Blogs from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, United States, North America - page 3

We had our latest history lesson, touring through a Civil War museum in Harrisburg and touring through the “battlefields” of Gettysburg. It was a beautiful sunny day while we walked and cycled through the peaceful fields, trying to envision the horrors of battle, where more men died than in any other war fought in North America. The tour encompassed 24 miles, and had an abundance of memorials, statues, fencing, rock walls, and cannons. We even came across a General and Sargent, who were willing to let us pose with them and their rifle! Although not a war of our own country, with the upcoming Remembrance Day ceremonies on November 11, it made us reflect on the sacrifices of all those who serve their countries, in order to bring freedom and peace.... read more

The National Park visitor centre at Gettysburg is simply amazing. It took us about 4 hours to take in the US Civil War museum, film and diorama portraying the Gettysburg battle. We spent another 2.5 hours touring the actual battlefields with Dennis, a guide who came with us in the car and gave us a personal commentary on the 3-day battle between the Unionist and the Confederate armies. There's about 1,400 different war memorials around the town. Separately, rangers routinely give free talks and tours on specific themes. We attended a 1-hour talk on 'The Civil War soldier', and Jackson volunteered to be dressed up in the uniform and 40 pounds of gear, as worn/carried by a regular soldier in 1863. Quite a sight, even without the mud, mould and lice! Although the historical experience was ... read more

I dag skulle det store slag ved Gettysburg opleves. Vi skulle lige en tur over "alperne" af landevejene. Vejene er fine, men stigningerne svare til turen på Napoleonsruten. Amerikanerne tænker på alt - fx var der jævnligt på nedkørslerne en såkaldt rampe til lastvognene, hvis bremserne svigter. Der kan de så køre af og op ad en 100 m grusvej og så håbe man kan nå, at stoppe på den strækning. Nå, det er vel bedre at køre videre igennem træer og grusbunker end ned af bjergsiden. Gettysburg er et kæmpe område, hvor de over 150.000 soldater sloges, og derfor valgte vi at tage ruten rundt i området i bil. Der er mindesmærker for bla hvert regiment (ialt var der omkring 1300 mindesmærker) langs ruten. Man må sige, at de amerikanere kan formå at gøre det ... read more

There’s something called "the fog of war." When military experts or historians use the term, they’re referring to the uncertainty that descends over a battlefield once fighting begins. The strength of the enemy’s forces, their location, even the strength and location of your own forces, all such information becomes clouded with ambiguity while the battle rages on. I thought of this phrase last Friday as I stood in the center of the Cyclorama at Gettysburg. This panoramic painting, mounted on the curved walls of a cylindrical room, is designed to make viewers feel as if they are standing in the midst of the battle that took place here. It depicts the afternoon of July 3, 1863, when the Confederate Army made an all-out assault on the Union line along Cemetery Ridge, just outside the town of ... read more

Hi. This is Brandon. Whatever. Yesterday we went in a tower. We had to walk lots of steps. Then we got to see everything at the battlefield at Gettysburg. That's all I have. Hi. This is Ryan. Yesterday we went to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. We saw where the soldiers fought the Civil War. Then we did a tour of the battlefields and we saw Culp's Hill. We also saw the Peach Farm, the Wheat Field, Little Round Top and Big Round Top. We saw how to load guns and cannons. Then we left to the Migliazzo's house. When we got there Luke and Mark were screaming. Yesterday was very fun. What's up??? (Karyn) How are your normal lives going? Have you ever dragged yourself through piles and piles of history for hours on end? I did, yesterday. ... read more