Post by Gordon Lee on Jul 3, 2017 17:54:52 GMT -5
Greetings Fellow SB Boarders
.
Since today is the anniversary of the climatic part of this story, I'd thought I share it with those that can take the time to give it a scan. It was composed over ten years ago.
.
.
3 'n Luv (or The Culp Hill Triangle)
.
Exactly one hundred and fifty-three years ago this coming second day of July, young Wesley was having a Sunday picnic with his two best friends in the whole wide world. They chased each other up and down the hill, jumped from boulder to boulder, and raced from tree to tree. Summer time was always fun, after all the chores were done. And this particular hill was the most beautiful spot on earth -- all three friends agreed to this fact.
.
Wesley, age eleven, lived with his folks and sisters down the road from his uncle. His uncle owned the land just outside of town where this beautiful hill was situated. His uncle owned a lot of land and a big farm and was fairly rich. Wesley's father was not quite as affluent. He did odd jobs about town ... jobs that were dirty, toiling or plain old backbreaking ... odd jobs that most men paid others to do. That didn't matter much to Wesley because his family never lacked the essentials, just the trimmings. Besides, Wesley had his two friends, Jack (age 11) and Jennie (age ten). These two friends were worth all the riches in all the Alleghenies.
.
Jack's real name was Johnston Hastings Skelly, Jr. Nobody call Jack by that name except his mother. His mother, may have been a bit pretentious and at times a little over protective of her only son, but some mothers are like that, right?
.
Jack's father, Mr. Skelly, Sr. was one of the town's most successful businessmen. Everyone respected him, including Jennie's papa. He was employed by Jack's dad. Jennie (short for Virginia) and her older sister, Georgia, sometimes worked for Mr. Skelly, too.
.
Yes sir, this was the most beautiful hill on earth they agreed and yes sir, they were the best three friends in the whole world. Nothing in the whole wide world could ever separate them ... nothing!
.
::SIX YEARS LATER::
.
"I'll be back to visit ya all, I promise," so said Wesley to his two friends. They sat on a blanket at their very most favorite place on earth, just outside of town on the hill. Wesley was leaving before sun up the next morning. Family finances required Wesley to learn a trade if they were going to survive. Although the town was booming, unskilled labor saturated the market. Wesley's father was just barely getting by. An offer arrived for Wesley to learn the wagon making trade. The problem ... it was out west and he had to leave.
.
::ANOTHER TWO YEARS::
.
The Nation's politics are in a turmoil. John Brown was caught and hung for raiding the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Abe Lincoln, the newly elected president, beat out John C. Breckinridge and Stephen Douglas on a
split Democratic ticket, and John Bell on the recently formed Constitutional Union Party ticket. Seven states: South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas adapted ordinances of secession and the Confederacy was formed. Citizens of Baltimore rioted against Federal troops marching through their city. Southern artillery opened fire on Ft. Sumter. Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee also joined the Confederate States. And, Jack Skelly, Jr. was mustered into the 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry of the Union Army.
.
"Goodbye, Jennie. The very first furlough I get I'll be back to see you. Tell your momma and daddy and your sister, Georgia, I said goodbye, too. Don't fret about me none 'cause Georgia's new husband will look after me. We'll take good care of each other and probably just the two of us will whip them rebels and win this war by ourselves. I'll miss you, Jennie."
.
::MEANWHILE, OVER IN WHAT IS NOW WEST VIRGINIA::
.
"Put this butternut jacket on, son. From now on you're conscripted and belong to Mr. Jefferson Davis and the Confederate States of America."
.
"Yes sir, Sergeant," snaps Private John Wesley Culp, CSA.
.
::CARTER'S WOODS, VIRGINIA - JUNE 15, 1863::
.
A bitter engagement between the two sides begins to subside. The rebel's three artillery batteries, called Matthew, Luke and John, pounded canister, cannon balls, and shells at the Union forces for twenty-four straight hours. The most casualties by far were caused by Matthew. Battery Matthew directed most of it's bombardment against the unfortunate 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry. One of the casualties was poor Johnston Hastings Skelly, Jr., known by his best friends in the whole world as Jack.
.
