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Gettysburg, part 2, September 2018
Across the Continent, part 6: A Photographic Log
4 September 2018, 12 miles
I'm driving solo across the continent, with the Ogre in the back of the Forester. Some days I hop on the Ogre to ride a few miles out-and-back or in a loop. That slows my forward progress, but enables me to explore some interesting places along the way. Here's my full itinerary.Sixth stop, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Part two.
I could have spent days exploring, studying, and photographing the battlefield. In four hours I couldn't possibly see every important nook and cranny, stop at every monument, or read every informational panel. For this trip I even skipped the scene of the first day's fighting as well as Culp's Hill, Cemetery Hill, and the cavalry battlefield.
But I hope these photos and short captions provide some of the feeling of the Battle of Gettysburg and the current state of the battlefield park. It's easy to find plenty of good source for anyone who wants to know more about the nuts and bolts of the battle. I chose to emphasize—as much as I could—the human side of the conflict, especially utilizing some of the impressive statues and memorials. Even at that, there are many, many more monuments that I didn't photograph.
As an aside, I would add that although there are dozens if not hundreds of big statues here, Gettysburg and other battlefield parks would be the perfect home for Civil War statues that are not appropriate in some other public venues. Here they would become part of a larger history, placed in a suitable context offering ample opportunity for education, explanation, and understanding, as well as the opportunity to help build a just and equal future based on the lessons and sacrifices of the past.
See also Gettysburg, part one.
After working our way south down the Confederate line on Seminary Ridge, now we move north along the Union line.
First stop is on Little Round Top.
Here's General Warren, whose timely intervention saved the entire Union line from being unhinged as Confederate troops moved toward undefended Little Round Top. Easy to see how this high ground dominated the battlefield toward the north.
Detail of General Warren.
Monuments everywhere.
Irish Brigade monument, with a grieving Irish wolfhound—the brigade's mascot.
5th Michigan Infantry Regiment monument.
Detail of the 5th Michigan Infantry Regiment monument.
The somber 116th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment monument.
New York Fire Zouaves.
Excelsior Brigade monument, commanded by General Sickles.
Detail of the Excelsior Brigade.
View along the road.
The George Weikert farm in the middle of the battlefield.
Artillery on Cemetery Ridge, with the huge Pennsylvania monument looming in the background.
Union cannon on Cemetery Ridge.
The Minnesota monument in the foreground and the larger Pennsylvania monument behind.
The Minnesota monument.
Detail of the Minnesota monument.
There's the very impressive Pennsylvania monument.
A panel on the Pennsylvania monument.
Front of the Pennsylvania monument.
Atop the Pennsylvania monument.
Detail of General Hancock at the Pennsylvania monument.
Abraham Lincoln at the Pennsylvania monument.
From the Pennsylvania monument on Cemetery Ridge, the view across the field to the Confederate line on Seminary Ridge.
The Vermont monument.
Monument to the US Army Regulars.
Detail of the monument to the US Army Regulars.
Looking straight up the soaring monument.
Another bas relief panel.
From Cemetery Ridge, looking toward Seminary Ridge and the intervening ground crossed by Pickett's Charge.
The Virginia monument, with General Lee on the top, is visible at the far left.
"The Angle," including this copse, is where Pickett's Charge came closest to breaking the Union line before being repulsed.
A Union defender at "the Angle" on Cemetery Ridge.
Union defense of "the Angle."
General George Meade, the victor of Gettysburg, commanding the Army of the Potomac.
Detail of General Meade.
Looking across the ground of Pickett's Charge to the Virginia monument on Seminary Ridge.
Last view of the battlefield.
A few of the headstones at Soldiers' National Cemetery, Gettysburg.
Final image and parting thoughts.
(Not my photo.)
Summary
Date: 4 September 2018
Time: 7:00 - 11:00
Weather: 70 - 85° F, sunny and humid
Route: Gettysburg National Military Park, Pennsylvania
Distance: 12 miles
Bike: Surly Ogre
Riders: Solo
Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.
Reno ::: Antelope Island ::: Independence Rock ::: Badlands ::: Blue Mounds
Gettysburg ::: Rappahannock ::: Katy ::: Breckenridge ::: Grand Junction
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