Day 2 Aerial View

[Gettysburg Greg]

Had it not been for General Sickles unauthorized move from his position on Cemetery Ridge up to the Emmitsburg Road, many historic locations such as the Peach Orchard, the Wheatfield, Stony Hill, and more would have not even been footnotes in history. Today, they are of such significance that you will find them all capitalized when referenced in most books. Here is a great aerial view of the south end of the battlefield on which I identified several historic locations made famous on July 2, 1863.

 

[Private Watkins]

Excellent... thanks for sharing this.

 

[Wallyfish]

Really enjoyed the aerial shot. I never grow tired of looking at the battlefield. One can only imagine what an aerial shot would of looked like on July 2, 1863. I have walked along the old trolley line from the Triangular Field all the way to the Wheatfield many times and the battlefield seems so large. But from aerial shots, you can see really how close these major areas are to each other.

I agree that Sickles forward movement most probably made The Peach Orchard famous. While we never will know what would of occurred if Sickles stayed put, I believe that action on the Stony Hill and in The Wheatfield still would of occurred.

Thanks for posting. I can almost make out the Timbers Farm foundation from the aerial (well maybe not almost).

 

[Bee]

Really enjoyed the aerial shot. I never grow tired of looking at the battlefield..

Yes, yes: Well said! Now, map in hand, this is my second chance to get it all right in my mind, as it is almost like a second visit to the battlefield. Orientation. Farms. I have been working hard on this -- keep it coming.