Gettysburg, Part 2, Oct 17, 2011

Little Round Top, Devil’s Den, and a Cemetery Walk were on tap for today.  While driving to Little Round Top Bob noticed the “Oil” indicator light came on, so  in the parking area, he added a quart of oil.  If we can carry enough coolant and oil, we can probably nurse the 1993 Explorer with 210,000 miles for a few more months, let’s hope we can.

General Warren surveying the landscape from Little Round Top, and sees Confederate movement on Day 2, then signals for Union troops which plays out with heavy fighting in this area.

Devil’s Den area from Warren’s vantage point.

While we were on Little Round Top we saw this activity on the hill above Devil’s Den, so we walked over.  This cannon had been refurbished and was being placed back where it belonged.

These folks were watching very intently while they placed this cannon.  Later we talked to them and they are reenactors (artillery-notice the short jackets).  They were part of a group who had been to another reenactment this past weekend and were going to be spending the week here in Gettysburg just being tourists.  They were certainly full of information.

Then it was time to head to the National Cemetery for a tour.

We learned that the probable site of Lincoln’s Gettysburg  address site is in the nearby City Cemetery.  We were told the mausoleum in the center of this photo was the probable site of the platform from which Lincoln and Everett spoke.  The graves you see here now, were not there then.

Mr. Lincoln                                       Soldier’s National Monument

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surrounding this massive monument are concentric circles of graves with the heroes of this battle.  Each state has their section with the number of graves.

 

Our guide asked us all to find a grave of an UNK or Unknown soldier (from our state of interest or any state) and pay our respects as he will never have any family look up his grave.  This grave is from an Unknown Ohio Hero, may he Rest In Peace.

William McVey was in the same Regiment and Company as my great grandfather,  73rd Ohio Co H.

 

 

Now, who is George Nixon, his great grandson became the 37th President of the United States.  Read about his story here, here (start at page 11), and here.  George was also in the 73rd Ohio, but in Company B.

 

This is the largest oak leaf I have ever seen.  I think it is a Northern Pin Oak, but not sure.