Gettysburg 150

[ArtioZen]

I had the good fortune to be invited by civil war history aficionado to the Gettysburg 150 year anniversary this July. We took a coach tour and added grandstand passes for all the reenactments and walked the whole encampment talking to the generals, privates and civilians who were all “in character”. I stopped by the tent of the reenactor representing Arthur Fremantle (a British signals observer with the Confederates) for afternoon tea as my friends posed with reenactors of famous officers (Gen. Warren, Col Chamberlain). The Director of the Gettysburg visitor center was giving commentary and noted that this was the largest gathering and demonstration of civil war hardware since the civil war itself. Over 150 cannon for both sides, with full limber and crew – several entered the field at the gallop and deployed. The cannon delivered a bombardment for over 30 minutes – spectacular! Over 400 cavalry, including a very good facsimile of Custer and 2000 foot soldiers of all kinds were fielded for the reenactment of pickets charge – the turning point of the battle and war. We were also exposed to the same kind of weather patterns as encountered in the battle – heat, then persistent rain – a little too real for the re-enactors in period wool clothing. The organizers took time and did a great job to recognize veterans of all services, countries and conflicts…” The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced”…

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[WarPig1976]

Thank you for sharing... Just so happens I'll be driving through Gettysburg today on my route. One of the best parts of being a Commercial truck driver. On a side note, my home is 15min from Independence Hall and one route takes me through Valley Forge once a month I stop and have a coffee and reflect there.

[ArtioZen]

Hi warpig - you are right in my "back yard" - we should look to meet one day. VF is 20 minutes from my house and I shoot near there almost once month - or go to the Oaks gunshow. Lets PM further.

[WarPig1976]

Sounds good...

[Aragorn243]

That looks awesome. I tend to avoid Gettysburg like the plague during the re-enactment, and biker week for that matter. Nothing against bikers, I just prefer a quiet background to my visit. I used to go almost every weekend to find and photograph all the monuments, markers and cannons. Finished that about three years ago so I don't get over very often anymore. Two weeks ago my wife and I went and that was the first since early spring.

[WarPig1976]

For years I would watch the PCN tours around the forth and try to picture the battlefield in my minds eye, not until my wife and I spent a weekend there as tourist did I get the full picture. Books & maps are good but to walk the ground is a whole different animal. To stand on top of little round top and look down and understand Sickles maneuver off the line or to see the mile the Confederates had to walk to reach the corpes of trees. I know you fellas know what I'm talking about.

[kenwest516]

I live about two hours away from there. I used to go at least once or twice a summer. Work keeps me too busy at times.Didn't make it this year. I have never been there for a reenactment and always wanted to see one. It looks like I missed the big one. I would go for bike week and then at some other point. I always would ride around and look at monuments and different sights(and usually get stuck in the rain at some point) and still don't fully understand how it all went. Then it makes for many hours setting here looking things up that I saw there. I know a guy who studied Gettysburg extensively and has offered to ride along and explain it all. We just never got together. He was probably there reenacting that day. He dresses as a confederate soldier. But that's all I really know about what he does. After looking at your pictures it makes me want to go again. Thanks for the pics.

[ArtioZen]

Thanks to all! I have been twice this year, first time with the family (a party of several families actually) for a grand tour over 3 days (in winter no less). That time centering on the Round tops and Devils Den. My friend has the books focussing on period post battle photos and we try to reframe and take them as seen today. On one of the many plaques at the Mummasburg Rd / Oak Ridge area, I was amazed and delighted to observe a namesake as a leader of a Union regiment (I almost got left behind taking a hasty photo of it). I have since been reading up on his life story and following him and his unit(s) through the whole war – an inspiring figure and story, wounded 4 times, promoted several times and remarkable performance from the first day of Gettysburg. It seems, I not only ”have the bug” but now have several books to research and read just this tiny aspect. I also need to return just to absorb these events and areas, as well as the militaria store and ice cream parlor in town!