Historic Journey Through Gettysburg Battlefields: Little Round Top and Devil’s Den
October 18, 2024 – Gettysburg, PA: Genesis Christian Academy students took a step back in time on their educational field trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where they immersed themselves in the history of the famous 1863 battle that became a turning point in the American Civil War. Led by history teacher Kenneth Hammontree and Civil War historian Tyler Rice, the trip offered the 38 students, parents, and staff a chance to explore the grounds of the pivotal three-day conflict that shaped the nation’s history.
The educational experience centered around the key events of the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place from July 1 to July 3, 1863. As the group roamed the battlefield, historian Tyler Rice gave vivid recountings of the engagements, focusing particularly on two iconic sites—Little Round Top and Devil’s Den.
Bravery at Little Round Top
Standing on the historic Little Round Top, Rice transported the students back to July 2, 1863, a critical moment in the Union’s defense. “Little Round Top was more than just a rocky hill,” Rice explained. “It was the key to holding the Union’s left flank. Losing it would have meant disaster for the Union Army.” He then recounted the fierce fighting between the Confederate Army, led by General Robert E. Lee, and the Union forces under General George Meade.
Rice highlighted the heroism of Colonel Joshua Chamberlain and the 20th Maine Regiment. Vastly outnumbered and facing relentless assaults, Chamberlain’s forces clung to the high ground. When ammunition ran low and the Confederates threatened to break through, Chamberlain made a daring decision: he ordered a bayonet charge down the hill, which caught the Confederates off guard and forced them to retreat. “That charge saved the Union line,” Rice told the group, “and helped secure victory at Gettysburg.”
Little Round Top, with its steep and rocky terrain, became a symbol of tenacity and military brilliance, serving as a key highlight in the students’ understanding of the battle. Today, the site is preserved within Gettysburg National Military Park, where visitors can still walk the rugged trails and stand where soldiers fought with everything they had.
The Bloody Fight at Devil’s Den
From Little Round Top, the group moved on to another dramatic site of the battle—Devil’s Den. The large boulders and rocky formations that characterize this area made it an ideal stronghold during the fighting. On July 2, it became the site of chaotic, bloody combat, with both Union and Confederate soldiers locked in close-quarters battle.
Rice explained how the Union’s Fifth Corps tried to defend Devil’s Den from Confederate forces eager to break through the Union’s defenses. “The boulders made for excellent cover, but they also created confusion,” Rice shared, explaining how the rocky terrain turned the area into a deadly maze of ambushes and attacks. “Soldiers were disoriented, and the fighting was brutal.”
Both the Union and Confederate forces suffered heavy casualties in the fighting for Devil’s Den, which became one of the bloodiest engagements of the entire battle. The strategic importance of this position, coupled with the fierce combat, left a lasting legacy that students learned about firsthand as they stood among the boulders.
Bringing History to Life
For the students of Genesis Christian Academy, the trip to Gettysburg was more than just a history lesson—it was an opportunity to experience the events of the Civil War in a tangible way. As they walked the battlefield, Rice and Hammontree guided them through not just the strategies and outcomes of the conflict, but the human stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience.
“Being here, seeing these places with my own eyes, makes it all so much more real,” said one student. “You can really feel the weight of what happened here.”
The trip offered a unique blend of education and reflection, leaving the students with a deep appreciation for the events that unfolded at Gettysburg and the broader implications of the Civil War. The visit to Gettysburg not only deepened their understanding of American history but also highlighted the importance of remembering the sacrifices that shaped the nation’s future.
Congress Township — On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at approximately 2:30 p.m., The Wooster Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol was called to the scene of a two-vehicle fatal crash on West Britton Road (Township Road 0178) near Maple Valley Drive in Congress Township of Wayne County.
The on-scene investigation revealed that a gray 2019 Ford F-250 hauling a farm implement was entering the roadway from a field access to turn east onto West Britton Road. A green 2001 Harley Davidson Heritage Springer was traveling east on West Britton Road and struck the rear of the Ford F-250 as it was completing its turn.
The motorcyclist, George W. Wood Jr., 60, of Burbank, was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and was pronounced deceased on scene.
The driver of the Ford F-250, Andrew R. Stands, 42, of Creston, was not injured in the crash.
