Gettysburg 150 years later.
EagleEye
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Prior to the Baltimore show, I went to Gettysburg to see the places that have become famous in Civil War history. I was there on June 18th, well before the sesquicentennial celebrations began. I also went early in the morning and although it was overcast, the weather was pleasant and best of all, there were hardly any tourists. I had the whole park to myself (OK, a few joggers were seen).
I first went to the Eternal Light Peace Memorial, which was dedicated 75 years ago on July 3rd. 250,000 attended.
On June 28th, the Conferderate forces under Longstreet were west of Gettysburg in a town called Chambersburg, The Union had discovered the foray into Pennsylvania and were moving North through Frederick, Maryland (due west of Baltimore.
To add confusion to the mix, Union General Joe Hooker was replaced by General George Meade 150 years ago today (June 28).
The first day of the battle on July 1 was an ad-hoc event where a relatively small Union force under General John Buford found the Confederate forces advancing towards Gettysburg. The Confederates were not in a position to engage that day, but their hand was forced by Buford. The battle was fought North and West of Gettysburg. The Union held Seminary ridge for most of the day and then fell back to defensive positions South of Gettysburg on Cemetery Hill. This gave the Union forces enough time to form a defensive line in the shape of a fish-hook for the next days battle. Due to the action by Buford, the Union held the best defensive ground around.
This is an image of a railroad cut on McPherson Ridge where Confederate forces were trapped and about 300 were captured. Although the Confederates were moving on the town, the back-and-forth of the battle lines shows that there was risk at moving too fast.
The 2nd day, the Confederates, with General Robert E. Lee present and in command, attacked the Union line at both the right flank, east of the town at Culp's Hill, and the left flank at the Round tops - Big Round Top to the South of the Union lines and Little Round Top at the extreme right flank. These were viewed as very important by both sides. If Little Round Top was taken by the Confederates, the whole Union army could have been scattered.
Here is the field with the Round Tops in the distance:
A view of the Cyclorama of the Round Tops:
Fighting ensued just below the Little Round Top at the Peach Orchard. This is the view of it from the Confederate positions:
The Devil's Den was named by local resident well before the battle, but the rocky terrain lived up to its name this day. This is the view from the Little Round Top.
Devils Den from the Cyclorama:
The Little Round Top was held by the 20th Maine. When ammunition ran out a bayonet charge was ordered.
Here is the marker of the extreme left flank:
The sign there:
The Third day of the battle, July 3rd. started very quiet. but at 1:00 a massive bombardment was thrown at the Union center on Cemetery Ridge. After the barrage 12,500 Confederate soldiers marched across over a mile of open field with Union cannon fire on both their right an left flanks. This is popularly known as "Pickett's Charge" but all the monuments call it "Longstreet's Assault":
Here is the Cyclorama depiction:
The field from the Confederate side:
Longstreet memorial overlooking the field from behind the tree line:
A few Confederate forces made it al the way to the Union lines at a place called the Angle:
From a bit farther away (notice the Pennsylvania monument in the background - this is on the quarter.)
Here is the Pennsylvania monument:
I had a wonderful time, but after 9:00 all the tourists descended on the field and it got crowded and hot. The next day got sunny and beautiful, so I took a nice long drive through the back roads to the Baltimore show.
This was my first time setting up at the summer show and I was impressed. Although the smaller of the three shows, it was bigger than any of the Long Beach shows.
I acquired a consignment - the Hudson Valley collection. I started posting descriptions at the show during a lull on Friday morning. Within minutes is deluged with requests for coins. Here is an image prior to anything being sold.
Here are some things around Baltimore:
The shot tower:
The USS Constellation, who's name is reminiscent of the Nova Constelattio coppers, "The new Constellation".
I hope you enjoy this show report.
Post a Civil War era coin or a Gettysburg Commemorative.
Anyone go to Vicksburg? It is also coming up on the 150th anniversary of the fall of that key town on the Mississippi River.
This week 150 years ago is known as the "high water mark of the Confederacy".
I first went to the Eternal Light Peace Memorial, which was dedicated 75 years ago on July 3rd. 250,000 attended.
On June 28th, the Conferderate forces under Longstreet were west of Gettysburg in a town called Chambersburg, The Union had discovered the foray into Pennsylvania and were moving North through Frederick, Maryland (due west of Baltimore.
