Gettysburg Semester 2009 - Muster Out

Last Friday, after all us of burned the midnight oil to finish our seminar papers, we scrambled over to Rob Gibson's studio to get a Civil War era group picture taken (see below!). He briefly reviewed the history of photography and showed us the techniques he used -- and even let us play around with his camera, which was super neat. We then got dressed up and posed; staying still for fifteen seconds is, believe it or not, harder than it looks! That evening, after I took a long afternoon nap, we all went to Herr's Tavern for a final dinner together. We read Civil War poetry, enjoyed the yummy (but admittedly leisurely) meal, and said our last goodbyes to Dr. Guelzo.

Now that I'm officially finished with all of my work for the semester, it's beginning to feel like the end. It's a bit astonishing that the semester is over already; as I write this, my darling roommate is packing up her things, and it all feels a bit surreal. I will not deny that I am excited to head home and celebrate the holidays with my loved ones in a warmer climate, but I am sad that this experience is coming to a close. (It's going to be REALLY strange not talking Civil War with the people I live with all the time.) I've met many kindred spirits here and will miss them dearly, and with the good and bad, I am thankful to have spent the time here that I did. To everyone: best of luck on your adventures. Thank you to everyone who has helped me, and all of us, on this journey. It's been great!

Gettysburg Semester 2009 - Washington, D.C.

This Friday, we embarked on our final Gettysburg Semester field trip – to Washington, D. C. I hadn’t been to Washington since early high school, and have desperately missed being in a city, so I really looked forward to it.

We began the day in Lafayette Square in front of the White House, where Dr. Guelzo explained how the area appeared during Lincoln’s administration. As he discussed Stanton in the Treasury Department and Lincoln’s frequent visits to Seward’s house nearby, we saw a helicopter depart from the White House and some apparently important visitors arrive. Exciting!

We then made our way to Ford’s Theater, where we spent some time in their downstairs museum. There, they had some interesting artifacts, including the gun John Wilkes Booth used to assassinate Lincoln and the suit the president was wearing when Booth did so. We then left the museum itself and made our way upstairs to peek into the Presidential Box, in which Lincoln sat when Booth shot him. After listening to a brief ranger program, we crossed the street and went through the Peterson House, where we were able to see the rooms in which Mary Lincoln awaited news about her husband, Secretary of War Stanton briefly ran the nation, and Lincoln ultimately died.

After lunch at the Hard Rock Café, we concluded the day with a visit to the Lincoln Memorial. Looking across the mall from the Lincoln Memorial was certainly an apt way to end the trip – and the last of the semester.

Gettysburg Semester 2009 - Richmond Trip, Day Three / Appomattox Court House

On the final day of our Richmond trip, we made our way down to Appomattox Court House. Fortunately, the day was beautiful, and we were able to enjoy the park in the sunshine!

We began in the visitor’s center with a brief ranger talk and orientation video. Afterward, we stood outside the old courthouse and Dr. Guelzo discussed the maneuvers of Lee’s army subsequent to the fall of Petersburg. He explained that chiefly, Lee sought to access the supplies first at Amelia Court House, and, failing that, at Appomattox Court House. However, Sheridan captured those at Appomattox before Lee could arrive – and after realizing that the Union cavalry was supported by infantry units, he surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia. We then made our way to the McLean House to see the room in which Grant and Lee negotiated the surrender. We concluded the morning with a discussion of the parole and final march of the Army of Northern Virginia.

After a very pleasant lunch at a cozy bed and breakfast, we made our way back to Gettysburg. Although we faced more than a few bumps along the way (metaphorically and literally, given the unpaved road we somehow managed to find ourselves on), we made it back over the Mason Dixon line in one piece. After Thanksgiving, on to Washington, D. C.!

