conquest of gettysburg

The Confederate Conquest of Gettysburg – How The Town Was Taken

Southern Victory and the Conquest of Gettysburg

The Invasion Begins

After his success at Chancellorsville, Virginia in May 1863, General Robert E Lee led his army through the Shenandoah Valley to begin his second invasion of the North—what would later be known as the Gettysburg Campaign. Lee wanted to move the focus of the summer campaign away from beleaguered northern Virginia, and to strike a blow against Union morale by penetrating as far north as Harrisburg.

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evergreen cemetery gatehouse

Gettysburg’s Evergreen Cemetery: Keystone of the Battleground

Imagine standing on hallowed ground, where the echoes of the past linger—a quiet sanctuary of bereavement and rest, centrally placed to witness pivotal moments in our nation’s history. Evergreen Cemetery is not just another burial ground; it’s a living testament to the town and inhabitants of Gettysburg and their sacrifices before, during, and since the Civil War.

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National Park Service Winter Lecture Series 2024~1:30 p.m-2:30 p.m.~January through March

Fe aturing some of the best National Park Service rangers, historians and authors from across the country, the Winter Lecture Series returns to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center in 2024.

Get the complete schedule of presentations and presenters online at https://www.nps.gov/gett/learn/news/2024-winter-lectures.htm or stop by the NPS Information Desk inside the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center to learn more.

Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Free tickets are available on the day of each presentation at the ticket counter inside the Museum & Visitor Center.

Schedule is subject to change. For any program updates throughout the winter months, visit Gettysburg National Military Park online at nps.gov/gett.

The Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center is located at 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA. Call 717-334-1124 for information.

christmas traditions and the civil war

Christmas Traditions During the Civil War

When enjoying a December visit to historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and touring its hallowed environs now dressed for the season and bedecked in holiday splendor, one finds oneself surrounded at every turn by the echoes of the Civil War and its effect on our nation. Delving into the curious intersection of Christmas traditions and wartime history, one might also ponder how the celebration of our modern holiday season was forever influenced by those tumultuous times.

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Are Dedication Day and Remembrance Day The Same In Gettysburg?

After hearing many opinions regarding the question “are  Dedication Day and Remembrance Day the same in Gettysburg”, I decided it was necessary to address the debate.  I was amazed by the amount of incorrect information written on the subject. Dedication Day and Remembrance Day are not the same, but are interconnected.

President Harry S. Truman signed a Congressional Resolution praising Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and proclaiming Dedication Day in 1946.

“Whereas the Gettysburg Address of President Lincoln is the outstanding classic of the ages; and Whereas it will touch the hearts of men and inspire them with faith in our matchless democracy as long as time endures…Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That November 19, 1946, the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, be, and hereby is, designated in our calendar of special days as Dedication Day…”.  Now, therefore, I, Harry S. Truman, President of the United States of America, do proclaim November 19, 1946 the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, as Dedication Day, and I urge the people of the United States to observe that day by reading the address in public assemblages throughout the United States and its possessions, on our ships at sea, and wherever the American Flag flies.”

Originally coordinated by the Grand Army of the Republic, Remembrance Day is celebrated on the Saturday closest to Dedication Day on November 19th. Thousands of Living Historians  from across the country proudly don the uniforms and civilian attire of 1863 to participate in a grand parade honoring the sacrifices of the soldiers and civilians at Gettysburg.  Many of the units and organizations participate in wreath laying ceremonies and other forms of remembrance.

The day concludes with the moving Remembrance Day Illumination at the National Cemetery. A luminary candle is placed on the grave of each of the  3,512 Civil War soldiers graves and the names of each are read.

Blog by Christina Rowand

 

 

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gettysburg for the holidays

Gettysburg for the Holidays – Winter 2023 Essential Guide

Each year, as the holidays approach, the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, comes alive with a newly festive seasonal ambiance. Glittering wreaths adorn streetlights and historic structures throughout the town, while gaily painted nutcrackers, snowmen, and beautifully crafted life-sized nativity scenes dot the seasonal landscape of Gettysburg for the holidays. Sparkling lights twinkle merrily, illuminating Gettysburg’s lovely businesses and historic residences, many of which have stood since the Civil War era or longer.

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ghosts of gettysburg

The Ghosts of Gettysburg

October is here, bringing with it earlier sunsets and fresh spookiness, lingering whispers in shadowy nooks, and the unseen rustling of fallen leaves. Whether or not you believe in such things, Gettysburg is world-renowned among aficionados of the supernatural as a potent center for paranormal activity. No matter if you are deeply passionate about Civil War history, are interested in supernatural investigation, are a fan of ghost hunting— or even if you’re just looking for a good old-fashioned scare to celebrate the Halloween season, the ghosts of Gettysburg certainly offer a chilling invitation!

Read on to uncover more about the restless spirits that reputedly haunt this historic town and battlefield, and some of the legends that surround them.

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autumn in gettysburg - cannon

Autumn in Gettysburg: Fall 2023 Essential Guide

Every year when autumn arrives, Gettysburg Pennsylvania is transformed by the cooling weather and emerging autumnal splendor of the Fall season, the shortening days casting a golden glow over the famous town’s historical scenery to mark the waning year. When the harvest season arrives, both longtime residents and newly-welcomed visitors experience true joy exploring the streets and pathways of the famous town, uncovering the many hidden treasures arrayed amongst the memorials of the Civil War, including various local museums, quaint cafés, and amiable shops.

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Culps Hill Today

Battlefield Highlights: Culp’s Hill – The Long Fight

One of the most important geographical features that played a prominent role in the Battle of Gettysburg is Culp’s Hill, located on the eastern side of the battlefield. The hill offered a high-ground advantage, providing Union troops an excellent vantage point to observe and defend against Confederate movements, while its elevation and rocky terrain made it an ideal defensive position.

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the wheatfield monument

Battlefield Highlights: The Wheatfield

The second day of the Battle of Gettysburg was the bloodiest day of the battle. Throughout that day, fighting at numerous locations around the battlefield involved 100,000 combatants, 20,000 of whom would end the day either killed, wounded, captured, or missing, making July 2nd, 1863, a truly dire day in the history of our nation. And centered amidst the near-constant ebb and flow of the ongoing carnage was a small patch of land… 19 acres of wheat owned by local farmer George Rose, that history would come to know as “The Wheatfield.”

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