The Hornet’s Nest at Gettysburg
From my Civil War notes collection:
There really is not a Hornet’s Nest at Gettysburg. Likely you are thinking of Shiloh’s famous “Hornet’s Nest” and Sunken Road, but actually one of the monuments at Gettysburg does feature a hornet’s nest. The monument to Cos. E & H of the 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters has a carved hornet’s nest on the front. This monument is located at the Slyder Farm. Here, Cos. A, E, F, and H of the 2nd U.S. held off the 4th Alabama. The Slyder Farm is located in the vicinity of Plum Run along the Slyder Lane Trail. It will be a future feature of a monument study.
Tags: Gettysburg, sharpshooters
Your blog is always interesting to read. I’m a history major at Kent State and study the Civil War (particularly Gettysburg, like yourself). The Hornet’s Nest is a great spot at Gettysburg; it’s especially nice to visit now that the non-historic trees around it have been removed. The fighting there was even hotter than you might think. Some accounts say the 4th Alabama broke three times before carrying the position at the point of the bayonet. “Sharpshooter Hill” just to the northwest of the Farm is now treeless and offers a great view of what Cos. C and D of the 2nd USSS would have seen. Have you been to the battlefield recently?
I concur with your statements about Krick’s writing - he’s by far the most gifted researcher and writer I know. I’ve been fortunate enough to be on many tours with him, at Gettysburg and Antietam and Chancellorsville. It’s a remarkable experience.
I particularly enjoyed your monument entry for the 59th New York. They are my “expertise,” so to speak. I wrote an article about the regiment for Gettysburg Magazine issue 36.
I see you’re interested in Powell Hill. If you haven’t already, you should definitely read Gallagher’s essay in “The First Day at Gettysburg” about Ewell and Hill in a difficult debut at corps command. I’m a great fan of one of Hill’s battalion commanders, the young, bespectacled Willy Pegram.
Keep up the great writing!
With my compliments,
Zack