Nine months earlier, Georgia's husband, received furlough papers and went home to see her. He since been reassigned to the "J" Street Barracks in Washington, DC. Private McClellan much prefers this guard duty, watching a bunch of horses, than pounding the Virginia hills chasing after Johnny Reb. He feels bad about leaving his sister-in-law's boyfriend, Jack, but what the hell. Since he found out that Georgia is about to become a mother, it's his duty to make sure he's safe so he can return home from this war and be a father.
.
Jack, however, didn't feel anything except pain. His broken body laid on the battle field of Carter's Woods, left behind by the retreating Union soldiers. He was barely breathing and offered no resistance when a confederate ambulance driver hefted him up and dropped him into the back of the wagon. He was taken to a prison hospital in Winchester, Virginia.
.
In the midst of the battle at Carter's Woods, Virginia, was Wesley. He knew he was fighting against the 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry. After the smoke cleared and the dust settled, Wesley took off checking on the captured prisoners ... knowing he would see some of his old friends and some of his relatives. He was dismayed to learn that Jack Skelly was severely wounded and taken to Winchester. Thus, he high-tailed it over to the prison hospital.
.
Jack looked bad. He looked very bad. His wounds were many and all were serious. Wesley almost collapsed upon seeing how bad Jack was mangled. Almost ten years have past since the two best friends in the whole world seen each other. Jack, dazed as he was, immediately recognized Wesley.
.
"Wesley, I want you to do something for me," asked Jack, "I want you to give Jennie a message ... tell her ... tell her I love her and I'm going to get better ... and ... and tell her I'm going to come home and marry her ... tell her that, Wesley, won't you?"
.
"Sure, Jack ... I will ... I'll do just that and tell her."
.
Wesley knew in his heart that Jack would never get better. He knew that Jack would never leave that bed alive. But he also knew that he made a promise to his best friend and he knew that he was going to keep that promise ... or die trying.
.
::GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA -- JULY 3, 1863::
.
Robert E. Lee's Northern Virginia Army has spearheaded into Northern territory. By happenstance, the little town of Gettysburg plays host to this deadly game when General Meade gets in Lee's way. For two days, each side parries and thrusts seeking advantage.
.
Wesley is back in his home town. He looks for every opportunity to sneak away and visit his family, but especially to find Jennie. It's difficult because his unit is constantly digging in and moving out and digging in again. Briefly, he meets his two sisters. The two girls brought what little food they had out to share with the troops ... hoping to see their brother. For the brief moment they meet (his unit is again ordered to rush off to another position) he tells his sisters that he loves them and that he hopes he can visit for a while after the fighting stops and that if they see Jennie, please tell her he has a very important message for her from Jack. With that, he's off and running to catch up with the rest of his outfit.
.
That's what Wesley told his sisters. What he really wanted to say was, if they see Jennie, please tell her he has an important message for her from Jack. But most of all it's he that misses and loves her, and it's he who wants to marry her. He's wanted to marry her since they were little kids playing on the hill.
.
A short time after meeting his sisters love-struck Wesley finds himself running up a hill just outside of town. It's the most beautiful hill on earth. Look, right here is the exact place we use to picnic. How lovely this place is. He can just picture Jack, Jennie and himself the way they use to play amongst the trees and rocks on this hill. That thought is frozen in Wesley's brain because exactly at that instant a bullet strikes him dead. John Wesley Culp dies on a hill owned by his uncle. He dies on Culp Hill.
.
::BALTIMORE STREET, GETTYSBURG, PA. -- ONE HOUR LATER::
.
Mrs. McClellan had a baby when the battle of Gettysburg began, two days ago. Her sister Virginia left her folks home to attend to Georgia and the new infant. Across the road is the Wagon Hotel. Whatever hotel guests there might be have long fled. Union soldiers are now bivouacked in the orchard behind the hotel. The McClellan residence on Baltimore Street is between the Union lines on Cemetery Ridge and the Confederate forces in town.
.
With her sister resting and the baby sleeping, Jennie Wade is baking bread for the soldiers staying behind the Wagon Hotel. A confederate sniper is testing his rifle's accuracy. He aims for the door knob on the house on Baltimore Street. His aim isn't too bad for that distance. The minnie ball travels through the wooden door, through another door, into Jennie's back and then straight through her heart.
