Two years after the biggest anniversary there was since the 100th anniversary, crowds still gathered on the battlefield to explore and know more about the soldiers from the Union and Confederacy. Here are some brief pictures and narration on what happened on my walks around the battlefield.
I didn’t attend any of the first day anniversary battle walks. However on July 2nd, I attended the “Myths, Memories, and Martyrs: The Battle for Little Round Top” given by Ranger Christopher Gwinn. We explored the hill from the Sedgwick statue towards the 20th Maine monument and down towards Devils Den. Here is a picture of the 16th Michigan monument on Little Round Top with the crowds of people walking around Little Round Top.
The second walk of the day was from the Louisiana monument to the Peach Orchard in the evening on July 2nd. The large crowds continued on this mile walk across open terrain. However, the elevation changes lets visitors know what soldiers couldn’t see ahead of them. National battlefield licensed ranger guide Ralph Siegel explored the Union and Confederate gun line, concluding at the Peach Orchard. This picture below shows you the vast amount of visitors including myself that is following in the footsteps of Confederates attacking the Peach Orchard.
The last walk of the anniversary days at Gettysburg conclude with Pickett’s charge. This year visitors walked with rangers Philip Brown and Bill Hewitt from Seminary Ridge to Cemetery Ridge and retrace the route of the most famous charge behind Armistead’s Brigade. Here is the picture below of the start of the charge.
