We found part of a human rib cage in a cedar tree while elk hunting in New Mexico. That evening we met with a game warden and told him about it. I took him to the tree. The nexxt day the sheriff, coroner and a team from NMSU came out and started digging. It was a native man's remains from over 400 years prior. He was buried there and the tree grew, raising his remains out of the ground. They found many more graves and fenced off the area.
@@surfdocer103if you had any idea what you're saying and what it would cost you you would get on your knees where you're at right now and ask for forgiveness!
I am 80 years old, from NJ and disabled. I will never again walk the Gettysburg Battle fields. So i enjoy the presentations and historical commentary. Thank you. I remember my grandmom talking about watching parades in Elizabeth, NJ and seeing the old Civil War veterans marching. That thrilled me as a child and still does to this day.
I am also from NJ! As a very young man, my grandfather(born 1889) enjoyed going to the corner store and hang out, listening to the Civil War veterans talk war stories.
Grew up in southeast PA. Remember Boy Scout camping trips to Gettysburg. Hiking all over the battlefields, climbing rocks in Devils Den, seeing the various monuments. I remember sitting around the fire at night with my fellow Scouts and we pondered how a century earlier boys not much older than us were camping, fighting, and dying on the same ground. Really made us think just how easy we had it growing up.
WOW!! I'm 74 years-old and have read just about everything I could find about the Civil War since I was in my early teens. I also love playing any and all Civil War board games over the past 60+ years. I visited Gettysburg in the early 1980s, and I was like a kid in a candy store...I did not want to leave! This TH-cam series is fascinating and the stories from people like Pfeffer are amazing.
My great great grandfathers - Aaron Parker, 10th Alabama, and Hiram Duke, 14th Alabama - and Hiram's brother, Roland Duke, 47th Alabama, were present at Gettysburg. All came home. Which in the case of the first two, is how I came to be able to comment on your video. Thanks to the Yankees for missing, or to my ancestors for ducking. 😊
When my wife and I go to Gettysburg (we live 1-1/2 ours away) we hike from town to Little Round Top, down thru the Slaughter Pen, up to Devils Den and then back to town. We usually do this in the Spring or Fall when there is hardly anyone around. The one time, as we walked thru the Slaughter Pen we heard bugle calls….absolutely no one was around. Another time we took our Niece and her Parents for Sunrise at Little Round Top. My sister is her mom. After a beautiful sunrise, we went to Devils Den. While there we heard the distinctive sound of cannon fire coming from Longstreet’s kick off point. It was in December, early morning, so there was absolutely nothing going on. We also checked later, nothing was scheduled on the Battlefield. If you have ever been to Gettysburg mid-week in December, it is very quiet. Just thought I would share these two interesting events we encountered on the Battlefield in this location. This is truly a very special place. To appreciate and understand it, leave the car behind and walk it. You may just happen to encounter some unique History.
I have had a couple of experiences while visiting the Gettysburg battlefield. One that stands out especially in my mind was a trip my mom and I took In 1994. It was late in the afternoon and we generally don't visit the battlefield during peak times, so there was no one else around. We were headed West on the road that runs in front of the Trossel house where we encountered a Calvary officer riding his horse. As we passed him, I slowed down and said we should get a picture of him, I bet they're having a reenactment. I pulled off, turned around, and he was no where in sight. When we went by the visitor's center we stopped and asked about a reenactment and were told there was none. I mentioned the officer we saw and they just smiled. The other was in the Triangular Field. That place is very spiritual, I've felt it everytime I've visited in some way. I've been to at least two dozen battlefields and Gettysburg is my favorite!
I have often felt a rage well-up in me as I hear of battlefields, or parts of battlefields sold in the name of real estate development. Even in Gettysburg there is a steady encroachment on various ancillary locations and positions. AFAIK there are unique conditions that must be met in order to have the kinds of experiences often reported. The fact that these events continue to occur tells me that these places are hallowed in a way that the average American is just never going to appreciate. Just sayin.....
@repentandbelieveinJesusChrist9 Gotta laugh..... On behalf of the Christ family....Mr and Mrs Christ and their son, Jesus.....maybe yoiu can explain why you have to use words that Jesus never spoke, written by a guy who never met Jesus, to support a belief system that Jesus never espoused. Apparently, what you don't know about Christ Consciousness, the Judaic Messianic movement of the turn of the Milenium and Religiousity vis Spirituality would fill a small library. Kindly take your intrusive self-appointment down the street, mayhaps to find someone who gives a shit. FWIW.
It’s amazing the things people find without really looking for them. That soldier was buried and no one cared that he was a southerner. They just took care of him. 🙂👍
Great story about the sharpshooter in the tree. The Pfeffer family stories really make Gettysburg come alive in these videos. Whoever does the music for your videos must be a musician, as they are spot on!
Gettysburg was one of our favorite family trips. So impactful and so much to experience. Hire the walking/driving tour guide - they are so knowledgeable. An incredible place with so much history. It's like stepping back in time and no better place to understand the civil war.
Samuel Gettys and Isabella Ramsey are my 6th great-grandparents, their daughter Elizabeth Gettys is my 5th great-grandmother. I feel this deep connection to Gettysburg through my familial roots and enjoy learning about the history of the town and of the battles that took place there. Thank you for making the content you share here.
Visited Gettysburg on many occasions beginning with Dad packing up the family on a weekend trip. As you tour the battlefield you observe others walking peacefully down the many footpaths that dot the area, one must remember the thousands of men and boys who's experience here was the polar opposite. Men who paid the supreme sacrifice and many not dying quietly but experiencing immense suffering until their demise. With that thought in mind ,the battlefield experience takes on a whole new meaning of significance.
Wonderful, thank you for this. My great-great grandfather was at the battle of Umbeyla Pass in late 1863, around the time Lincoln was giving the Gettysburg address. History is fascinating.
My father had an uncle who fought at Gettysburg with the 1st North Carolina Infantry and was wounded the first day of the battle, sat out the 2nd day, then participated in Picketts Charge on day 3. Luckily for us he survived the hell of that day only to be captured during Lees’ retreat in Falling Water’s Maryland. He was released in a prisoner exchange in Baltimore Maryland then went on to Vicksburg only to be captured again. After the war, he returned to Charlotte North Carolina and opened a dry goods store which is still there as far as I know.
