Culp’s Hill Part 5: Licensed Battlefield Guide Charlie Fennell
May 29, 2009
On the evening of July 2, 1863, two brigades of Geary’s Second Division, and all of Williams’ Division left the Culp’s Hill area to bolster the Union lines on the south end of the battlefield. The 137th New York Infantry Regiment of Greene’s Brigade on “Greater” Culp’s Hill had to stretch its line to the south to cover lower Culp’s Hill in their absence. Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Charlie Fennell shows us their position on lower Culp’s Hill. This view was taken facing east at approximately 9:30 AM on Sunday, May 17, 2009.
Our Culp’s Hill series is led by Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Dr. Charles Fennell. Dr. Fennell received his Ph.D. in history from West Virginia University in 1992. His dissertation was titled, “The Battle of Culp’s Hill.” In our first post on Culp’s Hill, he began our tour at the summit, near the observation tower. In our second post he continued his walk around Culp’s Hill by discussing the position of the 60th New York Infantry Regiment. In our third post he looked at the earthworks in the area of the monuments to the 150th New York Infantry Regiment and the 78th and 102nd New York Infantry Regiments. In our fourth post, Charlie showed us the monuments to the 149th and 137th New York Infantry Regiments, and discusses some of their actions. In today’s post, Dr. Fennell shows us the 137th New York’s position on lower Culp’s Hill/Spangler’s Hill and the monument to the 2nd Maryland Infantry Regiment (CSA).
This map will show the locations of the videos we will show on the tour. Videos #1-#3 were taken on the summit of Culp’s Hill near the observation tower. Videos #4-#7 were taken near the monument to the 60th New York Infantry Regiment. Videos #8-#10 were taken between the monuments to the 150th New York and the 78th/102nd New York Infantry Regiments. Videos #11-#12 were taken by the monument to the 149th New York Infantry Regiment. Video #13 was taken near the monument to the 137th New York Infantry Regiment. Video #14 was taken near the marker for the 84th New York (14th Brooklyn) Infantry Regiment. Videos #15-#17 were taken on or near lower Culp’s Hill/Spangler’s Hill. This map was created facing north at approximately 7:15 PM on Thursday, May 28, 2009.
In Video #15 (Videos #s 1-14 were shown in the previous posts on Culp’s Hill), Charlie Fennell shows us the position of the 137th New York on lower Culp’s Hill/Spangler’s Hill, and how they were outflanked from this position. This view was taken facing east to south to southeast at approximately 9:30 AM on Sunday, May 17, 2009.
Charlie Fennell is standing by the monument to the 2nd Maryland Infantry Regiment on lower Culp’s Hill/Spangler’s Hill. It was the first Confederate monument at Gettysburg, and was dedicated on November 19, 1886. The Baltimore Cross is on each of the four faces of the capstone as most of the men in the regiment were recruited from that city. The Maryland State Seal is the large bas relief carving. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 9:30 AM on Sunday, May 17, 2009.
In video #16, Dr. Fennell tells us about the position of the 2nd Maryland Infantry Regiment’s position behind the earthworks. This view was taken facing south at approximately 9:30 AM on Sunday, May 17, 2009.
Licensed Battlefield Guide Charlie Fennell is standing by the monument to the 111th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment on the north slope of lower Culp’s Hill. The 137th New York was driven through this area (towards the camera) after they were outflanked on lower Culp’s Hill. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 9:30 AM on Sunday, May 17, 2009.
In video #17, Licensed Battlefield Guide Charlie Fennell explains how the 137th New York Infantry Regiment was driven off lower Culp’s Hill, and where they rallied in the traverse between lower Culp’s Hill and “Greater” Culp’s Hill. He also states that the 10th Virginia Infantry Regiment penetrated the Union lines near where the monument to John White Geary now stands. This view was taken facing southeast to northwest at approximately 9:30 AM on Sunday, May 17, 2009.
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