Gettysburg Semester 2009 - Richmond Trip, Day Two / Cold Harbor and Petersburg

After sleeping in, at least a little bit, we began our second day of the Richmond trip with Cold Harbor – led by Dr. Guelzo himself. He opened with an explanation of the utter exhaustion that the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia alike suffered by late May of 1864. After discussing Grant’s frustration with geography during the Overland campaign, we moved on to the Sixth Corps position on June 1. Dr. Guelzo then described the contribution of the 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery, of Upton’s brigade, in the Union attack. We then saw several lines of entrenchments – labeled as Confederate, but Dr. Guelzo disagreed. We continued walking through the battlefield as Dr. Guelzo explained the bloodshed of the June 3 battle and the decision of men to disobey orders to attack – indicating the measure of casualties and the terror experienced by the Army of the Potomac. We concluded the morning with a photograph at the 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery monument - and an impromptu discussion of the balloon corps.

After lunch, we met Randy Watkins at the Petersburg. We began by becoming acquainted with the siege of Petersburg with the National Park’s video on the subject. We then went outside with Mr. Watkins and did artillery practice – probably the most fun, in Dr. Guelzo’s own words, that we’ll have all semester! (To be fair, he isn’t wrong.) We then made our way to Ft. Stedman and discussed the action there – and Mr. Watkins explained that this was the last real offensive made by the Army of Northern Virginia during the Civil War. We concluded at the Crater, where Mr. Watkins had us figure out the tricky ventilation system in the tunnel and described the battle there as a good plan, poorly executed. Sunday, on to Appomattox Court House, and then back home to Gettysburg.

Gettysburg Semester 2009 - Richmond Trip, Day One / The Wilderness and Spotsylvania

We began our trip to Richmond by heading down to the Wilderness and Spotsylvania – close to the Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville battlefields we visited several weeks ago. We met with our intrepid guide, Don Pfanz, and braved the cold and rain as we began the morning. (Appropriate, at least!)

We started the tour with a discussion of Grant’s motivations and intentions in the Overland Campaign, in particular, the potential use of combined forces. We then discussed the nature of the Wilderness battlefield as extremely difficult to maneuver through and thus terrifying for the men fighting throught it. We then went to Ellwood, where, most notably, Stonewall Jackson’s arm. We moved on next to Saunders Field, where we discussed the action there and – perhaps one of the most disturbing aspects of the Wilderness – the fires that broke out and consumed the dead and wounded. We finished the morning with stops at the Tapp Field and Chewning Farm, where Mr. Pfanz explained the actions of Texas Brigade and Lee’s rather legendary attempt to lead them into the fray.

After lunch at the Spotsylvania Courthouse Café, we proceeded to a brief tour of the battle at Spotsylvania. We began by discussing the so-called “Mule Shoe salient” and Colonel Upton’s assault there. The most sobering stop on our visit was that at the Bloody Angle, where we discussed the action there that was perhaps the hardest and bloodiest fighting of the entire Civil War. Thereafter, Mr. Pfanz explained the end of the battle and foreshadowed our visit the next day at Cold Harbor. We finished the day with a stop at the Massaponax Church, where a famous photograph was taken of Grant holding a council of war outside on the church’s pews. Saturday, on to Cold Harbor and Petersburg!

Gettysburg Semester 2009 - Gettysburg, Town and Pickett's Charge

The cold morning of November 6, we met John Heiser on the front porch of the Appleford. John runs the library at the Gettysburg National Military Park, and I’ve been interning with him this semester – so it was nice to see a familiar face as one of our tour guides! We began by going through the history of Gettysburg the town prior to, during, and just subsequent to the battle. First, we went to the train station, and John explained that Gettysburg was a fairly bustling frontier town center by July 1863. As we walked through town, we discussed the various buildings with individuals present during or significant to the battle – and John impressed upon us how utterly and thoroughly July 1863 impacted the citizens of Gettysburg.

After John acquainted us with the history of the town we’ve been living in for the past few months, we made our way to the battlefield itself in order to discuss the farms and homes there. These included the McPherson Farm, the Snyder Farm, the Bushman Farm, and the Trostle Farm. Personally, I found the Bushman Farm to be particularly interesting, as there is a barn on the property that may date from as early as the late 1790s!

