Gettysburg

Gettysburg, the name alone congers up images of open fields ravaged by war and tremendous loss of lives. Visiting this historical battlefield of the Civil War impacted me even more than I had imagined. I'm sure that I wasn't very attentive in high school US History because I really had no concept of the the importance of the battle that took place here. We watched an informative film at the Visitors Center which helped fill in the details and prepared our hearts for the ride through the memorial grounds.   

 Hello Mr. Lincoln. After hearing more details of your view and position on the war, I now understand why you deemed it necessary to go to war. Not only did you want to see slavery abolished, you also had vision and determination to not let America fail as a Union. Thank you, Mr. President for you conviction and courage and for all the fallen soldiers that bravely gave their lives for the freedoms we know in this great country.

The picture below is a small portion of a huge painting done in 1884 by french artist, Paul Philippoteaux. The fascinating Cyclorama of the 377 foot painting of the battlefield, was on display in a circular room at the Visitors Center. It depicted a final attack known as Pickett's Charge, where 5,000 Confederate soldiers lost their lives in one hour. It was an amazing scene to picture this as we headed out to view the landscape for ourselves.

We rode our bikes through the peaceful rolling hills of Gettysburg which pay silent tribute to the many who lost there lives there. 

         Monuments throughout the battlefield give honor to the regiments of fallen men from all the states that were involved in the war.

         The Soldier's National Cemetery is where Abraham Lincoln delivered his short but impactful Gettysburg Address. Using only 277 words he brought hope to the devastation that had just taken place and inspired all to a "New Birth of Freedom".

The beautiful sky over the Gettysburg Battlefield was a fitting end to a meaningful day.