My family was mostly with NC 26th. Pvt Joseph Phillips Co F. Killed at Gettysburg July 1, 1863 as was his brother W. E. Phillips. Others came home. Missing limbs, facial deformities, and never the same mentally. That trauma carried down generations.
This story reminds me of one told to me by my grandmother, who was born in 1879. Her grandfather was a boy in Canada during the War of 1812, and had told her of seeing the bodies of American soldiers hanging in the trees after the battle of Queenston Heights. Maybe also snipers. Sure makes history come alive.
This is an amazing personal story handed down through the years. Thanks so much for sharing. The channel is always informative and amazing. Thanks so much for all that you do !
I have a 1865 Springfield 50-70 Trapdoor rifle that was found by my great grandfather in the early 1900’s at fort Lowell in Tucson. The story goes my great grandfather found the rifle hidden up in the roof rafters when the fort was still standing.
Pvt Elbert A. Cotton was in the 15th Ala. Infantry Regt, Co. E and is my most direct Confederate ancestor and at 39 years of age when he enlisted in 1862. He is mentioned in Col. Wm. Oates book, The War Between the Union and the Confederacy, was present for duty at Little Round Top, survived this battle and many others, until he surrendered with the 15th, at Appomattox Court House. Thank you J.D., for mentioning the 15th Alabama.
Devils Den is freaky. When I was about 15 years old, I was near the rocks looking toward Little Round Top when right next to me a disembodied voice said "What you lookin for is over there." No one was anywhere near me and it was RIGHT THERE! It still sticks with me nearly 40 years later.
My daughter attended Gettysburg College and we visited the battlefield many times! It is a spiritual journey with every step. If you have never been there, I urge you to go and feel the presence of the past. It will change you!
There use to be a path from just below Little Round Top to Devils Den. When they took all the trees down to make that area look more like it appeared during the battle, that path seemed to disappear. Anyway, while walking that path, every hair on my body stood up and chills ran through my chest and head. I always associated that feeling to some sort of ghost experience. I knew several battlefield guides, and I was told of a couple visiting the battlefield who so excited that the park would put on a demonstration of soldiers. They replied they looked so real. The guide stated that the park doesn’t allow anything like that only under special circumstances, and nothing was going on today. The couple insisted they saw a line of soldiers between Devils Den and Little Round Top.
I got the same spooky feelings walking around the battlefield. They were particularly strong at a place called Point of the Woods. That's where Lee met his men coming back from Pickett's Charge.
Heard another story from years back, probably over 15 years ago now. Someone was at Gettysburg with an old camcorder and captured what appeared to be Confederate soldiers marching through the tree line. I think it was around the area of Big Round Top as well. Very few if any people were at the national battlefield that day and no reenactments were scheduled because it was early March, still rather cold and rainy. The video itself is grainy of course due to the age of the camera that took it but, if you believe in ghosts, it'll certainly reinforce tales of the battlefield being haunted. Ya gotta figure too, even if you don't believe, that a place such as that where so much suffering and death occured, why wouldn't be haunted in some way?
My Great Grandfather enlisted with the 25th. Illinois Infantry in 1862. He was seriously wounded at the Seige of Corinth in May 1862. His Discharge Papers read, "Discharged due to partial loss of right hand - no longer able to fire a musket - disability 25%". He returned home, recuperated, and re-enlisted in the 10th. Illinois Cavalry as a scout. He was discharged as a Corporal at wars end in 1865.
What a fascinating story. I lived in Dillsburg, PA 2011-2020. I’ve found confederate artifacts I believe from Jeb’s Calvary. I’ve sold the house but, there are plenty more to be found on the 2 acres.
My hubby and I took our daughter to Gettysburg 20 years ago and one of the confederate actors took us into to the woods and showed us a rock with the name of a soldier carved in it. I can’t remember more details about it but it wasn’t far from the creek and the old cemetery. Pretty cool.
My 2G great grandfather served in 47th Batt VA Cavalry CSA and was KIA in skirmishing along the Jackson River in Virginia on Dec 20 1863. He was just a farmer with a wife and two young sons. Family records say he was "found bleeding to death against a tree". I can only imagine his sense of pointlessness that night thinking about what he was losing - and for what? His family quickly fell apart, his wife died soon afterwards, and the sons fostered out to relatives. All the older family members sold their farms and went west to Missouri and farther. Only one son remained in VA and he was my great grandfather. This was a devastating war to many families in Virginia where they were torn apart and the reasons to fight and die were lost in the depths of their losses. Nothing romantic or pridefull about the civil war. Over 600,000 Americans died fighting each other over the expansion of slavery and a few wealthy southern men whose empires were dependent on slave labor. Truly a rich man's war and a poor man's battle. My family paid a price that very nearly wiped us out.
All wars since the beginning have been fought for the benefit of rich men. When two poor farmers have a dispute, they can normally work it out between themselves. But for some reason, rich men like to hire young men to do the fighting for them.
Hi Vane. I know what you mean! However, IMO WWII was the last truly clear reason to war. A fight to protect global freedom from fascism. My ancestors lined up to fight, and the belief was personal, especially after Pearl Harbor. My Virginia ancestors were blue ridge farmers who fought in the Revolution, but many other Virginians were Loyalist for economic reasons. Several Southern Campaign battles (i.e.: Kings Mountain) looked a lot like a Virginia civil war. The truly wealthy men were in England, but they lost the war as the political will dwindled. I think the US Civil War is probably the most extreme example of a rich man's war. Northern industrialists and southern planters had serious economic interest in the outcome, and whether slave labor would permitted to spread to western territories. Then if we look at both the Bush's invasions and oil grabs in the Middle East we may have some of the best examples. And let's not forget the Spanish American War land grabs, and "Indian Wars" and etc.... @@vanespeer
Erik, you and your family have quite the backstory, thanks for sharing. Can't wait to make it to Gettysburg again. The first place I visit will be the Gettysburg Museum of History. Thanks to JD and Erik for all their fine work.......
I read a account of another family losing a cow during the chaos of the battle. They assumed it ended up in a Confederate commissary but they were wrong. The cow wandered ten miles! To a neighboring hamlet and was recognized by a relative! If I remember correctly the cow even walked back home on its own. I think I read it in a book title “Debris of battle.”
