One of the most fascinating and long-lived subtexts to the Battle of Gettysburg is the story of Amos Humiston, the unknown soldier of the battlefield. It is a massive story even today, living on in books, tours, and stories, but was an even bigger story after the battle itself.
In brief, a body was found on the field with no identification, no regimental markings, nothing save an ambrotype of three children. The subsequent dissemination of this picture and the tremendous popular outcry to find the family of this unidentified slain warrior was as big a story on the homefront as the war would generate.
The story lives on and is the subject of a wonderful study by filmmaker Errol Morris. It's being presented in a serial format, one section per day, each day of this week, today being part III. Click here to read the first part, then you can move through each one. This is one of those incredible special pockets of our history that, when reopened, releases a staggering tale of sacrifice, tragedy, and mythmaking.
Showing posts with label Gettysburg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gettysburg. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Vandalism At Gettysburg
I was, like many others, stunned and horrified to read about the vandalism perpetrated at Gettysburg this past week. The Jess and I have visited the Eternal Peace Light Memorial; it is a truly beautiful spot and to see it desecrated is most upsetting. It stands on the field where we beheld man at his worst, killing his fellow man, as a reminder that we must stand up to our most base instincts and avoid the ultimate confrontation of war.
I would also like to join the many voices that have spoken up in hopes that the perpetrators are caught and brought forward to face the full extent of the law. I am frankly not that optimistic that they will be found, but we will have to see.
I also hope that if and when they are caught, some of the ghoulish threats directed at them on various blogs are not carried out. It stands in contravention of everything that the Eternal Peace Light Memorial stands for to wish for what Eric Wittenberg at "Rantings of a Civil War Historian" and Brooks Simpson at "Civil Warriors" (along with some of the comments) want to see happen.
Let's not give in to our lowest instincts, like those who would spray graffiti on a war memorial. We only denigrate ourselves to blather about torturing and murdering these people, and in stooping so low, we give the vandals exactly the perverse satisfaction they're looking for.
We are better than than this saber-rattling, vigilante response. As a community, we are better. As historians, we are better. As people who know what happened on that field, we are better.
So let's act like it.
I would also like to join the many voices that have spoken up in hopes that the perpetrators are caught and brought forward to face the full extent of the law. I am frankly not that optimistic that they will be found, but we will have to see.
I also hope that if and when they are caught, some of the ghoulish threats directed at them on various blogs are not carried out. It stands in contravention of everything that the Eternal Peace Light Memorial stands for to wish for what Eric Wittenberg at "Rantings of a Civil War Historian" and Brooks Simpson at "Civil Warriors" (along with some of the comments) want to see happen.
Let's not give in to our lowest instincts, like those who would spray graffiti on a war memorial. We only denigrate ourselves to blather about torturing and murdering these people, and in stooping so low, we give the vandals exactly the perverse satisfaction they're looking for.
We are better than than this saber-rattling, vigilante response. As a community, we are better. As historians, we are better. As people who know what happened on that field, we are better.
So let's act like it.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Who Killed General John Reynolds?
When The Jess and I made our foray to Gettysburg several years ago, she was immediately drawn to the story of Gen. John Reynolds and his death on the first day of the battle. We spent the bulk of our morning wandering through Reynolds Woods, talking with our guide and taking pictures. My wife became something of a Reynolds expert along the way, which is another reason why she is cool (consider this an addition to the list in the right column).
The cause of his death remains one of the battle's many mysteries, despite movies like "Gettysburg" showing a sniper picking Reynolds off at a distance. Fred Ray at TOCWOC provides us with an article that delves into this mystery in some detail, you can access it here.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
145 Years Ago, The Anniversary Of The Gettysburg Address
President Abraham Lincoln gave what is probably the most famous speech in American History 145 years ago at the dedication of the cemetery at the Gettysburg battlefield
Thanks to my Madre for finding this segment about these immortal 272 words on the Writer's Almanac. Just select "Wednesday, November 19th" for the entry.
Here's a link to the Library of Congress exhibition with all the stuff you need: full text of the speech, the only known photo of President Lincoln at Gettysburg, details on preservation techniques, and more.
Now that you don't have to memorize it or present it in front of the class, take a minute and read the speech on your own terms and derive your own meaning from this magnificent oration.
Thanks to my Madre for finding this segment about these immortal 272 words on the Writer's Almanac. Just select "Wednesday, November 19th" for the entry.
Here's a link to the Library of Congress exhibition with all the stuff you need: full text of the speech, the only known photo of President Lincoln at Gettysburg, details on preservation techniques, and more.
Now that you don't have to memorize it or present it in front of the class, take a minute and read the speech on your own terms and derive your own meaning from this magnificent oration.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Book Review: "Isn't This Glorious!"
When I was putting together my lecture to the San Diego Civil War Roundtable last month about the 20th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, or Harvard Regiment, at Gettysburg, I happened upon a text I had not known existed. Prior to my discovery of "Isn't This Glorious!" by Edwin Root and Jeffrey Stocker, I thought my library had all of the pertinent materials I needed.
As soon as this book arrived in the mail from the publisher, I knew I had been mistaken, as this book had a treasure trove of new photos and personalities to examine. It was put to use as a resource, and after the lecture, I've gone back and read it as it is supposed to be; a treatment of the 15th, 19th, and 20th Massachusetts Infantry Regiments at Gettysburg that will bring their memory up to an equal level with other, more celebrated forces that participated in the battle.
There is no shortage of books providing analysis of various regiments and their exploits at this most famous of American battles; "Isn't This Glorious!" is particularly unique because it's investigation does not end with the battle or even the war's conclusion.
The first part of the book introduces us to the men of the regiments, the bloody paths that brought them to Gettysburg, and focuses us in on the essential role they played in the battle: the sealing of the southern portion of the Confederate breathrough at the Copse of Trees. The detail is tremendous, as the fighting is told straight from the eyes and mouths of the men, and not just the officers, either. We learn about the brutal dealings from the rank and file, brought out in vivid and anxious detail. There is also no shortage of photos of the men from whom we are hearing, so we can almost see their faces through the battlesmoke.
The fighting in this small section of the battlefield was just as chaotic as it was pivotal, and the tension provided by the authors as the men surge towards the Confederates at the Copse of Trees is palpable. Bringing this home in a more tangible form are some of the best battle maps I've seen. These foldout pages do not present the battle as a whole, but the the small piece of the action these regiments took part in. The value and uniqueness of these maps comes in their kinetic ability to show the lines of the regiments move from a disciplined front on Cemetery Ridge to a mob charging north towards the Copse of Trees. The Confederate forces have no marking at all, they come forward in the maps as a ravening horde, an irresistable tide plunging toward the Union forces.
