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A reflection on Barlow’s Knoll

Yesterday I arrived in Gettysburg ahead of the rededication later today of the flagpole on Barlow’s Knoll – the flagpole erected by the veterans of the 17th CVI to mark the spot where Lt. Colonel Fowler was killed on the…

Night on East Cemetery Hill

Anyone who travels with me to Gettysburg knows that I like to spend some quality time – after dark – on East Cemetery Hill. It doesn’t matter much what season it is (although honestly, off-season means fewer people and fewer…

And one for the road…

This is, of course, the 17th CVI site on most days. However, with due deference to the battlefield sidekick, who did not ask to come along on this trip but had no choice, I had little choice myself to bring…

Alva E. Wilcox

Many of the 17th CVI’s Gettysburg dead are buried in the Gettysburg National Cemetery. Some were brought home by their families after the battle, some were transferred from temporary graves and some were never found and/or identified. In Evergreen Cemetery,…

“Now, Seventeenth, do your duty!”

150 years ago, on a small rise north of Gettysburg, the 17th CVI lost their 2nd lieutenant colonel in as many battles. Those who visit Gettysburg find 2 monuments on Barlow’s Knoll – or as it was known then, Blocher’s…

Memorial Day 2013

Today is Memorial Day – rather it is the result of the 1967 legislation turning Memorial Day into a 3-day holiday. May 30th – the true Memorial Day, was the day set aside for 100 years to honor this country’s…

“It is enough to break the stoutest heart…”

Today marks the 150th anniversary of the 17th CVI’s introduction to combat in the Civil War. At around 5PM, after settling down to cook their evening meals, the full fury of Stonewall Jackson’s attack on the right flank of the…

Calm before the storm

By evening of April 30th the regiment was camped on and around the Talley Farm (or, as it is usually referred to in their accounts, the Hatch house). May 1st the members of the regiment heard the sound of battle…

Stafford Civil War Park set to open April 27th

Good news from the Friends of Stafford Civil War Sites on the Stafford Civil War Park:   “The Grand Opening of the Stafford Civil War Park will be on the 27th of April, 2013 — 150 years to the day that 11th…

Welcome 2013

In a few short hours (here on the east coast anyway) it will be 2013. I hope the New Year finds all the readers and visitors of this site healthy and happy. To mark the occasion I’m posting an account…