Battlefield Spots

[Gen.Armistead.7.3.63]

I don't post on here much, as I typically scan through threads and read people's thoughts and ideas, but the previous thread about Gettysburg monuments made me think about where my favorite place on the battlefield is to visit. I was talking to my roommate about this last night as well.

It seems that a lot of people have become fascinated with Little Round Top, especially since the release of the film. And I must admit, I myself found LRT to be my favorite spot when I was younger and would visit with my dad (mainly due to the film). However, I now find that my favorite place to visit is just somewhere along Seminary Ridge looking across the open fields. In my opinion the best place and time to do this is in the fall at the Virginia monument, since the tourism is down.

It is just amazing to me to stand there and think about having to walk along that open field with explosions all around you, knowing you had to walk about a mile and then be under rifle fire as well if you made it that far.

Anyways, sorry for rambling on. I was just curious to see and hear about the places that other people enjoy visiting for whatever reason.

 

[Copper 83rd PA INF]

One of my favorite places is the observatory deck on Culp's Hill. The last time I visited Gettysburg, I got into town at sunrise and went directly there. The rays of sun were falling on the city, and it was beautiful. I'll never forget that.

 

[pamc153PA]

Well, it's tough to settle on just one place. Nowadays, I mostly do the battlefield on foot, so many of the places I like best are best reached that way.

My favorite trek starts on the far side of the Wheatfield, then head toward the Rose Woods, through the Rose Woods on the old trolley bed, cut up through the old quarry where many of the flank markers on the battlefield were cut, past the foundation of the Timbers house, and out into what used to be the Triangular Field (now I guess it's just. . .the Field). Sometimes I go up the Triangular Field to Devil's Den, sometimes turn the other way and go around the corner of Rose Woods through Rose's cow pasture (where many of the battlefield photos of the dead were taken) and up to the Rose house.

Second favorite trek would be down the Trostle Lane, which is really a horse trail so you have to watch your step. That winds you through woods and gives you a good panorama of LRT and RT.

For a particular spot, I like Houck Ridge, directly across from LRT. Since they cut the trees there, the view is great, and the ridge there is surprisingly high, so that there is this almost tangible open space over the Valley of Death between you and LRT.

I also always visit Barlow Knoll and walk down to Rock Creek to where the 54th NY skirmishers met up with Early's men. I stand for a bit on the line the 153PA held at the bottom of the knoll, and try to imagine Confederates coming at me with guns blazing like my ancestor did before he was wounded on July 1.

Told you it was hard to pick just one!

Pam

 

[brass napoleon]

It really is such a gorgeous area, with such momentous history attached, that it's all awe-inspiring. That said though, nothing compares in my mind to Devil's Den. That would be worth visiting even if there hadn't been a battle there, but the thought of fighting in that terrain is incredible.

 

[K Hale]

One of my favorite places is the observatory deck on Culp's Hill. The last time I visited Gettysburg, I got into town at sunrise and went directly there. The rays of sun were falling on the city, and it was beautiful. I'll never forget that.

I've been to the base of it... dang, it's a long way up. So it's totally worth it?

 

[mt155]

I like to walk in the railroad cut. From the bottom looking up at those Wisconsin boys with their guns aimed down and the battery ready to fire on you from the east. Good stuff.

 

[Nathanb1]

My favorite was coming down from the hill, then down and across the creek bed to Rose Farm. I was astounded to be standing by the fence looking at that famous field where all those casualties were laid out. It was so peaceful and quiet, in contrast to the day of the battle. It was late July, but the battlefield was almost empty, and the effect was really something else.

 

[brass napoleon]

I've been to the base of it... dang, it's a long way up. So it's totally worth it?

I second that it's well worth the climb! You can see everything from up there.

 

[prroh]

Walking along the stone wall built by Greene's boys on Culp's Hill. These upstate new Yorkers saved the AoP. Greene was grandson or nephew of nathaniel Greene.

 

[judi]

It is really hard to pick a spot that is my favorite.

I think it would be the area of the wounding of Hancock marker up to the angle. Enjoy the view from there

 

[Union_Buff]

Probably my two favourite spots are Devil's Den and The Wheatfield.

 

[Copper 83rd PA INF]

I've been to the base of it... dang, it's a long way up. So it's totally worth it?

Totally worth it. I just booked three nights in Gettysburg in 2 weeks and you can be sure that I'll be up there one morning to watch the sun come up.

 

[101combatvet]

LRT because of it's significance to the battle. But I always enjoy standing at the The Virginia Monument and looking toward that clump of trees. Along the way I make it a point to pay homage to the 11th Mississippi Monument. I recently discovered Sach's Covered Bridge.... I also enjoy walking the streets in town.

 

[matthew mckeon]

I like the devil's den and wheatfield, too, especially after the cutting the NPS has done. It makes this part of the battle more understandable to me. I find the monuments there very moving as well.

 

[Gen.Armistead.7.3.63]

I recently discovered Sach's Covered Bridge

Sach's bridge is a pretty nice spot that is away from some of the crowds. I found it myself a few years ago.

I like the devil's den and wheatfield, too, especially after the cutting the NPS has done

The work that the park service has done to restore the battlefield is amazing. You are right that it really helps to understand what truly happened in those spots. I love what they are doing there.

 

[1stMDINFCSA]

I like to sit on Confederate Avenue directly across from the "cusp of trees", right where the 26th North Carolina Infantry started their charge.
We sit and look and just try to imagine what must have been going thru those boys minds as the Yankee artillery was exploding everywhere. You look and see just how far they had to go to reach the Yankee lines and think "Could I have just stepped off into that?"
I like to think that I would have.

 

[K Hale]

Well, think what would have happened to you if you had refused to.

 

[1stMDINFCSA]

Well, think what would have happened to you if you had refused to.

Death with dishonor.....not the way I would ever want to go.

 

[101combatvet]

I've always wondered if any Rebs broke ranks... laid low... and married local girls.

Well, think what would have happened to you if you had refused to.

 

[K Hale]

Out of 70,000 men, I'd be surprised if there wasn't at least one deserter who stayed north.