyone in the group witnessed this. Suddenly one lady cried out..Oh my god..I just heard a voice say Help Me..someone help me. At one point they put the lights out and we sat in total darkness for five minutes. Do you know how long five minutes is when you can not see your hand in front of your face and you know you are sitting in a haunted place. Well, let me tell you it is a long time. Once the lights came back on our guide played a tape for us with EVP (recordings) taken by a local paranormal group. You could hear children's voices on the tape. He also showed us some photos that people had taken over the years and that the paranormal group had taken. They showed orbs and steaks of while. Then on the last photo he pulled out you can see three little face peeking around the chain...yep..the one that kept swinging..
It was really awesome!
If you ever get a chance to go to Gettysburg make sure you take this tour.
Be sure and click on each photo to show it full size.


Photo hanging on the wall is of the three children and is like the one found in the dying soldiers hand.




Our guide Bob talking with one of the other people on our tour. This is at the wall that is haunted and where my batteries went dead when we first arrived


The chain that moved on its own


My husband checking out the chain to make sure it is not rigged to move (It wasn't)


A view of the pit....The doll had been placed there and we were told sometime when people come in it has moved to a different location on its own

The one that got away

My husband who is a city boy has never caught a fish. On this day, he managed to hold on to that title, because he still hasn't caught a fish. Oh well at lest he had fun trying

The Ghost Of Gettysburg

Gettysburg is famous for their ghost, so of course we had to take a ghost walk. In fact we took two. (Yes I am a big kid)
The first one we took was of the orhanage. It was run by a woman who was very cruel to the children in her care. She would chain them up, beat them and leave them in the cellar for days in a section called the pit. It is said that some of the children who died down there still haunt the palce to this very day.

WE also took a tour of the Farnsworth House Inn where we heard stories of Union sharp-shooter that haunt the attic. This is the same window that the fatal bullet that killed Jennie Wade was fired. Every photo I took of the window (remember this is a clear window and is upstairs and at night) shows a mist, and the mist believe it or not is in the shape of a heart. Jennie Wade was shot in the heart.

The Old Hero

One of the more interesting personalities to participate in the battle that day was Gettysburg civilian John Burns. The 70 year-old veteran of the War of 1812 took up his flintlock musket and walked out to the scene of the fighting that morning. Approaching an officer of a Pennsylvania Bucktail regiment, Burns requested that he be allowed to fall in with the officer's command. Not quite believing his eyes nor ears, the officer sent the aged Burns into the woods next to the McPherson Farm, where he fought beside members of the Iron Brigade throughout the afternoon until he was wounded. Injured and exhausted, the old man made his way through groups of victorious Confederates who remarkably allowed him to go home unmolested. After the battle, he was elevated to the role of national hero. Hearing about the aged veteran, Mathew Brady photographed Burns while recuperating at his home on Chambersburg Street and took the story of Burns and his participation in the battle back home to Washington. Others soon became interested in the story and when President Lincoln came to Gettysburg to dedicate the Soldiers National Cemetery that fall, it was John Burns who the president wished to meet. Burns' fame quickly spread and a poem about his exploits was published in 1864. His notoriety faded after the war, but Burns was proud of his service to his country and his hometown. John Burns died in 1872 and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Gettysburg.

Having Fun

While in Gettysburg we did find some time to play and have fun. What better place than where a Civil War battle had taken place to have a "old time" photo done. As you can see the clothes I had to choose from were very bright and colorful, but the camera shows something different. Also both my husband and I wear glasses, but were told for authenticity to take them off and do NOT smile..

We loved the end result. We got a 8x10 matted into a 11x14 for just $25.00. I got a frame at Walmart for $10.00 and now we are hanging on the living room wall. Every time I see this photo I will think of all the fun I had!

The Beauty Of Gettysburg

One of the most beautiful things about Gettysburg were the beautiful skies. Just look at these colors in the sunsets. I have also included some of the other beauty I found there

'taking a side trip

While In Gettysburg we took a side trip to Lancaster County. I had been there as a teenager and as an adult had always wanted to go back to see the Amish and the farm land. I was very disappointed. Although we did find a few Amish and see some pretty farms. 99% of the area was a tourist trap. Every store we went in had the same type souvinires. Even the quilt shop I found was a disappointment. VERY expensive and you had to wear gloves before you could touch the quilts. It was a big waste of time and I would not recommend it to anyone traveling up that way. The highlight of the morning was seeing Santa out for a run.