The actual detail of the battle I'll leave to you, but this little-discussed segment of the battle, fought just below the Copse of Trees by men with carbines, pistols, swords, and bare hands, will leave you quite shaken.
The second section of the book takes us on a journey quite unique in the regimental histories pertaining to Gettysburg. After we spend much time investing in the men and their sacrifices, the authors take us through the sometimes sordid history of the monuments placed on the field to commemorate these sturdy men. In this portion, we see how this story became almost lost in contemporary Gettysburg history and how the men of these regiments faded from memory.
The historiography of the Civil War is spoken of frequently in this space, and this section of the book is an example of historiography at the highest level. We are walked through events that occurred over decades and shown how decisions were made and how they have influenced our current conceptions of the battle. There was quite a struggle over these regiments, and I learned, quite to my dismay, that the marker of the Harvard Regiment on the field today is in the wrong place! This story is a perfect example of how the reality of the past is frequently altered subject to the exigencies of the present.
As the various markers and monuments are shuffled around, it can become difficult to follow. We are well-served by the map that shows the previous and current locations of the structures, as well as another collection of photos of the site as well as the monuments themselves.
The stroke of genius in this book is in its ability to remind us why we care about these monuments and showing how closely the men whom they represent were so closely tied to them after the war. It's clear why these monuments maintain a hold on our imagination and why the pictures in the book are so evocative.
At the book's end, the author's stated goal, to elevate the memory of these Massachusetts men back to a level field with the more celebrated units that fought at the Copse of Trees and repulsed Pickett's Charge, is fully realized. In closing, we are reminded by the authors just what these men dealt with not only to achieve victory, but also to survive the sometimes tragic lives that awaited them after the war. The diary entry of one James Tenney, an enlisted man in the 15th Mass. as pertaining to the battle, is a telling conclusion to this story.
You will undoubtedly close this book with saddened eyes and a newfound appreciation for these men who helped win the battle of Gettysburg. If you have any interest in this battle or in Massachusetts regiments, this book will be an asset to your learning. Best of all, you can acquire it and still remain faithful to our commitment to supporting independent booksellers. I refer you please to the book's website, where you can order directly from the publisher.
As soon as this book arrived in the mail from the publisher, I knew I had been mistaken, as this book had a treasure trove of new photos and personalities to examine. It was put to use as a resource, and after the lecture, I've gone back and read it as it is supposed to be; a treatment of the 15th, 19th, and 20th Massachusetts Infantry Regiments at Gettysburg that will bring their memory up to an equal level with other, more celebrated forces that participated in the battle.
There is no shortage of books providing analysis of various regiments and their exploits at this most famous of American battles; "Isn't This Glorious!" is particularly unique because it's investigation does not end with the battle or even the war's conclusion.
The first part of the book introduces us to the men of the regiments, the bloody paths that brought them to Gettysburg, and focuses us in on the essential role they played in the battle: the sealing of the southern portion of the Confederate breathrough at the Copse of Trees. The detail is tremendous, as the fighting is told straight from the eyes and mouths of the men, and not just the officers, either. We learn about the brutal dealings from the rank and file, brought out in vivid and anxious detail. There is also no shortage of photos of the men from whom we are hearing, so we can almost see their faces through the battlesmoke.
The fighting in this small section of the battlefield was just as chaotic as it was pivotal, and the tension provided by the authors as the men surge towards the Confederates at the Copse of Trees is palpable. Bringing this home in a more tangible form are some of the best battle maps I've seen. These foldout pages do not present the battle as a whole, but the the small piece of the action these regiments took part in. The value and uniqueness of these maps comes in their kinetic ability to show the lines of the regiments move from a disciplined front on Cemetery Ridge to a mob charging north towards the Copse of Trees. The Confederate forces have no marking at all, they come forward in the maps as a ravening horde, an irresistable tide plunging toward the Union forces.
The actual detail of the battle I'll leave to you, but this little-discussed segment of the battle, fought just below the Copse of Trees by men with carbines, pistols, swords, and bare hands, will leave you quite shaken.
The second section of the book takes us on a journey quite unique in the regimental histories pertaining to Gettysburg. After we spend much time investing in the men and their sacrifices, the authors take us through the sometimes sordid history of the monuments placed on the field to commemorate these sturdy men. In this portion, we see how this story became almost lost in contemporary Gettysburg history and how the men of these regiments faded from memory.
The historiography of the Civil War is spoken of frequently in this space, and this section of the book is an example of historiography at the highest level. We are walked through events that occurred over decades and shown how decisions were made and how they have influenced our current conceptions of the battle. There was quite a struggle over these regiments, and I learned, quite to my dismay, that the marker of the Harvard Regiment on the field today is in the wrong place! This story is a perfect example of how the reality of the past is frequently altered subject to the exigencies of the present.
As the various markers and monuments are shuffled around, it can become difficult to follow. We are well-served by the map that shows the previous and current locations of the structures, as well as another collection of photos of the site as well as the monuments themselves.
The stroke of genius in this book is in its ability to remind us why we care about these monuments and showing how closely the men whom they represent were so closely tied to them after the war. It's clear why these monuments maintain a hold on our imagination and why the pictures in the book are so evocative.
At the book's end, the author's stated goal, to elevate the memory of these Massachusetts men back to a level field with the more celebrated units that fought at the Copse of Trees and repulsed Pickett's Charge, is fully realized. In closing, we are reminded by the authors just what these men dealt with not only to achieve victory, but also to survive the sometimes tragic lives that awaited them after the war. The diary entry of one James Tenney, an enlisted man in the 15th Mass. as pertaining to the battle, is a telling conclusion to this story.
You will undoubtedly close this book with saddened eyes and a newfound appreciation for these men who helped win the battle of Gettysburg. If you have any interest in this battle or in Massachusetts regiments, this book will be an asset to your learning. Best of all, you can acquire it and still remain faithful to our commitment to supporting independent booksellers. I refer you please to the book's website, where you can order directly from the publisher.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Another Strong Gettysburg Blog With Tons Of Pictures
Like Gettysburg365.com, which I found a few weeks ago, Gettysburg Daily puts up a near-daily image set from Gettysburg. I was instantly hooked when I found the Little Round Top during the change of seasons. It's a fun project working through their archives, that's for sure. They even have a series of pictures of Gettysburg witness trees, click here to see for yourself.
