Image of a group of soldiers, either National Guard or Regulars, who were part of group of approximately 5,000 who gathered in the fields of Gettysburg beginning on July 1, 1910, for a 30 day Camp of Instruction. Approximately 3,000 were National Guard troops. The camp was under the command of Brig. Gen. William H. Witherspoon, U. S. A.

The group of 27 men is standing & sitting in front of a number of tents; the largest ten, to their left rear, shelters a several horses. At the far right are two men in cook’s dress, including one African American.

The image measures 9 1/8” x 7”, and is affixed to a 12” x 9 ½” mount. The image is numbered at bottom right, “#2949 / GETTYSBURG / JULY – 1910”.  Photographer’s imprint on mount at lower right corner, “J. I. Mumper / 41 Balto. St. / Gettysburg, PA.”  Overall fine condition; minor wear at edges of mount; also two pinholes along top edge of mount.

In its early years, Gettysburg National Military Park fell under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of War.  In addition to providing access for normal visitors, the War Department also quite naturally used the battlefield for all varieties of military purposes, including training camps for the National Guard and U.S. Army, and instruction for those studying military science such as the cadets of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

“During July 1910 it was determined to establish a camp of military instruction and maneuvers east of the town of Gettysburg for detachments of the United States Regular Army and organized militia. The site of the camp, outside the park, embraced some 320 acres east of Rock Creek.

By July 1 three detachments of United States cavalry and three batteries of United States regular artillery had arrived in camp, "pending the arrival of whole command, part ofwhich will be brigades of state militia from Maryland and Virginia; and the commandinggeneral." The instructional camp, according to the commissioners, involved the followingactivities and maneuvers:

These troops were encamped from July 1 to 31, 1910. Portions of the Maryland and Virginia National Guard took part in the maneuvers from July 1 to 9, and of the National Guard of New Jersey also, the first detachment from July 10 to 17, second detachment July 17 to 23, and third detachment July 23 to 31; the Third Brigade of the National Guard of Pennsylvania from July 11to 18; the National Guard of West Virginia from July 18 to 27; and the National Guard of the District of Columbia from July 18 to 31. The maneuver ground contained 20 square miles.

The order of the Secretary of War placing the maneuver camp outside the limits of the park was of the greatest value to the officers and men of the camp for a study of the field and the memorials, from the fact that the most important positions were not covered by masses of men, and the roads and avenues were not encumbered by troops drilling and supplies being hauled.

Moreover, the commission were enabled with their small force of guards to have complete control of the field, and there was no complaint of violations of the regulations of the Secretary of War governing the park.”  Source:  Administrative History: Gettysburg National Military Park and National Cemetery, Pennsylvania (1991)

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