That's quite a story! I have to wonder about the family of the man who died in the tree. They probably never knew what became of this soldier since any id he might have had would have been long lost.
My Ancestor George Washington Newmyer fought for the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry at Gettysburg. He survived the war and eventually settled in Nebraska. I saw his name on the 28th Infantry Marker at Gettysburg. I have a second ancestor who was in the 3rd Indiana Cavalry. I am not sure if he fought at Gettysburg.
Talking about snipers in the trees , my great great grandfather was a sharpshooter in the Confederate army. He and his brother were in the Battle of Williamsburg in 1862, and his brother was shot just as daylight was breaking by a sniper up in the trees, and my great great grandfather killed the sniper. As I remember the story, he said the sniper died in the tree. So I suppose it wasn't uncommon. Ironic too, he made it through Gettysburg and Picketts charge, didn't surrender until after 1900, and lived until 1921.
As a feller who climbs trees for a living, I don't doubt it at all. You'd want to be in a nice solid shooting position, and that would mean you've got a good spot to hang out in. Not surprising that you could be stuck right there if shot or incapacitated
That's awesome! I can remember in the early 1960's when I was a child I found a rusted triangular shaped bayonet in the area of West Fairview, Cumberland County. It was very rusted and that shape looks like it. They were doing bridge work/upgrades to the 11-15 bridge over the Penn Central railroad tracks....... that's amazing!!!!
I just can't get enough of this stuff The gentleman that owns a museum and the History traveler both I just love it. I've been to Gettysburg twice and it's an awesome feeling of great history and I don't know I can't explain it
Awesome story, captured very well !!! Great job You two! JD and Erik, you both make a great team! Erik, I love this story that is from your family! I use to love sitting around a fire, and listening to my parents, Aunts and Uncles tell stories of their childhood! Now with them all gone and I'm 63, I wish I would of listened better!!!!
I suspect that is the lament of many of us when we get into our 60s -- or even beforehand. But, feel confident that you are not alone in the regret brother!
My ex’s ancestor (Quitman’s grays, GA) fought in the wheat field. A bullet went through his leg but missed major blood vessels. He was captured and taken to Elmira Prison in upstate NY.
@@Pelham1538 At the end of the war the prisoners were released and he walked/hitched rides back to Georgia. We still have the confederate dollar he had. He married and raised a family. He was an unrepentant Confederate and during reconstruction stabbed a Yankee veteran for singing a yankee song! (The man survived, and he was not charged)
Wow, what a fascinating story Erik!! Awesome! As a civil war buff myself, I love these kinds of stories. No doubt I would be up to my eyeballs in this stuff if I had a family ancestry like yours! Great stuff as always, JD! 👊
@@ethanmeade8508 I was part of a reenactors group for Company B of the 57th. "The Franklin Sharpshooters". I've been to Franklin County, beautiful area!
I am so thankful for the older folks taking the time to comment. You are all treasures and have a wealth of knowledge in your minds. Thank you for sharing it!
When I lived in Warren, PA (in the 1960's up to 1970) my mother and I visited Gettysburg a couple of times and we NEVER heard about this incident! Thanks so much for sharing this bit of Gettysburg history with us!
I am the Netherlands and I find your videos very interesting. And I think the moment people start to realize that war is about humans and not races or continents is the moment we might be able to see beyond war and see the impact it has on humanity as fathers, brothers, sons , uncles etc etc. No matter where the battle is fought it’s always someone’s family who will suffer.
I've done West New York spent a good four months there with my ex near buffalo - but this next trip will be entirely for me to be a history geek. I'm really looking forward to it! thanks for the advice I will avoid July! I'd rather go in the off times anyway :) UK is a shadow of what it used to be the country won't exist for much longer if you want my opinion, we've allowed our nation to be over-run. THere are still some very cool historical places to visit here though, for sure,
@@BIASED_TH-cam I’m sorry. I have wanted to visit for so many years. As for times of year, avoid major holidays and spring breaks (April). October is my favorite time.
Amazing story. I'm from the area and have done a lot of hiking in the mountains there and played around at Devil's Den (a popular skip day location). The Appalachian Trail in that area is the most spooky of all the trails and old farms I've walked on in 50 years of doing so (all over the country and some overseas hiking). There's energy there around Gettysburg, Harper's Ferry, and Gathland.
For me, growing up in an area where civil war, or Indian battles were fought, would be amazing. The possibility of finding artifacts while walking your property would instigate stories in my mind. I actually found an arrow head this spring while in our garden. That alone was exciting.
Great family story, which will be preserved for future generations. Those of us who have photos of great and great-great-grandparents are so fortunate. Interesting to see the lay of the land at this battlefield site. Thanks for sharing this.
A local man, Thomas Brown of South Ryegate Vt, was in the 1st United States Sharpshooters. He was in a tree behind the Union lines at Spotsylvania and got a bullet in the forehead. His body was shipped home and buried and his wife kept his personal items including his belt buckle. That belt buckle has been one of my most prized Civil War items. He is mentioned in the book Something Abides, by Howard Coffin.
Imagine the soldier's family never knowing his fate, and the descendants, if there are any, will never know. That war tore this nation apart, and its effects continue in ways we don't even know. May he rest in peace through the mercy of the Lord, and may the souls of all his family be rejoicing at their reunion.
Best TH-cam Channel Ever Created. Its pins all my interests, not just war stuff. It covers all sides involved in every conflict. You sir are a history professor. And should still be 1.
Berdan's Sharpshooters (2nd Regiment USS I believe) had withdrawn eastward to this area. Not only were Berdan's Sharpshooters highly skilled snipers, they were superbly trained to track down and dispatch enemy snipers. A fellow up a tree and armed with a muzzleloading Enfield was no match for 2nd USS veteran armed with a tricked-out breechloading Sharps Rifle.
I just found your channel. I love history, especially the Revolutionary and Civil War eras. This was fascinating. Thank you and I look forward to watching more of your videos.
I just love your videos. I’ve never really had a lot of history in school ( a private Christian school ) so our history was Bible history. But I’m enjoying the both of your history stories ♥️⭐️💙
Keep that story alive! Great story. Thanks. I have a great grand father who served in the war in the east for a short time. Illness let to his discharge very quick. After his recovery he served under Gen. Sully in the Dakotas. Lets keep the history alive and the reason why. New generations are and not informed now. Patriots all know why.
