Battle of Hunterstown Anniversary - July 2

Mark and I unveil my painting of Custer at the Hunterstown monument dedication last year. (Courtesy Frank Meredith.)

Once again, I will be attending the special anniversary ceremonies at Hunterstown (North Cavalry Field at Gettysburg just a few miles north of town). Last year, a monument was dedicated to George Custer and his Michigan Wolverines there. That same day, I had the opportunity to unveil my painting of Custer's first charge. This July 2, there will be just as many events and ceremonies as last summer. Canvas giclee prints of my painting, "I'll Lead You This Time," as well as my other books and prints, will be available for purchase. In addition, several talented artists, photographers, historians, and authors will be conducting tours and selling their wares. As you can see from the program listing below, there will be plenty to do throughout the day! Most of these events are free and open to the public!

A full listing of the events throughout the day can be found at the official Hunterstown website.

I stand beside Glenn Churchill, grandson of Norvell Churchill, the man who saved Custer's life at Hunterstown as depicted in my painting.

Another "Savior" of Little Round Top

As many of you know, I sometimes scour the news and headlines for Gettysburg related material. How often can such old historical events show up in modern relevancy? Well, a lot actually. Just recently, I discovered this interesting article on Col. Patrick O'Rorke (who is mentioned in the previous post). O'Rorke was the commander of the 140th New York here at Gettysburg. The man lived a very colorful and successful life, but here, his luck ran out...

Gettysburg Hero
Patrick Henry O'Rorke
Originally printed here.

The O’Rorke family immigrated to the United States from County Cavan, Ireland when Patrick Henry “Paddy” O’Rorke was still an infant. Settling in Upstate New York, the community of Rochester became Paddy O’Rorke’s hometown throughout his formative youth. His scholarly prowess was legendary and is still recalled with fond affection by Rochester-area educators. Paddy O’Rorke left Rochester in 1857 to accept a cadetship appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated West Point in June 1861—at the top of his class. First assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers, Second Lieutenant O’Rorke showed rare skill and brilliant talent as an Army engineering officer. Paddy O”Rorke saw considerable Civil War combat during the summer of 1861 and into 1862. Serving with General McDowell’s Army, his first combat occurred during the Manassas Campaign at the Battle of Blackburn’s Ford and the First Battle of Bull Run. Confederate fire killed his horse under him while riding into battle at Bull Run. Leading up to the Battle of Gettysburg, Paddy O’Rorke was additionally recognized for gallant and meritorious service during the significant Civil War Battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.

Colonel Patrick Henry O'Rorke was Commanding Officer of the noble 140th Infantry Regiment New York State Volunteers throughout the first half of 1863. The 140th New York became one of the best regiments in the Army of the Potomac––due largely to Colonel O’Rorke’s good discipline and training methods––military traits instilled and reinforced in the manly and good character of his Upstate New York Volunteers. Around noon on July 2, 1863, Colonel O’Rorke was leading the 140th New York to support heavy Gettysburg fighting near the Wheatfield––when he was spotted by General G. K. Warren who urgently rode to his dear friend Paddy, requesting he instruct the 140th New York to turn-aside and defend Little Round Top. Colonel O’Rorke promptly understood the critical nature of General Warren’s pleading and ordered the 140th New York to the summit of lightly protected Little Round Top “on-the-double-quick”. This intelligent, articulate and promising twenty-six-year colonel was Killed-In-Action in the early afternoon of July 2, 1863, instantly slain by a Confederate sharpshooter with a shot through the neck. He had coolly jumped-up on a rock and shouted his last order…“Down this way, boys!” Colonel O’Rorke was at the front of his 140th New York Regiment, rushing downhill off Little Round Top summit in what some have called a charge. This critical 140th New York movement backed the heavily engaged and nearly overrun Federal forces of the brave 16th Michigan Infantry Regiment––and ultimately reversed a nearly successful right flank break-through by the bold Texas 4th and 5th Regiments. A monument to Colonel O’Rorke is placed on the summit of Little Round Top where colonel fell. Some years later, members of the 140th Regiment of New York State Volunteers dedicated this monument in ceremonies to the memory of their beloved colonel.

