#15 Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, PENNSYLVANIA

Fought during the first three days of July 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg was one of the most crucial battles of the Civil War having occurred at a time when the fate of the nation literally hung in the balance. Often referred to as the "High Water Mark of the Rebellion", it was the culmination of the second and most ambitious invasion of the North by General Robert E. Lee and his "Army of Northern Virginia". The Union "Army of the Potomac", long the nemesis of Lee's army in Virginia, met the Confederate invasion at the Pennsylvania crossroads town of Gettysburg. Under the command of Major General George Gordon Meade, the Union army fought with a desperation not always seen before on other battlefields. Despite initial Confederate success, the battle turned against Lee on July 3rd, and with few options remaining to him, the general ordered his army back to Virginia. The Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg resulted not only in Lee's retreat to Virginia but an end to the hopes of the Confederacy for independence.

 

 

Surgery at Camp Letterman.

(Library of Congress)

The battle brought devastation to the residents of Gettysburg. Every farm field or garden was a graveyard. Churches, public buildings and even private homes were hospitals, filled with wounded soldiers. The Union medical staff that remained were strained to treat so many wounded scattered about the county. To meet the demand, Camp Letterman General Hospital was established east of Gettysburg where all of the wounded were eventually taken to before transport to permanent hospitals in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington. Union surgeons worked with members of the U.S Sanitary Commission and Christian Commission to treat and care for the over 20,000 injured Union and Confederate soldiers that passed through the hospital's wards, housed under large tents. By January 1864, the last patients were gone as were the surgeons, guards, nurses, tents and cookhouses. Only a temporary cemetery on the hillside remained as a testament to the courageous battle to save lives that took place at Camp Letterman.

 

 

The Soldiers' Monument in the center of the Soldiers' National Cemetery at Gettysburg.

(National Park Service)

Prominent Gettysburg residents became concerned with the poor condition of soldiers' graves scattered over the battlefield and at hospital sites, and pleaded with Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin for state support to purchase a portion of the battlefield to be set aside as a final resting place for the defenders of the Union cause. Gettysburg lawyer David Wills was appointed the state agent to coordinate the establishment of the new "Soldiers' National Cemetery", which was designed by noted landscape architect William Saunders. Removal of the Union dead to the cemetery began in the fall of 1863, but would not be completed until long after the cemetery grounds were dedicated on November 19, 1863. The dedication ceremony featured orator Edward Everett and included solemn prayers, songs, dirges to honor the men who died at Gettysburg. Yet, it was President Abraham Lincoln who provided the most notable words in his two-minute long address, eulogizing the Union soldiers buried at Gettysburg and reminding those in attendance of their sacrifice for the Union cause, that they should renew their devotion "to the cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion.."

The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, the Union victory that ended General Robert E. Lee's second and most ambitious invasion of the North. Often referred to as the "High Water Mark of the Rebellion", Gettysburg was the war's bloodiest battle with 51,000 casualties. It was also the inspiration for President Abraham Lincoln's immortal "Gettysburg Address".

The Battle of Gettysburg was one of the most critical battles of the Civil War and occurred over the first three days of July 1863. Often referred to as the "High Water Mark of the Rebellion", it was the culmination of the second invasion of the North byGeneral Robert E. Lee and the "Army of Northern Virginia". Though it seemed like the Confederate Army would be victorious, the battle turned against Lee on July 3, 1863, and the general ordered his army back to Virginia. The Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg was of crucial importance, moving Lee back to Virginia and bringing an end to the hopes of the Confederacy for independence.

The battle created much stress and devastation to the residents of Gettysburg. Farm fields and gardens quickly became graveyards. Churches and public buildings were used as hospitals. Conditions were poor and many wealthy residents grew concerned how the wounded soldiers were being treated. Every farm field or garden was a graveyard. Churches, public buildings and even private homes were hospitals, filled with wounded soldiers. They decided to hound Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin for state support to purchase a portion of the battlefield to be set aside as a final resting place for the soldiers. Gettysburg lawyer David Wills (see The David Wills House below) was appointed the state agent to coordinate the establishment of the "Soldiers' National Cemetery." It was dedicated on November 19, 1863.

The Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association was established in 1864 to preserve portions of the battlefield as a memorial to the Union troops that fought. In 1895, the lands were transferred to the Federal government and Gettysburg National Military Park was established. Administration of the park was transferred to the Department of the Interior- National Park Service in 1933, which continues to protect, preserve and interpret the Battle of Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Address to visitors.

Learn more about the Battle of Gettysburg at the About.com American History site.

When to Visit:

The summer months can be extremely hot and humid, with occasional severe thunderstorms, so the spring and fall are your best bet. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., April 1 to October 31, and 6 a.m. to 7 pm., November 1 to March 31.

The Museum and Visitor Center is open daily throughout the year. The center does close on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.

Getting There:

Gettysburg National Military Park is located in Adams County, PA and is easy to get to by car or air. If you are driving from North or South, follow US 15 to Gettysburg and watch for signs (near the exit at Rt. 97) that will direct you to the Visitor Center. If you're coming from East or West, drive into Gettysburg on US Rt. 30, turn South on Baltimore Street (Rt. 97), and follow signs to the Visitor Center, which will be on your right at the stoplight.

For those of you flying in, Harrisburg International Airport at Middletown, PA is the closest air terminal - approximately 35 miles north of Gettysburg. (Find Flights) Another option is Baltimore-Washington International near Baltimore, MD. Gettysburg also has a small airfield on Rt. 30 that will accommodate private aircraft.

Although there is no commercial bus service to the park, Freedom Transit provides public transportation for visitors from the Museum and Visitor Center to points in downtown Gettysburg and all around town. You can find routes and more information on the Freedom Transit website.

Fees/Permits:

Entry to the park is free of charge, but there is an admission charge for the Gettysburg Museum Experience, the film "A New Birth of Freedom" narrated by Morgan Freeman, and to view the Gettysburg Cyclorama program. Please note that America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes, Golden Age and Golden Eagle passes are not accepted for entrance to the museum and Visitor Center.

You can buy tickets, which includes museum exhibits, film and cyclorama, for $10.50 per Adult; $9.50 per Seniors and Active Military (with proper ID); and $6.50 per Youth (ages 6-18). Children under 6 years old are admitted free. Group rates are also available: $7.50 per Adult groups (groups with 16+ members); and $6.00 per Youth groups (groups with 16+ members). Tickets may be purchased on the Gettysburg Foundation website.

Major Attractions:

The National Park Service Museum and Visitor Center: This is the place to begin your visit to Gettysburg National Military Park. You can find maps, brochures, computers, and all the information you need on how to visit the park and what to see around Gettysburg.

The David Wills House: Attorney David Wills' home in Gettysburg was the center of the immense clean-up process after the Battle of Gettysburg and where President Abraham Lincoln put the finishing touches on his Gettysburg Address. It opened to the public in February 2009 with a museum featuring 6 galleries, Will's office, and the bedroom where Lincoln stayed the night before he delivered the Gettysburg Address.

The Soldiers' National Cemetery: This is the final resting place for many of the Union soldiers who were killed at the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as those who died in all of America's wars since 1865. The cemetery was dedicated on November 19, 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.

Gettysburg Museum of the Civil War: Over 22,000 square feet of exhibit space hold artifacts of the Battle of Gettysburg, inter-active exhibits, and multi-media presentations. The center also hosts the film, "A New Birth of Freedom", narrated by award-winning actor Morgan Freeman, and the restored Gettysburg Cyclorama, which depicts the final fury of Gettysburg- "Pickett's Charge".