The Battle of Gettysburg

We traveled for about six hours from Max Meadows, Va to Gettysburg, PA home of the infamous Battle of Gettysburg. We’re staying in an RV Park right next to the battlefield, so it was easy to get over to the visitor’s center and museum. I hung out in the RV while Mom and Dad took the tour today. I’ll let Dad describe the tour experience.






The Gettysburg Battlefield is truly one of the most impressive national monuments in the country. Everywhere you look there is a monument to one of the many state regiments that fought in the three day battle. Here’s a quick synopsis of the “event.”
The Confederate Army moved north from Virginia and Maryland into Pennsylvania in an attempt to position for an attack on Washington or Philadelphia. General Robert E Lee picked Gettysburg because of the 11 roads that converged on the town. Roads provided support for troop movement and supplies. The Union army spotted Lee’s plan and sent several regiments to Gettysburg; the first shot of the battle occurred on July 1, 1863. For the first two days, there were several horrendous battles back and forth. At one point the confederates had the advantage, but the deciding factor was how the union army commanded the high ground on “Little Round Top,” a ridge that stretches North/South on the southern side of the town of Gettysburg. A confederate attack that was supposed to commence early on the second day didn’t actually start until 4:00 PM on July 2ndcontrary to Lee’s command. A second wave that was to start simultaneously didn’t commence until 8:00 PM that evening. The battle turned out to be a set back for the confederates. One grisely story we learned was about the Alabama regiment that marched across the Blue Ridge mountains in stifling heat with 40 pounds on their backs, wearing heavy wool uniforms and no shoes. By the time they arrived after a twenty-four mile forced march they had to immediately go into battle to confront the Union regiments amassed on the high ground along Little and Big Round Top ridges. On the third day, Lee received erroneous reports of the Union strength at the center of the union line along the ridge. Based on this false intelligence he ordered a frontal assault on the union lines. Colonel George Pickett lead the famous charge up the hill into the teeth of more than 150 artillery and 20,000 union troops. The confederates were completely exposed for over a mile in open field. The union army fired “canister” rounds, small lead balls that could penetrate four soldier bodies at a range of 500 yards.One horrific fact is that the union artillery shot their own men in the back which then mowed down the rebel soldiers in front.(Talk about "friendly fire!") Needless to say the Confedrates were obliterated, losing over 5,000 troops in a few hours. All told, the battle of Gettysburg resulted in 51,000 casualties, one of the bloodiest battles in American history. Gripping!

Tomorrow off to Newburgh, NY