Gettysburg

Discussion in 'Prewar' started by dave500, Sep 30, 2012.

  1. dave500

    dave500 Senior Member

    With the promise of a sunny day, I drove down to
    Gettysburg National Military Park for my first visit
    in six years, arriving at dawn.

    I spent ten hours there and shot 622 photos.

    Unexpectedly, I discovered a film crew was shooting
    scenes for a movie. I saw the crew in action on
    Seminary Ridge and the Wheatfield.

    Gettysburg College - 1,000 to 1: The Cory Weissman Story signs lead roles; filming to begin on campus in October

    I'm still reviewing, processing and uploading photos.

    Gettysburg 2012 - a set on Flickr

    Main Flickr menu is here:

    Flickr: Dave50012's Photostream

    Here is the website for the park:

    Gettysburg National Military Park - Gettysburg National Military Park

    Unfortunately, the forecast was mostly wrong.
    Heavy overcast skies predominated from early afternoon on.

    Next year, by the way, is the 150th anniversary of the Battle
    of Gettysburg.


    Dave
     
    Paul Reed, Slipdigit and CL1 like this.
  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Dave thank you for posting
    much appreciated

    regards
    Clive
     
  3. dave500

    dave500 Senior Member

  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Cheers for the pics.
    I do like the Alabama memorial, reminds me of Slip. ;)
    I dont know too much about the ACW to be honest but I was annoyed (because it wasnt me) a couple of years ago that my sister actually got to visit Gettyburg whilst visiting our cousin who is currently working in Washington DC.
     
  5. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    Thanks for posting and doing all that work. Much appreciated.

    It really is hallowed ground.

    Anyone who doesn't get choked up during the time between .30 and 1:05 doesn't have a heart.

    [YOUTUBE]vwRbDxf7kT4[/YOUTUBE]
     
  6. dave500

    dave500 Senior Member

  7. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Old Hickory Recon

    Cheers for the pics.
    I do like the Alabama memorial, reminds me of Slip. ;)
    I dont know too much about the ACW to be honest but I was annoyed (because it wasnt me) a couple of years ago that my sister actually got to visit Gettyburg whilst visiting our cousin who is currently working in Washington DC.
    :)
    Hi, Owen.

    I'm sure that Jeff will appreciate the Alabama photo.

    By the way, I have always thought that the Louisiana Memorial
    is the best work of sculpture in the park:

    All sizes | 4471 PS CS V | Flickr - Photo Sharing!



    Dave

    Thank you posting the pics, Dave. And the Louisiana Memorial is a pleasing monument.

    It just so happens that I am reading The Killer Angels now. Good book, so far, and your pics are right on the mark.
     
  8. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Old Hickory Recon

    It is sad, but we are in the middle of the 150th anniversary of that war and as far as I can tell, nothing has been done so far to commerate that conflict - NOTHING.
     
  9. Wills

    Wills Very Senior Member

  10. Scout Sniper

    Scout Sniper Senior Member

    Most states are experiencing economic hard times and don't have the assets to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. With that said Tennessee has issued a special 150th Anniversary license plate.

    Re-enactors and living historians are doing special events to mark the 150th Anniversary of many of the events. There are two reenactments and two living history events planned for the 150th Anniversary of Gettysburg.

    Here's a glimpse into what took place for the 150th Anniversary of Shiloh earlier this year:

    "Replica Iowa Battle Flags to Appear at Re-enactment of Battle of Shiloh

    No comments Dave Rasdal

    HIAWATHA — The Civil War was supposed to be over a few months after it began. So, 150 years ago, when 760 soldiers in the 15th Iowa Infantry made their way to Shiloh, Tenn., they expected little resistance and a quick return home.

    Instead, Confederate forces attacked General Ulysses S. Grant’s troops at Pittsburg Landing. And, when the smoke cleared on April 7 after a two-day battle, more than 3,400 men lay dead, 1,750 of them Union soldiers, 21 of them from Iowa.

    The Battle of Shiloh instantly became America’s bloodiest battle, with another 16,400 soldiers wounded and 3,800 missing or captured. And, while the Union won this battle, it would take three more years and eight even bloodier battles to win the war.

    “Iowa should be proud of what these guys did,” says Brandon Jolly, 30, as he opens the door to the Civil War room in the basement of his Hiawatha house. “They should be proud of these flags.”

