Gettysburg Rock Carvings 7 with Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Tim Smith
October 5, 2009
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Tim Smith is the co-author of the book Devil’s Den, A History and Guide from Thomas Publications. He continues our look at Gettysburg Rock Carvings by showing us carvings in the Culp’s Hill area. Tim is poised on the “Coble Rock” overlooking Spangler’s Meadow. The light colored monument in the background is the Indiana State Monument. This view was taken facing south at approximately 4:00 PM on Monday, August 10, 2009.
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Tim Smith begins a series on Gettysburg Rock Carvings. Tim is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and has been a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park since 1992. Tim is the Research Historian for the Adams County Historical Society, and has written numerous articles, booklets, and books about the Gettysburg area. Tim is the co-author with Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Garry Adelman of Devil’s Den, A History and Guide.
In our first post, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Tim Smith began our tour of Gettysburg Rock Carvings at Devil’s Den. He introduced us to the rock carvings and explained how the government chiseled away many of the rock carvings in 1894.
In our second post Tim showed us more items around the Table Rock area, and how the angle of the sun helps find rock carvings.
In our third post, Tim Smith showed us the most well-known carving at Devil’s Den, and how some people make sure that they stay at Devil’s Den forever.
In our fourth post Tim showed us carvings at the Elephant Rock, his ability to get on top of the Elephant Rock, and carvings on the Flag Boulder.
In our fifth post, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Tim Smith showed us carvings in Plum Run Valley/The Valley of Death.
In our sixth post, Licensed Battlefield Guide Tim Smith showed us the Vincent Rock, the Hazlett Rock, and the Balancing Rock on Little Round Top.
In today’s post, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide shows us rock carvings in the Culp’s Hill area.
This map shows us the locations taken of videos for the Gettysburg Rock Carvings series. Videos #1-#17 were shown in our previous Rock Carvings posts. Video #18 was taken at the Coble Rock overlooking Spangler’s Meadow. Videos #19 and #20 were taken near the monuments to the 122nd New York and the 149th New York. This map was created facing north at approximately 7:00 AM on Friday, August 14, 2009.
A closer view of the Coble Carving. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:00 PM on Monday, August 10, 2009.
In Video #18 (Videos #1-#17 were shown in our previous Rock Carvings posts) Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Tim Smith is standing on the “Coble Rock” overlooking Spangler’s Meadow. Tim shows us the A.L. Coble Rock Carving, and he also gives some biographical information about Coble. This view was taken facing south at approximately 4:00 PM on Monday, August 10, 2009.
This is a page from the 1860 federal population census for Alamance County, North Carolina. Augustus Coble is listed as 15 years old. Augustus and his brother, Emsley M. Coble, who was 19 years old in 1860, both served in Company E, 1st North Carolina Infantry. This 1860 census page was provided by Tim Smith.
This card from the Compiled Service Records of Augustus L. Coble showed that he was 20 years old when he was conscripted in 1862. The 1860 census stated that he was 15 years old. This Compiled Service Record was provided by Tim Smith.
This card from the Compiled Service Records of Augustus L. Coble showed that he enlisted in Raleigh, North Carolina, and was mising after the Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam). This Compiled Service Record was provided by Tim Smith.
This card from the Compiled Service Records of Augustus L. Coble showed that he was captured at Spotsylvania on May 12, 1862. He was taken to Point Lookout Maryland, and later transferred to a prison in Elmira, New York. This Compiled Service Record was provided by Tim Smith.
This card from the Compiled Service Records of Augustus L. Coble showed that he was released from the prison in Elmira, New York on June 21, 1865. This Compiled Service Record was provided by Tim Smith.
This card from the Compiled Service Records of Augustus L. Coble showed that he was released from the prison in Elmira, New York on June 21, 1865 after taking the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. This Compiled Service Record was provided by Tim Smith.
Licensed Battlefield Guide Tim Smith is looking at two carvings on a rock near the monument to the 122nd New York Infantry Regiment. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:20 PM on Monday, August 10, 2009.
A closer view of the carvings on the rock near the 122nd New York. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:20 PM on Monday, August 10, 2009.
The bottom carving… This view was taken facing south at approximately 4:20 PM on Monday, August 10, 2009.
…and the top carving. This view was taken facing south at approximately 4:20 PM on Monday, August 10, 2009.
In Video #19 Licensed Battlefield Guide Tim Smith is standing by a large monument next to the 122nd New York and the 149th New York monuments. He shows us two carvings created by local teenagers in 1871. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:20 PM on Monday, August 10, 2009.
The 1870 federal population census for Cumberland Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania shows that Peter Sacks was 14 years old and was “working on farm.” This 1870 census was provided by Tim Smith.
The 1870 federal population census for Straban Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania shows that Allen W. Lightner was 15 years old and “at home.” This 1870 census was provided by Tim Smith.
Tim Smith is highlighting a rock carving behind (east of) the monument to the 149th New York Infantry Regiment. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, August 10, 2009.
Here is the rock carving behind (east of) the monument to the 149th New York Infantry Regiment. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, August 10, 2009.
In Video #20 Tim Smith is standing behind (east of) the monument to the 149th New York. He relates how he discovered why a carving was placed here. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, August 10, 2009.
This is the current monument to the 149th New York Infantry Regiment. This view was taken facing east at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, August 10, 2009.
This is the first monument to the 149th New York Infantry Regiment. This view was taken facing southeast circa 1888.
To find another monument created by the Smith Granite Company of Waverly, Rhode Island, one has to only go across the street (Slocum Avenue) from the 149th New York. This is the monument to the 65th New York Infantry Regiment. This view was taken facing west at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, August 10, 2009.
Tim is pointing to the location of the inscription for the Smith Granite Company on the monument to the 65th New York Infantry Regiment. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, August 10, 2009.
The inscription on the monument to the 65th New York Infantry Regiment. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, August 10, 2009.
Tim wanted to show that after he chalks his carvings, he washes them off. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Sunday, October 4, 2009.
Other guides put sawdust in the rock carvings and let the wind take care of cleaning off the rocks. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Sunday, October 4, 2009.
Tim Smith is the co-author with Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Garry Adelman of Devil’s Den, A History and Guide. It was first published by Thomas Publications, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in 1997. This cover was scanned facing south at approximately 8:00 PM on Tuesday, July 14, 2009.
To see other posts by Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guides,click here.
