The "tented" city was erected at the north end of the borough of Gettysburg, on Gettysburg College property, and on additional land leased from private owners. Approximately 7,000 people needed shelter - military staff, medical personnel, National Guard, State Police, Boy Scouts, mess and kitchen personnel, US Army & Marine Bands, hospital & Red Cross staffs, health department personnel, Veteran's administration and others. It was to be a modern city of tents, with each 9'x9' standard wall tent with front fly & wooden floor housing a veteran & his attendant; there were sidewalks, electric street lights, special kitchens & dining rooms and more.
Construction began in April, 1938, with approx. 950 men working around the clock. Water supply & sanitary facilities were constructed, a telephone exchange was installed, and two Post Offices were set up. Three kitchens & 55 mess tents were erected. A 300 bed field hospital was constructed on the college campus; "Old Dorm" served as a dispensary. Forty busses transported veterans to all events, to and from their trains, and on battlefield tours.
The Reunion was formally opened at 2 PM on July 1st, with PA Governor George H. Earle officially welcoming the veterans to Gettysburg. The second official event of the joint Reunion program was a parade held on the afternoon of July 2nd. It was over 7 miles in length! It moved through downtown Gettysburg, then passed in review at the college stadium. That evening there was a program which included a band concert, various speeches, patriotic music, etc. To conclude the evening, two buglers stationed in the cupola of Old Dorm played taps, while two other buglers on Oak Ridge sounded the echo.
Franklin D. Roosevelt traveled to Gettysburg by special train which arrived in Gettysburg at 6PM on July 3. A 15 car caravan, led by motorcycles & a US Cavalry troop escort, made the trip to the site of the new Peace Memorial, located on Oak Ridge overlooking the First Day's battlefield. There the president delivered a speech to a crowd estimated at 250,000, dedicating the Eternal Peace Light Memorial. He gave the signal at which a switch was thrown, simultaneously dropping a huge garrison flag which concealed the memorial, and lighting the eternal flame at the top.
The next day, July 4, saw two large military demonstrations which included motor units, cavalry drills, an aerial demonstration with planes from Langley Field in Virginia (including A-17A attack planes, B-17 bombers, & PB-2s), an artillery gun drill with horse drawn artillery, and a tank drill. The day concluded with an evening band concert & a searchlight display.
We hope you enjoy these wonderful images of Civil War veterans!
A porter and others help an unidentified veteran upon his arrival for the reunion.
Wheelchair bound veterans assisted upon their arrival. Writing on reverse indicates that this photo is attributed to the Gettysburg Times.
A large group walks alongside the tracks next to Pullman cars.
Williams jauntily waves a sword in the air; he wears several ribbons on his jacket.
According to the description on the reverse of the photo, Williams, age 85, saw service in the last year of the war as a drummer boy. An online search did not yield any further information.
Our research revealed just one gentleman by the name of Frederick Stulke. He was a resident of La Prairie, WI when he enlisted as a Private on 8/15/62; on that date he was mustered into Co. F, 33rd Wisconsin Infantry. He was wounded & taken prisoner at Tupelo, MS on 7/14/64, and was discharged for disability on 8/14/65.
Benjamin Davidson was 19 years old when he enlisted on 2/22/64 as a Private. On that date he was mustered into the 26th Ohio Light Artillery. He was mustered out on 9/2/65 at Tod Barracks, Columbus, OH.
Unable to definitely identify this gentleman. The most likely match is a William B. Caton who served in the 2nd Missouri Cavalry.
This scene appears to have been photographed on Carlisle Street in Gettysburg, looking northward. We could not find a definitive match for Talman in our research; the name may be a misspelling. The caption above is on the reverse of the image in ink, with no other identifying information.
Neither individual in this image could be positively identified. Dated 6/30/38 in ink on the reverse. This photograph was taken by James Sawders, Nutley, New Jersey. Measures 8"x8".
Vance, age 93, hailed from Little Rock, AR, and Simmons, age 94, was then living in Bell, CA. The above inscription regarding their mutual service may or may not be correct.
Our research discovered a Sampson S. Simmons, born on 11/5/43 in Milton, WV, who enlisted as a Private at age 18 on 4/30/62, at which time he was mustered into Co.E, 8th Virginia Cavalry. He was taken prisoner on 8/7/64 at Moorefield, Hardy County, WV. Simmons was confined at Camp Chase, OH from August 1864 until exchanged at Point Lookout, MD on 3/18/65. Took the Oath of Allegiance at Charleston, WV on 5/22/65. Attended Reunion of Border Rangers in 1893, after which he moved to Bell, CA, where he died on 1/28/1942.