Several written historical judgments state that Colonel Patrick Henry O’Rorke, among other leaders, were as vital to the successful Federal Army defense of Gettysburg’s Little Round Top as was the notable Colonel Joshua Chamberlain. This statement is not in any way intended to diminish the very significant contribution of Colonel Chamberlain’s 20th Maine to the Federal defense of Little Round Top. But Colonel O’Rorke died from wounds suffered in combat July 2, 1863 on Little Round Top. Obviously, Colonel O’Rorke did not have Colonel Chamberlain’s near 50-years post Gettysburg longevity to frequently write, speak, and even promote the courageous exploits of his regiment. Fighting men of the 20th Maine would have almost certainly been overrun by the tenacity and superior force of the Confederate Texas 4th and 5th troops––from the high ground flank on the Federal right––had it not been for Colonel O’Rorke and his 140th New York’s quick and direct action to fight-back and repulse the confederate advance on northwest incline of Little Round Top. Some key observers––including Major Ellis Spear––second-in-command of the 20th Maine on Little Round Top accused Colonel Chamberlain of “historical dishonesty” in his early 20th century writings. There can be no doubt that Colonel Patrick Henry O’Rorke and Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain––among many other leaders––were each important liberators of Little Round Top. Brian A. Bennett concludes in his book The Beau Ideal of A Soldier and a Gentleman: The Life of Col. Patrick Henry O'Rorke from Ireland to Gettysburg “…the exploits of Patrick Henry O'Rorke have been overshadowed on the pages of history by the actions of others on that rocky slope.”

As the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg approaches, please remember that righteous and honorable Civil War hero Patrick Henry O’Rorke, colonel of the courageous troops of the 140th Infantry Regiment, New York State Volunteers...men who each hailed from Rochester, New York and the Greater Monroe County.

Other references:

Brian A. Bennett, Sons of Old Monroe: A Regimental History of Patrick O'Rorke's 140th New York Volunteer Infantry

Jeremiah E. Goulka, The Grand Old Man of Maine––Selected Letters of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

Garry E. Adelman, The Myth of Little Round Top–Gettysburg, PA

Ellis Spear, The Civil War Recollections of General Ellis Spear

Touring Gettysburg with Eric Campbell - Part II

The next part of our tours with Ranger Eric Campbell takes us to Little Round Top and Cemetery Ridge. Little Round Top (which had no name at the time of the battle), ended up being the far left of the Army of the Potomac's defensive line on July 2 and 3. Here, Texans and Alabamians surged up the hill but were halted due to the quick thinking of G.K. Warren, Charles Hazlett, Stephen Weed, Patrick O'Rorke, Joshua Chamberlain, and Strong Vincent. Now, we continue our tour at the Warren Monument at the summit of the hill.

The Warren Statue is one of the older ones on the field. Visitors are forbidden to step on this rock out of respect and the need of conservation on the hill. This view looks Northwest towards Cemetery Ridge.

In this video, Eric describes to us how Robert E. Lee struggled to find the Union Army's left flank on July 2 and how he sent out scouts to locate it. The 91st PA monument is to our front left.

A view of Devil's Den from Little Round Top. Much of the fighting in this area actually took place in the Slaughter Pen to the left (south) of the den. The tree line farthest in distance is Warfield Ridge, which forms out of Seminary Ridge. South Mountain is completely hidden by the fog in the background.

We are now at "The Angle" or "High Water Mark" (no, there was no flood) on Cemetery Ridge. Here, Eric describes how Pickett's Charge (which I sometimes call the Longstreet-Hill Assault) was not Robert E. Lee's original offensive plan for that day. What would have happened had Lee gone with his original gut instinct? After all, General Meade anticipated that Lee would strike at the center of the Union line...and he did. Could Lee have broken through the flanks on the third day? It's an interesting hypothetical to ponder.

Family Roadtrips to Gettysburg

Fred Weakland travellin' in style!