My g-g-grandfather was wounded @ Gettysburg! Was imprisoned @ the "notorious", Andersonville Prison, and (fortunately, for _me_ !😉) survived the war. In fact, at the time of his passing in 1941, he was one of only 3, surviving Civil War Veterans left in New Jersey. I was blessed/fortunate enough to come into possession of his original enlistment & discharge papers(95th NY volunteers), as well as his invitation from....The Government of The United States, to attend the ceremonies recognizing the 75th Anniversary of The Battle of Gettysburg, and several newspaper articles written about him in 1940 & '41. Sadly, I lost these priceless, familial heirlooms to a fire, two years ago. Proud & honored to say; besides my grandfather who was the..."bread-winner" and provider for his wife and 2 kids (dad, being one of them) during WWII, our family's continued devotion to serving our great nation, goes back to.....well,... _BEFORE_ we were even a nation!!
Western Marylander here! I visit both Gettysburg and Antietam a lot! A few years remains of a Union soldier from NY were found on the Cornfield on Antietam battlefield! They were identified and returned to NY for burial !
Not really linked to Gettysburg, BUT…..I had an original three band enfield rifled musket that had three Minnie balls jammed in the barrel, which I know was a common problem during the ACW, due to panic. This rifle had been reproofed in Birmingham (England) proof house and was used by Indian troops during WWI. It’s reproof expired in 1955. Great content by the way! Best wishes from the UK.
a friend of mine was sitting in a deer stand in NW Florida and said he heard some commotion coming through the woods, he said three rag-tag civil war soldiers were running through the woods looking disheveled and scared, he said as they disappeared in the woods an officer on horseback came tearing through the woods , stopped , looked behind him and took off again going the same way as the soldiers. He said there were no tracks left behind.
Great story! I remember Erik talking about this during another video. Those bayonets are huge and look like they could do some mean damage in close quarters
That was VERY interesting. I am a history buff and have bought items from you before. My GGGrandad fought for Tennessee Co D 34th Confederate. Mr Peppers I salute you.
This is incredibly interesting, I think it is very important for as much of this history as is possible to be preserved, and as many of these people as possible to be remembered. All of this history is part of ALL of our history, and we need to embrace it and try to understand it...I live in SC, and we have some Confederate graveyards that are preserved when they are found.
We found part of a human rib cage in a cedar tree while elk hunting in New Mexico. That evening we met with a game warden and told him about it. I took him to the tree. The nexxt day the sheriff, coroner and a team from NMSU came out and started digging. It was a native man's remains from over 400 years prior. He was buried there and the tree grew, raising his remains out of the ground. They found many more graves and fenced off the area.
@repentandbelieveinJesusChrist9then don’t delay . Go to him.
@@surfdocer103if you had any idea what you're saying and what it would cost you you would get on your knees where you're at right now and ask for forgiveness!
Sounds like mt lion found a body
Tree pushes body out of the ground vs a tree growing around a chain link fence. I've seen more trees around chain link fences.
@@jaimewright7099
Its a Lie! Trees dont push their trunk up?
Yeah they Can overgrow stuff, But in 400 years ? That rib would be fully overgrown?🤷🏼♂️
I am 80 years old, from NJ and disabled. I will never again walk the Gettysburg Battle fields. So i enjoy the presentations and historical commentary. Thank you.
I remember my grandmom talking about watching parades in Elizabeth, NJ and seeing the old Civil War veterans marching. That thrilled me as a child and still does to this day.
👍🏻
My father also recalled seeing elderly Civil War vets in parades in Wilkes-Barre, PA in the early 1920s...
My father was born in 1899, in New Jersey. He served in WW1, he knew men who served in the Civil War. He now lies at Arlington,
@robschannel4512 My father was born in 1898, but never got a chance to enjoy Civil War history personally. He lived in Illinois most of his life.
I am also from NJ!
As a very young man, my grandfather(born 1889) enjoyed going to the corner store and hang out, listening to the Civil War veterans talk war stories.
Grew up in southeast PA. Remember Boy Scout camping trips to Gettysburg. Hiking all over the battlefields, climbing rocks in Devils Den, seeing the various monuments. I remember sitting around the fire at night with my fellow Scouts and we pondered how a century earlier boys not much older than us were camping, fighting, and dying on the same ground. Really made us think just how easy we had it growing up.
Such a shame that we had so many Americans being killed by fellow Americans.
Still happening everyday in places like Chicago unfortunately.
@@wayneevans5023 And let us not forget #1, St. Louis, Misery, and #3, Birmingham, Alabama. The Civil War was just a start.
Good story! This history should be teaches in school again .... I have been to Gettysburg twice when I was teenager and it was enlighting
If you grew up in southeast PA then you know hoagies
WOW!! I'm 74 years-old and have read just about everything I could find about the Civil War since I was in my early teens. I also love playing any and all Civil War board games over the past 60+ years. I visited Gettysburg in the early 1980s, and I was like a kid in a candy store...I did not want to leave! This TH-cam series is fascinating and the stories from people like Pfeffer are amazing.
My great great grandfathers - Aaron Parker, 10th Alabama, and Hiram Duke, 14th Alabama - and Hiram's brother, Roland Duke, 47th Alabama, were present at Gettysburg. All came home. Which in the case of the first two, is how I came to be able to comment on your video. Thanks to the Yankees for missing, or to my ancestors for ducking. 😊
My ex had Confederate ancestors, and I had Yankee ancestors. Thank goodness for bad aim!
And that they had a good immune system!
My great great great gpa was named also named Hiram Sexton lived during the civil war. Georgia-Tennessee line
@@susanpage8315 i😮😮
My great great grandfather drank whiskey and stayed in the Boston area.
When my wife and I go to Gettysburg (we live 1-1/2 ours away) we hike from town to Little Round Top, down thru the Slaughter Pen, up to Devils Den and then back to town. We usually do this in the Spring or Fall when there is hardly anyone around. The one time, as we walked thru the Slaughter Pen we heard bugle calls….absolutely no one was around. Another time we took our Niece and her Parents for Sunrise at Little Round Top. My sister is her mom. After a beautiful sunrise, we went to Devils Den. While there we heard the distinctive sound of cannon fire coming from Longstreet’s kick off point. It was in December, early morning, so there was absolutely nothing going on. We also checked later, nothing was scheduled on the Battlefield. If you have ever been to Gettysburg mid-week in December, it is very quiet. Just thought I would share these two interesting events we encountered on the Battlefield in this location. This is truly a very special place. To appreciate and understand it, leave the car behind and walk it. You may just happen to encounter some unique History.