Also, I have a few words of wisdom and insight from Tom Friedman from Sunday's NY Times
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Camp Reynolds Spared By Angel Island Fire
I had quite a reaction last week upon seeing the fires burning on Angel Island near San Francisco. We're pretty touchy about fire in SoCal to begin with, and I spent several really fun days on Angel Island when I was a kid in NorCal, not to mention it's just incredible to look at. Also, in reading about the fire, I learned something about the island that was quite a surprise.
Turns out, in September of 1863, there were concerns about the Confederate Navy making a sortie to the West Coast, ostensibly in an attempt to seize the California gold fields with the aid of local Confederate sympathizers. In reaction, Angel Island became a fortress designed to fend off enemy ships. The first of these installations was named Camp Reynolds, in memory of General John Reynolds, killed on the first day's fighting at Gettysburg just a few months before.Now Reynolds is a most interesting officer to study, and certainly one of the bravest and most aggressive in the Army of the Potomac. He also holds a special place, because he became the subject of greatest interest for The Jess when she traveled with me to Gettysburg at the beginning of our relationship.
Thus, it was with no small amount of relief that I found out that not only was the fire quenched last week, but that Camp Reynolds was spared, even though the fire got to within several hundred feet of the parade ground. Camp McDowell, named after Gen. Irwin McDowell, who after starting the war as the Union commanding officer at First Bull Run, became head of the Department of Pacific, was likewise unharmed.I sometimes lament that residing in California leaves me a bit detached from being able to visit Civil War battlefields and monuments; now the next time I go home, this will be a special place to visit indeed
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Lecture on the 20th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment A Great Success!
I delivered my lecture last night to the members of the San Diego Civil War Roundtable entitled "Revenge and Redemption: The 20th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment at Gettysburg" and am very proud to say it was a big success!
The talk came in at just about 45 minutes and, based upon feedback I got during the Q and A as well as afterwards, was very well received. We spent a few minutes discussing the origins of the regiment and some of the personalities in it, before moving onto the 20th in the war in the East. We hit Ball's Bluff, Yorktown, the Seven Days, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Second Fredericksburg. In proceeding this way, we were able to lay a good foundation for the regiment's trials and tribulations before Gettysburg.
The bulk of the talk was on the regiment at Gettysburg, and I found some wonderful quotes and personalities to discuss that really brought the experience to life, both for me and my audience. I could hear groans, signs, and the occasional "Wow" as we moved through the subject matter. We finished by traveling with the 20th through the rest of the war, then visited the regimental memorial on Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg.
One of the best parts of the talk happened quite serendipitously, but I will use again the next time I give it. I had 42 slides, a mixture of photographs, book covers, and maps, as part of a Powerpoint show to be used as an adjunct to my ever-melodious and commanding basso profundo voice. Turned out that our projector would not be available, so I converted the slides into a syllabus and made 10 copies.
There was one syllabus, unbound, for everyone 2-3 people to share, and I would mention when they should turn the page. This was a wonderful way for the presentation to move on. People didn't look ahead, so there was always a measure of suspense, the picture quality was excellent, so the images really had an impact, and the lights stayed on, so no one got drowsy.
The best part was, it gave the room a very special kinetic energy, an interactive dynamism as people could really sink into the subject matter. I saw people pointing and discussing, as well as just staring at some of the faces and images before them. Definitely a fantastic way to have the talk go forward.
Up at the dias, I had an absolute ball, and loved speaking before a group of friends, peers, and The Jess about a subject I'm quite passionate about. I'm glad it showed through and was truly flattered by the compliments I received.
I cannot wait to give the lecture again and would be more than happy to go to other roundtables, classrooms, book clubs, etc. If you'd be interested in hearing the talk, please let me know in a comment.
Speaking of book clubs, the book chat at Civil War Interactive is doing "Harvard's Civil War" by Richard Miller. This is the best regimental history I've ever read and gives an amazing discussion of the 20th before, during, and after the war. It's free to participate, so please sign up!
The talk came in at just about 45 minutes and, based upon feedback I got during the Q and A as well as afterwards, was very well received. We spent a few minutes discussing the origins of the regiment and some of the personalities in it, before moving onto the 20th in the war in the East. We hit Ball's Bluff, Yorktown, the Seven Days, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Second Fredericksburg. In proceeding this way, we were able to lay a good foundation for the regiment's trials and tribulations before Gettysburg.
The bulk of the talk was on the regiment at Gettysburg, and I found some wonderful quotes and personalities to discuss that really brought the experience to life, both for me and my audience. I could hear groans, signs, and the occasional "Wow" as we moved through the subject matter. We finished by traveling with the 20th through the rest of the war, then visited the regimental memorial on Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg.
One of the best parts of the talk happened quite serendipitously, but I will use again the next time I give it. I had 42 slides, a mixture of photographs, book covers, and maps, as part of a Powerpoint show to be used as an adjunct to my ever-melodious and commanding basso profundo voice. Turned out that our projector would not be available, so I converted the slides into a syllabus and made 10 copies.
There was one syllabus, unbound, for everyone 2-3 people to share, and I would mention when they should turn the page. This was a wonderful way for the presentation to move on. People didn't look ahead, so there was always a measure of suspense, the picture quality was excellent, so the images really had an impact, and the lights stayed on, so no one got drowsy.
The best part was, it gave the room a very special kinetic energy, an interactive dynamism as people could really sink into the subject matter. I saw people pointing and discussing, as well as just staring at some of the faces and images before them. Definitely a fantastic way to have the talk go forward.
Up at the dias, I had an absolute ball, and loved speaking before a group of friends, peers, and The Jess about a subject I'm quite passionate about. I'm glad it showed through and was truly flattered by the compliments I received.
I cannot wait to give the lecture again and would be more than happy to go to other roundtables, classrooms, book clubs, etc. If you'd be interested in hearing the talk, please let me know in a comment.
Speaking of book clubs, the book chat at Civil War Interactive is doing "Harvard's Civil War" by Richard Miller. This is the best regimental history I've ever read and gives an amazing discussion of the 20th before, during, and after the war. It's free to participate, so please sign up!