As an addendum to my previous post, I would like to show you some vintage photos from Gettysburg road trips within my family. Due to the recent passing of my Uncle Fred, I thought it would be most appropriate to show some of his photos as well. All of these photos were scanned from his many family photo albums, which his children were kind enough to allow us to borrow to make copies. (There are hundreds of photos ranging from the 1900s to 1980s, including Fred's WWII photos.)

The photo above shows Fred at the rear of his car in his 1931 trip to Gettysburg. The people seated in the rumbler seat are, from left to right: Emma Weakland (Fred's mom), Unknown woman, and a girl named Marian McCarty. I do not know who Marian may be, but I can only assume that the woman seated beside her is her mother. I've asked some rangers as to the whereabouts of this photo and we came to the conclusion that it is probably on East Cemetery Hill. Note the monument between the car windows. It has the cresent moon on it, the symbol of the Union 11th Corps. The high ground in the background may be Wolf Hill.

My dad and I believe these guys to be members of the Neff Family (the family of Fred's wife, Margaret (Neff) Weakland). This photo is circa 1915 and was taken in the Soldiers National Cemetery. These gentleman are seated on the grave of Union Gen. Charles Collis, commander of Collis' Zouaves. Collis was sick and absent during Gettysburg, but his men fought there and he had a great affection for the place. He had a home known as "The Red Patch (or Diamond) House," which still stands on West Confederate Avenue. The diamond was a symbol of the Union's Third Corps and is also on the general's tombstone. I believe the plaque at right to be one of the "Bivouac of the Dead" poem markers which encircle the cemetery path. Obviously, they are today in different spots.

A view from the same 1910s trip by the Neff Family. This shows the Soldiers National Monument. The shrubs and iron fence surrounding it are no longer present.

Some Neff's at the Tammany Regiment Monument near the High Water Mark of the Confederacy. Notice the iron pipe fence in the background. These types of fences were prevalent on numerous parts of the field early on.

Another Neff at the High Water Mark Memorial. The famous "Copse of Trees" are in the fenced in background. The trees are much smaller and not overgrown with brush as today. It is quite possible that some of these trees may be witness trees to the battle. The ones in this spot today are not.

Let's skip back to the 1931 trip with Fred Weakland. They are seen here in front of the Pennsylvania Memorial. I wonder if they knew that they have family members inscribed on the monument.

A view of Fred and Marian at the National Cemetery, 1931. I would estimate that this photo was taken on Memorial Day, for that is usually the only time when flags are placed on the tombstones. (Plus, look how nice they are dressed up!)

Another view of Marian McCarty. Notice how the tombstones are raised high above the ground. They are no longer like this. At some point, somebody decided to lower the stones so they were even with the ground. This would make it easier to cut the grass (good grief...) It is the park's longterm plan to return the headstones to this appearance.

Here is an image in town with Emma and a woman named Margaret McHugh (again, I have no idea who this person is). I also have no clue as to what building this might be. Any of you Gettysburg experts out there are more than welcome to leave a comment if you know the answer.

Let's fast forward again. I estimate this photo to be from about 1947. From left to right are Fred Weakland, Emma Weakland, Angelia De Severro, and Mary Alice Kettl (the latter two were family friends). Take notice how the iron fence is gone. Some park rangers I spoke with were amazed at the good, clean condition of the monument in this photo. Obviously, monuments are worn by the weather and the bronze figures stain over the decades.

Check out those dapper white shoes!

As you can see, the model of car has changed greatly from the previous trip. Fred was in the Army from 1942 to 1946, so that rules out those dates. This may have been one of his first roadtrips following WWII. The memorial in the back may be to Union sharpshooters. Pictured here is Angelia De Severro, Fred Weakland, and Mary Alice Kettl.

And our family has been having great vacations to Gettysburg ever since!

The Amazing Life of Fred Weakland (1908-2009)

Last night, my family lost a beloved relative and friend. My great-great Uncle Fred, who turned 100 years of age this past September 11, passed away yesterday. Known for his colorful collection of stories he experienced over a century, he was witness to some of the most compelling moments in the history of the 20th Century. He was telling these stories with sharp clarity and witty humor literally until his dying day.

