Gettysburg

From July 1st -3rd, 1863 General Robert E Lee's Confederate army fought with the Union Army of the Potomac, led by Major General George G. Meade. Lee having learned that General Meade's forces were pursuing them, ordered several brigades to travel east to scout their location and look for food and supplies for the troops. Northwest of Gettysburg, these brigades were met by the northern brigades. A skirmish started and as the battle heated up, word was sent back to both Generals that the enemy was found and reinforcements were needed. Over the next two days, Lee’s army was drawn to Gettysburg from the west and north, while Meade’s would arrive from the south and southeast. A battle, not planned, would happen by chance. This battle was the defining moment of the war. Even though the war went on for 2 more years, this battle gave a picture of what was to come.
There are over 1300 monuments to honor the men who fought and died those days. They are spread out near where the brigades fought. We easily located the monument erected to honor North Carolina. According to the Park Guide it was sponsored by a group of women from North Carolina. The faces of the men look very intense. What do you see in their faces? Determination? Pain? What else?
The tall building monument in the picture is for PA.

While touring throughout the Park we came upon a reenactment group. Turned out they were from Jacksonville, NC. The group was setting up their tents and would be living there for the weekend explaining the history from the view point of a artillery brigade.
This picture is of the Colonel's tent.





Ellie waited patiently for us.



Sachs Covered Bridge located near the park. Built in 1852 by David Stoner, this bridge extends 100 feet across Marsh Creek. It was used by both Confederate and Union troops. It was closed to auto traffic in 1968. General Robert E Lee stands atop the Virginia Monument.