Visiting the Civil War battlefield at Gettysburg is a sobering experience. This was the South's northernmost advance and the Union was concerned about the proximity to Washington, D.C., therefore determined to halt Lee's forces at all costs. The South lost the 3 day battle and it became known as the 'high water mark' of the Civil War. The South was never again a serious threat to the Union. Quoting from a Park brochure: "When the armies marched away from Gettysburg they left behind a community in shambles and over 51,000 soldiers dead, wounded, or missing." It took months to 'clean up'. A few months later, President Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address here. The National Park here is awesome. At the Visitor Center there is an informative film, the 'cyclorama', and museum. The cyclorama is a spectacular 360 degree massive painting depicting Pickett's Charge on the final day of battle at Gettysburg. Its circumference is 377 feet at its widest points and 42 feet high. First painted in 1883-84 and repaired several times, the current painting was restored in 2003. Again quoting another reference: "The "Cyclorama" was a very popular form of entertainment in the late 1800's, both in America and Europe. These massive oil-on-canvas paintings were displayed in special auditoriums and enhanced with landscaped foregrounds sometimes featuring trees, grasses, fences and even life-sized figures. The result was a three-dimensional effect that surrounded the viewers who stood on a central platform, literally placing them in the center of the great historic scene." The action of the day is recreated by light and sound effects. In reality, at the height of the battle 270 cannons made a thunderous roar. A driving tour of the battlefield gives a feel of the scope of the battle. It's a pretty area. Pictures can't do it justice. Monuments are placed around the battlefield memorializing the various units that fought here. From Texas and from Maine, this war covered vast distances. And finally, Mary Lou got pretty frisky with her new friend, sitting on old Abe's lap! Another historical stop on tap for tomorrow.
Stay tuned.
2 Comments
ruby
6/12/2015 03:02:09 am
Great!!!!
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jackie
6/17/2015 04:54:08 am
oh my Mary Lou !! lol
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Who are we?Chuck and Mary Lou have been traveling in their RV since 2002 and have lately been taking longer, extended trips. This is our way to share our experiences. Trip Reports
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