At this time, the crash remains under investigation. Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be contributing factors to the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on the scene by Canaan Township Fire Department and EMS, Bear’s Towing, and the Wayne County Coroner’s Office.
The Strange Stories of the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863: A Field Trip Discovery
October 18, 2024 – Gettysburg, PA: Genesis Christian Academy students embarked on a journey into history during a field trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, exploring not just the well-known strategies and outcomes of the battle, but also the lesser-known, human stories of love and tragedy. Led by History teacher Kenneth Hammontree and historian Tyler Rice, the trip focused on the three-day conflict of July 1863, which forever changed the course of the American Civil War.
The trip served to bring history to life for the 38 students, parents, and staff members in attendance. As they walked the same grounds where Union and Confederate forces clashed, Hammontree began sharing a particularly poignant tale from the battle: the story of Mary Virginia “Jennie” Wade, the only civilian killed during the Battle of Gettysburg.
Jennie Wade: A Tragic Casualty of War
As Hammontree described, Jennie Wade’s story is a deeply human one, marked by both her untimely death and her unwavering bravery in the face of unimaginable danger. Wade, a 20-year-old woman, found herself in the middle of one of the most brutal engagements of the Civil War, not as a soldier but as a civilian trying to help others. On July 3, 1863, while kneading dough in her sister’s home, Wade was struck down by a stray Confederate bullet, becoming the only civilian casualty of the battle.
Despite the chaos surrounding her, Jennie had chosen to assist Union soldiers rather than hide in the cellar like many other civilians. She brought food and water to wounded soldiers, providing much-needed comfort amidst the horrors of battle. “Her courage is remembered, and her story resonates even today,” Hammontree told the group of students, some of whom were hearing this tragic tale for the first time.
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of Wade’s death was the discovery that she was carrying a photograph of her childhood sweetheart, Corporal Jack Skelly, a Union soldier who had been gravely wounded in an earlier battle. Their love story, cut short by war, is still shrouded in a degree of mystery and sorrow.
A Love Lost to War: Jack Skelly and Jennie Wade
Jack Skelly was wounded at the Battle of Carter’s Woods in June 1863, just days before the Battle of Gettysburg. While recovering in a Confederate hospital, Skelly encountered a strange twist of fate—his childhood friend, Wesley Culp, who had joined the Confederate army, was also at the same hospital. Culp had grown up in Gettysburg, like Skelly, but he fought for the South after moving to Virginia before the war. The odds of the two friends meeting in such a situation were incredibly slim.
Skelly, too injured to write, asked Culp to deliver a message to Jennie Wade, back home in Gettysburg. According to Hammontree, the message included a marriage proposal, though some historians debate whether Skelly and Wade were ever officially engaged. “It’s difficult to definitively know the truth after so many years,” Hammontree explained, “but Jennie’s sister, Georgia McClellan, believed they intended to marry in the fall of 1863.”
Unfortunately, neither Jennie nor Jack would live to see that day. Wade was killed in her sister’s home on July 3, 1863, while Skelly, unaware of her death, succumbed to his injuries just nine days later, on July 12. The letter Culp had carried, containing Jack’s proposal to Jennie, never made it to her. Wesley Culp himself died during the Battle of Gettysburg, on the very land where he grew up, and the letter was lost forever when he was buried in an unmarked grave.
The Unpredictability of War
The series of tragic events surrounding the Battle of Gettysburg highlights the strange twists of fate that occur during war. Wesley Culp’s choice to fight for the Confederacy, despite being from a Union state, is a story in itself. His chance encounter with Jack Skelly in a Confederate hospital, and his subsequent death just days later, adds another layer of heartbreak. “It’s a story of love, loss, and the unpredictability of war,” Hammontree said, his voice somber as he recounted the series of events that unfolded over the summer of 1863.
For the Genesis Christian Academy students, these personal stories brought the realities of war into sharp focus. As they stood on the same grounds where Wade, Skelly, and Culp had lived out their final days, the weight of history was profound. Hammontree remarked on the emotional impact of these tales. “We often focus on the battles and strategies, but it’s the human stories that make history truly resonate,” he said.
The students left Gettysburg with a new understanding of how war shapes not only nations but also individual lives. As Hammontree concluded his lesson, he announced that this was only the beginning of their exploration into the lesser-known, human stories of the Civil War. “In the next article,” he promised, “we’ll continue to uncover more of the strange and heart-wrenching stories that surround the Battle of Gettysburg.”
