Berks County Genealogical Society

05/30/2026

Penn State Berks' residence life has found a way to make good use of leftover items from residence halls at the end of the semester by donating them to Opportunity House, an emergency shelter located in Reading.

05/30/2026

05/30/2026

My favorite shot from yesterday at the Angle, Gettysburg. 2-D version is in the first comment.

05/30/2026

05/29/2026

Love this detail showing one of the insane ladders with missing rungs that might have gotten you up to Point Lookout, before the metal steps were there! Think about the reality of using a ladder like this at the site of where a soldier/photographer named Roper plummeted to his death. I once heard from folks at Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park a legend that this ladder was later made into a baby carriage that still exists somewhere. I confess they told me with considerable skepticism. 😁

05/29/2026

May 29 1864 (Sunday)

Union commander U.S. Grant informs Chief of Staff Henry W. Halleck that "the army has successfully crossed over the Pamunkey [River] and now occupies a front about 3 miles south of the river." Winfield S. Hancock's Second Corps leads the way. He reports: "The enemy appear to be moving to the right and left, manning their works. A contraband reports the road to Richmond lined with troops, and says he counted twenty guns on the left of the road." Confederate President Davis rides out from Richmond for a conference with Army of Northern Virginia commander Robert E. Lee. As usual, Lee wants reinforcements but G.T. Beauregard, commander of the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia, is adamant that he cannot give up any more troops. Beauregard explains: "My force is so small at present that to divide it for the purpose of re-enforcing Lee would jeopardize the safety of the part left to guard my lines, and would greatly endanger Richmond itself."

HEADQUARTERS, Clark's House, May 29, 1864--6.45 a.m.
General [John C. Breckinridge, Breckinridge’s Division]: I do not propose to move the troops today unless it becomes necessary. I wish you, therefore, to get all your men together, rest and refresh them as much as possible, and supply them with ammunition, provisions, &c. Be prepared to move should circumstances require it. I think it probable that should the enemy intend to advance from his present position on Richmond it will be by Haw's Shop to Atlee's Station. I have directed… [A.P. Hill] to be ready to support you. Take a position to resist his advance, acquaint yourself with the roads and country in your vicinity, and post your pickets to insure your security. Advise General Hill (at Shady Grove Church, on road from Atlee's to Mechanicsville) as well as myself of any movement against you. Very respectfully,
R.E. LEE, General.