Going to Gettysburg in late July

[Major Matt Lewis]

Going to stay at the Battlefield Inn Bed & Breakfast.  I plan to finish out my Geronimo Wars uniform with a trip to Dirty Billy's hats and would not mind picking up a pair of field glasses.  Was going to pick up a Berdan's Sharps, but do to the cost of gas, I will probably end up using that money for fuel.  I wanted to see were the 1st Maine was in the Cavalry fight on the 3rd day and where the 20th Maine did thier handy work.  I also wanted to check out were F Company 2d US Sharpshooters did thier work as they were raised from my county where I grew up in New Hampshire.

What else do I HAVE to see?  I will only ther there for 2 days.

[US Scout]

Having been there more times than I can remember (I live but 1 1/2 hours from Gettysburg), I would recommend getting one of the licenced guides to give you apersonal tour of the battlefield.  However, realizing that might be a bit pricy, even for the two hour tour, you can take one of the chartered coach rides (Gettysburg Tours - they are on-line) which does much the same thing except you don't have the opportunity to get out and walk around when you want - but then you could always return after the coach tour.  Option three is to get the cassette from the Park Center and do it on your own. 

When I was up there last August (with Ellsworth Kincade's Irregulars) we had a guide who showed me the various Sharpshooter monuments (I was wearing the uniform).

Visit the Park's book store and museum.  The book store includes maps and books of maps - all very useful in trying to (a) understand what took place and when during the three days and (b) help you find what you're interested in. 

As a rule, I find it best to do Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 in order - though it means doing some backtracking occasionally.  Makes more sense to the battle.  It can be done in a day if you don't do much else, and easily in two - assuming you don't try and stop to read every single monument, battle marker, etc.  Don't forget Culp's Hill, which is lesser known but vitally important to the battle - and of course the cavalry battle.

If you plan to visit Dirty Billy's on a weekday, make arrangements before hand as he is usually closed and in the back making hats.

If you can have someone drive your car for you, walk the ground of Longstreet's Assault (aka Pickett's Charge) from the Confederate side the High Tide point.  Imagine yourself under artillery and rifle fire as you casually walk the open field.  When you get to the High Tide point watch others as they walk the ground so you can see it from the Union perspective.

In town - I can highly recommend the Farnsworth House for lunch or dinner.  Look inside the bar and you'll find quite a bit of memorabilia from the movie "Gettysburg."  A couple of good sutlers are Past Memories (around the corner from Dirty Billy's) and the Regimental Quartermaster.  Both also cater to the distaff side. The Farnsworth House has a good bookstore (which has a large CW collection - not just G'burg) , and there are several others throughout town - my personal favorites are the Park's and Farnsworth though.

Lots of antique stores if that interests you - most gathered around the square.

The new Museum should be open, along with the cyclorama.  Haven't been up there since they opened - but I hope to soon.

Don't waste your time on the wax museum - tacky in more ways than one.  Lee's HQ has a small museum but can be skipped if you're short on time.

Start Day 1 at the Buford Monument - at its base is the only artillery piece (3" Ordnance Rifle) that is positively identified as being in the battle - and was probably emplaced but a few yards from where it stands today.

A visit to the cemetary is good - its where Lincoln gave his Address.

Read up before hand - even if no more than the particular actions/units that you're interested in.  There are many excellent histories and studies of the battle to choose from.

Final point - it'll be HOT and HUMID!  Wear a good hat for shade and drink lots of water while on the battlefield.  When the Irregulars went last year the men all wore uniforms and the ladies beautiful day dresses or military-style riding habits.  Of course we managed to visit on the hotest weekend of the year.  We drank water constantly.

US Scout
Bvt Brig Gen, GAF

[Black Powder]

US Scout's given excellent advice.  I was just there in April.

I recommend a self-guided tour, if you have any knowledge beyond "Pickett's Charge."  The auto tour is certainly convenient, and the map is very good: http://www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/upload/GETT_S2.pdf.

You've got time, and if you don't already own them, order the Frassanito companion books from Amazon.  I plotted most of these on a satellite image from VirtualEarth.  You can walk anywhere in the Park, except within places surrounded by a white picket fence.  Get out of your car!

Do the battle in order of events.  Two days will allow for this.  Agreed with the time consumed by reading monuments.  It is a very unique place as there are over 1300 of them and many are simply stunning.  http://www.lhup.edu/rmyers3/monuments/monuments.htm.  The nps site is actually very good too: http://www.nps.gov/archive/gett/getttour/main-ms.htm.

Come in from the west on US 30 so you're properly oriented to the flow of events.  This you can do on day one easily.  Sight of the first shot, McPherson Ridge and Barn.  Park there.  Touch the barn.  Cross the highway and walk up the railroad tracks through the railroad cut.  Get back to car and fall back to Oak Ridge.