For many students, the trip was a deeply emotional experience, giving them a chance to connect with history in a way that textbooks often fail to do. The tragedy of Jennie Wade and Jack Skelly, interwoven with the strange fate of Wesley Culp, serves as a reminder of the cost of war—and the personal sacrifices made by those caught in its path.
The Ongoing Legacy
Gettysburg remains one of the most iconic battlefields in American history, but beyond the tactical and political significance, the stories of those who lived and died there are what continue to captivate and teach new generations. Genesis Christian Academy’s field trip brought to light these hidden narratives, offering students a chance to reflect on the personal dimensions of war.
As the group departed Gettysburg, the lessons they learned—about courage, love, and the unpredictable nature of fate—would stay with them long after they returned to the classroom. The strange stories of Gettysburg, like that of Jennie Wade and Jack Skelly, show that even in the darkest times, the human spirit endures.
Genesis Christian Academy Explores Gettysburg’s History on Educational Field Trip
October 18, 2024 – Gettysburg, PA: A group of 38 students, parents, and staff from Genesis Christian Academy embarked on an immersive historical journey to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for a field trip designed to bring history to life. The group, led by History teacher Kenneth Hammontree and historian Tyler Rice, departed from the school at 6:00 a.m. on Friday to explore the battle that became a turning point in the Civil War.
The trip began in the early hours, with the students shaking off sleep and passing the six-hour bus ride by singing along to songs, including those by pop icon Taylor Swift. Their destination: the historic battleground where, over the course of three days in July 1863, the fate of the nation was forever changed.
Upon arriving in Gettysburg, the group enjoyed a boxed lunch at the Gettysburg Museum before checking into their hotel. Later that evening, they received a quick introduction to the key historical landmarks before gathering for a casual pizza dinner. To end their first day, they strolled through the streets of Gettysburg, soaking in the atmosphere before turning in for the night.
The second day began bright and early. After breakfast, the group set off to explore the sites in depth, beginning with a visit to the Jenny Wade House, where Hammontree recounted the tragic story of Jenny Wade, the only civilian killed during the Battle of Gettysburg. They stood before the very door that bears the bullet hole from the shot that ended her life. A visit to Wade’s grave followed, where Tyler Rice provided context on the nearby Gettysburg Address, delivered by President Abraham Lincoln just months after the battle.
One of the highlights of the day was the group’s experience at the Gettysburg Cyclorama, an enormous 360-degree painting created by French artist Paul Philippoteaux in 1884. The artwork vividly captures the drama of Pickett’s Charge, the climactic final assault of the battle.
At 3:45 p.m., the students retraced the steps of Confederate General George Pickett’s soldiers, walking the same open field where the infamous charge took place, bringing a new level of understanding to the battle’s intensity and the soldiers’ bravery.
On the final day of their trip, after a morning service at the cemetery, the group reflected on the trip’s powerful lessons before beginning the journey back to Ohio.
This field trip to Gettysburg offered Genesis Christian Academy students a unique opportunity to witness history firsthand, deepening their connection to the Civil War and its pivotal impact on American history.
Defendant Allegedly Created Large “Trump” Sign Used as a Battering Ram Against Police
WASHINGTON — An Ohio man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting law enforcement and other charges related to his alleged conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His alleged actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.
Jeffrey Newcomb, 41, of Polk, Ohio, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with felony offenses of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder. In addition to the felonies, Newcomb is charged with misdemeanor offenses of entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and disorderly conduct in a capitol building or grounds.
The FBI arrested Newcomb today in Polk, Ohio, and he will make his initial appearance in the Northern District of Ohio.
According to court documents, it is alleged that Newcomb created a large 13ft by 10ft custom metal sign, which read “Trump” and was supported by large casters about the size of a person’s head. Newcomb brought this sign with him as he traveled from Ohio to Washington. D.C., and participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Court documents say Newcomb was identified in video footage on the morning of January 6th carrying the sign onto the U.S. Capitol grounds. Images from that day depict Newcomb moving the sign around Constitution Avenue, NW, and other areas near the “Stop the Steal” rally near the White House. Later, Newcomb pulled the sign toward the southwest corner of the Capitol grounds with the help of several other rioters along the way. Newcomb and others then carried the sign up the Maryland Walkway, closer to the Capitol building.
