Small Rebel flag at Gettysburg

[Lincolncarver]

Sept. 2007 while exploring the battlegrounds of the first day I saw a small dirt path. It seemed to lead to nowhere in the middle of a large field. I followed the path, which was very wellworn. Where it ended stood a very small flag such as you would see in large quantities in cemetaries at Memorial Day. Someone had kept this spot marked and tended for a long time. Does anyone know the place I am thinking of and do you know what happened there. Thanks

 

[AndyHall]

I think that may the spot discussed here.

 

[Mosin]

The first day covers a large area. What feature or area was it near? Oak Hill, Herbst Woods, McPherson barn, etc. Knowing this might help others pinpoint it a little better.

 

[pamc153PA]

Sept. 2007 while exploring the battlegrounds of the first day I saw a small dirt path. It seemed to lead to nowhere in the middle of a large field. I followed the path, which was very wellworn. Where it ended stood a very small flag such as you would see in large quantities in cemetaries at Memorial Day. Someone had kept this spot marked and tended for a long time. Does anyone know the place I am thinking of and do you know what happened there. Thanks

What were you near, monument or geographical feature? Could you see the Seminary buildings? Or the white and field stone McPherson barn? Or the Eternal Peace Light Memorial? Like Mosin said, there is a lot of ground in the first day. And I don't think it's the picture/thread Andy mentioned, since it's in the woods on Culp's Hill.

 

[Lincolncarver]

Sorry to be so vague with directions. My wife took a picture of me walking out through acres of neatly mown grass to where the flag was stuck into the ground. She thinks it was on Howard's Drive. I thought it was more like the Doubleday Drive area. She is usually right as I am directionaly challenged. On the back of the picture she wrote...."Looking northwest from Oak Hill. Confederate force came from the trees across here." Here being this large open area. The ground was very gently rolling. There are somes homes now just through the woods past the open ground. Inside the grassy acerage there are several rectangles that are brown and appear to be under cultivation. This was Sept. third so I'm not sure what would have been planted at that time. The long dirt areas almost look like a sod farm. We had stopped at a small monument or marker and it looks as if I walked out alone to a stone marker about three feet tall. There I noticed a path that didn't seem to lead toward anything visible. I followed the path to the flag. The ground there was tramped down where a lot of curious people had been to visit. She has a small pic of me out there alone. Some one has cared for that one spot, carefully, and over a considerabe time.

 

[cash]

Sorry to be so vague with directions. My wife took a picture of me walking out through acres of neatly mown grass to where the flag was stuck into the ground. She thinks it was on Howard's Drive. I thought it was more like the Doubleday Drive area. She is usually right as I am directionaly challenged. On the back of the picture she wrote...."Looking northwest from Oak Hill. Confederate force came from the trees across here." Here being this large open area. The ground was very gently rolling. There are somes homes now just through the woods past the open ground. Inside the grassy acerage there are several rectangles that are brown and appear to be under cultivation. This was Sept. third so I'm not sure what would have been planted at that time. The long dirt areas almost look like a sod farm. We had stopped at a small monument or marker and it looks as if I walked out alone to a stone marker about three feet tall. There I noticed a path that didn't seem to lead toward anything visible. I followed the path to the flag. The ground there was tramped down where a lot of curious people had been to visit. She has a small pic of me out there alone. Some one has cared for that one spot, carefully, and over a considerabe time.

Oak Hill is where the Eternal Peace Light Memorial is. Northwest from Oak Hill is not park land. Perhaps she meant southeast? Southeast of Oak Hill is Oak Ridge, which has the monuments of Baxter's Brigade and Paul's Brigade on it, along with the Doubleday Inn Bed & Breakfast. There are homes along there as well. If so, you would have been walking in Forney's Field, which is the site of Iverson's Pits.