.
Union soldiers at the Wagon Hotel hear Georgia scream. They rush across Baltimore Street and help take Jennies body to the cellar. There, Georgia finds a picture of Jack Skelly in a pocket of Jennie's flour covered apron. Jennie is the only civilian casualty at the battle of Gettysburg. (She was the only civilian casualty at the Battle of Gettysburge and only one of a few female casualties of the whole Civil War.)
.
Jennie Wade was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in a coffin made by distraught confederate soldiers. Johnston (Jack) Hastings Skelly, Jr. died of his wounds from the Battle of Carter's Woods nine days later on July 12, 1863. He too is buried in Evergreen, just yards away from Miss Jennie Wade.
.
Immediately after the last battle of Gettysburg the family of John Wesley Culp searched high and low for his body. His fellow soldiers seen when he got shot and reported the location where he fell. But all that was found was a shattered rifle butt with the name "John Wesley Culp" ornately carved.
.
A lot of folks tell of three spectral children laughing, running and playing around the tomb stones and markers at the Evergreen Cemetery.
.
If interested, visit:
.
The Grave of Mary Virginia (Jennie) Wade:
.
www.findagrave.com/pictures/1064.html
.
Photograph of Jennie Wade taken just before her death:
.
mariah.stonemarche.org/iivhis/women/wade/htm
.
A real picture of John Wesley Culp, taken on the spot where he died, circa
2000. Yes, that is Wesley, just to the left of the monument. :
.
www.atlanticghost.itgo.com/culp.html
.
[This above site may have been removed ... (shucks!) ... it showed an orb at Culp's Hill.]
.
Author's Note: No horses were harmed in the typing of this post. The events, as depicted, were real and honestly happened. No names were changed to protect the innocent or the guilty. Only a few words and all individual character thoughts portrayed are purely pretend and are solely the inspiration of the author. If money is involved, make sure I get my share so feel free to copy any or all parts of this story ... but don't blame me. Comments are welcomed.
.
Respectfully,
Gordon Lee
Great Fritain Royal Memorabilia & Moldy Bread Emporium
I've started writing a 900 page novel, but so far I've got the pages numbered.
.
Since today is the anniversary of the climatic part of this story, I'd thought I share it with those that can take the time to give it a scan. It was composed over ten years ago.
.
.
3 'n Luv (or The Culp Hill Triangle)
.
Exactly one hundred and fifty-three years ago this coming second day of July, young Wesley was having a Sunday picnic with his two best friends in the whole wide world. They chased each other up and down the hill, jumped from boulder to boulder, and raced from tree to tree. Summer time was always fun, after all the chores were done. And this particular hill was the most beautiful spot on earth -- all three friends agreed to this fact.
.
Wesley, age eleven, lived with his folks and sisters down the road from his uncle. His uncle owned the land just outside of town where this beautiful hill was situated. His uncle owned a lot of land and a big farm and was fairly rich. Wesley's father was not quite as affluent. He did odd jobs about town ... jobs that were dirty, toiling or plain old backbreaking ... odd jobs that most men paid others to do. That didn't matter much to Wesley because his family never lacked the essentials, just the trimmings. Besides, Wesley had his two friends, Jack (age 11) and Jennie (age ten). These two friends were worth all the riches in all the Alleghenies.
.
Jack's real name was Johnston Hastings Skelly, Jr. Nobody call Jack by that name except his mother. His mother, may have been a bit pretentious and at times a little over protective of her only son, but some mothers are like that, right?
.
Jack's father, Mr. Skelly, Sr. was one of the town's most successful businessmen. Everyone respected him, including Jennie's papa. He was employed by Jack's dad. Jennie (short for Virginia) and her older sister, Georgia, sometimes worked for Mr. Skelly, too.
.
Yes sir, this was the most beautiful hill on earth they agreed and yes sir, they were the best three friends in the whole world. Nothing in the whole wide world could ever separate them ... nothing!
.
::SIX YEARS LATER::
.
"I'll be back to visit ya all, I promise," so said Wesley to his two friends. They sat on a blanket at their very most favorite place on earth, just outside of town on the hill. Wesley was leaving before sun up the next morning. Family finances required Wesley to learn a trade if they were going to survive. Although the town was booming, unskilled labor saturated the market. Wesley's father was just barely getting by. An offer arrived for Wesley to learn the wagon making trade. The problem ... it was out west and he had to leave.
