Day two of our journey took us to Pennsylvania. We travelled as far as Harrisburg but toured the battlefield at Gettysburg first.
I have always been fascinated by the wars we have endured on this earth. The wars Americans have been involved in I particularly am fascinated by. It amazes me to see and read about the exploits of soldiers, their leaders, and the enemy. To contemplate the human aspect of war and the psychology of a warrior. What makes a warrior do the things he does, what drives a man to rush headlong into cannon fire ignoring his sure demise. What sort of man stands in a formation waiting to be shot at by a man in another formation just opposite him on a battlefield.
I am among many veterans that consider these things and measure them against our own experience. As a Marine I marvel at the changes in strategy and warfare. I find the utmost respect for the warriors that have gone on before me and I am thankful for what they were willing to endure and sacrifice; so that I can be who I am today.
We lingered at Gettysburg about four hours. I saw the prominent areas of the battlefield where the decisive acts of the battle occurred. There were several shops, museums, and displays that I did not get a chance to see but perhaps sometime in the future we can take aniother trip and spend more time.
I will post a few select photos of Gettysburg as soon as I get somewhere with a better internet connection.
God Bless,
Brad
This is the memorial placed on the spot where Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg address. His speech was only 2 minutes long and he believed his words had disappointed the audience. Little did he know they would become such a treasure to this nation.
This is a shot of Gettysburg as it looks today taken from the place where General Buford's Calvary blocked General Heath and his confederates. This area would later succomb to the confederates and the union would lose its extreme right flank.
This is a photo of the field that Pickett led his great charge through. Nearing the end of the battle General Lee ordered an attack in the center. The white structure on the left is the Brian Farm. To the right of the Brian Farm is a small grove of trees. This is the area of the center of the union line. Pickett charged and his division was wiped out.
This is the monument to the 20th Maine on Little Round Top. It is here where Lawrence Chamberlain ordered his famous bayonet charge and defended the left flank at all costs.
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