Gettysburg, PA

Pennsylvania Memorial (It is possible to walk around the top near the dome)

While camped at Gettysburg Battlefield Resort, we visited the battleground.

After three weeks marching through the Shenandoah Valley, the Union Army reached Gettysburg June 26, 1863.  Union Gen Meade led the Army of the Potomac up from the south.
 
Gen Robert E. Lee had earlier stunning victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, VA and carried the war north and concentrated his scattered forces near Gettysburg.   

On July 1, they collided and started a battle neither side had intended to fight here.  Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, with more than 51,000 casualties, including 7,863 dead. Wounded and dead were crowded into nearly every building.  Most of the dead lay in hastily dug graves, some not buried at all.  The Pennsylvania Governor had land bought for a proper burial ground for the Union dead.  On November 19, 1863 the Soldiers' National Cemetery was dedicated.  President Lincoln was asked to make a few appropriate remarks.  His speech lasted 2 minutes.  (Some of us had to memorize the speech in school, do you still remember it?  Eloise does!)
Contrary to popular belief, Lincoln didn't write it on the back of an envelope, but took great pains with it.  Within a few years over 3500 Union soldiers killed in the battle were re-interred here.  After the war, remains of 3320 Confederate soldiers were removed from the battlefield to cemeteries in the South.

Soldiers National Cemetery

 

Soldiers National Cemetery

 If you want to know more about the battles, I have capsulized it here.  Of course you can skip it!

July 1:
Elements of the two armies collide west of Gettysburg during the early morning hours.  The fighting escalates throughout the day as more Union and Confederate troops reach the field.  By 4 PM the defending Federal troops are defeated and retreat through Gettysburg, where many are captured.  The remnants of the Union force rally on Cemetery and Culps hills.

July 2:
The main strength of both armies has arrived on the field by the morning hours.  General Lee launches attacks against the Union left and right in an attempt to dislodge Meade's army from its strong position.  Longstreet's assault on the Union left,  makes good progress but is eventually checked by Federal reinforcements from the center and right.  On the Union right, Ewell's Confederate troops are able to seize part of Culps Hill; elsewhere they are repulsed.

July 3:
While Ewell renews his efforts to seize Culps Hill, Lee turns his main attention to the Union center.  Following a two-hour artillery bombardment, he sends some 12,000 Confederate infantry to try to break the Federal lines on Cemetery Ridge.  Despite a courageous effort, the attack (subsequently called "Pickett's Charge") is repulsed with heavy losses.  East of Gettysburg, Lee's cavalry is also checked in a large cavalry battle.  Crippled by extremely heavy casualties, Lee can no longer continue the battle, and withdraws to Virginia.

The battlefield site has a self-guiding auto tour, and includes many memorials scattered throughout the fields.

 Eloise is still trying to keep her finger out of the pictures she takes, and is mostly successful.  This was at the battlefield. 

This visit was an adventure and a sad period in our history.  The madness of that war comes clear when you walk around the monuments.  Hope you've enjoyed your history lesson!