George Will on Gettysburg And More ACW Stuff From The Washington Post
The impact of the new Visitor's Center at Gettysburg continues to grow, this time with nationally syndicated and award-winning columnist George Will weighing in on the subject. Please click here for the full article. There are several sentences in this piece that I found quite striking, but I won't bias you up front. Please read it and think about which bits strike home for you, and we'll revisit the piece next week.
Also from the Post comes a new blog from Linda Wheeler, who was previously the paper's Civil War columnist. Her blog, entitled "A House Divided" looks to be particularly interesting, especially from the perspective of trying to grow our Civil War community. It's maintained by Linda Wheeler and is entitled "A House Divided." From her first post: "She will report on conferences and seminars, find little-known battlefields and sites to explore, check on the latest books and advice on upcoming events, and more"
Please click on the above link or access it via my blogroll on the right. Definitely a welcome addition!
Also from the Post comes a new blog from Linda Wheeler, who was previously the paper's Civil War columnist. Her blog, entitled "A House Divided" looks to be particularly interesting, especially from the perspective of trying to grow our Civil War community. It's maintained by Linda Wheeler and is entitled "A House Divided." From her first post: "She will report on conferences and seminars, find little-known battlefields and sites to explore, check on the latest books and advice on upcoming events, and more"
Please click on the above link or access it via my blogroll on the right. Definitely a welcome addition!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
My Lecture On The 20th Massachusetts Infantry At Gettysburg Tonight!
Just a quick post today as I need to finish preparing to deliver my lecture tonight to the San Diego Civil War Roundtable. I've given it the title of "Revenge and Redemption: The 20th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment at Gettysburg." It's been an absolute blast reconnecting with the themes, people, and events that I last studied in detail a decade ago as a UCLA undergrad, and I hope that my interest and enthusiasm is reflected tonight.
It should be around 45 minutes and, though I'd hoped to have a projector available for images, I'm going to be using a handout instead. I actually think this may work better, as long as people don't skip ahead in the syllabus. There's some great carte de visite's, maps, and art that we'll be looking at, and the content, well, you've gotta hear it to believe what the men of the Harvard Regiment actually went through during their term of service and especially at Gettysburg.
I'm really excited to be speaking in public again, it's been awhile and it's something that I really enjoy doing. The meeting is open to the public and free, so if you're in San Diego and looking for something to do, feel free to join us. I provide here a link to the San Diego Civil War Roundtable website that has the address of our meeting place.
It should be around 45 minutes and, though I'd hoped to have a projector available for images, I'm going to be using a handout instead. I actually think this may work better, as long as people don't skip ahead in the syllabus. There's some great carte de visite's, maps, and art that we'll be looking at, and the content, well, you've gotta hear it to believe what the men of the Harvard Regiment actually went through during their term of service and especially at Gettysburg.
I'm really excited to be speaking in public again, it's been awhile and it's something that I really enjoy doing. The meeting is open to the public and free, so if you're in San Diego and looking for something to do, feel free to join us. I provide here a link to the San Diego Civil War Roundtable website that has the address of our meeting place.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
A Fascinating And Important Debate On The Role of Civil War Battlefield Visitor Centers
As I have written about, the new Gettysburg Visitor Center has recently opened, and not without some controversy. Along with the opening of this state of the art facility, a question about the role of this center and others in education and interpretation of their specific battle and the war in general has come to the fore.
I refer you please to two outstanding summaries on the issue. First is from Brett Schulte at TOCWOC, another is from Paul Taylor at With Sword and Pen. Briefly, the controversy swirls around whether a battlefield interpretation should be focused solely on the battle itself or include larger issues, such as slavery and emancipation, in the discussion. As you may imagine, there are strong opinions from very bright minds on both sides of the subject. (Note, the "emancipation cause" that Brett references comes from a fantastic recent book by Gary Gallagher called "Causes Won, Lost, and Forgotten". I read it when it first came out and I highly recommend it.)
This is a complex question, and I do not fall on either the "only battle, all the time" or "the whole war at every site" sides, as they are too polarized and too many opportunities for learning and education would be missed. Brett's point of selecting certain sites to showcase pertinent issues beyond the battle itself, (causes of war at Ft. Sumter and Appomattox, slavery and emancipation at Antietam, etc) is well taken, but I would add further that we must address the issue of geography.
These visitor centers have many responsibilities, and a primary one is education. We have addressed the Lost Cause mythology and the pervasiveness of it's erroneous theories, and so when students of the war (at any age, any level of interest or expertise) come to a battlefield, there is an opportunity for education. Some of the people that visit, like myself, come from some great distance to get there and may not be able to see multiple locations in one visit. It would be a shame, therefore, to miss out on educational opportunities for those who are clearly interested.
A solution that could reconcile the two views in this argument, would be something like a standardized National Park Service reference list, with websites, books, and other parks listed under heading of various subjects pertinent to the war. That way, not only would each park maintain the integrity of the battle it is representing, but each one would be united and integrated into a larger whole.
The key point to buttress this suggestion is to remember that these battles didn't occur in a vacuum, so these parks shouldn't exist in one either.
This way, when someone visits for example, the Battle of the Wilderness Park (which is high on my list), they would not have the focus of their visit diluted with subjects not germane to the battle itself, but when in the visitor's center, could avail themselves of a host of resources for questions that may have come up on any number of issues.
The key point here is dissemination of information to as many people as possible, and battlefield and museum visitors are a huge part of this, as these folks are clearly interested. There is an implicit responsibility to promote learning, so I feel that the opportunity to educate should be seized.
I refer you please to two outstanding summaries on the issue. First is from Brett Schulte at TOCWOC, another is from Paul Taylor at With Sword and Pen. Briefly, the controversy swirls around whether a battlefield interpretation should be focused solely on the battle itself or include larger issues, such as slavery and emancipation, in the discussion. As you may imagine, there are strong opinions from very bright minds on both sides of the subject. (Note, the "emancipation cause" that Brett references comes from a fantastic recent book by Gary Gallagher called "Causes Won, Lost, and Forgotten". I read it when it first came out and I highly recommend it.)
This is a complex question, and I do not fall on either the "only battle, all the time" or "the whole war at every site" sides, as they are too polarized and too many opportunities for learning and education would be missed. Brett's point of selecting certain sites to showcase pertinent issues beyond the battle itself, (causes of war at Ft. Sumter and Appomattox, slavery and emancipation at Antietam, etc) is well taken, but I would add further that we must address the issue of geography.
