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This week's adventure took us to the great, vast, familiar limits of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Because of the size of the battle, and the detail at which we are able to study it, we spent an entire day's tour on just the first day. As always, breakfast was at the Lincoln Diner, although mercifully at 7:52 instead of 6:52. We saddled up onto the bus at nine with our guide for the day, Cemetery Hill expert, Licensed Battlefield Guide, and Gettysburg College employee John Archer. We "Rolled Out" immediately, with dirty looks coming from Dr. Guelzo, as he is not a fan of modern day hip-hop. Instead of going straight out onto the field, John took us first to the key to the entire battlefield, Cemetery Hill. |
| From there, we went to the McPherson Farm, where we discussed Buford's delaying action and the arrival of Wadsworth's Division of the I Corps. It was here that we traced the steps of the 147th New York from the McPherson Farm, across the railroad cut, to a rise of ground that had been wheat during the battle and was now hosting freshly cut corn stalks. The 147th New York was a regiment that was raised in Oswego County, New York, and took 75% casualties during the action in the spot where we stood. Needless to say, this experience will never be topped for me on any battlefield tour we have taken or will take. My hometown, the small township of West Monroe, New York, is part of Oswego County. To be tracing the steps of my hometown guys was quite an experience. I made sure that everyone knew that. |  |
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After a quick lunch from Tommy's, we went up to Oak Hill, to see what Rodes' men saw on the first day. The view would have been much more breathtaking if the weather had been a bit warmer. Alas, we carried onward down to Barlow's Knoll and the plight of Howard's men.
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This stop was followed by a climb back up the ridge for a visit to the 11th Pennsylvania Monument (where we learned about Sallie) and a scan of Iverson's Pits.
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| We moved back to the McPherson Farm, where we stopped at the unknown quarry and moved up through the woods, over the road, and all the way through to the spot where General Reynolds was killed. Joe and Anna managed to touch Willoughby Run, thereby keeping their tradition alive. |
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| This was the route of the 24th Michigan as it desperately battled the 26th North Carolina. Following a visit to Lee's Headquarters, our tour was over. It had been a very informative day, as we saw parts of the battlefield we had never thought to explore before. It was a very fine day, although Dr. Guelzo did not appreciate our soundtrack. Next week is Gettysburg: Day 2. |  |
300 North Washington Street · Gettysburg, PA 17325