After lunch, we met Scott Hartwig, the chief historian at the GNMP, for a discussion of Pickett’s Charge and the final day at Gettysburg. He began by explaining Lee’s motivations for Pickett’s Charge and Meade’s reasons for staying in the defensive position he held on the evening of July 2. We then discussed Cushing’s Battery and the position of the 69th Pennsylvania and their efforts to repulse the Confederate attack. After that, we walked down toward the Virginia monument and made our way back, walking the route of Pickett’s Charge. We stopped several times along the way to discuss the preliminary artillery bombardment, the order of the Confederate advance, and accounts from the men involved. We concluded the walk with a discussion of the Union victory at Gettysburg and its implications, and got back on the bus just as the sun set. Next weekend, on to Richmond!

Gettysburg Semester 2009 - Gettysburg, Day Two

This week, we were lucky to be joined by John Rudy and Cathy Bain, who have helped us immensely over the course of the semester with everything from getting this blog running to helping us with more personal problems. After they joined us at the Appleford, we met up with John Archer at Seminary Ridge.

We began our day with a discussion of the advantages of Meade’s interior lines and possession of strategic positions on the morning of July 2 in contrast with Lee’s longer line and the troubles he had with communication and reinforcement as a result. Mr. Archer then explained the infamous Longstreet at Gettysburg issue as well as the problems with and consequences of Sickles’ decision to alter his line of battle. We then made our way to the Peach Orchard, where we learned about the salient and the bloody action there. (I should mention here that both Cathy and Dr. Guelzo gave me blankets at this point because I can’t handle any cold whatsoever, for which I truly thank them!) We were also treated to the beginning of a debate between John Archer and Dr. Guelzo that would amusingly span the day – did Wright’s brigade break through the Philadelphia Brigade’s position on Cemetery Ridge?

After the Peach Orchard, John Archer discussed the Wheatfield, Devil’s Den, and spent little time talking about Little Round Top. (We’ve all read The Killer Angels. And seen Gettysburg.) We then made our way to the Trostle Farm, where Sickles suffered a leg wound that would lead to amputation – and allegedly enjoyed a cigar while he was carried away from the field. In another perhaps tasteless Gettysburg Semester tradition, we imitated Sickles’ loss of leg while Dr. Guelzo reenacted the general’s reaction to the injury by smoking a cigar.

As soon as we finished a delicious but coma-inducing lunch at the Pike, we went to Benner’s Hill and Mr. Archer explained the artillery battle that raged between the batteries there and those under Colonel Wainwright. We then made our way to Culp’s Hill, where we compared several photographs taken after the battle fromWilliam Frassanito’s books to the sites we were seeing. We also discussed the harsh and bloody fighting here – and were given the evidence by looking at a small burial pit near the 2nd Maryland monument. Our final stop was Cemetery Hill, and once again, Mr. Archer and Dr. Guelzo explained the importance of that position in the battle. Next week, we will return to Gettysburg for a tour of the Third Day and the town of Gettysburg itself with Scott Hartwig and John Heiser.

Gettysburg Semester 2009 - Gettysburg, Day One

Last Friday, we slept in and stayed home for a tour of the First Day at Gettysburg! Although we’ve all been to the battlefield before – certainly since being here, including a few walks with our own Zack Fry – I was excited to begin the Gettysburg Semester’s three-week exploration of the battle. We met our guide, John Archer, at East Cemetery Hill, which he and Dr. Guelzo explained was the reason for fighting at Gettysburg. We were able to understand this looking around, for the plateau commands a view of the entire surrounding area.

Making our way to the location of the alleged location of the “first shot” fired during the battle, John Archer explained the reasons for Lee’s invasion and impressed upon us that the fighting at Gettysburg was not planned. We then made our way to McPherson’s Ridge, where Mr. Archer described Buford’s holding action and Reynolds’ arrival. We followed a path through the woods to Willoughby Run, where we discussed the Iron Brigade’s flanking maneuvers against Archer’s men. (Not to mention enjoyed the lovely fall colors while we were surrounded by trees and falling leaves!)

We then continued to the unfinished railroad cut, where Mr. Archer explained the fighting of the 6th Wisconsin, the 14th Brooklyn, and the 95th New York there. (My darling roommate even sported a 14th Brooklyn kepi!) We then went to Oak Ridge and Oak Hill, where we discussed the bloody action between Iverson’s and Robinson’s men – and Jacob Dinkelaker made some hilarious tasteless jokes about Sally Ann, the 11th Pennsylvania’s mascot dog. We also talked about issues of battlefield preservation and tourism at Gettysburg, including Gettysburg College’s destruction of the other railroad cut.

