The invasion of Pennsylvania was seen by General Lee as an attempt to push the northern citizens into pressuring their government into a peaceful end to over two years of war. The sacrifices on both side was very high and with no real end in sight. 1st and 2nd Manassas, were history, Antietam was the single bloodiest day of the war with 23,000 casualties in 12 hours of fighting. Chancellorsville was fought to a near draw. By this I mean Lee lost his most valuable asset, General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. Lee felt he needed to do something out of the box. Gettysburg wasn’t the main objective. Harrisburg and other small cities were targeted for ransom. The railroad junction at Harrisburg was a very good reason to come north into our fair state. But, town like Shippensburg, Carlisle, Hanover and Mechanicsburg all saw rebel activity days before the focus was diverted back to the cross road town of Gettysburg. A railroad spur had not yet been completed into town, but they were getting close. When the seemingly small skirmish at Gettysburg grew out of control, both armies became committed to an all out battle. When you really think about it; it was the near perfect place for the Union to anchor in on the high grounds south of town. It was just unfortunate that the entire event started west of town and they had to fight back through the streets.
The first day’s battle was a defensive holding maneuver by General John Buford Cavalry until the balance of the First Corp under PA native General John Reynolds could arrive on the field. When he did get on the field, he was a leader of men. The advance of the rebel forces was moving rather fast and the good General found himself being among the first command casualties. It is on this first day’s fighting that our own Juniata County men see what was to become their first and last baptism under fire. The 151st and primarily Company “D” regiment had already suffered over 50% casualties through sickness and disease. On this day they would see almost 74% casualties in killed and wounded. The list below will show you that price paid.
After the first days fighting coming to an end and the Union Army finding themselves positioned on extraordinary high ground, with a shorter interior line. This was all good and a tribute to the fine leadership under the Union command at this time. The second days fighting was again costly, but without any real movement from the high ground position. General James Longstreet argued with General Lee from the beginning that the fight should have been driven south to another place that favored the rebels. This argument was to no effect. On the third days fighting the Union forces found the advantage much to their liking. There were over 13,000 men on Pickett, Pettigrew and Trimble’s Charge. Barely 1/3 of them made it back to their line.
150th Anniversary Event
I can only try to express the amount of anxiety, excitement and the adrenaline rush that comes from re-enacting a particular event in history. The smaller battle scenarios are almost always a rush. Add to that the smell of the smell of black powder, sweat, and the yelling of officers maneuvering their men into position. Also add this, the occasional casualty falling in the line and the reality of what really happened then starts to sink into your mind. The only thing really missing is the actual blood and carnage of battle.
Fifteen years ago on the same field we did the 135th Anniversary event. We had 27,000 re-enactors on the field in 1998. That year they managed to get the 13,000 men coming off of Seminary Ridge. The sight was something I’ll never forget. As the men crossed the open field, casualties started to occur. When the rebels reached the Emittsburg Road many more went down. The split rail fence slowed their forward movement. Much time was lost removing the rails. All this time men are going down, and you feel sad at the loss of so many.
Though on a much smaller scale; Picket’s Virginians along with Trimble and Pettigrew’s South Carolinians fought bravely up to the wall before falling to the rear. The day was lost and they knew it. They couldn’t fight any further.
The conclusion of the day was when we finally yelled, “Fredericksburg- Fredericksburg.” Remembering what had happened to them at their Maryes Heights wall in December 13th 1862. With the battle concluded, we shook hands across the wall. Then turned and marched off the battlefield with a sense of satisfaction knowing we had done our duty in remembering their sacrifice. Over 53,000 casualties occurred during those three days in July 1863. We honored their memory on the 150th Anniversary.
150 Years Ago
Those listed below are a few of the wounded from the great Battle of Gettysburg, July 1st 2nd and 3rd 1863
The first day’s battle was a defensive holding maneuver by General John Buford Cavalry until the balance of the First Corp under PA native General John Reynolds could arrive on the field. When he did get on the field, he was a leader of men. The advance of the rebel forces was moving rather fast and the good General found himself being among the first command casualties. It is on this first day’s fighting that our own Juniata County men see what was to become their first and last baptism under fire. The 151st and primarily Company “D” regiment had already suffered over 50% casualties through sickness and disease. On this day they would see almost 74% casualties in killed and wounded. The list below will show you that price paid.
After the first days fighting coming to an end and the Union Army finding themselves positioned on extraordinary high ground, with a shorter interior line. This was all good and a tribute to the fine leadership under the Union command at this time. The second days fighting was again costly, but without any real movement from the high ground position. General James Longstreet argued with General Lee from the beginning that the fight should have been driven south to another place that favored the rebels. This argument was to no effect. On the third days fighting the Union forces found the advantage much to their liking. There were over 13,000 men on Pickett, Pettigrew and Trimble’s Charge. Barely 1/3 of them made it back to their line.
