| Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Scene of the bloodiest and | | | | In the aftermath of the battle, more than 51,000 |
| most decisive battle of the Civil War. This slice of | | | | casualties - dead, wounded, and dying - needed |
| American history is well documented and expertly | | | | attention. Plus more than 5,000 dead horses and |
| shared with more than 2 million visitors each year. It is | | | | pack-mules. That story is also told, as the 2400 |
| well worth several days' exploration. | | | | residents of Gettysburg struggled to provide medical |
| Robert E. Lee anticipated a decisive victory, to be | | | | care and physical comfort. Casualties outnumbers |
| followed with marches against the railhead in | | | | residents 11 to 1. The Confederate wagon train carrying |
| Harrisburg and the nation's capital just 75 miles away. If | | | | dead and wounded was 17 miles long as they |
| the South had 'won' their foray into enemy territory, it | | | | retreated across farmland and foothills into Virginia. |
| seemed almost certain that they could bring the North | | | | Next, board a bus for the Battlefield Tour. Guides are |
| to its knees. | | | | extremely knowledgeable about the three-day conflict. |
| Gettysburg is fascinating for several reasons, but the | | | | The two-hour, 24-mile tour showcases military planning |
| 'biggest' one is the Cyclorama. A cyclorama is a 360o | | | | and civilian involvement. Stand on the edge of the |
| painting. Cycloramas were the IMAX theaters of their | | | | mile-wide field that General Pickett's men charged |
| day (mid-1800's). Painters spent many months creating | | | | across, defying Union cannon-fire. Stand atop Little |
| a mural of a famous scene. These paintings were | | | | Round Top, a rocky knoll precariously held by Union |
| displayed across America and Europe. At first, they | | | | troops. It's capture would have guaranteed |
| were shown in circus-sized tents; later, buildings were | | | | Confederate victory. |
| adapted to house the massive displays. | | | | Monuments to troops and individuals - generals, soldiers |
| Only three restored original paintings remain in North | | | | and civilians - who most affected the outcome of the |
| America: Quebec (Jerusalem), Atlanta (Battle of | | | | war are scattered across the 25-mile wide battlefields: |
| Atlanta), and Gettysburg. This is the largest of the | | | | 6,000 acres where Union and rebel troops |
| three. The painting is 77 feet longer than a football field | | | | maneuvered and clashed. Statues of generals from |
| and four stories tall. A dozen French artists took one | | | | both sides show where they fought and where they |
| full year to paint the scene of the Battle of Gettysburg. | | | | fell. |
| Decades of travel, wear and tear greatly deteriorated | | | | Gettysburg valley was President Eisenhower's favorite |
| the painting. Six years ago, it was removed from its | | | | spot, and is the site of his retirement home. Busses |
| former display and restoration began. | | | | depart from the Battlefield Museum for tours of |
| Last April, the restored (at a cost of $15M) canvas | | | | Eisenhower Farm. Purchased by then General |
| was unveiled in a new $103M Visitor Center. All the | | | | Eisenhower in the 1950's, it borders the battlefield. Tour |
| funds for the project were raised by private donations. | | | | the house and grounds, including the Secret Service |
| The Cyclorama Theater was built specifically to house | | | | control room (primitive by today's standards!), DDE's |
| and protect the 12½-ton canvas. An introductory | | | | presidential office, peek in the guest house and |
| film by The History Channel sets the stage for what | | | | garages, and wandered past the rose garden. Intrepid |
| would become known as the Battle of Gettysburg. It | | | | visitors can also visit the cattle barns. |
| was the biggest, bloodiest battle - and the turning point | | | | The property was gifted to the National Park Service. |
| of the war. Gettysburg was also the only major battle | | | | Fields and pastures are leased to a local farmer who |
| fought on northern soil. | | | | is required to raise Angus beef and crops identical to |
| You enter the theater onto a platform in the center of | | | | those cultivated by President Eisenhower. Decorations |
| the vast room. This is the original concept of | | | | in the house include numerous gifts received by Mrs. |
| theater-in-the-round. Between the viewing platform and | | | | Eisenhower during their White House years, plus family |
| the painting itself, a diorama creates a sense of | | | | photos and original paintings by DDE. |
| dimension. Rocks, plants, weaponry, and sculptures | | | | Visit the Wills House where Abraham Lincoln stayed |
| blend across the space and into the painting. It has | | | | the night before his famous speech, the train station |
| been extremely well done. So much so, that it's hard to | | | | where he arrived, and wander through the historic |
| tell where the diorama stops and the painting begins. | | | | streets of downtown Gettysburg. |
| A narrated laser show tells an abbreviated story of | | | | Dine at least once at the Dobbins Tavern. Built in 1776, |
| Pickett's famous charge into Union lines. Flashes of | | | | the tavern and adjoining Springhouse Pub, are listed on |
| cannon fire and the thunder of exploding munitions add | | | | the National Register of Historic Places. Restored in |
| to the sensory experience. | | | | the 1970's, the tavern was once an Underground |
| After leaving the theater, tour the adjoining museum. | | | | Railway station. A small museum shows the slave |
| Displays explain the social and political factors that led | | | | hide-away and features documents signed by the |
| to the Southern secession and war. The 1863 battle of | | | | original tavern owner. An excellent dinner was served |
| July 1-3 is explored in detail. Charge and | | | | by waitresses in period costume. |
| counter-charge. Miscommunication and defied orders. | | | | Gettysburg is an authentic slice of pivotal American |
| Lack of supplies and munitions. The town of | | | | history, well told by numerous venues throughout this |
| Gettysburg was in Confederate hands for two of the | | | | historic town. This article has shared only some of the |
| three days. Their victory seemed certain. But for the | | | | highlights. Make time to explore Gettysburg and |
| grace of God and some "coincidental" circumstances, | | | | experience the history for yourself. |
| America might not have remained the "United" States. | | | | |