For years, the portrait of this gentleman and another one of his wife, have adorned a wall in our bedroom. (Some of you may remember the Gone With the Wind/Civil War theme of the room.) Kevin's great-great grandfather, John Ballard, supposedly fought for his home state of Pennsylvania, and died from injuries he received at the Battle of Gettysburg.
On our recent trip to Gettysburg, I read that all of the soldiers from Pennsylvania who fought at the battle had their name on a plaque at the PA monument on the battlefield. All 35,000 of them.
Pulling up to the monument in the pouring rain, we realized that finding his name would be next to impossible, but we had to try.
The plaques are the darkened rectangles around the four sides of the base, each about six feet tall.
But, armed with umbrellas and hoodies, we gave it our best shot. Luckily, they were in alphabetical order by regiment and rank. We quickly scanned each plaque for the Bs and moved on to the next, all the while fighting the rain and the wind that insisted on turning my umbrella inside out.
About three plaques from the end of the fourth side, when we were both ready to acknowledge defeat, it jumped out at Kevin.
A member of the 141st Infantry.
He was real.
He really did fight at Gettysburg. A tangible connection to the past was made. This knowledge has left me feeling both honored, yet somehow, horrified.
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I was thrilled that we found his name, though. I told Kevin that he was looking down from above and smiling on his great-great grandson.
OMG, Phil... your addition to this thread just made me cry.
That didn't come out right... I just meant, the history connected with Ina's John Ballard is so sad, it makes one cry.
I knew of the horror of The Peach Orchard, but knowing John Ballard fought there has really given me more pause for thought.
Was Barksdale an ancestor of yours?
I hope he shares this knowledge with everyone that will listen because they will never learn this in school.
See teabaggers/rightwing militias/wingnuts/birthers/deathers/bigots........
If these ever find a leader we are in big trouble imho.
While I am a huge fan of Chamberlain's, the one who made me feel like "nothing ever changes" was Pickett. He embodied both the over-the-top romanticism of the soldier and the bitter reality of outdated military tactics.
Phil, the Shaara novels helped bring the Civil War soldiers to life for many people, and remain popular "entry" books for curious readers, many of whom will surely go on to learn more. I catalog a dozen or so new Civil War books every month or so -- more and more specific, featuring more and more primary sources shared and analyzed.
It was one of those "goose walked over my grave" moments.
I've got a contested photo that, if the date is correct, would mean a certain snooty aunt was conceived before marriage.
Ina, I am so pleased that Phil shared the great historical details of what happened at that battle to make your photo, your trip and your research more complete.
Wow.
Thanks for reading, Ducks.
I bet the feeling you got was icky
This must have been an incredibly brave group of soldiers: at least two Medals of Honor were awarded to members of the Pennsylvania 141st. Stephen Rought was awarded a Medal for capturing a flag at the Wilderness (near Chancellorsville, VA) on May 6, 1864, the second day of the battle. This was a miserable battle, much of it in dense undergrowth, with poor visibility, and a forest fire on the last day of the battle. The Union took over 18,000 casualties in three days; the Confederates over 11,000.
We visited the Wilderness battlefield a number of years ago. Some of the trenches are still visible. If you're interested in historic preservation, you may want to join the effort to fight the building of a Wal-Mart Supercenter immediately adjacent to the battlefield, opposed by historians including filmmaker Ken Burns but approved by the Orange County Board of Supervisors in August, 2009. The Wiki has some of the details.
Your addition to this thread is priceless. I can't thank you and Phil enough for your contributions. I know I'll be pouring over your links for quite awhile.
Saving Private Ryan, indeed. :o(
"In Company G, John Ballard, brother of Daniel Ballard of the same company, was wounded while out in the woods on the right of the Plank Road. As illustrating the severity of the fight there, Captain Lobb says Mr. Ballard had fired until his gun was so hot as to blister his hand. While resting on one knee he was hit above the ankle with a minie ball, which so badly shattered the limb that amputation was necessary, from which he never rallied, but died in field hospital May 12. He was a farmer from Scott township, near Starucca, married, and about forty years of age." (p. 185)
We'd always been told he died at a later date from wounds received at Gettysburg. This little addition to his story makes him so much more real. Also, knowing that he kept fighting after he knew presumably knew his wife had died and his children were no longer in her care makes him seem terribly heroic.
I'm really choked up.
I totally understand the feelings you describe. I have been through the excitement of finding records of my ancestors in similar circumstances.
I will never forget finding payroll and muster records for Olden Neal from the revolutionary war in my research for the historical novel I have just finished. It amazes me that such records could still be in existence.
You must have been tickled purple!
It really was an amazing thing. Even though I'm not in the blood line, the line enabled me to have my husband. It left me breathless.
Now, I often give a salute to John on our bedroom wall. I can't think of a better way to honor him at this moment.
I know when I stand on various Scottish battle sites, for instance, Culloden and see exactly where my ancestors fought (and a couple lost their lives) it reminds me that these major events in Scottish history were also main events in the lives of my family.
When you come from this "melting pot", finding a trace of an ancestor is an amazing thing. It was such a primitive land, just 150 years ago, that most journals, paintings and whatever were either lost or never made to begin with.
I can't imagine how amazed you must feel to be able to look on the faces of family who lived hundreds of years ago. You're very lucky. :o)
I truly do think that in the USA it is a miracle when you 'find' ancestors! I'm so glad that Kevin has 'found' these two - and with the help of Gatherers, he's able to flesh out the bones.
Yes, the heavily lidded eyes are a family feature - also the nose like a ski run... (luckily, I avoided the latter!)
I get the hint.... Don't like that I have to give my full name and addy to join FB.. Too many stalkers!
Thanks so much for all the work you've done and information you've provided on this thread. I'm really touched.
It takes me back to a visit there. We read Killer Angels at night and visited the battle lines during the day (we tried to do it chronologically, starting Southeast of town and then through town and up on the ridge, "following" the Union movements.) Every American should visit this site. Very moving.
We did the auto-tour on CD through the fields. I like the way you approached it. We may take that into consideration on our next visit.
Btw, I am so sorry I did forget to mention Dave's expertise in my comment. I was called away for a moment by Babe (my kitty) and when I returned to my puter I totally forgot!! He certainly has provided some great info!!!
You gotta love octogenarians.