It is alleged that Newcomb and others then carried the sign into a mob of rioters facing off against a police line on the West Plaza. Court documents say that Newcomb, with the assistance of others, passed the giant metal framed sign from the southwestern portion of the West Plaza mob toward the center front of the crowd. Rioters cheered the sign’s arrival, and many in the crowd helped pass it closer and closer to the police line as Newcomb carried the sign by one of its large casters.
At approximately 1:40 p.m., Newcomb and the sign reached the police line on the West Plaza. At this point, it is alleged that Newcomb still carried the sign by one of its casters. It is further alleged that Newcomb and other rioters then started pushing the sign on a path in order to ram it into the police line. At one point, Newcomb fell as he began to walk up the plaza’s steps, and the sign’s progression temporarily paused.
Newcomb got back up and grabbed the sign once again as the mob resumed pushing it forward. Just before the mob was about to hit the police line with the sign, Newcomb released the sign, allowing it to move further forward with the mob like a battering ram. As police officers struggled to address the danger caused by the sign, Newcomb dropped back and, at one point, supported rioters continuing to shove the sign toward the police line by pushing on rioters’ backs. The sign eventually struck police.
According to court documents, the sign could have easily knocked over police due to the frame’s sheer size and the sharp edges and corners, which were readily capable of causing slicing or splitting injuries. Police worked quickly to pull the sign away from the mob. It ultimately took over a dozen officers to completely remove the sign.
Newcomb remained on the West Plaza for some time until well after the West Plaza police line fell at approximately 2:30 p.m., and rioters swarmed onto the Inaugural stage.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Cleveland and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 45 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
On October 19, 2024, at 1:56 am, officers responded to 200 Cline Ave for a reported domestic violence. Officers made contact with the female victim and Michael S. Oswalt II, who was in possession of a knife.
The male fled back inside the residence, which was occupied by the female victim’s two small children, ages 6 and 8. The female then was able to get back inside the residence from the rear door.
The officers immediately established communication with the Mr. Oswalt, who appeared to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
Hostage negotiators and the Richland County ASORT team arrived on the scene to begin negotiations.
During the three hours of negotiations, the suspect released the two children. A short time later the female victim was able to flee out the back door where SWAT operators Sgt. Shane Gess, Sgt. Michael Haines, Sgt. Joseph Gladden and Officer Paul Webb were positioned.
The male suspect was observed chasing the victim and was armed with a knife(s). Less lethal munitions were fired at the suspect with little to no effect. Operators were then forced to use lethal force to stop his actions.
SWAT paramedics were on scene and immediately began life saving measures, but were unsuccessful.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and the Richland County Prosecutors arrived on the scene.
BCI will be handling the investigation. Further details will be released as they become available.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Six individuals have been indicted for illegal voting in past elections, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.
“The right to vote is sacred,” Yost said. “If you’re not a U.S. citizen, it’s illegal to vote – whether you thought you were allowed to or not – you will be held accountable.”
Special prosecutors with Yost’s office presented seven cases to grand juries last week:
Ramesh Patel, 68, of North Royalton, was indicted in Cuyahoga County on one count of illegal voting. Patel lacked U.S. citizenship when he allegedly voted in 2014, 2016 and 2018. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 1.
Lorinda Miller, 78, of Hudson, was indicted in Summit County on two counts of illegal voting. Miller is a legal permanent resident but lacked U.S. citizenship when she allegedly voted in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Nicholas Fontaine, 32, of Kent, was indicted in Portage County on one count of illegal voting. Fontaine is a legal permanent resident but lacked U.S. citizenship when he allegedly voted in 2016 and 2018. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 1 p.m. on Dec. 2.
Ahmed Aden, 35, of Columbus, was indicted in Franklin County on one count of illegal voting. Aden is a legal permanent resident but lacked U.S. citizenship when he allegedly voted in 2008 and 2020.
Van Thuy Cooper, 53, of Hilliard, was indicted in Franklin County on one count of illegal voting. Cooper is a legal permanent resident but lacked U.S. citizenship when she allegedly voted in 2016 and 2020.
