The first of a trio of 'burgs

For Saturday's continuation of the Civil War on-site lecture series, an intrepid group of North Carolinians (comprised of both natives and transplants like me, but all claiming Union sympathies, regardless of the fact that our adopted state chose to fight for the--ahem--wrong side) stormed Gettysburg National Battlefield Park. This has long been one of my personal favorites, with its pastoral landscapes, vast acreage for roaming by car and on foot, and plethora of interesting monuments to inform and entertain.

The "class" enjoyed another bonanza of fascinating tidbits from our expert history teacher/fearless leader, but for me, the highlight came when we recreated the infamous Pickett's Charge, which happened on the final day of the conflict. Ordered by Robert E. Lee, the assault pitted 15,000 Confederate troops against General Meade's smaller Northern force, who were holding higher ground known as Cemetery Ridge. A questionable foray across an open patch of unprotected farmland, it resulted in massive casualties for the Southern army, a decisive Union victory--and also marked the last time Lee would invade the North.



Fortunately, we were spared the crushing heat and humidity suffered by the participants in July of 1863....but we did get to trudge our way through mucky terrain and traverse formidable puddles, thanks to last night's torrential downpours...so, kind of an authentic experience? (That's about as realistic as we'd like it to be, honestly...) Our imaginations were certainly challenged by the task of trying to visualize the carnage while surrounded by picturesque barns and rolling hills carpeted in cheerful yellow wildflowers, but we did our best. (Aided by the pictured Rebel-suited gentleman, who overtook us on the path and stopped to insert himself into the narrative for a while...)

Later, I also took some time on my own to stroll through the cemetery. ('Cuz let's face it, we're all well aware of my inexplicable obsession with graveyards by now, yeah?) It's a lovely, peaceful place--while also managing to convey a somber reminder of the horrific consequences that resulted from prolonged, brutal, bloody combat in the devastating War Between the States.

I'm not gonna lie--by the time we'd completed our programmed activities (7-1/2 hours and 20,000 steps after we started the clock in the morning, if you're curious) I was pretty beat. So I mindfully made the choice to pass the remainder of my evening in grateful appreciation of some very special modern conveniences and luxuries...such as television, air conditioning, hot showers, clean clothes, cold beverages, and restaurant food! After all, I knew I'd have to set an alarm for Sunday, so I could roll out bright and early (eh, or more likely "fairly sleepy and moderately grumpy", but whatever) to meet the gang at our next scheduled stop in Fredericksburg. And this would-be war correspondent needs some serious shut-eye, so for now, good night, Pennsylvania!