    Spread out on a large table are exact replicas of the 6-by-6 1/2-foot flags the Iowans carried into that battle — the 34-star American Flag and the eagle emblazoned state regimental flag. Using the original state flag and period American flags as models, Brandon has re-created the flags stitch-by-stitch for this year’s re-enactment of the Battle of Shiloh.

    “Iowa should be proud of what these guys did,” says Brandon Jolly, 30, as he opens the door to the Civil War room in the basement of his Hiawatha house. “They should be proud of these flags.”

    Spread out on a large table are exact replicas of the 6-by-6 1/2-foot flags the Iowans carried into that battle — the 34-star American Flag and the eagle emblazoned state regimental flag. Using the original state flag and period American flags as models, Brandon has re-created the flags stitch-by-stitch for this year’s re-enactment of the Battle of Shiloh.

    “All of the materials,” he says, “are as exact as you can get in the 21st Century.”

    As his reward, Brandon, a manager at Ovation Networks in Cedar Rapids, will carry the Iowa flag when 500 historical interpreters from around the country gather at Savannah, Tenn., at the end of March. As the Civil War soldiers did, they will ride a paddle-wheeler on the Tennessee River to Pittsburg Landing where the Iowa regiment arrived as the Battle of Shiloh (April 6-7) commenced.

    The re-enactors will then march five miles through the National Battlefield Park, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the 15th Iowa Infantry’s first battle.

    “We’re very passionate about it,” Brandon says. “We’re very proud to carry these flags.”

    “All of the materials,” he says, “are as exact as you can get in the 21st Century.”
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Scout Sniper

    Scout Sniper Senior Member

    150th Anniversary of Shiloh continued:

    "In Civil War re-enacting you have the 'mainstream' and the 'progressives' (aka authentic campaigners). The progressives go to the ninth degree for historical accuracy, spend countless hours researching and spend thousands of dollars on their kit. The 500 re-enactors recreating the 15th Iowa are all progressives and take history very seriously.

    The following gives you a glimpse into what they will experience at the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh.

    "What can you expect at our Shiloh 150th event? I’ve always liked to know what I am getting into before I arrive at an event, so I’ll treat you the way I like to be treated.

    You will arrive at registration like every other big national event and complete registration. Then you need to go to the 15th Iowa registration so look for a sign that directs you. At our registration you will need to do a few things: 1) you’ll be issued your bus transportation and paddle wheeler pass and told where to board the bus depending on whether you are on the paddle wheeler or joining us at Pittsburg Landing (if you don’t have this pass, you cannot go, so get it and don’t lose it – VERY IMPORTANT), 2) you will turn in your 5 St. Louis Arsenal packs made according to the previous email (if you didn’t get the previous email, contact your company commander), 3) if you have things to drop off at our Saturday night camp that has been previously arranged, you’ll be told where that camp is, and 4) if we need a little help with anything, you’ll be directed what to do prior to boarding the bus to Savannah, TN where we board the paddle wheeler.

    Now let’s consider our Friday camp in Savannah, TN and the boat trip. Guys will arrive all day on Friday. I’d like everyone to be on site at registration by 10pm (they are on Central time) since the last bus trip to Savannah is at midnight. If you cannot make the last midnight bus trip, you MUST notify you company commander so we can make arrangements. There will be three boat loads (one paddle wheeler making three trips) to accomplish transporting everyone from Savannah to Pittsburg Landing. The first load will board at approximately 10pm on Friday night, the second load will board at approximately 3am Saturday morning, and the third will board at approximately 8am Saturday morning. The reality is that everyone in a company may not be present when a boat load needs to leave, especially the first load. If there are guys arriving late at the event site and taking the midnight bus trip to Savannah, the first load is already departed and up the river. Each boat load must be filled to capacity or the last load may have too many guys that need to get on and we have a major problem. I say all of this now because if it’s important for you to be on the boat with your pards, you MUST coordinate your arrivals at the event site. At registration you’ll be given a steam boat transportation pass that will designate which load, 1st, 2nd or 3rd, that you are on. That is YOUR trip so your butt needs to be on that trip. You may trade that pass for a different trip with another soldier but you will need the correct pass to board. No tickey, no ridey. Just make sure you have your pass, you know which trip you’re on and where you’re supposed to be when it’s time to load. Regimental staff will be giving you directions at our Savannah camp to insure this actually works.

