Gettysburg Daily

Markers Return to East Cemetery Hill



Nine itinerary tablets, or markers, which show actions taken by the Army of the Potomac during the Gettysburg Campaign each day from June 29, 1863 to July 7, 1863 have returned to East Cemetery Hill. The markers were originally located on the top of the hill across from the Evergreen Cemetery Gatehouse, and they were originally facing the Baltimore Pike so that they could be read from the road. This, of course, created unsafe conditions along the road, so they are now placed so that visitors reading the tablets face the Baltimore Pike. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.

The markers, or itinerary tablets for the Army of the Potomac on East Cemetery Hill have finally returned. The nine markers show the movements of the Union Army during the Gettysburg Campaign from June 29, 1863 to July 7, 1863. The maintenance crew, under the direction of Supervisory Exhibits Specialist, Vic Gavin, installed the markers on their bases, powerwashed the markers, and then applied a wax sealant for protection.

See our previous posts on the East Cemetery Hill Markers on July 23, 2008, July 31, 2008, and August 20, 2008.



Six of the markers were in place when the Gettysburg Daily showed up this morning. Supervisory Exhibits Specialist, Vic Gavin, is directing operations on the right (east) side of the markers. This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.



The markers in place included June 29, 1863… This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.



…June 30, 1863… This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.



…July 1, 1863… This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.



… July 2, 1863… This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.



…July 3, 1863… This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.



… and July 4, 1863. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.



There was a pause in the action as a crew went back to get the last three markers, and the power washing crew was on their way. This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.

This video shows the red safety tape being taken off the markers, and the power washing crew beginning their cleaning of the markers. This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.



The markers are power washed before the wax sealant can be applied. This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.



The remaining three markers arrive… This view was taken from the southwest facing northeast at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.



… and are taken off the truck. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.

This video shows the markers taken off the truck, being bolted into place, and their placement finalized. This view was taken from various directions at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.



July 5, 1863 is placed. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.



The markers are bolted into place. This view was taken from the northwest facing southeast at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.



These markers have the dates of July 5, 1863… (Barbara Adams is in the background) This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.



… July 6, 1863… This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.



… and July 7, 1863. And don’t worry about the greenish or patina look on the markers because they’re not finished yet. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.



The gentlemen on the left who had previously powerwashed those markers are now using an open flame to heat the markers and apply a wax sealant with a brush. This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.

This video shows how the flame and the wax are applied. Both sides of the markers will be coated or sealed. We will show you the finished products in a later post. This view was taken from the southwest facing northeast at approximately 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 21, 2008.