Robert E. Lee that is. Melody prepared an incredible birthday surprise for me last December by getting tickets for the 147th Anniversary Gettysburg Reenactment. We arrived on Friday and enjoyed staying at the Battlefield Bed & Breakfast. This establishment delivered in all three areas providing a bed in addition to a breakfast the next morning--all within sight of the battlefield.
The event actually takes place north of the actual battlefield. There was a Confederate camp and a U.S. camp and everything. Some of the reenactors took this division very seriously as can be seen in the "arrest" of Joshua Chamberlain by General Pickett for loitering in the Confederate camp:
As for the battles themselves, we were able to watch the "Wheatfield" portion of the battle which took place on the second day between General Sickles' 3rd Corps and General Longstreet's First Corps. This wheatfield changed hands up to seven times within a few hours and some of the most vicious fighting of the war took place here.
We also saw a cavalry battle, which I won't post right now. This fight took place during the third day during and after Pickett's charge.
All in all, this was one of the coolest experiences I've had. Almost since Melody and I met (but not right at first, because let's face it, it would have just been creepy), I've been telling her that I want to be a part-time reenactor. I think she actually started believing me as I asked Major Pickett (i.e. General Pickett's bro) how one got "in" with the reenactor scene. Bring on the beard and banjos I say!
On a more serious note, Melo and I were able to walk Pickett's charge from Seminary Ridge to Cemetery Ridge. It was July 3 2010, exactly 147 years to the day after. The field is very similar to how it would have been that day- uncut grass, Emmitsburg road cutting down the middle, about a mile and a half slightly uphill. For those of you unfamiliar with this final episode of the battle, over 6,000 casulaties were reported alone for the Confederacy. We were very impressed with gratitude for those that came before us and sacrified little or all for our freedom. May God bless America, and we wish you a Happy Independence Day!
All in all, this was one of the coolest experiences I've had. Almost since Melody and I met (but not right at first, because let's face it, it would have just been creepy), I've been telling her that I want to be a part-time reenactor. I think she actually started believing me as I asked Major Pickett (i.e. General Pickett's bro) how one got "in" with the reenactor scene. Bring on the beard and banjos I say!
On a more serious note, Melo and I were able to walk Pickett's charge from Seminary Ridge to Cemetery Ridge. It was July 3 2010, exactly 147 years to the day after. The field is very similar to how it would have been that day- uncut grass, Emmitsburg road cutting down the middle, about a mile and a half slightly uphill. For those of you unfamiliar with this final episode of the battle, over 6,000 casulaties were reported alone for the Confederacy. We were very impressed with gratitude for those that came before us and sacrified little or all for our freedom. May God bless America, and we wish you a Happy Independence Day!
