The Confederate Conquest of Gettysburg – How The Town Was Taken
February 28, 2024Southern 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.
Gettysburg’s Evergreen Cemetery: Keystone of the Battleground
January 26, 2024Imagine 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.
Christmas Traditions During the Civil War
December 19, 2023When 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.
Are Dedication Day and Remembrance Day The Same In Gettysburg?
November 17, 2023After 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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The Ghosts of Gettysburg
October 12, 2023October 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.
Battlefield Highlights: Culp’s Hill – The Long Fight
July 21, 2023One 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.
Battlefield Highlights: The Wheatfield
June 29, 2023The 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.”
Battlefield Highlights: Where the Battle Began – Buford Holds The High Ground
May 30, 2023Have you ever wondered about the pivotal moments that shaped the outcome of the American Civil War? One such moment occurred on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg.
General John Buford’s actions on that first day at Gettysburg were crucial in determining the final outcome of the battle. By holding the line against Confederate forces, he helped buy time for the Union army to reinforce its position, an action that ultimately determined the course of the entire conflict.
Revisiting Pickett’s Charge: Marching into the Fire
March 30, 2023The Battle of Gettysburg is often identified as the definitive turning point in the American Civil War. Fought from July 1st to July 3rd, 1863, in and around the Pennsylvania town from whence it takes its name, the famous battle resulted in the loss of over 50,000 soldiers on both sides, making it one of the bloodiest engagements in American history.
One of the most famous and controversial moments of the battle was “Pickett’s Charge,” a failed Confederate direct assault against the Union battlefront that has since become a symbol of gallant bravery and terrible sacrifice. Even today, 160 years later, the grim details of that terrible feat still echo across the empty fields where that final, brutal charge took place, and where so many desperate Confederate soldiers faultlessly obeyed their orders to march into the fire.
Pennsylvanian Wild Cats at Gettysburg
March 15, 2023During the Civil War, many different brigades and regiments had unique names. Some of the more famous ones we often hear about in association with Gettysburg are The Iron Brigade and the Louisiana Tigers. But one particular regiment that fought at Gettysburg was given a nickname that not only sounds cool but which also has an interesting origin behind it.