While it is impossible for me to recount his entire life story at this time, I nevertheless must share with you some of the tales he shared with me. Fred was born on September 11, 1908, and lived in the same house of his birth up until a week ago. There in Altoona, PA, he attended Catholic School and lived with his eleven brothers and sisters in the industrial railroad hotbed that was their hometown. Here, he survived yellow fever epidemics and the great 1918 Influenza Pandemic.

Fred was ten years old when World War I ended. Just a few months ago, he again recalled to me his memory of the war's end. It was November 11, 1918 in the dead of night. Fred and his family were awakened by noise across the street - neighbors yelling. Being curious boys, Fred and his brothers ventured out in the cold November evening. Quickly, they had learned that the Great War had ended! Partying in the streets ensued, with Fred and his brothers skipping up and down the street yelling, "We've caught the Kaiser!"

Last summer my dad, brother, and I were looking through Uncle Fred's photo albums ranging from the 1910s through the 1980s. In one of them, I found photos from one of their family trips in 1932 here in Gettysburg. As a family genealogist and Civil War buff, these yellowed pictures are among my favorite family photos. In these photos, Fred and his siblings posed on cannons on Hancock Avenue and in front of the PA Memorial. There was another photo that I wasn't sure about. It pictured them sitting on the benches of an unknown monument with a bust of a general atop it. Only two weeks ago did I discover what monument it was when I was touring the National Cemetery with Ranger Eric Campbell. As it turns out, it was the grave of Gen. Charles Collis. Thus, a mystery behind a family photo was solved.

Fred eventually went onto college and got a teaching job at a junior high school in his hometown. In 1942, he was drafted into the Army at age 35 (an "old" draftee indeed). Not a lover of Army Life, he was a member of the 80th "Blue Ridge" Division and trained in Tennessee and the deserts of Arizona. Later that year, he and ten thousand other troops boarded the ship Queen Mary in New York City, bound for England. Fred recalled this journey to me with both disgust and humor. "Everybody was vomiting from sea sickness," he remembered. "But not me. I learned to sway back and forth with the boat so I didn't get sick!"

I've long considered Fred to be a "Radar" O'Reilly of the 88th Division. As an adjutant attached to the division's medical detachment, he became proficient in typing, form filing, taking red tape shortcuts, and procuring supplies for the men as well as his own needs through a variety of methods. Luckily, I have a copy of Fred's company records. In this, he offers detailed description of where he was everyday, where his unit was sent to, and even the weather. I am indeed lucky to have such copies.

Fred landed on Omaha Beach, Normandy about a week after the initial invasion landings. From there, he joined the 88th in the Allied push across Europe. In this time he was witness to the Battle in the Bocage, the Battle of the Bulge, and befriended a family and their son, named Theo Mersch, in Luxembourg. Luckily for my family, Fred had a camera with him, and took dozens of photos to chronicle this historic time. Fred was among the few soldiers who liberated the Ohrdruf camp of the Buchenwald Nazi concentration camp system in Germany on April 10, 1945. He took photos of this as well. Needless to say, they are among the most grizzly photos I have ever seen. Teary eyed, Fred once admitted to me, "It is something I will never forget."

Happier times followed Fred's discharge from the Army in 1946. Shortly after the war, he married Margaret (my late aunt). They took a cross country honeymoon road trip in a Nash 1949 model automobile and drove through the National Parks. (They even had a close encounter in Yellowstone where a bear came up to their car window. Here, Aunt Margie threw out a bag of cookies so the bear would go away.) They eventually had three children. Their marriage would be one which lasted over fifty years.

I will always remember Uncle Fred for his stories; those of his childhood, the war, his teachings, and his countless traveling adventures. His wit and sharp memory remained in tact until the day of his passing. My father and I were in the midst of writing a book about Fred's life, and we were able to read the opening chapter to him at his 100th birthday last year. Although I am extremely saddened by his passing, I am also glad that I had two decades of visits and stories with him. Even though Fred won't be able to read the eventual book which will chronicle his amazing story, some of you may be able to someday. In a way, that is even more fitting. After all, he lived this amazing story. Rest in peace, Fred...

Fred and me at his 100th Birthday Party.