These visitor centers have many responsibilities, and a primary one is education. We have addressed the Lost Cause mythology and the pervasiveness of it's erroneous theories, and so when students of the war (at any age, any level of interest or expertise) come to a battlefield, there is an opportunity for education. Some of the people that visit, like myself, come from some great distance to get there and may not be able to see multiple locations in one visit. It would be a shame, therefore, to miss out on educational opportunities for those who are clearly interested.
A solution that could reconcile the two views in this argument, would be something like a standardized National Park Service reference list, with websites, books, and other parks listed under heading of various subjects pertinent to the war. That way, not only would each park maintain the integrity of the battle it is representing, but each one would be united and integrated into a larger whole.
The key point to buttress this suggestion is to remember that these battles didn't occur in a vacuum, so these parks shouldn't exist in one either.
This way, when someone visits for example, the Battle of the Wilderness Park (which is high on my list), they would not have the focus of their visit diluted with subjects not germane to the battle itself, but when in the visitor's center, could avail themselves of a host of resources for questions that may have come up on any number of issues.
The key point here is dissemination of information to as many people as possible, and battlefield and museum visitors are a huge part of this, as these folks are clearly interested. There is an implicit responsibility to promote learning, so I feel that the opportunity to educate should be seized.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Gettysburg Gems Online
First off, huge thanks and gratitude to the many friends of the Tipsy Historian for all of the good wishes and positive energy over the past few days! Nothing beats having The Jess at home and smiling. Like I wrote the other day, all good things start at home. Now that we're home and resting, here's a post I actually wrote several days ago...
So after joining the Civil War Website Ring, I took my first pass at the other members. Some blogs I'd seen, some were entirely new to me. One is so cool, it needs its own post. I've spent a goodly amount of space discussing why the Gettysburg battlefield is special for me, so it should come as no surprise that a website chock-full of images of the battlefield would immediately grab my interest. That said, behold Gettysburg365. Compiled by a gentleman named William Bretzger, this website, which is updated almost daily, has a spectacular picture of a different part of the field with a brief descriptor beneath. When I say "spectacular", I really mean it, these are professional-grade shots, filled with color, action, pathos, all the features that make a premiere composition. Just in case you missed it: http://gettysburg365.blogspot.com/
Another treat comes from the ongoing coverage of the Gettysburg cyclorama, now open to the public. The local NBC affiliate aired this video report with some footage of the painting along with the audio and visual effects in the exhibit. Good clip and all was well right until the end when the onsite reporter lived up to the standard of most local news stations. Buddy, the battle was in July, the Gettysburg Address was in November. Ugh. Anyway, goodnight, and stay classy San Diego!
So after joining the Civil War Website Ring, I took my first pass at the other members. Some blogs I'd seen, some were entirely new to me. One is so cool, it needs its own post. I've spent a goodly amount of space discussing why the Gettysburg battlefield is special for me, so it should come as no surprise that a website chock-full of images of the battlefield would immediately grab my interest. That said, behold Gettysburg365. Compiled by a gentleman named William Bretzger, this website, which is updated almost daily, has a spectacular picture of a different part of the field with a brief descriptor beneath. When I say "spectacular", I really mean it, these are professional-grade shots, filled with color, action, pathos, all the features that make a premiere composition. Just in case you missed it: http://gettysburg365.blogspot.com/
Another treat comes from the ongoing coverage of the Gettysburg cyclorama, now open to the public. The local NBC affiliate aired this video report with some footage of the painting along with the audio and visual effects in the exhibit. Good clip and all was well right until the end when the onsite reporter lived up to the standard of most local news stations. Buddy, the battle was in July, the Gettysburg Address was in November. Ugh. Anyway, goodnight, and stay classy San Diego!
Friday, September 26, 2008
A Video Clip About The Gettysburg Cyclorama
As an augmentation of my previous post about the Gettysburg Cyclorama, check out this video report from the Washington Post.
Monday, September 22, 2008
The Unveiling Of The Gettysburg Cyclorama
When The Jess and I visited Gettysburg several years ago, we skipped the visitor's center, aside from a brief foray to set up our tour, for two reasons: first we had only one day and wanted to spend it on the ground (which was exhilarating and both physically and emotionally draining), secondly much of it, including the famed "Cyclorama" were under construction.
The brand-new Gettysburg Museum and Visitors Center opened a few months ago to mostly positive reviews (keeping in mind much of what I read about it comes from other Civil War bloggers) and now the renown depiction of Pickett's Charge is being unveiled after several years of renovation and restoration. This re-release will be part of the official grand opening of the new facility. Here are a few links with images included (click here and here) and thanks to Dmitri Rotov at Civil War Bookshelf for the tip.
The brand-new Gettysburg Museum and Visitors Center opened a few months ago to mostly positive reviews (keeping in mind much of what I read about it comes from other Civil War bloggers) and now the renown depiction of Pickett's Charge is being unveiled after several years of renovation and restoration. This re-release will be part of the official grand opening of the new facility. Here are a few links with images included (click here and here) and thanks to Dmitri Rotov at Civil War Bookshelf for the tip.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Gettysburg Witness Tree Rehabilitation
If you recall, I recently posted about the damage to one of the few "Witness Trees" still standing in Gettysburg National Park. So named because these trees were arborial witnesses to the battle, they are a closely protected part of the park. One of them, a honey locust tree, was damaged in a storm and thought to be lost. Or so I thought...
Here is a link to the NPR discussion about the effort to rehabilitate this treasure.
Here is a link to the NPR discussion about the effort to rehabilitate this treasure.
Loving The Civil War Network And Virtual Book Signing!
Here is a luxurious hour spent on a warm Sunday afternoon: stretched out on the floor with my head on two pillows, award-winning Rwandan coffee lovingly roasted by The Jess in my cup, and the first episode of The Civil War Network playing on a pair of brand new Bose speakers. To wrap up, a review of The Abraham Lincoln Bookstore's latest offerings on virtualbooksigning.net.
To start, let's discuss the premiere episode of Francis Rose's brainchild, The Civil War Network. Right from the getgo, a most encouraging sign; excellent production and sound quality. This man clearly knows what he is doing. The audio was crisp even though the interviews are done over the phone, the editing is smooth, and he is a well-informed, engaging, and professional interviewer. All those combine for a great program and tons of promise for future episodes.