I have had a couple of experiences while visiting the Gettysburg battlefield. One that stands out especially in my mind was a trip my mom and I took In 1994. It was late in the afternoon and we generally don't visit the battlefield during peak times, so there was no one else around. We were headed West on the road that runs in front of the Trossel house where we encountered a Calvary officer riding his horse. As we passed him, I slowed down and said we should get a picture of him, I bet they're having a reenactment. I pulled off, turned around, and he was no where in sight. When we went by the visitor's center we stopped and asked about a reenactment and were told there was none. I mentioned the officer we saw and they just smiled. The other was in the Triangular Field. That place is very spiritual, I've felt it everytime I've visited in some way. I've been to at least two dozen battlefields and Gettysburg is my favorite!
These ghosts still don't even know they are dead. Hard not to sense.
I have often felt a rage well-up in me as I hear of battlefields, or parts of battlefields sold in the name of real estate development. Even in Gettysburg there is a steady encroachment on various ancillary locations and positions. AFAIK there are unique conditions that must be met in order to have the kinds of experiences often reported. The fact that these events continue to occur tells me that these places are hallowed in a way that the average American is just never going to appreciate. Just sayin.....
@repentandbelieveinJesusChrist9 Gotta laugh..... On behalf of the Christ family....Mr and Mrs Christ and their son, Jesus.....maybe yoiu can explain why you have to use words that Jesus never spoke, written by a guy who never met Jesus, to support a belief system that Jesus never espoused.
Apparently, what you don't know about Christ Consciousness, the Judaic Messianic movement of the turn of the Milenium and Religiousity vis Spirituality would fill a small library. Kindly take your intrusive self-appointment down the street, mayhaps to find someone who gives a shit. FWIW.
I thought you were gonna say you found some cool artifacts.
It’s amazing the things people find without really looking for them. That soldier was buried and no one cared that he was a southerner. They just took care of him. 🙂👍
Thats cause the Civil war is over.
Much better than the mass graves that other Confederate bodies still lay in, while the Union soldiers received nice neat graves with memorial markers.
Great story about the sharpshooter in the tree. The Pfeffer family stories really make Gettysburg come alive in these videos. Whoever does the music for your videos must be a musician, as they are spot on!
Gettysburg was one of our favorite family trips. So impactful and so much to experience. Hire the walking/driving tour guide - they are so knowledgeable. An incredible place with so much history. It's like stepping back in time and no better place to understand the civil war.
Samuel Gettys and Isabella Ramsey are my 6th great-grandparents, their daughter Elizabeth Gettys is my 5th great-grandmother. I feel this deep connection to Gettysburg through my familial roots and enjoy learning about the history of the town and of the battles that took place there. Thank you for making the content you share here.
I’m not a bit history buff by any means and this isn’t really the type of content I consume but man your channel is incredible.
Cool thing about history...the more you look, the more you find!
Now ur hooked
Then why u here?
Erik, his stories, his artifacts are legend!
An example of stories many would never hear if it wasn't for this channel, the personal touch makes it that much more interesting.
Visited Gettysburg on many occasions beginning with Dad packing up the family on a weekend trip. As you tour the battlefield you observe others walking peacefully down the many footpaths that dot the area, one must remember the thousands of men and boys who's experience here was the polar opposite. Men who paid the supreme sacrifice and many not dying quietly but experiencing immense suffering until their demise. With that thought in mind ,the battlefield experience takes on a whole new meaning of significance.
Wonderful, thank you for this. My great-great grandfather was at the battle of Umbeyla Pass in late 1863, around the time Lincoln was giving the Gettysburg address. History is fascinating.
Thank you Eric for sharing your historical militaria with us. As a CW collector myself I always find this stuff fascinating and learning all the time.
My father had an uncle who fought at Gettysburg with the 1st North Carolina Infantry and was wounded the first day of the battle, sat out the 2nd day, then participated in Picketts Charge on day 3. Luckily for us he survived the hell of that day only to be captured during Lees’ retreat in Falling Water’s Maryland. He was released in a prisoner exchange in Baltimore Maryland then went on to Vicksburg only to be captured again. After the war, he returned to Charlotte North Carolina and opened a dry goods store which is still there as far as I know.
My family was mostly with NC 26th. Pvt Joseph Phillips Co F. Killed at Gettysburg July 1, 1863 as was his brother W. E. Phillips. Others came home. Missing limbs, facial deformities, and never the same mentally. That trauma carried down generations.
This story reminds me of one told to me by my grandmother, who was born in 1879. Her grandfather was a boy in Canada during the War of 1812, and had told her of seeing the bodies of American soldiers hanging in the trees after the battle of Queenston Heights. Maybe also snipers. Sure makes history come alive.
I absolutely love these personal behind the scenes stories it really brings it home.
This is an amazing personal story handed down through the years. Thanks so much for sharing. The channel is always informative and amazing. Thanks so much for all that you do !
I have a 1865 Springfield 50-70 Trapdoor rifle that was found by my great grandfather in the early 1900’s at fort Lowell in Tucson. The story goes my great grandfather found the rifle hidden up in the roof rafters when the fort was still standing.
Cool!!
Pvt Elbert A. Cotton was in the 15th Ala. Infantry Regt, Co. E and is my most direct Confederate ancestor and at 39 years of age when he enlisted in 1862. He is mentioned in Col. Wm. Oates book, The War Between the Union and the Confederacy, was present for duty at Little Round Top, survived this battle and many others, until he surrendered with the 15th, at Appomattox Court House.
Thank you J.D., for mentioning the 15th Alabama.
This is a story I will not forget. And I will be telling it. Thank you for sharing.
I love Civil War history; this story was amazing!
Given the state of politics nowadays, you may have another Civil War to study.