    This is a flat haversack event, meaning bring nothing to eat. Your registration fee has paid for all of your rations. You are on your own for Friday supper and then will be taken care of from then on. You will have access to water at our Friday camp, but that’s it. Plan to eat supper prior to boarding the bus or bring something to cook for your supper at our Friday night camp. There are a couple restaurants about a half mile walk from camp Friday if that matters. You will be fed breakfast aboard the paddle wheeler like the original boys were, and you’ll be issued marching rations for the day. The balance of your food will be issued at our Saturday night camp on the event site.

    When we arrive at Pittsburg Landing, we will land at the original Pittsburg Landing per the National Park Service, not the one at the park marked as such. Yep, you actually get to learn something that spectators/visitors don’t. The road we’ll “hold” like the original 15th is the road between the original landing and visitor’s center. We’ll have water at the landing to refill canteens. We’ll be issued our rounds here like the original boys were (but we will NOT load on park property), and we’ll boil coffee here like the original boys (only on pre-designated spots since randomly lighting fires on Federal property wins you shiny bracelets). The arsenal packs that all of you must turn in at registration are to have caps in them or you will not have caps. And when you un-wrap your packs, remember they are not all rounds. One of the paper tubes has caps in it and if you’re not careful, you’ll dump caps in your barrel. If you shoot those at the rebs and hit a guy, it will cause a significant wound and you’ll get your wound in the county jail just after lights out. Bad move, use your head. While here at Pittsburg Landing it is very likely we’ll hear the boom of cannons in the morning just like the original boys heard. It’s a 7am tactical at the event site. Since it has nothing to do with recreating the historic movements of the battle of Shiloh, we are not missing it, we are happily avoiding it. It does however provide similar first sounds of battle that the original boys heard. Nice period ear candy to get you in the mood.

    Next is our 5 mile march to the event site. You MUST be fit enough to carry your full load and complete the 5 miles. Re-read that last sentence. And remember that’s just to get to the event site. You’ll be going into a 2 hour battle just as you arrive. Start getting in shape NOW. The route is pretty level with only a few small rolling hills. Brian Hicks and I walked it in heavy marching order a couple weeks ago to test the route. You will be on grass for all of it except for about ½ mile of pavement. Our route will take us 2.5 hours to complete including a 30 minute stop to refill canteens. We will march across the original battlefield, the national cemetery where some of the men you are portraying are buried, and past the big Iowa monument. We were never out of breath but did get blisters on our feet. Get your feet toughened up! Wear and break in your brogans carrying your intended load for 5 miles. Carry your load 5 miles BEFORE you arrive. That’s confidence training. You might change what you’re carrying. KNOW that you can make it. And know that the column cannot stop for you as it’s on a deadline to make the battle or we all miss it. We do have a medical staff that will have mole skin and other treatments for blisters. But you’ll have a lot more fun if you toughen your feet up and get in shape. There, you’ve been warned like an adult.

    What should you pack in your knapsack? I know the original boys had an extra suit of clothes, an overcoat, two blankets, etc. in their knapsacks and it was described by one of them as a “mule load.” I’d STRONGLY suggest the following and no more: overcoat, one wool blanket, one gum blanket, a change of wool socks (always sleep in dry socks in cold weather), a sleeping cap and your toiletries. THAT’S IT. Regardless of how much you carry, walk with it 5 miles BEFORE you come to the event.

    As we approach the main event site, the battle will be under way as it already was for the original boys. You’re going to hear a battle beginning to rage in the distance and it’s going to get louder as we approach. We will join the battle and fight for about two hours. After which we’ll fall back to an abandoned Federal camp. The 46th Illinois Infantry had a camp and had come back to their camp in the middle of thefirst days fight to make dinner. They then returned to the front to fight and when night fell they found themselves so close to the rebs that they stayed in that forward position on arms lest their retreat would open a place for the enemy to advance. So we’ll occupy their camp in the rear toward Pittsburg Landing. I’ve not found a record of who, if anyone, was in their camp that night, but just that it was unoccupied by them. There should be enough canvas for everyone to be inside, out of the weather. So if you hear of bad weather prior to the event, don’t worry, we’ve got a nice home for you.