Two things to do out of sequence to avoid the crowds (or minimize them): High Water Mark and Little Round Top.  The Park opens at 6.  Be at Cemetery Ridge, the clump of trees (never liked "copse") then zip over to LRT.  This is more of an issue for me and taking pictures because cars and people will be in your shots when families and groups arrive.

Suggest starting the 2nd day's action way down at Warfield Ridge in the SW corner.  Stop #7 on the auto tour.  Plan your assault on Little Round Top.  Too long to walk, so get your bearings and drive toward Big Round Top.  It'll be in full foliage then, but halfway to BRT, there'll be a clearing on the left where the Federals made a cavalry assault lead by a very young officer with a very poignant story.  Can't find my notes now...

Proceed up through BRT and you will come to the little valley between BRT & LRT.  Hang a left on Warren Ave.  Park.  Walk up to the 20th Maine's position.  The auto tour does not take you into Devil's Den & the Slaughter Pen.   Back to the car, continue into Devil's Den.  Visit the site of the Confederate "Sharpshooter's Nest" made famous in that Gardner photo.  Walk all over the place, including 70 yards south of the nest to where the Confederate was originally found.  Walk through to the Slaughter Pen.  Back to the car.  Back to LRT.  If you checked out the view early in the morning, you needn't stop. 

Time for another detour from the auto tour.  When you turn onto Ayres Ave., do not then turn onto Sickles Ave.  Continue onto Brooks Ave.  This will lead you through the Rose Woods.  When Brooks heads northward, find a place to park.  Hop the rail fence to the left.  Great view of the Rose farm and if you have the Frassanito books, you will be able to identify several spots where Gardner took photos of Confederate dead.  These are not marked, but well worth getting off the beaten path.  Now you can resume the tour for Wheatfield & Peach Orchard.  The Peach Orchard is being worked on; you'll have to return again in 10 years.  Your last stop should be the Trostle Farm.  Proceed directly to Spangler's Spring and Culp's Hill.  Finish at East Cemetery Hill.  End of Day 2's action, more or less.  Cross the street to the historic cemetery.

Now you can head back to Seminary Ridge and do Day 3.  I highly recommend walking Longstreet's charge too.  Slight problem with logistics as you'll have to park your car and end up retracing your steps.  I didn't care.  As previously mentioned, I do suggest starting at the Federal defensive position at the crack of dawn to avoid the crowds.  Assuming you did that, starting at the VA Monument (#5), you can park and walk across the mile of open ground.  Head toward the Codori Farm.  You'll want to wheel left as although a slight depression has afforded you protection from the withering cannon fire from Cemetery Ridge, you're now receiving enfilading fire from the Federal left.  Orient yourself to the clump of trees.  Press on across the Emmitsburg Road.  Finish at the clump of trees.  Realize that within 100 yards of the rock wall, every step you're taking is likely to be on the spot where an American has fallen.

Now since you can't be at two places at once, you'll have to do Armistead's assault on the Angle in reverse.  Figure you're now following their footsteps in retreat.

It's not really a criticism, but many of the markers are basically fixed in time and you don't get a sense of movement.  Most places you stop at do not have adequate maps, so bring a book with decent maps that show troop movements so when you look across the vista, you get a sense of movement.  Just my need, perhaps.

Another thing: this place is huge.  If you walk, you will be tired!

Read as much as time and interest allows.  If you're not reasonably active, start walking now to be in shape.

It's a beautiful place.

The new museum is open.  Wasn't when I was there.  The Cyclorama won't be open until Sep.  Good reason to return!

I also recommend a nice prime rib at the Dobbin House Tavern.

BP

[Lastcigar]

Having lived in Virginia for 8 years we visited Gettysburg numerious times.  One of my most moving Civil War moments was there.  I found that the location of the 20th Maine was an area where not many people would walk back to as it was somewhat off the beaten path fot the causal tourtist.  They seem to stop at the Warren monument and not take the time to walk on to where the 20th was, just get back in their car and drive on.  Anyway my 8 year old son and I walked back to the boudler which Chamberland mentions.  We took a seat and as I had brought his description of the battle I started to read it out loud to my son.  When I finished we both sat there for a good 15 minutes without saying a word.  When I looked over at my son I thought I could almost see tears in his eyes, and without any shame I know there we some in mine.  After that he never complainted quite as loud or bitched as much as I drug him to all the Civil War sites we have visited over the years.  It truely is an amazing place.  By the way I never saw a ghost in Gettysburg despite all the stories they tell---darn it.