Mr. Rose introduced us to Jenine Culligan from the Huntington, WV Museum of Art. She spoke about the various exhibits of ACW photography and art they have available and I want to go! Next was a blogger and author named Harry Smeltzer who discussed his blog Bull Runnings, which is his attempt to digitize an entire Civil War battle, the First Battle of Bull Run. This is quite a story, he is self-motivated and working without compensation and is digitizing all pertinent records to do with the battle; ie orders of battle, casualty lists, medal citations, and the records of the hearings of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War. He was asked if this is a project he will ever finish, and he answered a definitive "no". He's just plugging along, ensuring that this one piece of American history is recorded for posterity and for free.
Part three was a talk with Dr. Carroll Van West and a newly designed southern Tennessee Civil War driving trails guide called "Civil War Trails: Fighting for the Rails". His discussion of how the 47 points on the tour were selected was really amazing. First of all, large fields managed by the National Park Service (Shiloh, Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga) were excluded. Secondly, each spot was evaluated on whether it provided a "sense of place": did it capture and preserve the environs present nearly 150 years ago. Third was a quest for balance. These stops cover the war at the state and local level, addressing soldiers, women, children, slaves, Union and Confederacy. This is how to bring the Civil War home to us today, put us in the middle of it and give us a chance to understand face to face.
The fourth segment was a conversation with Civil War book collector Paul Taylor, keeper of the blog With Sword and Pen. This one was auditory bliss, being a Civil War bibliophile myself. He gave the three most important rules of collecting (condition, condition, condition) and also mentioned the importance of always buying books you want to read, but buying 1st editions if possible. I stick to buying books I want to read that I can afford, first edition or not, and sometimes let the condition go by the wayside. I ain't sellin' 'em, but sure wanna buy 'em.
The finale was certainly grand, being an interview with Pulitzer-Prize winning author of "Battle Cry of Freedom" James McPherson. He was discussing how he gives tours of famous battlefields, focusing primarily on Gettysburg. That being the only field I've visited, and that I read his book "Hallowed Ground: A Walk at Gettysburg" cover-to-cover the night before The Jess and I walked the ground for ourselves, this was a tremendous interview. There is no one I would rather have as a tour guide on a Civil War battlefield, this interview tells you why. If you want more, here is an NPR interview with Dr. McPherson from 2003.
I'm a pretty enthusiastic guy, as my first post about this endeavor surely showed, and it was justified and more after listening to the first episode of The Civil War Network. The second episode is in development, and you'll know as soon as I do when it's released.
If this wasn't enough, www.virtualbooksigning.net had a program yesterday morning with two of the premier ACW authors. Unfortunately I wasn't able to watch the live broadcast and ask questions (working, always working), but the archived broadcast will be available soon. Though I missed out on the Q and A, my copies of each book will be in the mail this week. Dr. McPherson will be on virtualbooksigning.net in November discussing his new book about Abraham Lincoln. Again, oh yes, please.
To start, let's discuss the premiere episode of Francis Rose's brainchild, The Civil War Network. Right from the getgo, a most encouraging sign; excellent production and sound quality. This man clearly knows what he is doing. The audio was crisp even though the interviews are done over the phone, the editing is smooth, and he is a well-informed, engaging, and professional interviewer. All those combine for a great program and tons of promise for future episodes.
Mr. Rose introduced us to Jenine Culligan from the Huntington, WV Museum of Art. She spoke about the various exhibits of ACW photography and art they have available and I want to go! Next was a blogger and author named Harry Smeltzer who discussed his blog Bull Runnings, which is his attempt to digitize an entire Civil War battle, the First Battle of Bull Run. This is quite a story, he is self-motivated and working without compensation and is digitizing all pertinent records to do with the battle; ie orders of battle, casualty lists, medal citations, and the records of the hearings of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War. He was asked if this is a project he will ever finish, and he answered a definitive "no". He's just plugging along, ensuring that this one piece of American history is recorded for posterity and for free.
Part three was a talk with Dr. Carroll Van West and a newly designed southern Tennessee Civil War driving trails guide called "Civil War Trails: Fighting for the Rails". His discussion of how the 47 points on the tour were selected was really amazing. First of all, large fields managed by the National Park Service (Shiloh, Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga) were excluded. Secondly, each spot was evaluated on whether it provided a "sense of place": did it capture and preserve the environs present nearly 150 years ago. Third was a quest for balance. These stops cover the war at the state and local level, addressing soldiers, women, children, slaves, Union and Confederacy. This is how to bring the Civil War home to us today, put us in the middle of it and give us a chance to understand face to face.
The fourth segment was a conversation with Civil War book collector Paul Taylor, keeper of the blog With Sword and Pen. This one was auditory bliss, being a Civil War bibliophile myself. He gave the three most important rules of collecting (condition, condition, condition) and also mentioned the importance of always buying books you want to read, but buying 1st editions if possible. I stick to buying books I want to read that I can afford, first edition or not, and sometimes let the condition go by the wayside. I ain't sellin' 'em, but sure wanna buy 'em.
The finale was certainly grand, being an interview with Pulitzer-Prize winning author of "Battle Cry of Freedom" James McPherson. He was discussing how he gives tours of famous battlefields, focusing primarily on Gettysburg. That being the only field I've visited, and that I read his book "Hallowed Ground: A Walk at Gettysburg" cover-to-cover the night before The Jess and I walked the ground for ourselves, this was a tremendous interview. There is no one I would rather have as a tour guide on a Civil War battlefield, this interview tells you why. If you want more, here is an NPR interview with Dr. McPherson from 2003.
I'm a pretty enthusiastic guy, as my first post about this endeavor surely showed, and it was justified and more after listening to the first episode of The Civil War Network. The second episode is in development, and you'll know as soon as I do when it's released.
If this wasn't enough, www.virtualbooksigning.net had a program yesterday morning with two of the premier ACW authors. Unfortunately I wasn't able to watch the live broadcast and ask questions (working, always working), but the archived broadcast will be available soon. Though I missed out on the Q and A, my copies of each book will be in the mail this week. Dr. McPherson will be on virtualbooksigning.net in November discussing his new book about Abraham Lincoln. Again, oh yes, please.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
A Sad Passing At Gettysburg
At the Gettysburg battlefield, there are a handful of what are known as "witness trees", arborial eyes that saw the fighting that occurred 145 years ago. Unfortunately, one of those trees has been lost in a recent storm. Please click here to read more.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Why Gettysburg Still And Always Matters
The battlefield charge is a unique moment in military history; often tragic and bloody, these times when brave men rush into the face of enemy guns quickly become the stuff of myth and legend (the Charge of the Light Brigade, Henry V's "once more into the breach, dear friends) There is a long list of famous battlefield charges in military history, and 145 years ago, the American contribution was made on the field between Seminary Ridge and Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg.