The only M.D. Vance we could find was a member of the 11th Arkansas Infantry who enlisted on 7/29/61 at Benton, AR as a Captain. Captured on 4/8/62 at Island No. 10, MO, and was sent to Camp Chase, OH, then to Johnson's Island, OH on 5/1/62. Transferred to Vicksburg, MS for exchange on 9/1/62. Paroled 5/19/65 at Jackson, MS, having risen to the rank of Lt. Colonel.
Dr. Mennet was a resident of Vevay, IN when he enlisted on 2/15/65 as a Private. On that date he mustered into Co. E, 146th Indiana Infantry. He was mustered out on 8/31/65 at Baltimore, MD. He was serving as Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic at the time of the reunion.
Joslin, age 93, was still living in Sidney, OH at the time of the reunion, while Vogel was a resident of Ogden, UT.
Joslin enlisted as a Private on 5/2/64 at the age of 19. On 5/6/64 he mustered into Co. K, 134th Ohio Infantry. He was mustered out on 8/31/64 at Camp Chase, OH.
George Vogel was 21 years old when he enlisted on 5/2/64 as a Private. On that date he mustered into 147th OH, and mustered out on 8/30/64 at Camp Dennison, OH.
The individual on the right holds a paper cup while the man on the left pours water into it from a dipper. A sign within the well reads, "USE DIPPER TO FILL CUPS DO NOT DIP CUPS IN SPRING". Measures 7 1/2" x 9 1/4". On the reverse of the photo is "NY TIMES / GB ___".
A typewritten piece of paper once glued to the back of this photo, now loose, provides identification for the veterans in this image. There is no information on the source of the photograph.
At left is Jacob Green Braswell, age 98, of Macon, GA. Our research uncovered a Jacob G. Braswell who enlisted as a private on 9/25/61; on that date he mustered into Co. D, 30th Georgia Infantry. Listed as on rolls on 12/31/62; no further record, and date and method of discharge not given.
The man at center is identified as J.L. Wheelis, age 90, of Wilkes County, GA. We could not find any information on Wheelis.
At right is Benjamin K. Farrar, age 93, of Machen, Jasper County, Georgia. B.K. Farrar served in Companies B & E of the 20th Battalion of Georgia Cavalry.
This fantastic image provides a look at the large tent city erected at the northern edge of town, partially on the Gettysburg college campus, the buildings of which are clearly visible in the middle distance. No photographer's credit given.
This marvelous photo shows the parade's procession up Baltimore Street into the center of town, headed towards Gettysburg College. The white building at center is the Plaza Restaurant. Fantastic detail!
A wonderful image with Oak Ridge in the distance.
Photo by: Management James Sawders / The Workshop / Nutley, New Jersey.
Several veterans are seated outside their tents; another gentleman walks towards the camera along side a Boy Scout.
The caption says it all!
Unfortunately this image is damaged. The individuals are identified from left to right as C. I. Faddis, Basil Lemly and S.E. Hartley.
Basil Lemly [Lemley] enlisted on 7/15/61 as a Private and on that date was mustered into Co. I, 37th PA Infantry. On 5/15/64 he was transferred to the 191st PA Infantry. Wounded at the Wilderness, date not stated. Date and method of discharge not given.
Charles I Faddis (1890-1972), is listed as a Distinguished Guest of the Pennsylvania Commission at the Reunion. Born in Ohio, he moved to Green County, PA in 1891. Graduated by Pennsylvania State College in 1914. Served as a Sergeant in the 10th Infantry, PA National Guard, on the Mexican border in 1916; served with 47th Regiment US Infantry in WWI. Rose to rank of Lt. Colonel. Served in Army of Occupation in Germany. Awarded the Purple Heart. Attended US Army Command & Gen. Staff School, Ft. Leavenworth. Broker of oil & gas properties 1926-1933; elected to the Congress & served from 1933 until his resignation on 12/4/1942 to enter the US Army. Served as a Colonel during WWII, awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Died in Matzatlan, Mexico, April 1, 1972.
From left to right are:
Gen. Julius F. Howell (misidentified on reverse of photograph as Juhins F. Howell). Found online as being a Private in Co. E, Dearing's 8th Confederate Cavalry.