.
::ANOTHER TWO YEARS::
.
The Nation's politics are in a turmoil. John Brown was caught and hung for raiding the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Abe Lincoln, the newly elected president, beat out John C. Breckinridge and Stephen Douglas on a
split Democratic ticket, and John Bell on the recently formed Constitutional Union Party ticket. Seven states: South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas adapted ordinances of secession and the Confederacy was formed. Citizens of Baltimore rioted against Federal troops marching through their city. Southern artillery opened fire on Ft. Sumter. Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee also joined the Confederate States. And, Jack Skelly, Jr. was mustered into the 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry of the Union Army.
.
"Goodbye, Jennie. The very first furlough I get I'll be back to see you. Tell your momma and daddy and your sister, Georgia, I said goodbye, too. Don't fret about me none 'cause Georgia's new husband will look after me. We'll take good care of each other and probably just the two of us will whip them rebels and win this war by ourselves. I'll miss you, Jennie."
.
::MEANWHILE, OVER IN WHAT IS NOW WEST VIRGINIA::
.
"Put this butternut jacket on, son. From now on you're conscripted and belong to Mr. Jefferson Davis and the Confederate States of America."
.
"Yes sir, Sergeant," snaps Private John Wesley Culp, CSA.
.
::CARTER'S WOODS, VIRGINIA - JUNE 15, 1863::
.
A bitter engagement between the two sides begins to subside. The rebel's three artillery batteries, called Matthew, Luke and John, pounded canister, cannon balls, and shells at the Union forces for twenty-four straight hours. The most casualties by far were caused by Matthew. Battery Matthew directed most of it's bombardment against the unfortunate 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry. One of the casualties was poor Johnston Hastings Skelly, Jr., known by his best friends in the whole world as Jack.
.
Nine months earlier, Georgia's husband, received furlough papers and went home to see her. He since been reassigned to the "J" Street Barracks in Washington, DC. Private McClellan much prefers this guard duty, watching a bunch of horses, than pounding the Virginia hills chasing after Johnny Reb. He feels bad about leaving his sister-in-law's boyfriend, Jack, but what the hell. Since he found out that Georgia is about to become a mother, it's his duty to make sure he's safe so he can return home from this war and be a father.
.
Jack, however, didn't feel anything except pain. His broken body laid on the battle field of Carter's Woods, left behind by the retreating Union soldiers. He was barely breathing and offered no resistance when a confederate ambulance driver hefted him up and dropped him into the back of the wagon. He was taken to a prison hospital in Winchester, Virginia.
.
In the midst of the battle at Carter's Woods, Virginia, was Wesley. He knew he was fighting against the 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry. After the smoke cleared and the dust settled, Wesley took off checking on the captured prisoners ... knowing he would see some of his old friends and some of his relatives. He was dismayed to learn that Jack Skelly was severely wounded and taken to Winchester. Thus, he high-tailed it over to the prison hospital.
.
Jack looked bad. He looked very bad. His wounds were many and all were serious. Wesley almost collapsed upon seeing how bad Jack was mangled. Almost ten years have past since the two best friends in the whole world seen each other. Jack, dazed as he was, immediately recognized Wesley.
.
"Wesley, I want you to do something for me," asked Jack, "I want you to give Jennie a message ... tell her ... tell her I love her and I'm going to get better ... and ... and tell her I'm going to come home and marry her ... tell her that, Wesley, won't you?"
.
"Sure, Jack ... I will ... I'll do just that and tell her."
.
Wesley knew in his heart that Jack would never get better. He knew that Jack would never leave that bed alive. But he also knew that he made a promise to his best friend and he knew that he was going to keep that promise ... or die trying.
.
::GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA -- JULY 3, 1863::
.
Robert E. Lee's Northern Virginia Army has spearheaded into Northern territory. By happenstance, the little town of Gettysburg plays host to this deadly game when General Meade gets in Lee's way. For two days, each side parries and thrusts seeking advantage.
.
