Gettysburg

Flew into BWI the afternoon of the 8th and drove up to Gettysburg, where we spent 5 days visiting the National Park and generally enjoying the pretty countryside that was awash in autumn colors. Here's the evidence:


It was a real treat for me to tramp the battlefield, which the park service has done a great job preserving. I've always been a Civil War buff and so really enjoyed the chance to walk around the battlefield and visit the scenes where so much American history unfolded during 3 July days back in 1863. The photo above is taken from Seminary Ridge - on the Confederate side and which is the spot where Pickett's Charge began - it's also the place where Lee rode out onto the battlefield to meet his defeated soldiers after the repulse.


Looking up at Little Round Top from the top of Devil's Den. Union General Dan Sickles was routed at a place called the Peach Orchard near here and his men conducted a fighting retreat thru the Wheatfield & Devil's Den as they tried to reach the safety of the main Union line at Little Round Top. This was our picnic spot one afternoon. Afterwords we found the location of the 20th Maine Regiment commanded by Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, who directed a downhill bayonette charge the evening of the second day that probably saved the Union line, the battle and the war for the North.




General Mead's Headquarters near the center of the battlefield.


There were some reenactors on hand on Saturday afternoon. These "Confederates" appear to be a little better fed than their counterparts were said to be back in 1863. They gave demonstrations on weapon loading, squad tactics and close order drill, finishing up with a simulated charge...including the rebel yell.



The countryside was especially beautiful thanks to the peaking Autumn colors. We stumbled upon this historic old covered bridge on one of the back roads as we were out driving one day. It was apparently used by both Union & Confederate soldiers at different stages of the battle.

The entrance to Evergreen Cemetery - the original cemetery in Gettysburg. There was a sign at the gate in 1863 that famously said "persons discharging firearms within these grounds will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law". After a Confederate artillery round dislocated it a Union General supposedly commented to his aide that he supposed the ordinance had been rescinded. Union artillery occupied the place for the duration of the battle.



There are still old farms located on the battlefield - many with historical significance. This is the Spangler Farm...where Longstreet's men anchored their line before charging across the field on the second day of the battle.


The scenic back roads and Fall colors made for pleasant walking.


A View of Downtown Gettysburg on a Saturday afternoon. Traffic must be a real bear during the high tourist months. Still, it was a pretty little town to walk around on a sunny Autumn afternoon.