Rebforever
Lt. Colonel
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2012
Kind of.
I have been taking freinds, family and coworkers to Gettysburg for years. I am well read on Gettysburg, but attempting to memorize all the actions is something I simply can't do. I use a couple map books with the regiments shown only if I have to. I normally determine an itinerary and put notes gathered from books and the internet on index cards. I have found most people aren't terribly interested in regiments and casualty statistics. Typically they want to see Picket's Charge and the 20th Maine. I have 2 buddies that I take frequently that are into the details of Gettysburg. So they are challenging to come up with something new. Trust me, I could not pass a Gettysburg License Guide test. But I try.
I can navigate myself around the battlefield really well. I probably have over 120 days on the battlefield over the years.
The only place I haven't been to is Neill Avenue. It is called Lost Avenue for a reason. I love taking people to places they have never been to. Some are in wide open areas such as the 1st Minnesota monument which remarkably not many know about their day 2 action. Others are out of the way spots with interesting tales (such as the Rose Farm rocks, "DA" rock,etc).
Everytime I see Greg's postings it feels like I am going home. I have seen most of the Then photos ( but not many of the art work he uses) over the years. But when he posts the now photos, it seems like I am standing right there.
It does appear that Greg's photos are taken in the summer. But as I stated above, summer brings weeds, brush and leaves which obscures the sight lines. The NPS has removed trees and brush which helps a lot but you need the cold weather months to really see things.
Take a look back at Greg's same sharpshooter post. His now rock photo was taken with high weed growth. The NPS has cleaned brush up in that area. Scroll down and look at my March '16 photo of that rock. That rock is completely exposed showing it in its full glory.
Unfortunately I couldn't make it to last years CWT Gettysburg's gathering. I would love to spend time on the battlefield with the experts found here. Hopefully I can attend a future gathering. I hope that one day a March or November CWT gathering could be made so people could see Gettysburg without its summer bloom.
I live 140 miles west of Gettysburg so it is an easy day trip for me. I would be glad to meet people on the battlefield anytime the schedules allow. Long rambling post, sorry, but I am retired.
I would like to join you sometime when you talk about Benner's Ridge down to Spangler's Spring. And the fence post "extra" Billy thought were soldiers.