A Snowfall on the Fields of Gettysburg
Perhaps there is not a more hallowed and reverent tract of earth in all of our beloved country than the battlefield at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Gettysburg is the most famous and important battle of the Civil War and was centered around the quaint market town of the same name. It began as a mere skirmish, but by its bloody end it involved approximately 160,000 brave American soldiers.
The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia was made up of 70,100 men and 280 guns. It was commanded by the talented and much-respected General Robert E. Lee. The Federal Army of the Potomac consisted of 93,700 men and 372 guns commanded by the fearless Major General George G. Meade.
| General Robert E. Lee
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Major General George G. Meade
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When we arrived at this national landscape on a cold January morning, the snowy landscape offered up a view that would have stood in stark contrast to what the soldiers experienced on the blistering hot morning of July 1st, 1863. The Battle of Gettysburg was fought on three of the hottest days of a Pennsylvania summer. During Pickett’s Charge on July 3rd, 1863, temperatures soared to a hellish 90 degrees. In the end, 51,000 men were reported killed, captured, or missing in one of the costliest battles of the Civil War. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Historical Journeys, North America and tagged Civil War, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania by Big John with no comments yet.
John Brown’s Last Big Stand at Harpers Ferry
John Brown believed that he had been chosen by God himself to bring about the end of slavery in America. Although the raid on Harpers Ferry ended in failure, the actions of this abolitionist brought the question of slavery to the forefront. The death of this martyr would soon demand an answer from a divided nation.
Traveling with Rebecca and the kids through West Virginia, I couldn’t possibly pass up the opportunity to explore this notable piece of American history. The historic section of Harpers Ferry, WV, is now preserved inside of a federal park on the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers . Visitors to the site are shuttled from a parking lot via bus to the entrance of this beautifully restored 19th century town. Unfortunately my camera-phone died halfway through our self-guided tour, but I did manage to snap some rather interesting scenes.
The historic town of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia awaits visitors stepping off the shuttle onto Shenandoah St. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Historical Journeys, North America and tagged Civil War, Harper's Ferry, John Brown, slaves, West Virginia by Big John with 1 comment.