U.S. Christian Commission News

Check out this information! Just click on the link to connect to a great website and event!

http://www.usccgettysburg.org/event_detail.asp?event_id=359

Also, some info on a July 3rd event--just in time for the 145th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg

As a rare prelude to the Gettysburg 145TH Anniversary Battle Reenactment, both visitors and local citizens will have an opportunity to experience a unique living history event in Gettysburg on Thursday July 3rd at 11AM along Baltimore Street and in front of the historic Adams County Courthouse. The 1,000+ civil war reenactor participants will have traveled 1,500 miles and two days from Texas making the pilgrimage to Gettysburg for the National 145TH anniversary celebration. Although the reenactors normally portray CSA General Hood’s Texas Division, on July 3rd they will change their colors and replicate Confederate Jubal Early’s pre-engagement forage march into Gettysburg which occurred on June 26, 1863.

On a rainy Friday afternoon in 1863, Confederate General Jubal Early and his division of 5,000 men approached Gettysburg on their way to support Lee’s pending northern invasion by cutting off the railroad at York and destroying the bridge across the Susquehanna at Wrightsville. The 2400 residents of Gettysburg were aware the Confederates were close by and had taken precautions by fleeing with or hiding merchandise, livestock and supplies. Attempts to raise militia for Pennsylvania’s defense were largely unsuccessful. Among the members of the 743 member 26th Pennsylvania Emergency Militia, were young men from Pennsylvania (Gettysburg) College and the Lutheran Theological Seminary. The Pennsylvania militia attempted futilely to defend Gettysburg, but were quickly overwhelmed and retreated toward Harrisburg. Early rode into Gettysburg and wrote a requisition for 1,200 pounds of sugar, 600 pounds of coffee, 60 barrels of flour, 1,000 pounds of salt, 7,000 pounds of bacon, 10 barrels of whiskey, 10 barrels of onions, 1,000 pairs of shoes, and 500 hats…..or, in lieu thereof, $5,000 cash. Following a meeting of borough council, President David Kendlehart composed his reply and sent it back with Constable John Burns as the town representative. In summation, the response stated that the supplies were far beyond that in the town’s possession and that the stores would be opened and the citizens would furnish whatever they could. Early’s men found that little had been left behind. They paid for some merchandise with Confederate money and took 2,000 army rations from a train intended for the militia. A Confederate band played Dixie in the square that night causing concern and annoying many residents. Before starting for York the next morning, Early paroled the members of the hapless 26th Pennsylvania Militia. This raid was a mild preview of the war that would come to Gettysburg one week later.


Last fall, Texas reenactors and local organizers met and agreed that Early’s March Into Gettysburg would provide a novel experience for the Texas participants after they had traveled several thousand miles to attend the reenactment. It was determined Early’s March would also add a new historic dimension to the reenactment, be an excellent prelude to Independence Day and be an historically appropriate and interesting community event. Event organizers put their heads together with local officials to figure out how all the parties could reasonably make it work.

The Texans will assemble and form for parade march at the Gettysburg Middle School complex at approximately 10AM on July 3rd. Their ranks will include infantry, cavalry, artillery and reenactors portraying civilians in period dress along Baltimore Street. At 10:45am, they will march north on Baltimore Street to the historic courthouse. The troops will form on Baltimore Street between High Street and the town square in review for the ceremony. General Early (Jack King) and his senior staff will ceremonially make demands and receive a drafted reply from the town officials. Visitors and community members are encouraged to view the March and ceremony. PA State Senator Terry Punt (portraying Senator Mc Sherry), Adams County President Judge John D. Kuhn (portraying Attorney David Wills) and Adams County Sheriff James Mueller (portraying Sheriff John Burns) are three public officials that have already agreed to participate in the historic ceremony at the courthouse. Participation by several other local officials is anticipated. After the ceremony the troops will then march via East Middle Street back to the middle school complex. Immediately following the ceremony there will be an event press conference with General King and his senior staff, “local elected officials”, Federal and overall event commander Allen Baldwin, and Confederate event commander Dave Cornett.

