Living Historians Portrayed The USCC At Gettysburg
By Joe Bordonaro · Originally published July 2016 · p. 57
GETTYSBURG, PA.—The Battle of Gettysburg created carnage on a scale that was never exceeded during the American Civil War. John C. Chamberlain, a USCC volunteer as well as a brother of the famous Joshua Chamberlain, commander of the 20th Maine, was present during the battle and wrote about it afterward. “After relating a series of disturbing sights, sounds, and odors (including charred bodies and soldiers who had sustained grisly injuries), Chamberlain declared that he would never forget the carnage that resulted from the battle.” (Source: Gettysburg and the Christian Commission, edited by Daniel J. Hoisington, Roseville: Edinborough Press, 2002.) According to Andrew B. Cross, in his pamphlet, The Battle of Gettysburg and the Christian Commission, volunteers working with the United States Christian Commission performed many important tasks (for both Union and Confederate soldiers) during and after the battle. These tasks included “dressing wounds, performing religious services, writing letters on behalf of the wounded, distributing Bibles, tracts, and books, and furnishing vital supplies (including wine, biscuits, crackers, bandages, and shirts) to the hospitalized men.” Source: http:// www.hnet.org/reviews/showrev. php?id=12518. During the weekend of May 1415, living historians portrayed the USCC at work in the field of Gettysburg. A large tent was set up in one of the Park’s living history areas, near the Pennsylvania Monument. Inside the tent were not only displays of items furnished soldiers, but also refreshments, that were provided to members of the National Regiment, who were creating a soldiers’ encampment for the benefit of the public. The foods included delicious pastries that were very welcome by the soldiers. The participants in this USCC aid station setup are to be commended for bringing a little-known aspect of the battle to the public’s attention, as well as for providing real relief to the modernday reenactors who work in the hot sun to provide the public with a glimpse of “what it was like” in 1863.
Julie McGrane, Brownsville, MD, and Rebecca Scott, Bethlehem have a break from their duties as the members of the National Regiment (in the background) go on dress parade. (Joe Bordonaro)
