Gettysburg Daily

Memorial Day Weekend at the Soldiers National Cemetery



The flowers were placed on the grave of Simeon Ikins of the 136th New York. The Soldiers National Monument is in the background. Private Simeon Ikins was single, and from New Hudson, New York. At Gettysburg on July 3, 1863 he suffered a compound fracture of the left arm, and was wounded in the head. Both wounds were inflicted by an artillery shell. He died on August 29, 1863 at Camp Letterman hospital, and was first buried at Camp Letterman’s cemetery before his remains were transferred to his final resting place in the New York Section. Unfortunately, until July 13, 2003 he laid under a stone that read “J.C. Kent.” His descendent, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Ikins, had the tombstone corrected. The card on the flowers states that they were presented by “Colonel and Mrs. Ikins.” This view was taken from the northwest facing southeast at approximately 6:30 AM on Sunday, May 25, 2008.

The Soldiers National Cemetery at Gettysburg National Military Park is decorated for Memorial Day Weekend. The cemetery is also decorated with American flags on the Fourth of July and Remembrance Day. Remembrance Day, or November 19th, is the anniversary of the cemetery dedication and President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. The Memorial Day Parade will take place in Gettysburg tomorrow, Monday May 26th, beginning at 2:00 PM. At 3:00 PM the Memorial Day Service will occur at the Soldiers National Monument in the National Cemetery.



A field of flags. The unknown section on the east side of the cemetery. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 6:30 AM on Sunday, May 25, 2008.



The Michigan section and the Soldiers National Monument. This view was taken from the north facing south at approximately 6:30 AM on Sunday, May 25, 2008.



The unknown sections on the east side of the cemetery, and the New York State Monument. This view was taken from the northwest facing southeast at approximately 6:30 AM on Sunday, May 25, 2008.



The New York Section. This view was taken from the east facing west at approximately 6:30 AM on Sunday, May 25, 2008.



A favorite spot for guides, rangers, and volunteers to tell a personal story from the battle. The grave of Sergeant Amos Humiston of the 154th New York. This view was taken from the east facing west at approximately 6:30 AM on Sunday, May 25, 2008.



The New York Section and the Soldiers National Monument. This view was taken from the northwest facing southeast at approximately 6:30 AM on Sunday, May 25, 2008.



The New York and Pennsylvania sections. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 6:30 AM on Sunday, May 25, 2008.



The New Jersey Section with the Pennsylvania section in the back. This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest at approximately 6:30 AM on Sunday, May 25, 2008.



The Minnesota Section. This view was taken from the east facing west at approximately 6:30 AM on Sunday, May 25, 2008.



The Ohio section. This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest at approximately 6:30 AM on Sunday, May 25, 2008.



George Nixon of the 73rd Ohio. The great grandfather of President Richard M. Nixon. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 6:30 AM on Sunday, May 25, 2008.



Looking across the Ohio section to the northeast. This view was taken from the southwest facing northeast at approximately 6:30 AM on Sunday, May 25, 2008.