163rd Anniversary Post

[Gettysburg Greg]

Hoping everyone fortunate enough to be in Gettysburg during this 163rd anniversary week has a wonderful experience as I'm with you in spirit. Interestingly, this year the three days of the battle July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fall on the same days of the week as they did in 1863, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. This post is for all of you who, like me, consider the view from Little Round Top to be the most spectacular view in the world. I don't feel like I've arrived in Gettysburg until I've made that first stroll out onto the summit to take in the amazing view of the south end of the battlefield. However, some of you may not know that until the NPS began an extensive restoration effort in the early 1990's, the view would have been unrecognizable to most of us. My then and now shown below clearly demonstrates the dramatic change that has taken place relatively recently. Both images below were taken from the summit of Little Round Top, but the 70's pic on top would have been nothing more than a forested landscape were it not for the corner of the 16th Michigan Monument peeking out about the scrub brush. As you see, none of the landmarks we are familiar with are visible, not even Devil's Den. My modern photo on the bottom is a very close match to the 70's view so you can orient the two scenes from the 16th Michigan Monument location.

 

[LCYingling3rd]

I am only two and a half hours away and usually try to make it to the battlefield for at least one of the three days...
I am interested in the entire battle. It certainly is one of the most fascinating and historic battles in world history. So, there is that.

However, I had ancestors that fought there and do enjoy standing where they fought on the anniversary. I had an ancestor that fought in Company C of the 3rd WV Cavalry (Union), and they were up near the Peace Light Memorial on July 1st. My ancestor in the 2nd VA Infantry would have been on Brinkerhoff Ridge on July 2nd and at the base of Culp's Hill on Friday the 3rd. And my ancestor of the 7th VA Cavalry would have been fighting the 6th US Cavalry at Fairfield on Friday the 3rd around the same time pre-charge cannonade was going on. I will try to get to town if at all possible!

I do appreciate you urging us to go to Gettysburg and remember what happened there. Everything is certainly focused on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this week and it is also important to remember that there are also anniversaries at Gettysburg ... and Vicksburg too!

 

[repman66]

Was going to go for the anniversary but canceled last night. National Park cancels any outdoor activities if the heat index is over 103 --the lowest is 109 for the three days with a whooping 120 and shelter in place warning for July 2nd.

Shame, was going to be my first anniversary since the 150th (usually go in the fall every year).

 

[rpkennedy]

Was going to go for the anniversary but canceled last night. National Park cancels any outdoor activities if the heat index is over 103 --the lowest is 109 for the three days with a whooping 120 and shelter in place warning for July 2nd.

Shame, was going to be my first anniversary since the 150th (usually go in the fall every year).

My wife and I usually go and stay a week in October as a getaway before the crazy times of 4th and 1st Quarters.

Ryan

 

[infomanpa]

Was going to go for the anniversary but canceled last night. National Park cancels any outdoor activities if the heat index is over 103 --the lowest is 109 for the three days with a whooping 120 and shelter in place warning for July 2nd.

Shame, was going to be my first anniversary since the 150th (usually go in the fall every year).

I was wondering what the criteria was for cancelling. Thanks. So, now I know that all the outdoor battle walks and events sponsored by the NPS will be gone. That is a shame. I will be up there on July 1 because I found that there are 2 events that are indoors.

 

[infomanpa]

Hoping everyone fortunate enough to be in Gettysburg during this 163rd anniversary week has a wonderful experience as I'm with you in spirit. Interestingly, this year the three days of the battle July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fall on the same days of the week as they did in 1863, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. This post is for all of you who, like me, consider the view from Little Round Top to be the most spectacular view in the world. I don't feel like I've arrived in Gettysburg until I've made that first stroll out onto the summit to take in the amazing view of the south end of the battlefield. However, some of you may not know that until the NPS began an extensive restoration effort in the early 1990's, the view would have been unrecognizable to most of us. My then and now shown below clearly demonstrates the dramatic change that has taken place relatively recently. Both images below were taken from the summit of Little Round Top, but the 70's pic on top would have been nothing more than a forested landscape were it not for the corner of the 16th Michigan Monument peeking out about the scrub brush. As you see, none of the landmarks we are familiar with are visible, not even Devil's Den. My modern photo on the bottom is a very close match to the 70's view so you can orient the two scenes from the 16th Michigan Monument location.
View attachment 583651

Hopefully, you will get up there sometime to see the newly renovated summit.