More of Day Two

I have been quite busy the past couple of weeks, and have not had time to post, until now. I will attempt to write as much as possible in today's postings.

As we left the area of the 26th North Carolina's opening day charge, we followed Seminary Ridge as Harry explained more of the first day's fighting. We drove through the Lutheran Seminary, seen in the movie 'Gettysburg', where Union commanders used a tower there as an observation point during the battle. We went across the railroad cut that runs parallel to the Chambersburg Pike west of Gettysburg, where much of the fighting occurred. Harry informed us that the most recent remains of a soldier on the battlefield was found in this railroad cut just four years ago! I cannot remember if it was a Confederate or Federal soldier. From here, we went up Oak Ridge on Buford Ave. to the Eternal Light Peace Memorial. From this vantage point, you can see the area of battle for the first day. There is an eternal flame that burns at this memorial dedicated to both Confederate and Federal troops. We then went back across the Chambersburg Pike, down Seminary Ridge. Harry took us to an interesting mural painted on the side of a building with a memorial next to it. It was kind of tucked in the middle of a small neighborhood. Unless you knew it was there, you'd miss it altogether. It was a really nice painting, and I'll post photos following this.

We then went to an observation tower just south of the end of Seminary Ridge. This was a great vantage point. Looking northeast across the battlefield, we could see Cemetery Ridge and Hill, Culp's Hill, and Ziegler's grove. Looking due east, we could see the Peach Orchard and the Wheatfield. Looking southeast, we could see Little and Big Roundtop, and Devil's Den. To the north, we could see McPherson and Oak Ridges, the Lutheran Seminary, and the general area where Lee's army entered Gettysburg from the northeast. The weather was good, and we had a clear view all around us.

This basically wrapped up to coverage of the first day's fighting. Most of the fighting occurred northwest of town, where the two armies came upon each other by chance. Lee actually did not want to fight this battle in Gettysburg. He wanted to engage the enemy farther north toward Harrisburg, but history would not have it that way. This first day's fighting ended with the Federal troops falling back through town, and massing on Cemetery Hill, down Cemetery Ridge towards Little Round Top. Their lines were drawn such that it was shaped like a fish hook, or 'J', running from the east at Culp's Hill, up Cemetery Hill, and south down Cemetery Ridge. Lee's troops drew lines along Seminary Ridge to the south, and north through town, and to the east past Culp's Hill. The main portions of both armies were about a mile apart. To view maps of the three days of battle, click on this link. It will help you see the shape of the Federal fish hook. For a more detailed map of the battlefield, click this link.

If you are not very familiar with the history of Gettysburg, you can go to this site for a general overview. Unfortunately, it too portrays Lee as changing his main plan from day to day. This is caused by the accepted story being told only from the Federal battle reports, and excluding Lee's own reports. In reality, Lee's plan was the same for all three days: Attack the salient, or fish hook, of Meade's army on Cemetery Hill by rolling up his flanks from both sides. For a great read on what really happened, using Lee's reports and those of other Confederate commanders, pick up "Lee's Real Plan at Gettysburg" by Troy D. Harmon. He is a Park Ranger and guide at the battlefield. It is a very eye opening book. You can get it at www.stackpolebooks.com . I think some photos are now in order.