Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Farm country, corn fields, barns...a rural area. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was just that prior to The Civil War. This picture from afar shows a cloudy day where it's hard to think about a battle, any battle going on here........let alone the bloodiest battle ever in the history of our country. July 1st through July 3rd of 1863, 51,112 people were killed, wounded or went missing. 28,000 of those were The Confederates, making The North-The Union the winning side.

Ziegler's Grove at the northern end of cemetery ridge might have been considered picturesque with Oak, Hickory and Chestnut Trees providing shade. However, this area marks general positions held by General Alexander Hays, Division of the 2nd Corp. In fact he used the adjacent farm, The Brian/Bryan Farm as his headquarters. Heading southward a long stone wall provided great protection for The Union forces, during the well known Pickett's Charge. Confederates attempted to cross about 200 feet away at Emmitsburg Road and were repulsed with the aid of The 8th Ohio Infantry

There are approximately 1,328 monuments to see, read, and photograph at Gettysburg. Some honor an individual, some honor a corp or company, and some honor a specific state. Some of the monument are bronze, some stone, and some a combination thereof. All are impressive and require time to stop, read and think about. We took hundreds of photo's and with stormy conditions, and then bright sun, many aren't readable which is disappointing. Perhaps we'll get to return. There's so much one really can't absorb it all in one visit anyway.

It's an awesome experience to be there, to see, to feel. I encourage all to go, to spend time. I encourage all to try and understand, what I know we can not fully understand...brother fighting brother. And though we can not fully understand, it's important to try.

Some of the Monuments I thought impressive.

28th Ohio Monument29th Ohio Infantry Monument, showing tent and supplies, very interesting. This monument was erected in 1887. Additional information listed on the monument says Engaged 332, killed 7, wounded 31 (2 mortally), total loss 38.
DelawareBeautiful, moving Bronze image of battle, from the state of Delaware.

Battle LinesShowing Battle lines and distances of who was where.
Ziegler's GroveZiegler's Grove

A very impressive monument from the state of Pennsylvania listing every name of those who served from that state. It also indicates who died. This monument is the largest in the park, and was dedicated in 1910. They are 8 large, very impressive statues standing tall on this monument. They are President Lincoln, the only non Pennsylvanian to be so honored; Andrew Curtin Governor of the state during the war, and 6 homegrown military hero's: General George Meade, General John Reynolds, General David Birney, Alfred Pleasonton, David McMurtry Gregg, and General Winfield Scott Gregg.

Rev. Father William CorbyRev. Father William Corby, Chaplain of the 88th Regiment New York Infantry, Irish Brigade. He was President of Notre Dame from 1866-1872 and 1877-1881. From The Congregation of the Holy Cross, shown here given general absolution and a blessing before the carnage of Gettysburg began. This monument was erected in 1910 along the southern end of Cemetery Ridge on Gettysburg Avenue.

This is a very brief view, there is sooooooo much at Gettysburg.
My G post for the Z-A challenge.


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7 comments:

  1. It's good to know that you are keeping up for the challenge. I like that you were able to post some parts of our states that is either unnoticed or forgotten.

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  2. It actually helps me to discover pleasant and valuable information.
    Nice post :)

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  3. Poignant images, and thought provoking post.

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  4. great blog, thanks for sharing

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  5. This one such a nice place thanks for sharing..

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  6. Ah, Gettysburg. That's only a hop, skip, and a jump away from where I live. It's a beautiful town, isn't it? I can't believe that 51,000 people died there (I think that's what you said) in the course of only a few days. I knew it was a lot but I learned about it in elementary school and don't really remember any of the details of the battle. Some of the most haunted places in America are in Gettysburg as well, but it's not really surprising considering how many people died there. Every time we travel down south I personally like to drive through Gettysburg to get to I81 even though it's not necessarily the quickest way from my home. It's just a really nice town and I enjoy being there.

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  7. Also, while I'm still on this page, I'll send you my address a little later (thanks a bunch for offering to send me yarn! You are an awesome person!) but I'm not on my e-mail currently and I'm about to walk away from my computer for a little bit to hang out with my hubby and son. I hope you have an awesome day!

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