In addition to Early’s March Into Gettysburg on Thursday June 3rd, there will be six major battles and significant living history activities during the Independence Day weekend event on July 4, 5 & 6. Spectators will be thrilled with extensive pyrotechnics during all the major battles and particularly on Sunday during the massive Pickett’s Charge. The Gettysburg 145TH National Civil War Battle Reenactment is an all-day family event. It will stimulate the senses and make those dusty old history books come alive. Gates open at 8:30 each day. Complete event information and tickets are available at www.gettysburgreenactment/com or by calling the Gettysburg Anniversary Committee at 717-338-1525. Tickets should be ordered in advance as grandstand seating normally sells out prior to the event and tickets are priced higher at the gate. For information on accommodations and visiting Gettysburg, please contact the Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-337-5015 or online at www.gettysburg.travel

Doll Coincides with Battle of Gettysburg Anniversary

HISTORIC CHINA DOLL MARKS 145TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG

Every little girl needs a dolly to play with! And what better way to mark the historic significance of the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg than by doing so with a token china doll, Miss Lydia Webb, and all of her era-appropriate clothing and accessories from the 1850s. Miss Lydia Webb will be auctioned off just before Pickett’s Charge on Sunday, July 6.

Designed after the popular Jenny Lind doll in the mid-1800s, Miss Lydia Webb is a token of living history. Made and donated by Sherry Riley, the doll comes equipped with underclothing, dresses, an apron and cape, a locket, parasol, and a tea set, all made or donated by Sherry Riley. The doll also comes fitted with an authentic reproduction crinoline ‘Cage’ made and donated by “Needle and Thread,” a doll-sized quilt made a donated by Jill Coleman, a knitted shawl made and donated by Patsy Hartnett, a wicker trunk donated by Bob McIlhenny, and a coupon for a grand ball gown, donated by Maggie Abbott and Samantha Rife of “LaBelle Femme.”

Raffle tickets for the doll will be sold during the At High Tide reenactment June 28-29, the JEB Stuart reenactment July 3, and during the weekend reenactments of the Battle of Gettysburg July 4-6. Raffle tickets for the doll can also be purchased during business hours at the Conservancy’s office at the Ag Center, located at 670 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg, or by calling 717-334-2828. Tickets are $5.00 each and all proceeds benefit the Land Conservancy of Adams County, a member-supported nonprofit land trust with the mission of preserving the rural lands and character of Adams County.

Summer is here!

Hello, everyone!
Summer is upon us!! It's hot where I am; don't know about you! Now, we start to see some great events! Here are a couple you may be interested in! Have a great time! Battlefield Journal

GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK CELEBRATES WITH A CIVIL WAR MUSICCONCERT
The Wildcat Regiment Band, Civil War era musicians representing the 105thPennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, will perform a free concert outdoors atthe Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center on June 21 in conjunction with the Gettysburg Festival from June 19 -29.

The earlyWildcat Regiment concert will begin at 11:00 AM. The Grand Concert willbegin at 3:00 PM. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for your seating. The Wildcat Regiment Band represents the regimental band of the 105thPennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The 105th Regiments was recruited in 1861 from the "Wildcat" congressional district made up in part by Indiana and Jefferson Counties. With Bandmaster Bruno J. Pino conducting, this modern re-creation of the Wildcat Regiment Band utilizes original instruments and reproduction hand-made uniforms. The concert at 11:00 AM will explore "TheAmerican Brass Movement: Bands and Bandmasters of the American Civil War"and will feature original musical instruments of the period.

The Gettysburg Festival features ten full days of celebrating America through Music, Theater, Film, Art and Dance from June 19 through 29. Tofind out more go to the website http://www.gettysburgfestival.org/

GRANT AND LEE IN WAR AND PEACE OPENS THIS FALL AT THE NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
By the end of the Civil War, most Americans considered either Robert E. Lee or Ulysses S. Grant to be a hero. The reputations of the two generals were molded in part by a sectional bias that would aggrandize the achievements of one often to the detriment of the other. In recent years, Grant has earned a growing reputation for his pioneering use of Federal power for civil rights and post-war reconstruction--a remarkable shift from a presidency that was more often condemned as a bumbling series of scandals and corruption. Similarly in the eyes of today's viewers, Robert E. Lee's role as a symbol in American politics may have outstripped his actual feats as a Confederate general. This thought-provoking, interactive historical exhibition and its catalog plunges visitors into the promises and disappointments that Grant and Lee faced. It offers a challenging interpretation of the nation's history at mid-century to every American who wonders how we became what we are today. The New-York Historical Society exhibition complements the Virginia Historical Society sister exhibition Lee and Grant.

WHAT: Grant and Lee in War and Peace
WHEN: October 17, 2008 through March 29, 2009
WHERE: The New-York Historical Society
170 Central Park West at 77th Street
ADMISSION: Members and children 12 and under: FREE
Non-Members: $10 Educators, and Seniors: $7
Students: $6