Gettysburg

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After leaving the D.C. area we went straight north to Gettysburg. This battlefield is always worth a visit for me and a guided tour by a ranger is worth a little extra money. Marilyn did it on horseback the first day and joined myself and John on the tour on the second day. What is it about women and horses? My mind is reeling with theories and I'm not sure I should talk about them here. There is a new visitors center too. This was a three day battle on July 1,2, and 3 of 1863. John, our tour guide was very good. As you can see, he is a little guy. I think Marilyn is a little taller and she is only 5'4". It was considered a Union victory but just barely since Lee's army got away yet again. Lincoln chewed General Meades' ass for not pursuing him and ending the war right then and there. Meade was happy to not lose. Instead it went on for almost two more years. 52,000 total casualties in the three days. Same number lost in ten years of the Viet Nam War. Anyway, we have since left there and we are currently in eastern Pennsylvania and still heading east and north to see what is out there.

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Photos

Gettysburg Address
This sign is outside the cemetery where Linclon made the Address on November 19th, 1863. That was 4 and a half months after the battle.

Monument
Here is Marilyn in front of the marker where Lincoln gave the Address.

John
Our tour guide. He was pretty good and has to be certified by the park service.

Little Round Top.
Beautiful but the sight of intense fighting on the second day. It was a three day battle.

John and Marilyn
This is on Little Round Top. The south end of the battlefield. Very steep terrain. Hard to believe the Confederates even tried to go up here.

Gateway
This is to the cemetery where Lincoln gave the address.

Picketts CHarge
Here is what that looked like from the Union side. Note the stone wall they had to hide behind.

Tree line
Looking south down the tree line that the confederates lined up in before starting the charge. About 15,000 men in a line a mile long.

View looking east
Confederate cannon pointed across field at the Union position. Long way to march under enemy fire.

Comments

[paul]

rangers
Again with the battlefields. And you had to pay for a ranger? Too bad you're not with the airlines anymore where you used to get all the rangers for free. Rump rangers, that is.

[paul ogier]

commendation
I commend you for not censoring the public comments. Teabag, indeed!

[Ron Pinto]

Amazing...
I've always been a Civil War buff from way back.......Un-believable how we could slaughter so many in such a short amount of time and all being brother Americans! Don't quite get-it but history is history.........Jealous once again that you are visiting places I still plan to walk one of these days......Enjoy!!

[Michelle]

Lancaster PA
Really cool pictures. It looks like you really enjoy USA History. Next time you want to take a history trip, take come to Lancaster Pa. We have a lot of History, we have a President Buchanan House and burial. We have part of the underground rail road and few land marks of battles for our independence. We also have the Amish and much much more. If you need a place to stay check out this website. www.lancasterpahotels.com. Hope you come and enjoy the trip.