File photo; Jeff Stike recorded his ‘Gettysburg’ album in the living room of his Peach Bottom Township home in 2013.
This time last year, we were gearing up to cover all angles of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. But before the re-enactors arrived en mass, I talked to Jeff Stike, a Peach Bottom Township musician with an interest in Civil War history.
First-hand accounts from soldiers inspired Stike to write an album of songs about path to Gettysburg. It was released last spring. Stike was also able to read the war memoir of his great great-grandfather’s brother, who carried the flag for Company A in North Carolina’s 4th regiment during the Battle of Gettysburg.
Stike recently sent me an email to let me know that he’s working on a project based on those Civil War accounts. And, of course, there is a York connection:
“I have recently finished the audio recordings — reading it to original music — and am now in cover production. Turns out my ancestor was one of only 200 surviving members of the infamous Stonewall Brigade. He carried the flag for two-and-a-half years was shot (and) was at the famous … Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, among many other exiting incidents of major historical significance.
At the battle of Cedar Creek, he (was) shot in the head (and was) lifted from the ground and cared for by a Northern soldier. They become fast friends and (crossed) paths several more times. After the war, (they) exchange letters. The Northern soldier was from York. (His) name was Harry Spriggins. The story is inspiring.”
