GDG- "Earthworks" in front of the copse of trees

[ernscave at aol.com]

Regarding the "earthworks" that seem to be in front of the copse of trees, there is a very interesting history to the dirt that now covers some of the wall that originally ran from the "Angle" (where Company K of the 71st Pa stood while Garnett attacked all the way down (running north) to the point where the wagon path cut through.
? From prior to the battle until the 1930's the stone wall stood uncovered with dirt. In my conversations with Kathy Harrison I?learned? some time ago?that during the 1930's the CCC was given the task of covering up the stone wall with dirt. This was done and between roughly 1935 and 1965 dirt covered most of the old stone wall. In the past 30 years, there have been several projects involving the removal of the dirt. One was done under Park supervision by members of th 69th Pa reenactors about 6 years ago. Today, the wall stands exposed from Company "I" marker (on the far right of the 69th line to the Company "C" marker (about half way down the 69th Pa battleline) The remainder of the old stone wall? (companies G-K-B-E) remains covered with dirt. In addition, the remainder of the old wall (where the 59th NY originally stood) also is still covered with dirt. If one walks down to that spot, one can still see pieces of the old stone wall protruding through the dirt and?also can?see the right flank marker of the 59th NY directly to the left of Company G of the 69th. While there are those who believe that the 59th NY regiment was far to the left of 69th Pa Company G? (somewhere near the present 7th Michigan marker), the markers were placed with the advice of the men who were there in July 1863 and I can not imagine Col. Hall leaving a 40 foot hole in his front line line........ prior to the arrival of Cowen's battery.

As most of you know, the company markers of the 69th Pa are the only regimental company markers on the Gettysburg battlefield (and to my knowledge the only company markers on any American battlefield) The 69th reenactors have sought the removal of the dirt that still covers the left flank of our regiment but the policy of the Park today does not permit this removal.

Don Ernsberger
historian 69th Pa "Irish Volunteers"
authOr? AT THE WALL - The 69th Pa at Gettysburg
________________________________________________________________________
Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com