Commander John M. Claypool. The only Claypool found online served as a Private in Co. A, Phelps' Missouri Infantry.
Gen. Henry Gibbons. No additional information found.
Dr. Overton Mennett. Dr. Mennet was a resident of Vevay, IN when he enlisted on 2/15/65 as a Private. On that date he mustered into Co. E, 146th Indiana Infantry. He was mustered out on 8/31/65 at Baltimore, MD. He was serving as Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic at the time of the reunion. Another photo of him may be seen above.
Tents, medical personnel and an ambulance stand at the ready along Hancock Avenue.
David H. Baldridge of Joplin, MO, age 93, suffering from exhaustion is attended by Miss Adeline G. Cascarella and Lt. Com. L. Milburn. No definitive information on Baldrige found.
An unidentified group of 6 Union veterans standing behind the stone wall near "The Angle". Behind them is a bus and several other civilians.
Annie Laurie, age nine, of Atlanta, GA, wears a cadet costume and stands in the embrace of William D. Welch (age 94) of Pittsburgh, PA. Welch was a member of the 140th PA Infantry and fought under Hancock at the "Bloody Angle" during Pickett's Charge.
Welch enlisted as a Private on 8/25/62; on that date he was mustered into Co. I, 140th PA. Mustered out 5/31/65 at Washington, D.C.
Four persons are seated at the dinner table. The individual at far left is unnamed; the couple seated next to him is identified as Gen. J. F. Howell and Mrs. J. F. Howell, but no further information has been found.
At center is Lt. Gov. Edward W. Cooch, who served in that office from 1937 to 1941. The other individuals are identified as Augustus Owen, age 94 (at left) and Henry Barzett, age 96, at right.
Augustus Owen enlisted at the age of 20 on 2/23/64 as a Private at Torrey, NY. On that date he mustered into Co. B, 50th NY Engineers. Mustered out on 6/13/65 at Fort Barry, VA.
After having difficulty finding information on Barzett, his name was found in the book The Last Reunion of the Blue and Gray as being Henry Banzett. He enlisted as a private at the age of 20 on 8/29/62 at New York City as a Private. On that date he mustered into Co. I, 57th NY Infantry. Listed as a POW on 10/14/63 at Auburn, VA. On 8/13/64 he was transferred to Co. E. On 12/20/64 he was transferredt into Co. K, 61st NY Infantry (Absent, P.O.W., at transfer). Date and method of discharge not known.
The above mentioned books lists both men as residents of Dover, DE at the time of the reunion.
This photo, measuring 8"x8", is by James Sawders, The Workshop, Nutley, N.J.
A period ink description on the reverse reads, "Pennsylvania Gettysburg The Last Reunion / 112 yr old Wm Barnes who served in Co F Heavy Artillery, Tennessee, was the oldest veteran at the 75th Anniversary of Battle of Gettysburg 7/1/38."
A William Barnes served in Co F., 1st Regiment Heavy Artillery, United States Colored Troops. This regiment was organized at Knoxville, TN on 2/20/64 and served with the Dept of Ohio, District of East Tennessee, & Dept. of the Cumberland.
This man is listed in The Last Reunion of the Blue and Gray as being Abraham H. Yeager. The only individual with that name listed in the Confederate Roster was a private in Co. G, 29th Tennessee Infantry, with enlistment date and date & method of discharge unknown.
At least one of these gentleman is a Confederate veteran, seated second from left.
Photo by James Sawders, The Workshop, Nutley, New Jersey.
Richard Lilley enlisted on 9/21/64 at Camp Nelson, KY as a Private. On that date he mustered into Co. A, 124th United States Colored Troops. Date and method of discharge not given.
No photographer credit on reverse.
Note the UCV wreath/insignia on hat of the man at left. No photographer credit on reverse.
Each man wears a badge/ribbon. No additional information found on these two individuals.
At left is an unidentified Confederate veteran, with his arm around the shoulders of an unidentified Union veteran. The former reb has a UCV (United Confederate Veterans) wreath clearly visible on his hat, while the other man has a GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) wreath showing upon his. They wear numerous badges on their vests and coats.
No photographer's information on reverse.
Henry B. Tooker, age 87 of Bradentown, FL, and E. J. Hilliard, age 96 of Frostproof, FL, wave farewell as they begin their journey home.