To add confusion to the mix, Union General Joe Hooker was replaced by General George Meade 150 years ago today (June 28).
The first day of the battle on July 1 was an ad-hoc event where a relatively small Union force under General John Buford found the Confederate forces advancing towards Gettysburg. The Confederates were not in a position to engage that day, but their hand was forced by Buford. The battle was fought North and West of Gettysburg. The Union held Seminary ridge for most of the day and then fell back to defensive positions South of Gettysburg on Cemetery Hill. This gave the Union forces enough time to form a defensive line in the shape of a fish-hook for the next days battle. Due to the action by Buford, the Union held the best defensive ground around.
This is an image of a railroad cut on McPherson Ridge where Confederate forces were trapped and about 300 were captured. Although the Confederates were moving on the town, the back-and-forth of the battle lines shows that there was risk at moving too fast.
The 2nd day, the Confederates, with General Robert E. Lee present and in command, attacked the Union line at both the right flank, east of the town at Culp's Hill, and the left flank at the Round tops - Big Round Top to the South of the Union lines and Little Round Top at the extreme right flank. These were viewed as very important by both sides. If Little Round Top was taken by the Confederates, the whole Union army could have been scattered.
Here is the field with the Round Tops in the distance:
A view of the Cyclorama of the Round Tops:
Fighting ensued just below the Little Round Top at the Peach Orchard. This is the view of it from the Confederate positions:
The Devil's Den was named by local resident well before the battle, but the rocky terrain lived up to its name this day. This is the view from the Little Round Top.
Devils Den from the Cyclorama:
The Little Round Top was held by the 20th Maine. When ammunition ran out a bayonet charge was ordered.
Here is the marker of the extreme left flank:
The sign there:
The Third day of the battle, July 3rd. started very quiet. but at 1:00 a massive bombardment was thrown at the Union center on Cemetery Ridge. After the barrage 12,500 Confederate soldiers marched across over a mile of open field with Union cannon fire on both their right an left flanks. This is popularly known as "Pickett's Charge" but all the monuments call it "Longstreet's Assault":
Here is the Cyclorama depiction:
The field from the Confederate side:
Longstreet memorial overlooking the field from behind the tree line:
A few Confederate forces made it al the way to the Union lines at a place called the Angle:
From a bit farther away (notice the Pennsylvania monument in the background - this is on the quarter.)
Here is the Pennsylvania monument:
I had a wonderful time, but after 9:00 all the tourists descended on the field and it got crowded and hot. The next day got sunny and beautiful, so I took a nice long drive through the back roads to the Baltimore show.
This was my first time setting up at the summer show and I was impressed. Although the smaller of the three shows, it was bigger than any of the Long Beach shows.
I acquired a consignment - the Hudson Valley collection. I started posting descriptions at the show during a lull on Friday morning. Within minutes is deluged with requests for coins. Here is an image prior to anything being sold.
Here are some things around Baltimore:
The shot tower:
The USS Constellation, who's name is reminiscent of the Nova Constelattio coppers, "The new Constellation".
I hope you enjoy this show report.
Post a Civil War era coin or a Gettysburg Commemorative.
Anyone go to Vicksburg? It is also coming up on the 150th anniversary of the fall of that key town on the Mississippi River.
This week 150 years ago is known as the "high water mark of the Confederacy".
Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
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Some info on the Shot Tower:
The use of fire-arms has a long history, but this particular business, originally called Merchant's Shot Company. opened in Baltimore City in 1828. Both "drop shot" for pistols and rifles and "moulded shot" for larger weapons such as cannons were made here. One of only a very few similar buildings left in the United States, the Phoenix Shot Tower was used to make lead shot from 1828 to 1892. Molten lead was dropped from a platform at the top of the 234' tower through a sieve and into a vat of cold water. The lead droplets, like raindrops, would form into perfect spheres, cool and solidify as they fell into the cooling water vat below. Being constructed of one million bricks, the Shot Tower was the tallest building in the United States until the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, was completed after the Civil War. The Shot Tower was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1972.
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
This fits in with one of my current searches as I need a Gettysburg for my commemorative set just haven't found one that fits right yet.
