Gettysburg Semester: Gettysburg (Day 3)

Ranger John Heiser met us at the Appleford to begin our third and final tour of Gettysburg (at least with the Semester-I know this won't be my last time!). We started out with a drive around the battlefield looking at the Culp Farm, the Bushman Farm, and the Trostle Farm to understand the toll the battle took on local farmers. Then we headed back into town to learn about the impact on the town and its citizens. He took us through streets and alleys to see the railroad station, the GAR post, and several churches that had been used as hospitals. The impact of civilians was told through stories, such as the story of Sally Mires, a 20-year old schoolteacher who worked with the wounded for several days in St. Francis Xavier Church even though the first time she entered she had broken down and had to leave.

After a tasty lunch at O'Rorke's and ice cream at Kilwin's we met up with our second guide, Ranger Scott Hartwig, who would lead us through Pickett's Charge. We started at the Union lines where Scott got us oriented to where the battle stood on the morning of July 3rd and who the troops were that would defend the ridge against the famous assault of Pickett, Pettigrew, and Trimble. Then we walked over to the Confederate side to get that perspective of the day's battle. There Scott told us about the problems with command and communication the Confederates faced that day and how the charge was decided on and organized. Then we walked the path of Pickett's Division back to the Union line. This was made all the more realistic by our own walking casualty. Amy gamely walked, or should I say hobbled, the two miles on her bad ankle. The dedication of the Confederate men that made the original assault lives on!

We ended the day near the Angle and the Copse of Trees where Armistead broke through the Union lines and was repelled. Here I presented on my 69th Pennsylvania boys who single-handedly pushed the Confederates back! Ok, maybe I exaggerate, but they were crucial in the fighting that took place there.

The Battle of Gettysburg would end with the ill-fated charge of the Confederates. Pickett's Charge was also the end of our three day tour of Gettysburg. Fortunately, it does not mark the end of our field experience trips and next week we are going to the Richmond area for a three day tour!!