Wesley is back in his home town. He looks for every opportunity to sneak away and visit his family, but especially to find Jennie. It's difficult because his unit is constantly digging in and moving out and digging in again. Briefly, he meets his two sisters. The two girls brought what little food they had out to share with the troops ... hoping to see their brother. For the brief moment they meet (his unit is again ordered to rush off to another position) he tells his sisters that he loves them and that he hopes he can visit for a while after the fighting stops and that if they see Jennie, please tell her he has a very important message for her from Jack. With that, he's off and running to catch up with the rest of his outfit.
.
That's what Wesley told his sisters. What he really wanted to say was, if they see Jennie, please tell her he has an important message for her from Jack. But most of all it's he that misses and loves her, and it's he who wants to marry her. He's wanted to marry her since they were little kids playing on the hill.
.
A short time after meeting his sisters love-struck Wesley finds himself running up a hill just outside of town. It's the most beautiful hill on earth. Look, right here is the exact place we use to picnic. How lovely this place is. He can just picture Jack, Jennie and himself the way they use to play amongst the trees and rocks on this hill. That thought is frozen in Wesley's brain because exactly at that instant a bullet strikes him dead. John Wesley Culp dies on a hill owned by his uncle. He dies on Culp Hill.
.
::BALTIMORE STREET, GETTYSBURG, PA. -- ONE HOUR LATER::
.
Mrs. McClellan had a baby when the battle of Gettysburg began, two days ago. Her sister Virginia left her folks home to attend to Georgia and the new infant. Across the road is the Wagon Hotel. Whatever hotel guests there might be have long fled. Union soldiers are now bivouacked in the orchard behind the hotel. The McClellan residence on Baltimore Street is between the Union lines on Cemetery Ridge and the Confederate forces in town.
.
With her sister resting and the baby sleeping, Jennie Wade is baking bread for the soldiers staying behind the Wagon Hotel. A confederate sniper is testing his rifle's accuracy. He aims for the door knob on the house on Baltimore Street. His aim isn't too bad for that distance. The minnie ball travels through the wooden door, through another door, into Jennie's back and then straight through her heart.
.
Union soldiers at the Wagon Hotel hear Georgia scream. They rush across Baltimore Street and help take Jennies body to the cellar. There, Georgia finds a picture of Jack Skelly in a pocket of Jennie's flour covered apron. Jennie is the only civilian casualty at the battle of Gettysburg. (She was the only civilian casualty at the Battle of Gettysburge and only one of a few female casualties of the whole Civil War.)
.
Jennie Wade was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in a coffin made by distraught confederate soldiers. Johnston (Jack) Hastings Skelly, Jr. died of his wounds from the Battle of Carter's Woods nine days later on July 12, 1863. He too is buried in Evergreen, just yards away from Miss Jennie Wade.
.
Immediately after the last battle of Gettysburg the family of John Wesley Culp searched high and low for his body. His fellow soldiers seen when he got shot and reported the location where he fell. But all that was found was a shattered rifle butt with the name "John Wesley Culp" ornately carved.
.
A lot of folks tell of three spectral children laughing, running and playing around the tomb stones and markers at the Evergreen Cemetery.
.
If interested, visit:
.
The Grave of Mary Virginia (Jennie) Wade:
.
www.findagrave.com/pictures/1064.html
.
Photograph of Jennie Wade taken just before her death:
.
mariah.stonemarche.org/iivhis/women/wade/htm
.
A real picture of John Wesley Culp, taken on the spot where he died, circa
2000. Yes, that is Wesley, just to the left of the monument. :
.
www.atlanticghost.itgo.com/culp.html
.
[This above site may have been removed ... (shucks!) ... it showed an orb at Culp's Hill.]
.
Author's Note: No horses were harmed in the typing of this post. The events, as depicted, were real and honestly happened. No names were changed to protect the innocent or the guilty. Only a few words and all individual character thoughts portrayed are purely pretend and are solely the inspiration of the author. If money is involved, make sure I get my share so feel free to copy any or all parts of this story ... but don't blame me. Comments are welcomed.
.
Respectfully,
Gordon Lee
Great Fritain Royal Memorabilia & Moldy Bread Emporium
I've started writing a 900 page novel, but so far I've got the pages numbered.