Devils Den is freaky. When I was about 15 years old, I was near the rocks looking toward Little Round Top when right next to me a disembodied voice said "What you lookin for is over there." No one was anywhere near me and it was RIGHT THERE! It still sticks with me nearly 40 years later.
I believe it. Many have reported this type of experience at Devil's Den.
Haunted 👻 👽 👻 👽 👻
@@meganallen8585 No reason to be afraid. They're just people in a different form. Living humans are a lot more capable of harm.
Your next stop...THE TWILIGHT ZONE!
What was it you were looking for?
My daughter attended Gettysburg College and we visited the battlefield many times! It is a spiritual journey with every step. If you have never been there, I urge you to go and feel the presence of the past. It will change you!
There use to be a path from just below Little Round Top to Devils Den. When they took all the trees down to make that area look more like it appeared during the battle, that path seemed to disappear. Anyway, while walking that path, every hair on my body stood up and chills ran through my chest and head. I always associated that feeling to some sort of ghost experience. I knew several battlefield guides, and I was told of a couple visiting the battlefield who so excited that the park would put on a demonstration of soldiers. They replied they looked so real. The guide stated that the park doesn’t allow anything like that only under special circumstances, and nothing was going on today. The couple insisted they saw a line of soldiers between Devils Den and Little Round Top.
I got the same spooky feelings walking around the battlefield. They were particularly strong at a place called Point of the Woods. That's where Lee met his men coming back from Pickett's Charge.
Seems that dead soldier wanted to be found, hence the leg falling at the right moment and rustling the leaves. Touching story. Thank you.
Heard another story from years back, probably over 15 years ago now. Someone was at Gettysburg with an old camcorder and captured what appeared to be Confederate soldiers marching through the tree line. I think it was around the area of Big Round Top as well. Very few if any people were at the national battlefield that day and no reenactments were scheduled because it was early March, still rather cold and rainy. The video itself is grainy of course due to the age of the camera that took it but, if you believe in ghosts, it'll certainly reinforce tales of the battlefield being haunted. Ya gotta figure too, even if you don't believe, that a place such as that where so much suffering and death occured, why wouldn't be haunted in some way?
I suspect he was dead at the time, so I doubt he wanted anything.
@@Stargazzer811 I saw that video. It looked very real.
@tltfaas it looked real but was actually debunked as computer generated images. I love a good ghost story but this one was proven to be false
@@Rockineagle84 computer generated images on an old vhs camcorder....sure
My Great Grandfather enlisted with the 25th. Illinois Infantry in 1862. He was seriously wounded at the Seige of Corinth in May 1862.
His Discharge Papers read, "Discharged due to partial loss of right hand - no longer able to fire a musket - disability 25%".
He returned home, recuperated, and re-enlisted in the 10th. Illinois Cavalry as a scout. He was discharged as a Corporal at wars end in 1865.
Wow, what a story! Thanks Erik and JD for your combined knowledge! I thoroughly enjoy the content!
Honestly and I don’t know why but this is one of my favorite American Artifact episodes yet! Awesome stuff!
What an amazing story. Really interesting. You both have a great way of sharing information that makes it simple but detailed and brings it to life.
My great great great grandmother's brother NY North was wounded at Gettysburg and subcombed to his injuries 9 months later. His age was 24.
What a fascinating story. I lived in Dillsburg, PA 2011-2020. I’ve found confederate artifacts I believe from Jeb’s Calvary. I’ve sold the house but, there are plenty more to be found on the 2 acres.
My hubby and I took our daughter to Gettysburg 20 years ago and one of the confederate actors took us into to the woods and showed us a rock with the name of a soldier carved in it. I can’t remember more details about it but it wasn’t far from the creek and the old cemetery. Pretty cool.
My 2G great grandfather served in 47th Batt VA Cavalry CSA and was KIA in skirmishing along the Jackson River in Virginia on Dec 20 1863. He was just a farmer with a wife and two young sons. Family records say he was "found bleeding to death against a tree". I can only imagine his sense of pointlessness that night thinking about what he was losing - and for what? His family quickly fell apart, his wife died soon afterwards, and the sons fostered out to relatives. All the older family members sold their farms and went west to Missouri and farther. Only one son remained in VA and he was my great grandfather. This was a devastating war to many families in Virginia where they were torn apart and the reasons to fight and die were lost in the depths of their losses. Nothing romantic or pridefull about the civil war. Over 600,000 Americans died fighting each other over the expansion of slavery and a few wealthy southern men whose empires were dependent on slave labor. Truly a rich man's war and a poor man's battle. My family paid a price that very nearly wiped us out.
Fascinating comment thank you for sharing
All wars since the beginning have been fought for the benefit of rich men.
When two poor farmers have a dispute, they can normally work it out between themselves.
But for some reason, rich men like to hire young men to do the fighting for them.
Hi Vane. I know what you mean! However, IMO WWII was the last truly clear reason to war. A fight to protect global freedom from fascism. My ancestors lined up to fight, and the belief was personal, especially after Pearl Harbor. My Virginia ancestors were blue ridge farmers who fought in the Revolution, but many other Virginians were Loyalist for economic reasons. Several Southern Campaign battles (i.e.: Kings Mountain) looked a lot like a Virginia civil war. The truly wealthy men were in England, but they lost the war as the political will dwindled. I think the US Civil War is probably the most extreme example of a rich man's war. Northern industrialists and southern planters had serious economic interest in the outcome, and whether slave labor would permitted to spread to western territories. Then if we look at both the Bush's invasions and oil grabs in the Middle East we may have some of the best examples. And let's not forget the Spanish American War land grabs, and "Indian Wars" and etc.... @@vanespeer
Erik, you and your family have quite the backstory, thanks for sharing. Can't wait to make it to Gettysburg again. The first place I visit will be the Gettysburg Museum of History. Thanks to JD and Erik for all their fine work.......
I read a account of another family losing a cow during the chaos of the battle. They assumed it ended up in a Confederate commissary but they were wrong. The cow wandered ten miles! To a neighboring hamlet and was recognized by a relative!
If I remember correctly the cow even walked back home on its own. I think I read it in a book title
“Debris of battle.”
That's quite a story! I have to wonder about the family of the man who died in the tree. They probably never knew what became of this soldier since any id he might have had would have been long lost.
Very sad to think of who was left behind and never knew this man's fate.