150th Anniversary Event
I can only try to express the amount of anxiety, excitement and the adrenaline rush that comes from re-enacting a particular event in history. The smaller battle scenarios are almost always a rush. Add to that the smell of the smell of black powder, sweat, and the yelling of officers maneuvering their men into position. Also add this, the occasional casualty falling in the line and the reality of what really happened then starts to sink into your mind. The only thing really missing is the actual blood and carnage of battle.
Fifteen years ago on the same field we did the 135th Anniversary event. We had 27,000 re-enactors on the field in 1998. That year they managed to get the 13,000 men coming off of Seminary Ridge. The sight was something I’ll never forget. As the men crossed the open field, casualties started to occur. When the rebels reached the Emittsburg Road many more went down. The split rail fence slowed their forward movement. Much time was lost removing the rails. All this time men are going down, and you feel sad at the loss of so many.
Though on a much smaller scale; Picket’s Virginians along with Trimble and Pettigrew’s South Carolinians fought bravely up to the wall before falling to the rear. The day was lost and they knew it. They couldn’t fight any further.
The conclusion of the day was when we finally yelled, “Fredericksburg- Fredericksburg.” Remembering what had happened to them at their Maryes Heights wall in December 13th 1862. With the battle concluded, we shook hands across the wall. Then turned and marched off the battlefield with a sense of satisfaction knowing we had done our duty in remembering their sacrifice. Over 53,000 casualties occurred during those three days in July 1863. We honored their memory on the 150th Anniversary.
150 Years Ago
Those listed below are a few of the wounded from the great Battle of Gettysburg, July 1st 2nd and 3rd 1863
- Col. George McFarland; 151st PVI , of McAlisterville, 7-01-1863.
- Captain Henry Dimm; 53rd PVI Company “I” of McAlisterville,7-01-1863
- Sgt. Michael Gable; 151st PVI Company “D” of Monroe Township, 7-01-1863
- Corp. Davis Meredith; 151st PVI Company “D” of Thompsontown, 7-01-1863
- Pvt. John Amich (Amig); 151st PVI Company “D” of Richfield, 7-01-1863
- Pvt. Ephraim Guyer; 151st PVI Company “D” of Delaware Township, 7-01-1863
- Pvt. Isaac Smith; 151st PVI Company “D” of Fayette Township, 7-01-1863
- Pvt. William Noble; 151st PVI Company “D” of Beale Township, 7-01-1863
- Pvt. Henry Patterson; 151st PVI Company “D” of Walker Township, 7-01-1863
- Pvt. James Patterson; 149th PVI Company “I” of Waterloo, 7-01-1863
- Pvt. James E. McKillips; 36th Militia Company “D” of Milford Township , 7-04-1863
- Pvt. James R. Kelley; 1st PA CAV, of Mifflintown, 7-10-1863
- Pvt. George H. McCachren; 1st PA CAV, Single of Fermanagh Township, Killed in Action, 7-01-1863 *
- Pvt. John Westly; 151st PVI Company “D” Single of Fayette Township, Killed in Action, 7-01-1863 *
- Corp. James Logan; 149th PVI Company “G” Single of Fayette Township, Killed in Action, 7-01-1863. Buried Gettysburg National Cemetery, Section “A” Grave 19.
- Pvt. David Ingram; 151st PVI Company “D” Single of Richfield, Killed in Action, 7-01-1863*
- Pvt. Saml Leister; 151st PVI Company “D” Single of Fayette Township, Killed in Action, 7-01-1863*
- Pvt. Abraham C Freet; 151st PVI Company “D” Single of McAlisterville, Killed in Action, 7-01-1863*
- Sgt. James E. Dunn; 151st PVI Company “D” Married of Fayette Township, Killed in Action, 7-01-1863*
- Pvt. David Fry; 151st PVI Company “D” Single of Greenwood Township, Killed in Action, 7-01-1863*
- Pvt. Ephrain Guyer; 151st PVI Company “D” Single of East Salem, Killed in Action, 7-01-1863*
- Pvt. John Haines; 151st PVI Company “D” Single of Fermanagh Township, Killed in Action, 7-01-1863*
- Pvt. Nathan Beisser; 151st PVI Company “D” Single of Richfield, Killed in Action, 7-01-1863*
- Pvt. William Long; 53rd PVI Company “I” Single of Walker Township, Killed in Action, 7-02-1863*
- Pvt. Benjamin Armstrong; 151st PVI Company “D” Single of Richfield, Died of Wounds, 7-07-1863. Buried Davenport Cemetery.
- Pvt William H, Hunt 151st PVI Company “D” Married of Fermanagh Township, Died of Wounds, 7-20-1863, Buried Philadelphia.
- Pvt. Samuel Naylor; 151st PVI Company “D” Single of Fayette Township, Wounded 7-01-1863, Died of Wounds, 7-22-1863*
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