Most Americans know that the battle at Gettysburg was the turning point during the Civil War. It was the site of the first major defeat of the Confederate troops under General Robert E. Lee. However, what we did not know were details of the three-day battle in the surrounding area of Gettysburg and how thousands of men lost their lives. The dates were July 1 through July 3, 1863. One hundred forty-four years later Sharon and I came here to learn and see this important national monument.

A good way to get started is to read up on the battle before you arrive. Then go to the Visitor's Center and see the electric map with the explanation of how the battle started and progressed around Gettysburg. It was a surprise to us to learn that the fighting took place not on one field but at many places separated by several miles. The sad part was that so many good men died in vain.

We walked up to Cemetery Hill, a site defended by the Union soldiers during the second day of the attack by the Confederates. Throughout the area numerous monuments have been erected in memory of the various officers and soldiers that included many voluntary brigades from the northern states.

The historic site has an 18 mile loop around the battlegrounds. We climbed to the top of the Pennsylvania Memorial which was erected right where, on the third day, the heaviest fighting took place. At the top of this page I show the panoramic view from above. Then we continued our drive to the west side where the Confederates had set up their offensive line.

Total casualties (killed, wounded, captured, and missing) for the three days of fighting were 23,000 for the Union army and as many as 28,000 for the Confederate army. The view above is from Little Round Top, a strategic point that saw heavy fighting during the second and third day. The boulders provided some protection for the Confederate soldiers but the way to the top was too difficult and costly. An attack from the left flank was repulsed by the Union forces and the battle continued throughout the area shown above. Notice the Pennsylvania Memorial in the distance, top right.

On the third day, during a major frontal attack by Robert E. Lee's army (subsequently called "Pickett's Charge"), thousands were killed, the Union forces held, and Lee had to finally retreat.

Several months later, on November 8, 1863, President Lincoln came here to dedicate the Gettysburg National Cemetery where many of the soldiers are now burried. It is the place where he spoke a few words now knows as the Gettysburg Address.

That evening we had dinner at Dobbin House, an old stone building that was right near the fighting but had survived the battle virtually unharmed. Our cozy table was next to the fireplace on the second floor and the dinner was fabulous and interesting. If you are so inclined here is the website http://www.dobbinhouse.com

The town of Gettysburg is quite nice and, of course, caters to the tourist trade. Here are a couple pictures of the main square. It was appropriate to see a store that specialized in shirts decorated with the American flag.