    Our regiment has become so large that it will require all of us to work together to make this happen. When we get to camp, pay close attention to your Orderly Sgts. as they are charged with assigning all of the details whether it’s canteens, wood, food preparation, cooking, baking (we’ll have bread ovens), cleaning rifles, etc. It ALL must be done for every company to function. Come prepared to pull your weight as your pards and the entire regiment are counting on you.

    There, now you know what to expect. Did I tell you everything? Nope, there are always cards up my sleeve. That’s how I roll. And I want some surprises for you. I learned a long time ago to make my own fun and my own luck. If you can do the same, you’re always guaranteed a great time no matter where you’re at."
     
  12. Scout Sniper

    Scout Sniper Senior Member

    It's rare to field a 450 man unit at any living history event and the sight of such is most impressive. Many members of the 15th Iowa will long remember the arrival by paddle wheeler and the disembarking at night while the band played the Girl I Left Behind (just like in 1862).
     

    Attached Files:

  13. Scout Sniper

    Scout Sniper Senior Member

  14. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Blimey that is a large unit for a reenactment.
    Just found this video of them.

    [YOUTUBE]L8oqYsAMESA[/YOUTUBE]
     
  15. Scout Sniper

    Scout Sniper Senior Member

    In September 2012 there were three events to commemorate of the 150th Anniversary of Antietam.

    Next weekend: (this event is taking place on the actual battlefield)

    "Battle of Perryville 150th Anniversary
    October 5 – 7, 2012

    The 150th Anniversary of Perryville is coming up. Event information and impression guidelines will be forthcoming at Perryville Battlefield The guidelines listed on the park website are the minimum standards for participation. Park staff has completed hundreds of hours of research on the typical soldier in the Army of Mississippi and the Army of the Ohio and will work with groups interested in tailoring impressions to specific regiments that fought at Perryville – do not hesitate to contact them.

    Planning is under way and arrangements have been made for various living history opportunities. There is an opportunity for preservation march for both the Confederate and Union Armies, if you are interested in this please contact me immediately. The routes are being completed now and land agreements are being finalized. Approximately 1,000 acres of land are available for the event.

    Perryville has long offered reenactors a quality historical experience. Progressive organizations have been a constant presence at this pristine battlefield for 20 years. There is a strong commitment to enhance this effort by the park and the reenactor coordinators. We invite you to participate and make this the best progressive event in the West for 2012.

    Preservation efforts are ongoing at Perryville; the park, the Friends of Perryville and the Civil War Preservation Trust are working to acquire and additional 200 acres that surround the historic H.P. Bottom House as well as additional land on Hayes Mayes Rd. including the Russell House site. 100% of reenactor registration goes towards the purchase of this significant historic property."

    ***Note: Not all living history organizations care about Civil War preservation.
     
  16. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Dave,

    It sounds like you had a great day out and a real bonus finding the film unit on site.

    I managed to visit several years ago and had a marvellous day there with my cousin's.

    Like all war's it was a nasty business while it lasted.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  17. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    I love this old clip.

    Does it sound like he is teasing the guy with 'Go put your dress on on now" at 3:50? Some things never change. :)

    [YOUTUBE]s6jSqt39vFM[/YOUTUBE]
     
  18. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Old Hickory Recon

    I see things are going on elsewhere, but has not been anything going around here where I live and the CSA government was formed here.
     
  19. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Great photos, thanks for posting.
     
  20. dave500

    dave500 Senior Member

    Thanks, Paul, et al, for your kind remarks.

    With yesterday's forecast of sunny skies, I left work at 1430
    and drove down to Gettysburg.

    The weatherman did not disappoint this time. The late afternoon
    sun was brilliant. In the 2 1/4 hours I was at the park, I somehow
    managed to take 490 photos.

    I am very pleased with these two:

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    This is truly the most unique monument at the park,
    the monument to the 90th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry
    Regiment:


    [​IMG]


    That is a bird's nest at the top of the monument:

    [​IMG]


    This statue was dedicated to Gettysburg citizen, John Burns,
    who at age 69, picked up his musket to aid the Union Army.
    He is believed to have been related to Robert Burns.


    [​IMG]

    John L. Burns - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    I still have many photos from yesterday and last Saturday to review,
    but all of the new images can be found on my Flickr site.

    Slideshow:

    Gettysburg 2012

    Gettysburg 2012 - a set on Flickr



    Dave
     

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