Touring the Gettysburg BattlefieldOct 2, 2008
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The Seminary Tower where Buford stood to observe the troops
The New Hampshire Monument to the troops
It was across this open stretch of field that Pickett's Charge took...
| We have had a great few days. It has been good to be back in Gettysburg. We spent yesterday morning sorting things out regarding the shipping, finding flights etc and then in the afternoon we did the Gettysburg Battlefield audio tour. It cost $20 and for that we got a book and 2 cd's to listen to as we drove along the auto tour route. We had watched the film Gettysburg the night before which was superb and very well done so we had some knowledge of the key figures in the battle and where things took place. Our RV Park is where the Union artillery reserve were encamped during the 3 day battle. So... a bit of background:(What I can remember anyway!!) The Civil War was in its 3rd year when the troops arrived at Gettysburg. Confederate General Lee had fought and been successful in his previous two battles at Chancellrsville and Brandy Station. He was feeling confident when he arrived in gettysburg. The fighting atrted on July 1st 1863 as the confederate army advanced against the Union troops. By the afternoon, the confederates were attacking west and north of town and the Union troops were forced to retreat through town and ontoan area of higher ground known as Cemetery Ridge. On the second day of fighting, Confederate General Longstreet attacked the left end of the Union Army in the areas known as Little Round Top, Devil's Den, the Wheatfield and the Peach Orchard. These were bloody battles with many men dead and wounded. The fighting also took place on the right flank of the Union Army on Culp's Hill and East Cemetery Hill. On the final day of fighting The Union Troops attacked at the base of Culp's Hill, trying to reclaim the earthworks they had lost the previous evening. This fighting lasted nearly 7 hours. By late morning, the Union Troops ahd retaken their trenches and were lined up stretching nearly 2 miles along a stone wall with an open field infront of them. Over a mile on the opposite side of this field were the Confederate troops. It was from here that Lee launched his final attack, Pickett's Charge. With the Virginian's leading the way, the Confederate Troops marched across the open field towards the Union line. This was as good as suicide, as the Union Army shot at them advancing with no cover. Needless to say, The majority of the Confederate troops were killed. That's about it, I think. Having watched the film, it was pretty emotional visiting the places where the fighting had taken place. many of the scenes had been filmed in the actual locations of the original fighting which was very moving. I don't agree with war and so I was very emotional. The futility of it all. Like at Vicksburg, I cannot get over how close they were when they were fighting. There was a fight now known as Chamberlain's Charge where the Union Troops were defending Little Round Top, being the extreme left flank of the Union Line. The Confederates outnumbered them and were attacking up the hill. They did this several times until all the Union's ammunition was used up and in a moment of bravery Chamberlain ordered his men to charge with their bayonets. His men did this and they managed to capture 200-300 Confederate troops. This was an amazing act of heroism by all concerned as the Confederate troops still had some ammunition left. Steve and I were both moved by this. It was good to be on Litle Round Top and imagine the troops. Steve said that he would have turned round and not fought. I mean these men were going to almost certain death. I could waffle on for hours but I won't. On the RV park tonight, we met a couple who yesterday picked up their first trailer. His Great Grandad was in the 102nd New York Regiment and fought in Gettysburg. He survived and had a musket with a Confederate ball shot lodged in the handle. That is how close they were fighting. Unfortunately, burglars broke into their house and stole the musket. That is awful. Anyway, our return visit has been awesome and we are so glad we came back. Tomorrow we are off to the Shenandoah Valley for 4 nights, then Baltimore for 3 nights and then...we fly home. Should be returning on 12th October. Will book the flights in the next few days and hope we can get on them. Will let everyone know when we have a firm date and time. |
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