Touring Gettysburg with Eric Campbell

In the first week of my internship during training, I had the opportunity to explore parts of the battlefield with park ranger and historian Eric Campbell and other rangers (more of which is to come). Eric was kind enough to allow me to post some video of his tours for you to view at home.

In our first of three posts, Eric discuses with us how the Union and Confederate lines took shape and points out some strategic points of the battle. He begins in video one by describing some monuments, including the North Carolina Monument in the background. He also speaks of Camp Colt of Gettysburg which Dwight Eisenhower commanded in WWI.

In video number two below, we continue at the North Carolina Monument on West Confederate Avenue. In it, Eric discuses how Union General George Meade took great advantage of Cemetery Ridge and had the luxury of waiting for a Confederate attack. Meanwhile, Robert E. Lee too was waiting for more of his troops to arrive on July 2. Finally, he stresses the high confidence the southerners were feeling at this time.

Here is a view looking down West Confederate Avenue on Seminary Ridge. The opposing rise in the foggy distance is Cemetery Ridge. Over 12,000 Confederate infantrymen marched across this field nearly a mile in distance on July 3, 1863.

Here is an older look back on the NC Monument when it was surrounded by shrubs. The monument was dedicated on July 3, 1929.

The sculptor of the North Carolina Monument was Gutzon Borglum, the man who is more famous today for creating Mount Rushmore. He also began the Confederate memorial carving on Stone Mountain, GA in 1923 but abandoned it to complete Rushmore. He also carved the equestrian statue of Gen. Philip Sheridan in Washington, D.C.

New Book Available

As some of you may know, I did a series of black and white illustrations for fellow Civil War Historian John Hoptak's new book. The publication, entitled They Will Be Remembered by a Grateful People, focuses on Civil War heroes of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. John, a park ranger at Antietam National Battlefield, has a real passion for the vets and history of his area. Through this book, we hope that young people of that same region will grow to have an appreciation of their local history just as John does today.

Comprised of about 15 illustrations and additional text, each picture accompanies historical text written by John. Because of time constraints, John's sister was kind enough to colorize one of my black and white sketches for the cover illustration. The book will be a great and unique addition to your Civil War library and can be purchased here.

Below is another sampler taken from the book. Shown below are the Allison Brothers of Port Carbon, PA. From left to right are James, Alexander, George, and John. All four were killed in the war. Through John's book, I have been able to depict their reunion which should have been, but never was...

6th NH Encampment at Spangler's Spring

Greetings. I have finally overcome my technical difficulties and now have internet access. Therefore, I can now share some updates with you on park programs as well as my own adventures in Gettysburg. We interns have been staying extremely busy preparing for our first programs within the coming week. Nevertheless, we are all having a very good and enlightening time, taking full advantage of ranger walks and historic programs.

One of these past weekends, a few of the fellow interns and myself scouted the weekend encampment taking place at the Spangler's Spring at the base of Culp's Hill on the battlefield. Throughout most weekends of the spring and summer, the park hosts living history encampments at various locations on the field. This particular weekend featured the 6th New Hampshire Volunteers. We arrived at the camp as the sun was setting, so I captured some interesting twilight camp scenes. Although we were a small group, the company played some colorful musical selections for us. These too are posted for your viewing enjoyment.

Memorial Day in Gettysburg

Hi everybody. My first two weeks in Gettysburg have been going great! I would have posted sooner except for the facts that I have been really busy with training and I am still having internet problems. Nevertheless, a fellow intern is letting me use his laptop for a few things. Hopefully, my internet problems will be solved within the next week. I have about a dozen posts all ready to go! My first post covers some events from this past Memorial Day here in Gettysburg. I hope you enjoy!

I first attended a ceremony at the Lincoln Cemetery to honor the 30 United States Colored Troops buried there. It was a very emotional and lively commemoration. Their names are shown on the monument above.

This will provide you some more information on the Cemetery.

Another view of the Lincoln Cemetery.

I also attended the Memorial Day ceremony at the National Cemetery. This is one of the few times of the year you can really see all the tombstones because of the flags on them. Here, James Getty as Abe Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. I would estimate that several thousand people attended. It was a very edifying day.

(Sorry for the wobbliness of the video.)