After eyeing each other across No Man's Land all morning, and hunkering under a multi-hundred gun artillery barrage that could be heard for miles in every direction, the two armies again came to grips in a desperate and doomed assault forever known as Pickett's Charge.
After a day of tremendous victory, followed by a day of frustrated assaults on both Union flanks, General Robert E. Lee was anxious to thrust a large force against the Union center on the third day of fighting in an attempt to break their lines and drive the Army of the Potomac from the field. This massive task fell to three division from the Confederate I Corps and III Corps, none more famous than that of General George Pickett.
The task of these roughly 12,500 men was a tall one, as they would have to cross 3/4 of mile of open field, taking front and flank fire the whole way, then charge right into the muzzles of the Union troops at the center of the line, troops that were ready and waiting.
The Union commander, General George Meade, had been especially prescient the night before and, at the conclusion of a council of war on the night of July 2, he took Gen. John Gibbon aside. Gibbon's forces would be defending the central portion of the Union line the next morning, and Meade told him that his troops should make ready, as they would bear the brunt of the next day's Confederate assault. Low stone walls were fashioned, rifles were loaded and stacked in easy reach, and artillery was brought forward.
To Lee, this assault seemed the grand culmination of this tremendous battle, but to General James Longstreet, his chief advisor, it was clearly a disaster in the making. Lee would have none of it; however, and the assault went off as planned.
And, as expected, was crushed under the weight of Union metal and courage.
Of the roughly 12,500 men who rushed Cemetery Ridge, more than 50% were either killed, wounded, or captured in less than one hour of fighting. The attack did punch through the Union line in two places, most famously near the Copse of Trees, but both breaches were quickly sealed by reinforcements (including a regiment near and dear to my heart, the 20th Massachusetts).
As the Confederates straggled back to their lines, it was clear that a tremendous victory had been won by the Army of the Potomac, and Lee, desperate to rally his soldiers, was heard to tell several that "this was all my fault". When Lee came to General Pickett, who had survived the charge by hunkering down at the Codori Farm away from the frontline, and asked him to rally his division, Pickett reportedly replied "General Lee, I have no division."
The two armies would again stare at each other across a bloody field for more than a day. Then, on the 5th of July, 1863, General Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia would retire the field and begin the long retreat back to Virginia.
For the Union army and the North, this was a huge victory, made even greater by the capture of Vicksburg by Union forces under General Ulysses Grant on the 4th of July. These two victories were monumental boosts to the North and equally shattering blows to the Confederacy.
In the final accounting, there were somewhere between 45-51,000 casualties in the three days of fighting at Gettysburg. This was a fight that forever seared itself into the national consciousness and remains of particular interest of both scholars and tourists alike.
For me, there are several reasons why Gettysburg is and will likely always be of particular interest. One is the idea of Gettysburg as myth and part of our collective memory. As an adjunct to my study of 19th century America as part of my history degree at UCLA, I also studied ancient Greek history, and there is a wonderful connection between the two through this battle.
Another reason is that this is the only battlefield I've visited, walked, and sifted between my fingers. It's one thing to read about a battle, it's something altogether different to stare at the landmarks and walk the ground. Poignant and heartwrenching hardly begin to describe it.
In my course of study at UCLA, I worked with an amazing professor, Dr. Joan Waugh, who taught 5 of my classes. As a senior, I was in a seminar called "The Soldier's Experience in the Civil War" and as a final project, each student was to study a certain regiment. I adopted the 20th Massachusetts, and several months and many tens of pages later, I had drafted my paper. This regiment, known as the Harvard Regiment, stood its ground during Pickett's Charge and helped win the day. There is an amazing monument to the Harvard Regiment on Cemetery Ridge just south of the Copse of Trees, and to stand there on a warm day and think about the men I had studied; what they believed, why they fought, how they suffered and died brought tears to my eyes.
The final reason is that The Jess came with me on that trip. We had only been dating for a few months, and the trip had been planned even before we met. I asked her if she wanted to come with, not sure what response to expect. Not only did she book a ticket, but she started pulling books off my shelves and reading about the battle in preparation. There are few people who know as much about General John Reynolds as my wife, and we had an amazing time sharing the experience together. I was blown away by her shared enthusiasm for something I was so passionate about.
Best of all, I realized during our trip to Gettysburg that I was in love with her.
After eyeing each other across No Man's Land all morning, and hunkering under a multi-hundred gun artillery barrage that could be heard for miles in every direction, the two armies again came to grips in a desperate and doomed assault forever known as Pickett's Charge.
After a day of tremendous victory, followed by a day of frustrated assaults on both Union flanks, General Robert E. Lee was anxious to thrust a large force against the Union center on the third day of fighting in an attempt to break their lines and drive the Army of the Potomac from the field. This massive task fell to three division from the Confederate I Corps and III Corps, none more famous than that of General George Pickett.
The task of these roughly 12,500 men was a tall one, as they would have to cross 3/4 of mile of open field, taking front and flank fire the whole way, then charge right into the muzzles of the Union troops at the center of the line, troops that were ready and waiting.
The Union commander, General George Meade, had been especially prescient the night before and, at the conclusion of a council of war on the night of July 2, he took Gen. John Gibbon aside. Gibbon's forces would be defending the central portion of the Union line the next morning, and Meade told him that his troops should make ready, as they would bear the brunt of the next day's Confederate assault. Low stone walls were fashioned, rifles were loaded and stacked in easy reach, and artillery was brought forward.
To Lee, this assault seemed the grand culmination of this tremendous battle, but to General James Longstreet, his chief advisor, it was clearly a disaster in the making. Lee would have none of it; however, and the assault went off as planned.
And, as expected, was crushed under the weight of Union metal and courage.
Of the roughly 12,500 men who rushed Cemetery Ridge, more than 50% were either killed, wounded, or captured in less than one hour of fighting. The attack did punch through the Union line in two places, most famously near the Copse of Trees, but both breaches were quickly sealed by reinforcements (including a regiment near and dear to my heart, the 20th Massachusetts).