After eating at the Appleford, we made our way to Barlow’s Knoll, and Mr. Archer explained the composition of the Eleventh Corps and their fighting against and retreat from Gordon on July 1. Afterward, we made our way back to the woods, discussing the First Corps retreat and walking the 24th Michigan’s fighting retreat from the 26th South Carolina. We concluded the day on Seminary Ridge with an explanation of the Union retreat through town, their last stand at Seminary Ridge, and their ultimate withdrawal to Cemetery Hill. Just as Mr. Archer finished his discussion about the criticism of Ewell for not taking Cemetery Hill, it began to rain and we headed back into the bus. This week, we’re staying here again for Gettysburg, Day Two!

Gettysburg Semester 2009 - Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville

On Friday, October 16, we left Gettysburg for Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, bundled up against the cold and rain. Upon arrival, we soon discovered that these battlefields are a testament to those throughout the country that suffer from encroaching development and lack of preservation. Nevertheless, our guide, Greg Mertz, was able to make his tour incredibly meaningful. He provided us with incredibly interesting documents about each of our regiments, which we read aloud at intervals over the course of the day. I think we all greatly appreciated Mr. Mertz’s efforts for us in this respect – for my part, the letters and diaries he gave me really drove home the soldier’s experience at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.

In the morning, we toured Fredericksburg. Our first stop was along the Rappahannock, where we discussed the Federal troops’ crossing of the river and the heated action in the town. We then headed toward Marye’s Heights, where despite development, we were able to truly understand the horrifying futility of the Union attacks there. Discussing the casualties many of our regiments suffered was chilling. We finished the tour of Fredericksburg with a visit to Prospect Hill and went over Franklin’s attack and the Confederate position there.

After lunch and the obligatory bookstore visit, we moved on to Chancellorsville. After Mr. Mertz detailed Lee’s plans for the upcoming battle, we went to the area of Howard’s XI Corps position. Here, Jackson launched an attack against the unprepared corps, which was forced into a hasty retreat. We then made our way to the Chancellorsville Visitor’s Center and the approximate spot where Jackson was mortally wounded in the battle. Thereafter, we rode toward Hazel Grove and walked toward Fairview, surveying Sickles’ position there and the consequences of the Union abandonment of it. We concluded our tour with a visit to the Salem Church and a brief talk about the action there – and Mr. Mertz pointed out the position of my regiment, the 2nd Rhode Island, as “near the Taco Bell.” (Certainly unfortunate evidence of a lack of battlefield preservation.)

After a long, rainy drive back home, most of us finished the day with dinner with Dr. Guelzo at Tommy’s and continued to discuss the Civil War over pizza – a lovely end to the day, if I do say so myself! Next week, we’re staying in Gettysburg to discuss the first day. (And let’s all hope for better weather, shall we?)

Gettysburg Semester 2009 - Antietam

During the second week of October, we departed early and made our way to Antietam. We were greeted by unseasonably warm weather – a welcome change from our previous trips! This was the first battlefield that we’d visited that I’d seen prior to the Gettysburg Semester, so I was excited to see and experience it again.

We were very fortunate to have Dennis Frye as our guide for the second time, particularly because so much of his personal and family history has ties to the Battle of Antietam. After becoming acquainted with the topography of the area, we went to the Pry House, McClellan’s headquarters during the battle. Here, Mr. Frye challenged us to consider the battle in terms of contemporary practicality rather than focus heavily on reports – which, especially in McClellan’s case, are not always trustworthy.

We then made our way to the Cornfield and the West Woods, where Dennis Frye took us to an area where, as he described, the terrain truly changed the course of American history. We learned that the action at the West Woods was the (extremely bloody) turning point in the battle, as it put McClellan on the defensive for the remainder of the day.

