The Princess Anne Greys, also known as Lee’s Sharpshooters, camped at Spangler’s Spring near the southern slope of Culp’s Hill this weekend. Here the Greys are planning their move to Devil’s Den in the afternoon, where they were to portray units from either Georgia, Alabama, or Texas. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 11:30 AM on Saturday, June 14, 2008.
The summer season brings Living History programs to Gettysburg National Military Park on the weekends. On Saturday, the Princess Anne Greys, a Confederate reenacting group were camping at Spangler’s Spring. They were only able to perform one firing demonstration, because the National Park Service Ranger, Tom Holbrook, who needs to be present when they fire their black powder weapons, was feeling ill. Later that afternoon, they were to move to Devil’s Den, where visitor traffic was a little heavier and they could talk to more people.
The Greys found a nice shady area south of Spangler’s Spring, but unfortunately it is not a spot as frequently visited by visitors as other parts of the battlefield. This view was taken from the east facing west at approximately 11:30 AM on Saturday, June 14, 2008.
The Greys finished a firing demonstration at 11:00 AM, and are shown here cleaning their weapons. The reenactment group recruit the Mid-Atlantic area, but most of their members are from Virginia. This view was taken from the north facing south at approximately 11:30 AM on Saturday, June 14, 2008.
The Greys are showing visitors some of their items. The original Greys were part of Company B of the 6th Virginia (William Mahone’s Brigade). This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 11:30 AM on Saturday, June 14, 2008.
One of the reasons Lee’s army came to Pennsylvania in 1863 was to take the war out of Virginia and live off the land in Pennsylvania. The Greys are demonstrating some of the items that would have been available to Confederates, such as potatoes, onions, and carrots. The Indiana State Monument is in the background. This view was taken from the northwest facing southeast at approximately 11:30 AM on Saturday, June 14, 2008.