Tag: Union
4 Facts You May Not Know About the Battle of Gettysburg
February 27, 2020At Gettysburg Battlefield Tours, our claim to fame is knowing all about the Battle of Gettysburg (obviously). However, there are lots of little details about the famed battle that many people don’t know.
Today, we want to spill some lesser-known facts about the Battle of Gettysburg, and maybe give a few interesting facts you did know, but a bit more in-depth. After all, there’s always more to learn about the Battle of Gettysburg!
Union Brig. General Alexander Schimmelfennig
July 15, 2014
History is to be found everywhere in the town of Gettysburg. In addition to the monuments, plaques & cannons, useful tools called “Wayside Markers” are also available for the serious or casual student of the battle. A great deal of valuable insight may be obtained by paying careful attention to these markers as you visit the area.
On such marker can be found at the former home of Henry & Catherine Garlach – the address being 319 Baltimore Street.
This marker relates the story of Union Brig. General Alexander Schimmelfennig who, on July 1, 1863, found himself wounded & riding through the town desperately trying to avoid capture (or worse) by the advancing Confederates.
With his horse shot from underneath him, General Schimmelfennig realized that he would not make it back to the Union lines. He quickly sought shelter under a drainage ditch cover behind the Garlach home.
Under cover of darkness the General moved out from the cover & squeezed himself between a wood pile & a hog swill barrel. Mrs. Garlach discovered him while feeding the hogs & managed to discreetly supply him with food & water during his concealment.
General Schimmelfennig was not able to return to his men until the last of the Confederate sharpshooters left the town on July 4th.
1st Delaware Monument
August 16, 2013
The State of Delaware supplied two regiments for the Union at the Battle of Gettysburg. One of these, the 1st Delaware, had the opportunity to spearhead a counter-charge on July 3rd as the the attack of General Pickett faltered at the wall these men were defending. This counter-assault by the men from Delaware resulted in the capture of several Confederate battle flags & many prisoners. The Battle of Gettysburg was to cost this unit 77 casualties & at battle’s end they were led by a lieutenant who was the highest ranking officer left. Their memorial was dedicated on June 10, 1886 & may be found on Hancock Avenue at the wall over which they charged that July day 150 years ago.