We arrived at Gettysburg just a few days after the 150th anniversary of the pivotal battle of the Civil War. This is near the site where Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address. In this part of the battle field over 3,500 Union soldiers who had been killed in battle were re-interred here. Following the war the remains of 3,320 Confederate soldiers were removed and sent to cemeteries in the South. They are still finding remains of soldiers. In the Civil War 688,816 men were killed or died of wounds or disease related to the war. This is more than the total of all those who were killed in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the recent military actions combined! These were all Americans--too often families fighting against each other on different sides.
The Soldiers' National Cemetery Monument. Look at the expressions on the faces of the soldiers.
It was heart-breaking to see how many hundreds of markers with just a number indicating that the person was unknown.
The word "tattoo" has come to have very significant meaning to me after seeing the the tattoo at Fort Meyers. The average age of soldiers in the Civil war was 17 1/2 years old. What heart ache!!
Rich, John and Karen inspect an actual cannon from the battle.
This is the where General Lee's troops prepared for Picketts' Charge.
The distance isn't very far. After two hours of cannon bombardment from both sides, some 12,000 Confederates advanced across the open fields. The attack failed and cost Lee over 5,000 men in one hour. This was the only battle fought on Union soil.
One of the Union generals didn't follow orders and moved his troops to another location. This was noticed and northern troops were moved to cover the area but they arrived to defend the hill 5 minutes before the Southern troops. Those five minutes could easily have determined the fate of the Civil War and history.
I felt incredible sadness as I we looked over the the valley where so many were killed and maimed. The water actually ran with blood.
We climbed to the top of the Pennsylvania Memorial. All of those who served from there are listed in their regiments. This is an idea which was used again for the Vietnam Memorial Wall.
This is an interior of a simulated cabin where George Washington's troops stayed at Valley Forge. Wood deteriorates very rapidly in that climate so nothing remains of the original cabins. There were four miles of tiny cabins and the First Continental Army needed help. Washington used effectively the help and expertise of those from other nations such as Lafayette, von Steuben, and others to quartermaster supplies.
An interpreter in period dress gave an excellent presentation.
We didn't stay long because much of the time it was raining really hard.
German General von Steuben who molded the state militias into the First Continental Army.
The Washington Memorial Chapel is a beautiful tribute to George Washington. Washington spent the winter with his troops and spent his wife's fortune to provide for them. She was fully supportive of his efforts.
Rich and Karen in one of the archways.
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