My Ancestor George Washington Newmyer fought for the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry at Gettysburg. He survived the war and eventually settled in Nebraska. I saw his name on the 28th Infantry Marker at Gettysburg. I have a second ancestor who was in the 3rd Indiana Cavalry. I am not sure if he fought at Gettysburg.
Talking about snipers in the trees , my great great grandfather was a sharpshooter in the Confederate army. He and his brother were in the Battle of Williamsburg in 1862, and his brother was shot just as daylight was breaking by a sniper up in the trees, and my great great grandfather killed the sniper. As I remember the story, he said the sniper died in the tree. So I suppose it wasn't uncommon. Ironic too, he made it through Gettysburg and Picketts charge, didn't surrender until after 1900, and lived until 1921.
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To survive all those years in the civil war when life expectancy was a few weeks he was a very lucky man.
🇦🇺
As a feller who climbs trees for a living, I don't doubt it at all. You'd want to be in a nice solid shooting position, and that would mean you've got a good spot to hang out in. Not surprising that you could be stuck right there if shot or incapacitated
@@infidel202 Nah, he was just too mean...he wasn't going to give the grim reaper the privilege.
@@BlueRidgeCritter he sounds like a top bloke
That's awesome! I can remember in the early 1960's when I was a child I found a rusted triangular shaped bayonet in the area of West Fairview, Cumberland County. It was very rusted and that shape looks like it. They were doing bridge work/upgrades to the 11-15 bridge over the Penn Central railroad tracks....... that's amazing!!!!
I just can't get enough of this stuff The gentleman that owns a museum and the History traveler both I just love it. I've been to Gettysburg twice and it's an awesome feeling of great history and I don't know I can't explain it
Awesome story, captured very well !!! Great job You two! JD and Erik, you both make a great team! Erik, I love this story that is from your family! I use to love sitting around a fire, and listening to my parents, Aunts and Uncles tell stories of their childhood! Now with them all gone and I'm 63, I wish I would of listened better!!!!
I suspect that is the lament of many of us when we get into our 60s -- or even beforehand. But, feel confident that you are not alone in the regret brother!
My ex’s ancestor (Quitman’s grays, GA) fought in the wheat field. A bullet went through his leg but missed major blood vessels. He was captured and taken to Elmira Prison in upstate NY.
Very interesting. Do you know what came of his life after the war?
@@Pelham1538 At the end of the war the prisoners were released and he walked/hitched rides back to Georgia. We still have the confederate dollar he had. He married and raised a family. He was an unrepentant Confederate and during reconstruction stabbed a Yankee veteran for singing a yankee song! (The man survived, and he was not charged)
Being in and surviving a Yankee prison would be enough to make a man hate them for life.
@@susanpage8315may he rest in piss
@@michaeldouglas1243 You ever heard about Andersonville?
Wow, what a fascinating story Erik!! Awesome! As a civil war buff myself, I love these kinds of stories. No doubt I would be up to my eyeballs in this stuff if I had a family ancestry like yours! Great stuff as always, JD! 👊
Outstanding video! Visiting Gettysburg is high on my bucket list!
My ancestor was in the 57th Va infantry and from what I can tell from my research, he was in Picketts charge.
Which Company in the 57th?
@@Mack682 Co. C “the Franklin fire eaters”
@@ethanmeade8508 I was part of a reenactors group for Company B of the 57th. "The Franklin Sharpshooters". I've been to Franklin County, beautiful area!
@@Mack682 I was born and raised in Franklin Co. beautiful place.
I am so thankful for the older folks taking the time to comment. You are all treasures and have a wealth of knowledge in your minds. Thank you for sharing it!
I absolutely love this channel. One of my bucket list items is to go to Gettysburg and go to the museum
I've been there. Make sure you go.
It makes you wonder where the rest of the rifle went I love this channel especially WWII
When I lived in Warren, PA (in the 1960's up to 1970) my mother and I visited Gettysburg a couple of times and we NEVER heard about this incident! Thanks so much for sharing this bit of Gettysburg history with us!
Heyy that's where I live. Neat.
Erik, Very cool personal story! Thanks, J D for another great film.
This is incredible. Thanks for sharing!
What an insane story! Must be crazy to see some skeleton hanging in a tree. Great video again!!
I am the Netherlands and I find your videos very interesting.
And I think the moment people start to realize that war is about humans and not races or continents is the moment we might be able to see beyond war and see the impact it has on humanity as fathers, brothers, sons , uncles etc etc.
No matter where the battle is fought it’s always someone’s family who will suffer.
Great story about the bayonet. 👍🏼Thanx for today's history lesson.❤
That is one of the most interesting stories I've heard about Gettysburg. Thanks.
gettsyburg is on my list of places to visit in the next couple of years from UK I love the history I want to see it all myself
It’s amazing! I’ve been 3 times and plan to go many more. Avoid going in July as it is very crowded.
The UK is on my bucket list.
I've done West New York spent a good four months there with my ex near buffalo - but this next trip will be entirely for me to be a history geek. I'm really looking forward to it! thanks for the advice I will avoid July! I'd rather go in the off times anyway :) UK is a shadow of what it used to be the country won't exist for much longer if you want my opinion, we've allowed our nation to be over-run. THere are still some very cool historical places to visit here though, for sure,
@@BIASED_TH-cam I’m sorry. I have wanted to visit for so many years. As for times of year, avoid major holidays and spring breaks (April). October is my favorite time.
Amazing story. I'm from the area and have done a lot of hiking in the mountains there and played around at Devil's Den (a popular skip day location). The Appalachian Trail in that area is the most spooky of all the trails and old farms I've walked on in 50 years of doing so (all over the country and some overseas hiking). There's energy there around Gettysburg, Harper's Ferry, and Gathland.
Pennsylvania has some very old energy in certain places, I’ve noticed that as well.
yes, Gettysburg is very alive. You feel it the moment you enter the Battlefield. I have never been there and heard a bird sing.
I went to Gettysburg. Wish we could have stayed longer but were headed to our son’s graduation at Yale.🇺🇸❤️
For me, growing up in an area where civil war, or Indian battles were fought, would be amazing. The possibility of finding artifacts while walking your property would instigate stories in my mind.
I actually found an arrow head this spring while in our garden. That alone was exciting.