After leaving the West Woods, we headed to the Sunken Road (or “Bloody Lane”), where Mr. Frye argued that contrary to popular belief, French’s division did not get lost – rather, their arrival there was entirely intentional given the realities of terrain and position. Before leaving, we participated in a Gettysburg Semester tradition: reenacting “the bloat” from Alexander Gardner’s famous photographs of the Bloody Lane after the battle. (Insensitive, yes, but tradition IS tradition!) We then got ourselves up and climbed the stairs to the top of the observation tower, where Mr. Frye told us a moving story about the discovery of several soldiers from the Irish Brigade who were partially buried on the battlefield.

Our final stop was Burnside’s Bridge, where Mr. Frye maintained that Burnside’s actions were brilliant, rather than foolish, at Antietam. After a group picture (sans Dr. Guelzo) on the bridge, we went to Nutter’s ice cream – the perfect complement to a long, hot, and incredibly enjoyable day on the battlefield! As we drove back to the Visitor’s Center, Dennis Frye explained the end of the battle and Lee’s withdrawal on the 18th of September. Overall, a great trip – on to Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville next week!

Gettysburg Semester 2009 - Manassas

At the end of our third week of classes, we made our way to Manassas. Dr. Guelzo couldn’t join us, but we managed to arrive in one piece somehow. And, despite early signs of inclement weather, we were fortunate enough to avoid rain!

After joining our leader and guide Jim Burgess, we toured a variety of sites related to the First and Second Battles of Bull Run (Manassas), including Blackburn’s Ford, Signal Hill, the so-called “Liberia House” used as headquarters by Beauregard, and the Ben Lomond House (where were learned about everything from a French-hating presidential pet to forensic blood analysis technique).

After lunch, Jim Burgess took us through the phases of the 1st Battle of Bull Run, beginning with the Stone Bridge. We then walked up to the area demarcated as Farm Ford, and Jim Burgess explained that its real location is likely a couple hundred yards farther up. (I thought his presentation of this was a really interesting example of historical detective work. Really fun!) After looping around the trail back to the Stone Bridge, we hopped on the bus to Sudley Church, which Hunter’s division passed on the way to its attempted flank attack on the left of McDowell’s line. We then drove to Matthews Hill, where Burnside’s and Porter’s brigades engaged with the outnumbered Col. Evans. (And where the 2nd Rhode Island fought alone for the better part of a half hour and was able to push back the Confederates!) After that, we stopped (and posed) at the Stone House, used as a field hospital during the battle.

Our final stop was Henry House Hill, where we were all greatly distracted by the overwhelmingly disproportionate monument to Stonewall Jackson. (The muscles of his wildly inaccurate horse seem to blend with those of his wildly inaccurate legs and torso. Something is clearly very strange here.) In any case, we heard from Jim Burgess about the action and ultimate Confederate victory at Henry House Hill – and the physical and psychological aftermath of the First Battle of Bull Run for both sides. As the clouds began to break, we departed Manassas in high spirits – and began to look forward to Antietam in two weeks!

Gettysburg Semester 2009 - Special Collections

This past week, in lieu of another battlefield trip, we were introduced to the Gettysburg College Special Collections. Director Karen Drickamer kindly gave us a detailed description of the procedure necessary to do research in the Special Collections and presented to us a sampling of the items available therein. Among reference materials for both the College and the battle, there were many very interesting pieces, including two Civil War diaries and a book in which a solder had written his name while in the hospital at Pennsylvania Hall.

Although brief, the visit offered a glimpse at the wealth of research materials available to us as Gettysburg College students – and I’m extremely excited to work in the Special Collections over the course of the semester!

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Visit the Gettysburg College Special Collections website to see the myriad resources available to researchers. The GettDigital collection offers many resources to the public online as well.

Gettysburg Semester 2009 - Harpers Ferry

Last Friday, September 11, we woke up early and made our way toward Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. It was a rather gloomy, rainy day, but that didn’t dampen our excitement! (Although my roommate and I both forgot coats. Lesson learned!)

After meeting Dennis Frye at the Vistor’s Center, we went to the Lower Town area, most famous for John Brown’s “raid” in October of 1859. Before we went through the town itself, however, Dennis Frye introduced us to the reasons for which Harpers Ferry developed as it did. Of particular importance is the Shenandoah River, which made the town an excellent location for the establishment of mills. We saw one in particular that served as a hospital during the Civil War.