As the Confederates straggled back to their lines, it was clear that a tremendous victory had been won by the Army of the Potomac, and Lee, desperate to rally his soldiers, was heard to tell several that "this was all my fault". When Lee came to General Pickett, who had survived the charge by hunkering down at the Codori Farm away from the frontline, and asked him to rally his division, Pickett reportedly replied "General Lee, I have no division."
The two armies would again stare at each other across a bloody field for more than a day. Then, on the 5th of July, 1863, General Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia would retire the field and begin the long retreat back to Virginia.
For the Union army and the North, this was a huge victory, made even greater by the capture of Vicksburg by Union forces under General Ulysses Grant on the 4th of July. These two victories were monumental boosts to the North and equally shattering blows to the Confederacy.
In the final accounting, there were somewhere between 45-51,000 casualties in the three days of fighting at Gettysburg. This was a fight that forever seared itself into the national consciousness and remains of particular interest of both scholars and tourists alike.
For me, there are several reasons why Gettysburg is and will likely always be of particular interest. One is the idea of Gettysburg as myth and part of our collective memory. As an adjunct to my study of 19th century America as part of my history degree at UCLA, I also studied ancient Greek history, and there is a wonderful connection between the two through this battle.
Another reason is that this is the only battlefield I've visited, walked, and sifted between my fingers. It's one thing to read about a battle, it's something altogether different to stare at the landmarks and walk the ground. Poignant and heartwrenching hardly begin to describe it.
In my course of study at UCLA, I worked with an amazing professor, Dr. Joan Waugh, who taught 5 of my classes. As a senior, I was in a seminar called "The Soldier's Experience in the Civil War" and as a final project, each student was to study a certain regiment. I adopted the 20th Massachusetts, and several months and many tens of pages later, I had drafted my paper. This regiment, known as the Harvard Regiment, stood its ground during Pickett's Charge and helped win the day. There is an amazing monument to the Harvard Regiment on Cemetery Ridge just south of the Copse of Trees, and to stand there on a warm day and think about the men I had studied; what they believed, why they fought, how they suffered and died brought tears to my eyes.
The final reason is that The Jess came with me on that trip. We had only been dating for a few months, and the trip had been planned even before we met. I asked her if she wanted to come with, not sure what response to expect. Not only did she book a ticket, but she started pulling books off my shelves and reading about the battle in preparation. There are few people who know as much about General John Reynolds as my wife, and we had an amazing time sharing the experience together. I was blown away by her shared enthusiasm for something I was so passionate about.
Best of all, I realized during our trip to Gettysburg that I was in love with her.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
145 Years Ago In The Valley Of Death
Today marks the 145th anniversary of the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Throughout the day there was vicious fighting all along the famous Union "fishhook" line, running from Culp's Hill down to Little Round Top and the base of Big Round Top. The carnage along the line was so intense and so chaotic that reasonable estimates of casualties in places like the Wheatfield, the Slaughter Pen, and the Valley of Death are impossible to calculate and only final tallies of total casualties for the battle are possible.
The Confederate army surged against the Union lines in famous fighting at Cemetery and Culp's Hill on the northern part of the field, but the Army of the Potomac stubbornly held its position, even as the fighting carried on into the darkness. On the southern and central sectors, other famous names were born amidst the savage fighting at Little Round Top, Devil's Den, the Wheatfield, the Peach Orchard, and along the Emmitsburg Road.
This battle was tremendously complex, with thousands of men crisscrossing along miles of territory. Of these countless legions, some names would join the pantheon of famous American warriors: Chamberlain, Crawford, Hancock, Vincent, Warren, Hood, Oates. These men are forever emblazoned into our history not only for their individual acts, but as representatives of the efforts of the thousands that they led in battle.
At the end of the day, the two armies stared at each other across a No Man's Land strewn with casualties. It is hard to picture virgin American farmland covered with blood and gore like something out of the D-Day scene in "Saving Private Ryan", but on this field, like thousands of others on hundreds of days during the Civil War, that was the reality.
The battle was not yet decided, and it would be left to a third day of fighting to decide this contest.
The Confederate army surged against the Union lines in famous fighting at Cemetery and Culp's Hill on the northern part of the field, but the Army of the Potomac stubbornly held its position, even as the fighting carried on into the darkness. On the southern and central sectors, other famous names were born amidst the savage fighting at Little Round Top, Devil's Den, the Wheatfield, the Peach Orchard, and along the Emmitsburg Road.
This battle was tremendously complex, with thousands of men crisscrossing along miles of territory. Of these countless legions, some names would join the pantheon of famous American warriors: Chamberlain, Crawford, Hancock, Vincent, Warren, Hood, Oates. These men are forever emblazoned into our history not only for their individual acts, but as representatives of the efforts of the thousands that they led in battle.
At the end of the day, the two armies stared at each other across a No Man's Land strewn with casualties. It is hard to picture virgin American farmland covered with blood and gore like something out of the D-Day scene in "Saving Private Ryan", but on this field, like thousands of others on hundreds of days during the Civil War, that was the reality.
The battle was not yet decided, and it would be left to a third day of fighting to decide this contest.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
145 Years Ago In a Pennsylvania Crossroads Town...
...the Union and Confederate armies clashed in the first of three days of fighting that would become forever known as the Battle of Gettysburg. Over the course of the following decades, this battle has risen to mythic proportions in the minds of many Americans, standing alongside the great conflicts in world history.
This battle, which would prove to be the costliest three days in American history, started to the northwest of Gettysburg on the morning of July 1, 1863, then tore through the town itself, with the first day's fighting grinding to a halt south of town. On this day, names like Buford, Reynolds, Archer, Gordon, and Ewell, and places like McPherson's Ridge, Culp's Hill, Oak Hill, and Blocher's Knoll became forever part of American military lore. Please avail yourself of the wikipedia entry covering the battle; since today marks the anniversary of the first day of battle, just focus on the introduction and the description of the first day's fighting.
This battle, which would prove to be the costliest three days in American history, started to the northwest of Gettysburg on the morning of July 1, 1863, then tore through the town itself, with the first day's fighting grinding to a halt south of town. On this day, names like Buford, Reynolds, Archer, Gordon, and Ewell, and places like McPherson's Ridge, Culp's Hill, Oak Hill, and Blocher's Knoll became forever part of American military lore. Please avail yourself of the wikipedia entry covering the battle; since today marks the anniversary of the first day of battle, just focus on the introduction and the description of the first day's fighting.
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