When you look at the Pickett's charge route just remember their trip was only half over when they reached the High Point.  Imagine having to make the return trip.  Going you must have had that battle high but going back all you had was the death sorrow and misery.  I've often thought of what that trip had to be like.

I agree with US Scout, Farnsworth House for a meal should be a requirement.  It's been a good 10 years since we have been there.  Is the electronic map gone now?  I always told my non Civil War friends to go there first, it was a great orientation to the battle.

I envy your trip.  My wife and I need to head back out east one of these days.

By the way I found a copy of a book titled The Geronimo Campaign by Odie B. Faulk published in 1969.  I thought it was a pretty good read.  If you would like I can mail it to you to read.  Or if passing though Champaign could get it to you.
If you want me to mail it sent me your address.  Ithink you have my e-mail address.

LastCigar  

[Pony Soldier]

While you are there please pay my respects to the 1st Minnesota.  Minnesota while the newest state in the Union was the first to volunteer troops. 

The men of the 1st Minnesota are most remembered for their actions on July 2, 1863, during the second day's fighting at Gettysburg, resulting in the prevention of a serious breach in the Union defensive line on cemetary ridge.  MG Winfield Hancock, commander of the II Corps of the Army of the Potomac, ordered the regiment to assault a much larger enemy force (a brigade commanded by BG Cadmus Wilcox) in an effort to buy time while other forces could be brought up.  During the charge, 215 members of the 262 men who were present at the time became casualties, including the regimental commander, COL William Colvill, and all but three of his officers.  The unit's flag fell five times and rose again each time.  The 47 rallied back to Gen Hancock under the senior surviving officer, Captain Henry Coates.  The 82% casualty rate stands to this day as the largest loss by any surviving military unit in American history during any single engagement.

Despite the horrendous casualties the 1st Minnesota had incurred, it continued the fight the next day, helping to repulse Pickett's Charge. The Surviving Minnesotans just happened to have been positioned at one of the few places where Union lines were breached during that engagement, and, as a result, charged the advancing Confederate positions one last time as a unit.

Often overlooked by historians, but never forgotten by Minnesota, may their souls rest in peace.  God bless you brothers.

[Captain Lee Bishop]

I think the self guided tour is best. READ UP ahead of time on what you want to see first. Also, this may sound like a no brainer, but if you're showing up in uniform, DO NOT BRING ANY WEAPONS of any kind with you! I was there in 98 and watched a person get arrested for carrying a (unloaded) Navy colt in a holster. I had one of those pot metal non-guns so I was okay but they told me to put my sword in my car which I immediately did. Mind you, the guy they arrested was a real jerk, acting like he was a real CW general, and I was very cooperative. I'm sure that had a lot to do with him leaving in a squad car and me leaving in my own SUV much later. Still, they have little patience for armed folks. I've heard stories of them busting people for simply wearing CSA Bowie knives in the park. I would also suggest hitting some of the antique vendors in the area as well. Go to the "Horse Solider" if at all possible. It's an amazing place, the only store I know of that has racks of CW muskets (and a original Mountain Howitzer when I was last there), and everything is for sale. The stuff isn't cheap but it's really neat to walk through there. As for Dirty Billy's, I personally wouldn't take a leak on the building if it was on fire. They have the absolute worst customer service on the planet. I'd ordered a hat from them a while back, it showed up much later than promised, much more money than they said it would and it was an entire number hat size smaller. When I returned it with a note stating these reasons, they called me and left a voice mail stating they don't need my business and to never order form them ever again! I guess I was wrong to return something that wasn't what I ordered. What nerve of some people, huh? 

[Wild Ben Raymond]

Major Matt, I went there several years ago, and went through the entire battlefield and the museum (LONG DAY). I wished I had more time to spend there as I only had one day because this was a side stop to the SASS Northeast Reagional. My advice is see everything you can, as it may be a long time before you may ever be back. WBR

[US Scout]

Captain Bishop brings up an excellent point - don't take any weapons on the battlefield.  At best they'll just be confiscated, at worst you'll be arrested.  The Brigade Sgt Maj would be sore put out if he had to go bail you out of the local jail.

When Kincade's Irregulars went last year, we received permission to take swords on the grounds but could only remove them from the bus when we posed at one of the monuments for group and individual photographs.  We weren't allowed to wear them around though.  But, as I said, that was cleared beforehand (though our tour agency). 

As for Dirty Billy, I'm sorry to hear that Captain Bishop had such a poor experience.  I've gotten several hats from Dirty Billy's without a single problem.  He did send me a naval cap that was too large - surprising since he measured me himself - but he quickly made up another one the right size and sent it to me without any hassle at all.


US Scout
Bvt Brig Gen, GAF