We then walked through the town, most of which was destroyed due to the Civil War and continual flooding. Dennis Frye walked us through the layout of Harpers Ferry as it would have looked when John Brown arrived there. Most interesting was his emphasis on John Brown’s original intentions for the “launch” of his war against slavery. We moved through the areas of particular importance to John Brown, such as the armory and the arsenal, and ended our walk at the old firehouse. Dennis Frye’s animated demonstration of the last moments before John Brown was apprehended there were both entertaining and powerful.

After a much needed lunch-break huddled in the van, we set out for Bolivar Heights to discuss the Battle at Harpers Ferry in September of 1862 during the Maryland Campaign. Dennis Frye thoroughly covered the issues of topography and terrain at Harpers Ferry, explaining the strategic importance of Maryland Heights, Loudon Heights, and Bolivar Heights. He then took us to the Confederate position at Schoolhouse Ridge, where we simulated marching in line – much more difficult than I had imagined! Finally, we went to the area where A.P. Hill’s flanking maneuver forced the Union to surrender and got a gorgeous view of the Potomac River. Exhausted, wet, but completely content, we made our way back to the bus. I, for one, spent the ride back home humming “Take Me Home Country Roads” and looking forward to our trip to Manassas!

Welcome our 2009 Blogger: Annie Powers

The school year has once again begun, and it is time now for our Gettysburg Semester students to begin their sojourns around Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and more. The Civil War Era Studies Department is pleased to introduce Annie Powers, our 2009 Blogger. Annie hales from the University of California at Berkeley, and is one of two students we have this year who've made the trek to Gettysburg from the "Golden State." Annie will be writing about her weekly travels with Dr. Guelzo and her fellow students. Look for her first update from the field (Harpers Ferry, WV) next Monday.

Below is Annie's first submission, a recap of her first experiences at Gettysburg College and with the Gettysburg Semester during the Orientation Week. Without further ado, here's the news from our students:

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Orientation Week

Gettysburg. A small, historic-minded town with a population of about 7,500 and a college with 2,600 students. After living in the San Francisco Bay Area and attending the University of California at Berkeley, a state university with nearly 26,000 undergraduates, I didn’t quite know what to expect. But when I arrived at the Appleford, our residence for the semester, and the idea of studying the Civil War in Gettysburg began to sink in, I realized (as trite as this will sound) that this place would quickly become home.

When I arrived at the Appleford, I all but collapsed onto my bed after getting almost no sleep on a red-eye flight from California into D.C. Thankfully, Dr. Guelzo, Cathy Bain, and a bunch of other students helped me haul my heavy luggage upstairs and got me acquainted with the house. Admittedly, those first few hours were blurred by my exhaustion, but I was delighted to finally be in Gettysburg.

After dealing with logistical issues and bonding with my darling roommate Sam, Dr. Guelzo treated us to dinner at the Dobbin House. It was super delicious and, as Jacob Dinkelaker described it, “olde-timey.” When we returned to the Appleford, most people played a game of Monopoly, but personally, I was fast asleep by 10:00 pm.

The next day, we were given a tour of Pickett’s Charge by Dan Welch, a Gettysburg Semester student from 2005. I was both impressed by his walk and excited about the opportunities that studying here at Gettysburg College clearly offers us.

Later that evening, we participated in the First Year Walk, a tradition in which first-years follow the path that Pennsylvania College students and faculty took in 1863 to see the dedication of the National Cemetery. All of us Gettysburg Semester students were at the front of the crowd, unmistakable in our blindingly orange T-Shirts. (We were even featured on the College website!) Upon arrival, we listened to the Gettysburg Address read by former NAACP president Bruce Gordon. There is something so powerfully eloquent about the Gettysburg Address that captivates me no matter how many times I have read it or heard it spoken. Dr. Guelzo then treated us to Kilwin’s Ice Cream, which had the best waffle cones I have ever tasted and will probably be the place where the majority of my money is spent this semester.

Over the weekend, we all tried to visit the battlefield in some way, going in groups or exploring the ground alone. This week, classes and internships are beginning, and I am extremely excited to see and experience absolutely everything uniquely Gettysburg over the next three months!