Steve
My county's regiment memorial is at the Peach orchard.
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Maybe I was there during the weekend and perhaps the 150th anniversary had something to do with it but when I was there there were a lot more people there than in Rick's pictures.
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Here is the Gettysburg address. It is wavy because this is a panorama shot and I don't do them too well yet.
Not really looking for much these days but if I were, it might be a toner.
Here's a medal from the United Confederate Veterans (UCV).
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
U.S. Type Set
I knew it would happen.
l
It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got.
Commems and Early Type
Thousands of soldiers lost their lives in that PA battle.
It's hard to image the bravery of those who were there marching right into point blank cannon and musket fire.
There is a new Stackpole Press book out that I am enjoying. It is mostly maps with unit movements, sometimes hour by hour, with a narrative. You simply will not learn as much, or understand what happened in any better light, and it isn't very expensive. Search Amazon and it will come right up. I also look forward to rereading some of the other books on my shelves with this as a companion piece. Anyone who has ever read a battle history and became frustrated trying to follow troop movements will love this one.
In another week or so we can post our Gettysburg commems.
By the way, an unsung hero of Gettysburg was General George Custer (better known for Custers Last Stand). He, along with a band of about 500 Calvarymen (The Michigan Wolverines I think), attacked and stopped Confederate General Jeb Stewart and about 5,000 Confederate horsemen who were attempting to ride around the Union position and attack from the rear. I personally think that engagement was the turning point of the Battle of Gettysburg and why the Union was not ultimately split into two independent countries. JMHO
Can you imagine what Custer was thinking as he lead the charge outnumbered 10 to 1 ?
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Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
Glad there not native americian indians!
The Chicago one was used at the 1933 World Fair and was purchased by Joe King. King left it to Wake Forest University upon his death in 1996. It was sold in 2007 to private investors who hope to restore it.
The Boston version was stored away in 1891. It was left crated in a vacant lot behind the exhibition hall. Pieces were used for various displays in department stores and Government buildings until 1911. In 1912 it was put back together and displayed at Gettysburg in a building on Baltimore Street. A second modern structure was built on Cemetery Ridge in 1963. It was torn down earlier this year to bring Cemetery Ridge back to the look it had in 1863, In 2003 a $13 million restoration was begun and the final work was again on display beginning in 2008. The new visitor center where it is shown is well hidden from the battlefield.
<< <i>Watch it "Live" here
Here is the Gettysburg address. It is wavy because this is a panorama shot and I don't do them too well yet.
Lincoln's address was panned by a number of news correspondents at the time.
It was a preemptive flanking maneuver by the ghost of General Lewis "Lo" Armistead
From Wikipedia:
In the Battle of Gettysburg, Armistead's brigade arrived the evening of July 2, 1863. Armistead was mortally wounded the next day while leading his brigade towards the center of the Union line in Pickett's Charge. Armistead led his brigade from the front, waving his hat from the tip of his saber, and reached the stone wall at the "Angle", which served as the charge's objective. The brigade got farther in the charge than any other, an event sometimes known as the High Water Mark of the Confederacy, but it was quickly overwhelmed by a Union counterattack. Armistead was shot three times just after crossing the wall. Union Captain Henry H. Bingham received Armistead's personal effects and carried the news to Union Major General Winfield Scott Hanc,ock, who was Armistead's friend from before the war.
Armistead's wounds were not believed to be mortal, being shot in the fleshy part of the arm and below the knee, and according to the surgeon that tended him, none of the wounds caused bone, artery, or nerve damage. He was then taken to a Union field hospital at the George Spangler Farm where he died two days later. Dr. Daniel Brinton, the chief surgeon at the Union hospital there, had expected Armistead to survive because he characterized the two bullet wounds as not of a "serious character." He wrote that the death "was not from his wounds directly, but from secondary fever and prostration."[15]
Lewis Armistead is buried next to his uncle, Lieutenant Colonel George Armistead, commander of the garrison of Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore, at the Old Saint Paul's Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.
The 50th Anniversary was a "big deal." Some vet's were still around for the reunion in 1913:
Rick, thanks for the history lesson combined with the Hudson Valley 'Copper' Collection.
You must have spent a lot of time on this thread and it is most appreciated.
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870