Gettysburg

Thursday, May 18

20,000 pieces (soldiers are only 1" high)

I first visited Gettysburg in high school, shortly after the iconic “electric map” had been installed. I clearly remember how the lights made it very easy to follow those 3 days of battle. As we drive to Gettysburg today, I know the map is long gone and there’s a new diorama (with lights), which I’m sure will be bigger (800 sf) and better. It’s a slow tourist day (only 4 of us seated on the small bleachers) and the light-enhanced narration is good. But somehow I’m not overwhelmed. I was impressed, though, with the meticulous attention to detail in the diorama itself.

Gatling Gun

Dazed & Confused
(No disrespect meant. I know amputees
 were the most common casualty,
but this fellow was kinda scary.)

Then we go downstairs to experience the Spirits of Gettysburg, an “interactive, animatronic, historic adventure” where Robert E Lee, Jenny Wade, President Lincoln, and Generals Longstreet, Pickett, & Armistead share their thoughts on various aspects of the war. The final room presents Pickett’s Charge itself (complete w/ cannon & musket fire). After we exit, the ticket gal asks if we saw Nixon at Pickett’s charge. Neither of us had noticed him (he was closest to the entry door), but he’s included b/c his grandfather fought in this battle and is buried in Gettysburg. After lunch, we did the battlefield tour courtesy of CDs loaned to us by another camper. 

Devil's Den: site of a major battle (and Confederate victory) on July 2, 1863.
(Union forces ultimately prevailed.)

BlogThought... The more I learn about the Civil War (and I still know very little), I can't help thinking that in many respects it is/was different from other civil wars throughout history. I can't defend that w/ irrefutable details (though I did do a bit of research to see if anyone else agrees with me - some do), but I do feel it strongly.