Erik's family stories are incredible. Live this channel ❤
Great family story, which will be preserved for future generations. Those of us who have photos of great and great-great-grandparents are so fortunate. Interesting to see the lay of the land at this battlefield site. Thanks for sharing this.
Keep it going JD!! I’m heading to Gettysburg in a few weeks and the content your putting out is getting me more excited about going!!
A local man, Thomas Brown of South Ryegate Vt, was in the 1st United States Sharpshooters. He was in a tree behind the Union lines at Spotsylvania and got a bullet in the forehead. His body was shipped home and buried and his wife kept his personal items including his belt buckle. That belt buckle has been one of my most prized Civil War items. He is mentioned in the book Something Abides, by Howard Coffin.
Love the story!
My little Dachshund Gretel was at round top and climbed devil's den. RIP -This video made me think of that special visit when we had taken her.
Imagine the soldier's family never knowing his fate, and the descendants, if there are any, will never know. That war tore this nation apart, and its effects continue in ways we don't even know. May he rest in peace through the mercy of the Lord, and may the souls of all his family be rejoicing at their reunion.
Best TH-cam Channel Ever Created. Its pins all my interests, not just war stuff. It covers all sides involved in every conflict. You sir are a history professor. And should still be 1.
Berdan's Sharpshooters (2nd Regiment USS I believe) had withdrawn eastward to this area. Not only were Berdan's Sharpshooters highly skilled snipers, they were superbly trained to track down and dispatch enemy snipers. A fellow up a tree and armed with a muzzleloading Enfield was no match for 2nd USS veteran armed with a tricked-out breechloading Sharps Rifle.
Wow. That story gave me goose bumps. Epic 👍🏼😎
I just found your channel. I love history, especially the Revolutionary and Civil War eras. This was fascinating. Thank you and I look forward to watching more of your videos.
Thanks!
always so much info from all your vids, thank you
I just love your videos. I’ve never really had a lot of history in school ( a private Christian school ) so our history was Bible history. But I’m enjoying the both of your history stories ♥️⭐️💙
That's why you don't know much about slavery either..
@@vickie30
But I bet she'll Ace you on a Bible quiz! 😉😂
Keep that story alive! Great story. Thanks. I have a great grand father who served in the war in the east for a short time. Illness let to his discharge very quick. After his recovery he served under Gen. Sully in the Dakotas. Lets keep the history alive and the reason why. New generations are and not informed now. Patriots all know why.
My g-g-grandfather was wounded @ Gettysburg! Was imprisoned @ the "notorious", Andersonville Prison, and (fortunately, for _me_ !😉) survived the war. In fact, at the time of his passing in 1941, he was one of only 3, surviving Civil War Veterans left in New Jersey. I was blessed/fortunate enough to come into possession of his original enlistment & discharge papers(95th NY volunteers), as well as his invitation from....The Government of The United States, to attend the ceremonies recognizing the 75th Anniversary of The Battle of Gettysburg, and several newspaper articles written about him in 1940 & '41. Sadly, I lost these priceless, familial heirlooms to a fire, two years ago. Proud & honored to say; besides my grandfather who was the..."bread-winner" and provider for his wife and 2 kids (dad, being one of them) during WWII, our family's continued devotion to serving our great nation, goes back to.....well,... _BEFORE_ we were even a nation!!
Great personal story tied to the artifact. Thanks for sharing 👍
👊🏻
Western Marylander here! I visit both Gettysburg and Antietam a lot! A few years remains of a Union soldier from NY were found on the Cornfield on Antietam battlefield! They were identified and returned to NY for burial !
Wow, what a story. Gettysburg is on my bucket list
You guy's never dissapoint. Great work.
Not really linked to Gettysburg, BUT…..I had an original three band enfield rifled musket that had three Minnie balls jammed in the barrel, which I know was a common problem during the ACW, due to panic. This rifle had been reproofed in Birmingham (England) proof house and was used by Indian troops during WWI. It’s reproof expired in 1955.
Great content by the way! Best wishes from the UK.
Erik, I have heard this story about the civil war soldier found in a tree, didn’t realize you had a connection to it through one of your ancestors 😮
Wow what a story!
Good morning from Syracuse NY brother and everyone else thank you for sharing your information and adventures and details
a friend of mine was sitting in a deer stand in NW Florida and said he heard some commotion coming through the woods, he said three rag-tag civil war soldiers were running through the woods looking disheveled and scared, he said as they disappeared in the woods an officer on horseback came tearing through the woods , stopped , looked behind him and took off again going the same way as the soldiers. He said there were no tracks left behind.
Wow, was this near Olustee?
@@cindymckimm5681 no it was near Crestview Florida, near Eglin AFB
Ok, thanks. Thought it might have been in area of the Olustee battlefield park. But still near a military base, yikes.
There are ghost horses?
@@mikemcghee3492
Sure, like Casper and wendy's "NiteMare..."
I'm born & raised Geetysburg, and LOVE IT HERE!
Thats one heck of a story Eric!!!! Just WOW!!!!!
The stories really bring history to life, and connect it to the present day. Very interesting, thank you for posting!
Random unrelated fact but a woman's remains were found in a tree in England in 1943 during WW2. One theory is that she was German a spy.
Ha ha ha had she been shot? Or or or did she die of tree disease?
Terrific historical presentation
Thanks for being so informative for us who haven’t visited
Great story! I remember Erik talking about this during another video. Those bayonets are huge and look like they could do some mean damage in close quarters
That was VERY interesting. I am a history buff and have bought items from you before. My GGGrandad fought for Tennessee Co D 34th Confederate. Mr Peppers I salute you.
I love these mostly unknown local stories
Wow. Great story on the Sniper. Finding the Bayonet some three generations ago - 120 years ago (?) - 1903. 20 years after the Battle. Cool.
Awesome Episode!!!
This is incredibly interesting, I think it is very important for as much of this history as is possible to be preserved, and as many of these people as possible to be remembered. All of this history is part of ALL of our history, and we need to embrace it and try to understand it...I live in SC, and we have some Confederate graveyards that are preserved when they are found.
Good stuff. Love civil war history. Can NEVER know it all! Thanx for a good story👍🇺🇸❤️
I paved tons of the roads at the battlefields. I spent almost a whole summer there paving roads! It was like a great learning experience
That was some great bit of history, thank you.