Gettysburg

We first came to Gettysburg 10 years ago.

John became interested in the Civil War while recuperating from surgery - watching Ken Burns' documentary - and has become quite versed on the subject.

The above plaque is affixed to many buildings here in Gettysburg, testifying to the fact that the structure was here during the Civil War. Many of the buildings have bullet holes. The entire town was involved in the battle. One civilian. Jenny Wade, was shot and killed while making biscuits. In her apron pocket was a photo of her boyfriend who, unknown to her, had died a week earlier.

Part of the Lutheran Seminary, referred to in the Seminary Hill Battle.

Gettysburg has taken good care of her historic buildings.

There are businesses and private residences remaining 150 years after the war.

Another building at the Lutheran Seminary.

On the first day of the battle the Union Generals watched the fighting from a cupola here.

The next day General Lee watched from the same room.

Cemetery Hill overlooking the battlefield. Five months after the battle Lincoln came to dedicate the National Cemetery, standing somewhere across the street behind me.

There are 1328 monuments in Gettysburg, erected to honor the soldiers who fought here.

There are two smaller monuments in the field ahead.

The monuments are scattered throughout the battlefields, placed where the company of men fought and died for their country.

They're next to busy streets and hidden in trees, facing many different directions.

The tall one in the right foreground is a cannon barrel, marking an artillery unit.

They honor fighters from both North and South.

Some are understated and austere, and some are grandiose.

This is the most ornate structure; honoring, of course, the fighting men of Pennsylvania.

If you click on the photo you'll see a person standing on the upper level of the monument.

It's very quiet here. People are sobered by the visit.

There were 51,000 casualties at Gettysburg, the biggest battle of the war.

Of that 51,000 there were 8,000 deaths.

Families were torn apart.

Brothers fought against each other.

It's impossible to visit here and not be affected by our country's loss.