Four Score And Seven Years Ago

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 should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, 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 increased devotion to that 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.

The Jennie Wade House

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Mary Virginia Wade, or better known as Jennie Wade was the only civilian killed during the American Civil War Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 3, 1863 while baking bread for Union soldiers in the now famous tourist destination, the Jennie Wade House. She was struck by a single bullet that traveled through two wooden doors killing her instantly. Jennie Wade was 20 years old. The house looks very much the same as it did over 140 years ago.

The Jennie Wade house, originally the McClellan home, lived through the Battle of Gettysburg and witnessed the tragic death of Gettysburg civilian Jennie Wade, as she was preparing bread for the Union soldiers. This brick house was not a good spot to be in during the fighting as it was between both armies and commonly referred to as "No Man's Land". Northern soldiers were setting up defenses South of town while Confederate forces were occupying the North side of town. As both armies fired on each other, the Jennie Wade home was struck repeatedly and riddled with bullets. The north side received most of the damage as it faced the Confederate position and today is marked with over 150 bullet holes. Also causing damage to the Jenny Wade house was a Confederate 10-pounder "Parrot" artillery shell. The shell hit and entered the Jennie wade house going through and causing damage to the 2nd floor wall that separated the two dwellings. Fortunately, the Civil War projectile did not explode, and remained lodged in the house for many years after the war until it was removed. Evidence of this direct hit can still be seen today while taking the tour of the Jenny Wade house. The house is now a museum and contains a Gift Shop in the rear

The Horses Of Gettysburg

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Sachs Covered Bridge

Part of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia began its retreat to Virginia by crossing the bridge after the Battle of Gettysburg in July of 1863

Little Round Top and Devils Den

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Little Round Top is the smaller of two rocky hills south of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was the site of an unsuccessful assault by Confederate troops against the Union left flank on July 2, 1863, the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Considered by many historians to be the key point in the Union Army's defensive line that day, Little Round Top was defended successfully by the brigade of Colonel Strong Vincent. The 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment, commanded by Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, fought the most famous engagement there, culminating in a dramatic downhill bayonet charge that is one of the most well-known actions at Gettysburg and in the American Civil War.

Lee's Headquarters

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The headquarters of Robert E. Lee is a small museum with just a few artifacts, but it was only three dollars to visit and I wanted to be able to say I had been there.

Cashtown Inn

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The Afternoon on Day 2 found us at the Cashtown Inn. Unfortunatly it was closed that day, but we hung around and took photos anyway.



Built circa 1797, the Cashtown Inn served as the first stagecoach stop west of Gettysburg.
During the Gettysburg campaign of 1863, the Inn served as Confederate headquarters for General A.P. Hill.

Recently the Inn has appeared in the movie Gettysburg, in the Mark Nesbitt book and video Ghosts of Gettysburg and on the cover of Blue and Gray magazine.

The South Will Rise Again

Ok I have to admit it. I am a bit of a sentimental fool when it comes to the Civil War. Several of my ancestors fought for the south (none at Gettysburg and all survived thank goodness), so every time I see a rebel flag I can't help but think of them and the scarfices made by both the north and the south.
On our first full day in Gettysburg we were visiting Picketts Charge on the Virginia side where the men started there ill fated walk across the field. Northern troops were waiting for them on the other side and as the confederate army crossed the field they were shot down. I tried walking the trail that had been cut through the field for visitors, but became overly emotionl and had to turn back.
This is one reason why.

This re-enactor was walking just ahead of me....

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Day Two The Battlefild In The Morning

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After breakfast we drove out to the battlefield. The area you see here is where day one of the battle began. The Cannon you see with the inscription on it is the gun that was used to fire the first shot beginning the battle of Gettysburg

Around The Campground Day 2

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We got up bright and early on day two and I took a walk around the campground before breakfast. Where we were staying is the national riding stables for the area and they had some beautiful horses. I watched them awhile taking a walk along the lake that was behind our cabin

Arriving In Gettysburg

We got up bright and early on Sunday and arrived in Gettysburg about noon. Our cabin was not ready yet so we went to the visitors center and looked around, then drove to the nearest section of the battlefild for a quick tour. Once we got settled in to the cabin we heated up some dinner and went back out to the battlefield where we stayed until after dark, then came back and made a campfire. We rosted marshmellows and had a relaxing evening.
We did a a bit of excitment when we got back one of the horse got out and was running loose around the campground. They got him back in his pen and off to sleep we went. We knew the next day would be a big one.