Maria Dearaujo, 62, of Columbus, was indicted in Franklin County on one count of illegal voting. Dearaujo is a lawful resident but lacked U.S. citizenship when she allegedly voted in 2016 and 2018.
Illegal voting is a fourth-degree felony.
“Irregularities like this are rare, and this is a small number of cases,” Yost said. “We should all be confident in the upcoming election, knowing that the laws are being enforced and will continue to be enforced.”
A seventh case was presented to a Lorain County grand jury, which issued a “no-bill” indictment, declining to charge the individual. The uncharged subject, an Oberlin college student, was alleged to have voted in Ohio and Washington in 2018.
Ohio Revised Code 109.95 states that the Ohio Attorney General’s Office may initiate a criminal proceeding for election fraud for a violation of Ohio law “involving voting, an initiative or referendum petition process, or the conducting of an election” by presenting evidence of the violation to the county prosecutor. If the county prosecutor fails to proceed with the prosecution “within a reasonable amount of time,” the Attorney General’s Office may prosecute.
Each case was previously referred to the county prosecutor whose office has jurisdiction in the location of the alleged activity.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation investigated the cases. Ohio Revised Code 109.54 grants BCI authority to investigate criminal activity related to the conduct of elections when requested by the Ohio Secretary of State.
BCI continues to conduct investigations concerning voter fraud and has made additional referrals to county prosecutors.
Indictments are criminal allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.
Breaking News: US Route 250 in Rowsburg Shut Down for FBI Activity
Rowsburg, OH – In a developing story, US Route 250 in Rowsburg was shut down this morning as the FBI executed a search warrant at 158 Front Street. The operation was supported by Deputies and Detectives from the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, sparking considerable local attention.
Witnesses reported seeing law enforcement officers with guns drawn as they secured the area.
Traffic was blocked off at County Road 251 and US Route 250 at County Road 175, with detours in place to reroute vehicles around the closed stretch.
When asked for more details, the officer-in-charge at the scene declined to provide any additional information, directing inquiries to the FBI Cleveland Public Affairs Office. He did, however, assure that there was “no public danger” from the ongoing operation.
Later in the morning, FBI Cleveland Public Affairs Officer Susan Licate responded to a FOIR and issued a brief statement: “The FBI was conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity at 158 US Route 250, Polk, Ohio. While I am unable to provide further details, I want to assure the community that there is no reason for concern regarding public safety.”
At this time, the nature of the FBI’s investigation remains undisclosed, and there is no indication of any immediate threat to the public.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
BUCYRUS, OH — The Bucyrus Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a serious injury crash that took place on Tuesday, October 15, at approximately 1:28 p.m. on U.S. Route 23 in Upper Sandusky, Wyandot County.
The initial investigation indicates that a northbound Ram ProMaster van, driven by Dara M. Larochelle, 38, of Powell, struck the rear of a marked Ohio State Highway Patrol Chevrolet Tahoe. The Tahoe was operated by Trooper Jacob M. Teal from the Toledo Post, who was slowing down in traffic at the time of the collision.
Trooper Teal sustained minor injuries and was transported by ground ambulance to Blanchard Valley Hospital, where he is receiving treatment. Larochelle, who sustained more serious injuries, was airlifted to Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo for further medical attention.
Several agencies responded to the scene, including the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office, Upper Sandusky Fire and EMS, Ohio Department of Transportation, Danner’s Towing and Recycling, and Lemaster Towing and Recovery, LLC.
The crash remains under investigation as authorities work to determine the cause of the collision.
One Dead in Single-Vehicle Crash in Jackson Township
Jackson Township, OH – October 21, 2024
Authorities responded to a fatal single-vehicle crash late Monday evening in Jackson Township. At approximately 9:19 PM, the Mansfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol was called to the scene on Rock Road North, near Stein Road, after a report of a car accident.
Preliminary investigations revealed that a 2017 Dodge Charger, driven by Louis D. Rittenberry, 57, of Shelby, Ohio, was traveling north on Rock Road North when it veered off the left side of the roadway. The vehicle then went up an embankment before re-entering the road, only to cross over to the right side and plunge into a nearby creek.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) transported Mr. Rittenberry to Avita Ontario Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Shelby City Fire Department and Westside Towing assisted at the crash site. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation into the cause of the crash.
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Joe Lyons •
October 24, 2024
