Wind Shift South

I would like to take a minute and say that I hope all who read this had a great Christmas. I know that I did. We have traveled back to Indiana and got to spend Christmas with our son B and his wife L. I am typing this on one of my presents, that I also share with my other half. It was our gift to each other since we left our other 'monster' in storage. I'm not making any promises, but maybe I will do a better job of keeping this up to date.

Now to continue on with where I left off on our travels, before we got back to Indiana.

My Great Grandfather was a Pennsylvania volunteer for the duration of the Civil War. During this time he kept a diary, of which I have a copy. So when we had an opportunity to visit some sites I was glad to do this. During the battle at Gettysburg, he was in the Washington, DC area after being captured and released in a prisoner exchange. I have a book that I have read while reading my Great Grandfather's diary. I have seen pictures and read about this battle, but it doesn't compare to actually seeing the area to help understand what happened.

It was a cold rainy two days while we were there. (We left just in time from West Point as they received a few inches of snow the day after we left.) It was afternoon by the time we arrived in Gettysburg and got the trailer parked. So we went to the Battle field museum. There is a panorama that was painted in the 1800's that is more than 50 feet in diameter, putting the observer on the hill overlooking the area - 360 degrees. Area's are lit as it is spoken about. The battle of Pickett's charge was on July 3. The whole thing lasted three days. The top round area is where the panorama is located.

The next morning we came back here and went through the museum. I also tried to look up a relative of my Great Grandfather's who died of wounds received here but they didn't have a listing for him. I was told that many of the wounded were taken home and died there. We also got a tape to play as we drove the area. I was surprised at the number of markers/monuments that are all along the route.

There were about 2500 people living in the town at the time of the battle. Lee was headed north to try and break through the north. Some of the cavalry for the north sighted him and the battle began. It was on the far side of this ridge, Seminary Ridge, which extends far to the right and left. The north was driven back through the town to the area from which I took this picture. The white statue is of Lee, shown below this one.


The area of Little Top is to the left of here. It is a real rocky hill with huge granite boulders. Below it is the area called Devils Den. It is strewn with boulders that bullets would have ricocheted off of.

This is where Pickett's charge was. As you can see, each side is just a slight rise with a lower open area between. The fence and road are where they were at the time of the battle. The South was on Seminary ridge and the North was where I was standing. There is a line of cannons behind me. There are also cannons in the trees across about a mile away. You can see why the South lost so many lives.

Also in this area is the Pennsylvania monument dedicated to all those from Pennsylvania who fought in the Civil War.

Note the people on the top of this. It is the largest of all the monuments here. The dark areas on the side list the names of all those who were from Pennsylvania and served in the war. If I had know my Great Grandfathers Company or Regiment I could have found his name.

As our son-in-law said, it is well worth the time to come here.