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Have never been to Gettysburg-suggestions of special things to see?
Also questions: Can one walk the battlefields or does one need to stay on the main paths?
Also--if, in walking I were to find a relic, what is required--(no, not detecting or anything else, but did go to Chickamungua, and bent over to tie shoe--found 2 mine' balls and a union button.)
Buttons and balls, bootheels and buckles are Gummint Property. Take them at your own risk.
I haven't been there either, galaxie, but when I do go it will be with lots of time, a wad of cash and a knowledgeable friend. I understand that you drive from place to place and walk from there (hence, you want to be there when everyone else isn't -- parking, you know).
If time is short, I understand that you must either settle for a whirlwind tour or you must concentrate on an area of particular interest. You could easily use up an entire day just tramping the maelstrom of Longstreet's 2nd day without even wandering up Little Round Top. Another day tramping from Herr's Ridge to the Seminary on a path wide enough to cover just the action of Buford's Division and the 1st Corps.
Anyway, that's what I'd do. You get the idea.
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
A lot depends on how much time you have, I only had a day to spend there*, but had decided beforehand what things in particular I wanted to see so I felt like I had accomplished something in the time I had.
Once you've walked the route of Pickett's Charge (and timed yourself...well, I did anyway) and clambered up Little Round Top, why not try and find/do something which nobody else there would consider doing? This applies, of course, to any trip out! How about flicking through some pictures of the battle or its aftermath, and decide to recreate one? I didn't go as far as dragging a corpse 500 yards into a gap in the rocks at Devil's Den, but decided that I wanted to get as close a picture to the famous one as possible. Alternatively, if you have a favourite company or regiment or state look for their monument.
As for your other question - photograph then walk away is what I would do...
* And even then managed to owe someone a drink. Heigh-ho....
You can certainly walk the battlefields, though they tend to be a bit soggy this time of year.
There are plenty of things to see on the battlefield. It depends on what you're interested in.
If there's one spot that you simply can't leave Gettysburg without seeing, it's probably the Angle of the stone wall, next to the "Copse of Trees" on Cemetery Ridge, which was the focal point of Pickett's Charge.
Perhaps a close second would be Little Round Top, scene of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain's heroics that were so well documented in Ken Burns' Civil War series and the movie "Gettysburg." Chamberlain and the 20th Maine were not right on top of the hill, but a little way down the south slope, just to the east side of the access road. There's a pretty well-marked path leading from the access road to their position.
Also, if you get to Little Round Top, be sure to look for a large boulder standing a few feet to the north of a New York monument that's shaped like a castle. Sometimes it's difficult to see because of the angle of the sunlight, but there is an engraving on the top of the boulder, chiseled there some time after the battle by a soldier who had been there on July 2, indicating that this was the boulder on which Col. Strong Vincent was standing when he was shot. Goodness knows how many people have hopped up on that boulder and stood there (unfortunately contributing to the erosion of the engraving) without realizing its significance.
You can walk the battlefield, as long as you bear in mind that there are still operating farms on some parts of the battlefield. Some of the farm owners are kind of touchy about people walking on their land. Others don't care so much, unless you walk through an area where they are trying to get a specific crop to grow. Either way, you don't want to walk through any pastures where there might be cows with calves or, worse, bulls.
If you want to be certain to stay out of areas where you shouldn't be walking, best is to connect with a park ranger or go on a tour with a licensed battlefield guide. The people at the Visitor's Center can help you arrange that sort of thing.
My wife and I spent a day there last weekend, her idea. Fortunately it's only a quick 2 hour drive "from this here spot, and that's the Lord's truth". We did the NPS Visitors center, then the National Cemetery, then walked over to the area of the high water mark and walked out the union lines and the wall. Then went to a local "museum / store" and got one of the auto tour CD's and did the drive. If you are going to try one of these auto tours, get the History Channel CD, not one of the others as they are not up to par and do sort of ramble, and ramble, and ramble.
Being a cannon enthusiast, I was quite impressed with the variety of tubes there, especially the number of Confederate tubes.
All in all, Gettysburg can be done in a day,albeit a full day. I recommend seeing the things most important to you first . . . then check out the remainder, and then plan when your going back!!
Just a gol durn minute here VA redleg. Go over to Missouri and say Red Leg and you have a death wish. I am so totally unfamiliar with the Virginian Red Leg. Come back.
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Well, as somebody who has walked (most) of the battlefield, there are quite a few paths that you can take. I stayed mostly on the road, but there are paths here and there that you can deviate off on to. But if you decide to do this, make sure you have all day, because it will take you along time, especially if you want to stop and look at monuments and such. I went from Seminary Ridge, down to the Round Tops and along Cemetery Ridge and then crossed the field of Pickett's charge back to my car. Took me the whole day almost. But it was well worth it, and I enjoy that kind of thing. And make sure to bring snacks and plenty of water. You will need it.
As to the issue of relics, what ole said. I have never come across anything at any of the fields I have been to, but you want to be careful. Small items such as minie balls, buttons, etc can be snuck out, but don't get caught, or they will getcha. And if you by chance found a shell, place something there to mark the spot and contact a Park Ranger, but for God's sake, don't touch it. Those things are still live, and you don't want to become the latest casualty of the ACW.
__________________ "The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize." George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796
No souvenirs other than photos, memories or what you buy at the gift shop. Picking up anything like a spent minie or button with intent to keep is a theft from the gubmint. Picking it up also destroys its value to archaeologists. There's a story that can be learned from how an object is found on the ground. Picking things up means that story is lost forever and that object is just another minie ball (if what is picked up is indeed a minie). Best thing to do is to report it to a ranger and if possible, lead him/her back to it.
__________________ "The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize." George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796
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