 

[pamc153PA]

Sorry to be so vague with directions. My wife took a picture of me walking out through acres of neatly mown grass to where the flag was stuck into the ground. She thinks it was on Howard's Drive. I thought it was more like the Doubleday Drive area. She is usually right as I am directionaly challenged. On the back of the picture she wrote...."Looking northwest from Oak Hill. Confederate force came from the trees across here." Here being this large open area. The ground was very gently rolling. There are somes homes now just through the woods past the open ground. Inside the grassy acerage there are several rectangles that are brown and appear to be under cultivation. This was Sept. third so I'm not sure what would have been planted at that time. The long dirt areas almost look like a sod farm. We had stopped at a small monument or marker and it looks as if I walked out alone to a stone marker about three feet tall. There I noticed a path that didn't seem to lead toward anything visible. I followed the path to the flag. The ground there was tramped down where a lot of curious people had been to visit. She has a small pic of me out there alone. Some one has cared for that one spot, carefully, and over a considerabe time.

I'd tend to agree with cash. There is a small monument in the field there at Iverson's Pits (not any pits, really, just rolling fields). There would be the truncated Oak Hill observation tower across the road behind you, the Peace Memorial on Oak Hill to your right, and woods to your left. Do you recall crossing over the railroad cut, which would be further to your left (but out of sight from Forney's Field where Iverson's Pits are)? Sound kind of familiar? If so, cash is correct.

 

[Lincolncarver]

I may have found the site on Google sattelite. The monument in the field to the west of Doubleday Ave. between Robinson Ave and Mummasburg Rd. seems to be where I was at when I noticed the path. This of course leaves my original question as to who would care for this Rebel flag and why. I have been curious about this for years. Thank you for your patience.

 

[Lincolncarver]

I believe Cash is right about the location. There is a small monument out there alone in the field. What I was curious about was the small footpath leading farther out in the field and stopping at a small rebel flag. Someone had to care for this so it wasn't mowed and also to replace it ocasionally. thanks

 

[reading48]

I believe you are talking about the N. Carolina brigade under Iverson... The Confederate Brigade was decimated by the 88th Penna..Who were hidden behind a stone wall.
It was said four Trenches were dug and the bodies of the soldiers were buried in that field, almost where they were mowed down.
A stone marker was placed indicating where the approximate mass graves were located.
Years later Southern family members came to the field to exhume, identify and claim their loved ones.
It is also believed not all the bodies were recovered and is supposed to be one of the most Haunted places on the Battle Field...

 

[marinegrunt]

I believe you are talking about the N. Carolina brigade under Iverson... The Confederate Brigade was decimated by the 88th Penna..Who were hidden behind a stone wall.
It was said four Trenches were dug and the bodies of the soldiers were buried in that field, almost where they were mowed down.
A stone marker was placed indicating where the approximate mass graves were located.
Years later Southern family members came to the field to exhume, identify and claim their loved ones.
It is also believed not all the bodies were recovered and is supposed to be one of the most Haunted places on the Battle Field...

They say the ground there was extra fertile for years from the blood. I wouldn't think it uncommon for there to be a few spots that someone would maintain a little Rebel flag here and there. I wonder what the NPS policy is on this.

 

[marinegrunt]

Sept. 2007 while exploring the battlegrounds of the first day I saw a small dirt path. It seemed to lead to nowhere in the middle of a large field. I followed the path, which was very wellworn. Where it ended stood a very small flag such as you would see in large quantities in cemetaries at Memorial Day. Someone had kept this spot marked and tended for a long time. Does anyone know the place I am thinking of and do you know what happened there. Thanks

If that is Oak Ridge that we're talking about, it's the site of the first day's attack by Rodes' division, of which Iverson commanded a brigade. They attacked south from the area of Oak Hill somewhat spread across the Mummasburg Rd. Somebody else said it, but that's supposed to be the source of most of the ghost stories that Gettysburg residents tell.

 

[marinegrunt]

Just as an aside, I'm planning a trip to Gettysburg for this summer. If you do get a sure read of where the trail was, please post it because I'd like to see it. Thanks.

 

[MRB1863]

Oak Hill seems correct for the description. Site of Forney field AKA Iverson's Pits. Peace Memorial is off frame to upper mid-ground right. J. Forney's farmhouse was almost across from Peace at the intersection. 88th PA advance marker shown here.