153rd Gettysburg Battle Reenactment

By Jay Purdy · Originally published September 2016 · pp. 14–15

1st Pennsylvania Volunteer Reserve Corps supplied field music to inspire both Union and Confederate troops at the GAC reenactment.

GETTYSBURG, Pa.—The annual Gettysburg reenactment is largely considered the touchstone of such gatherings, especially during the major anniversary reenactment held every five years. In the off-years, Gettysburg, like many other reenactments, has to settle for lower numbers among the ranks from the North and South. But Gettysburg also has the reputation of providing spectators the best bang for the bucks. The 153rd Anniversary reenactment in July was no exception and may have been one of the best off-year engagements in the Gettysburg Anniversary Committee’s (GAC) 19-year history. There was a last-minute surge in late registrations and walk-ons that brought the participant count over 700 at the Pumping Station Road site where much of the action of the movie “Gettysburg” took place.

Artillery was particularly well represented with 21 guns, expanded to 22 on Sunday with the addition of the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association’s Parrott rifle to the Confederate batteries. The more than 35 horses provided up close and personal cavalry clashes practically in the laps of spectators that easily overflowed the bleachers. But each day the cannon were briefly upstaged by the mortar demonstrations that ended with a huge pyrotechnic blast on the far side of the battlefield that caught everyone by surprise. Wrangling the resources in both camps were General Kirk Davis for the Confederates and General Dennis Pannese commanding the Union troops. Along sutler row, visitors could partake in the goods and services of 25 sutlers as the Second South Carolina String Band serenaded in between performances in the activities tent. The band also provided music for the reenactor’s camp dance Saturday evening. In addition, fife and drum music was provided by the Gettysburgbased Boy Scouts of America Venture Crew 1861, performing as the 1st Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps. Two activities tents supplied music, entertainment and educational programs, along with a Catholic service and a period non-denominational worship service Sunday morning. Patrick Falci, a Gettysburg reenactment favorite who acted in the motion picture, gave his animated talk, giving visitors an inside view of the making of “Gettysburg.” Another GAC favorite was on the battlefield overseeing the welfare of Union troops during the clashes. Surgeon “Doc” Pete Peters, stood among the din in his 52nd year of reenacting, having gotten his start in the hobby in 1964. A focus of the battlefield action on Sunday during the concluding “Pickett’s Charge” scenario was the heroism of Lt. Alonzo Cushing and his Battery A, 4th U.S. Artillery. Cushing was awarded a posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor in 2014 for keeping his battery firing despite being severely wounded, even moving them forward to the rock wall as the massive Confederate assault approached. Moments after pulling the lanyard on a load of double canister, Cushing was killed instantly by a bullet that struck him in the mouth. There was one unfortunate occurrence early in the Sunday reenactment when an ember in a Federal cannon survived the sponging and ignited the next charge as the gunner rammed it home. While he received a significant injury to his hand, the heavy leather gloves required for gunners protected his hand from severe injury. Action was suspended for about 15 minutes while EMS attended to the injury and got the soldier off to Gettysburg Hospital. The ramrod was launched across the field by the unexpected ignition, embedding itself in the soft ground about halfway to the Southern artillery. Among the final day ceremonies was the presentation of donation checks by the GAC to the Conservancy of Adams County, The Sergeant Mac Foundation and the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association. The Sergeant Mac Foundation is a memorial project to raise funds to place Christmas wreaths on the graves of servicemen and women buried at the Gettysburg Soldiers National Cemetery and at Quantico National Cemetery in Virginia. The foundation has a website at www. sgtmac.org. Planning already is underway on the 154th Gettysburg Reenactment in 2017. The GAC has been able to set it for the corresponding dates on which the Battle of Gettysburg was fought; July 1, 2 and 3. For further information about the 2017 event, tickets and reenactor registration, visit www.gettysburgreenactment.com.

New recruits are lined up for inspection outside the children’s activities tent at the reenactment.

Save The Date: The 154th Gettysburg Reenactment is July 1-3, 2017. For further information about the 2017 event, tickets and reenactor registration, visit: (George Lomas)

The Gettysburg-based Boy Scout Venture Crew 1863.

(Conner Phiel) (Suzie Cheeks)

Participants and spectators at the Gettysburg 153rd anniversary wielded pens and pencils to help the campaign to preserve a remaining portion of the original Gettysburg battlefield. Barb Mowery, president of the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association, said the organization garnered several hundred signatures on petitions that will be presented to the Straban Township supervisors in opposition to a proposed roadway extension designed to place big box stores and other commercial development on open land Between the Hanover and York roads east of Gettysburg. “People sought us out at our tent on sutler’s row,” said Mowry. “They didn’t want to miss the opportunity to add their voice in the fight to preserve this hallowed ground.” The Confederate Army placed artillery on the land and engaged Federal batteries. Thousands of Southern soldiers, primarily from Louisiana, advanced through the property in launching the determined Confederate assault on the Union right flank on Culp’s Hill. While the GBPA was accused of acting “prematurely,” by a project promoter after its opposition was announced in May, the township has since held two meetings to discuss the development pitch. More on the GBPA’s fight to preserve the battleground and a way to sign the petition online can be found at the association’s website: www.gbpa.org. (Jay Purdy)

A steward accesses the conditions of a fallen gun crew of the 6th Independent Battery, New York Light Artillery cut down by the Confederate artillery barrage preceding Pickett’s assault on Cemetery Ridge.

Union troops march in to await the Confederate assault on Cemetery Ridge to culminate the battle and the three-day reenactment. (Sarita Ricchiuto) (George Lomas) (George Lomas)

The Artist and Authors Tent at the Annual Gettysburg Civil War Reenactment is a popular place for informative displays as well as purchasing art, books and Memorabilia.

The 2nd South Carolina String Band not only played for Annual Gettysburg Reenactment Reenactors Dance they also entertained the spectators through out the weekend.

Spectators enjoy the “explosive ending” of the live mortar fire demonstration at the annual Gettysburg Reenactment.

Union troops march in to await the Confederate assault on Cemetery Ridge to culminate the battle and the (Sarita Ricchiuto)

Chris Litvinas a member of Harlan’s Light Cavalry from Philadelphia with the North-South Skirmish Association display at the Annual Gettysburg Civil War Reenactment. Chris has been “Skirmishing” for 44 years.

Sutler row at the Annual Gettysburg Civil War Battle Reenactment where the Reenactors and pubic can shop for Civil War Gear, Uniforms, Souvenirs and Memorabilia. (George Lomas)