2024: Summary of Amy Marie's July Meanderings

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Location: British Columbia, Canada

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2025 U.S. Van Tour: Alexander Wiper and the Battle of Gettysburg

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Alexander Wiper In early June 2025, I toured Gettysburg Pennsylvania and the adjacent Civil War Battlefield.  My Great Grandfather, Alexander Wiper, fought here as a member of the 2nd U.S. Cavalry Regiment.  The purpose of my visit was two fold.  First, I wanted to more completely understand the clash between the Union Army, commanded by General George Meade, and the Confederate Forces, commanded by General Robert E. Lee.  Second, I wanted to learn more about my Great Grandfather's Gettysburg experience. Alexander Wiper had immigrated from Scotland to the United States 5 years prior to joining Company I of the 63rd Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, at the age of 16, on August 19th, 1861.   From Civil War Soldier Data Base I don't know what motivated him to enlisted.  Perhaps he needed a  a steady paycheck and he felt being a soldier was a better adventure than being a coal miner.  He did not have a formal education as recorded in the US Censu...
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