Category: Feature Stories

exploring gettysburg

Exploring Gettysburg: Tour Tips and Sites to See

Nestled in the rolling hills of southern Pennsylvania, Gettysburg is more than just a town; it’s a portal to a defining moment in American history. Known as the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, Gettysburg attracts historians, tourists, and curious minds from all over the world. Whether you’re a history buff or simply looking for a memorable getaway, exploring Gettysburg promises a rich tapestry of experiences that combine education, reflection, and adventure. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your visit.

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stone curse

The Gettysburg Battlefield Stone Curse: What Was Taken Must Return

Are Stones Taken from the Gettysburg Battlefield Really Cursed?

Yes, it is true that stones (and other items) taken from the Gettysburg Battlefield have garnered some reputation for being cursed. Local superstition holds that those who remove items from the battlefield will face misfortune or bad luck, and suggest a “stone curse” may be to blame.

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conquest of gettysburg

The Confederate Conquest of Gettysburg – How The Town Was Taken

Southern Victory and the Conquest of Gettysburg

The Invasion Begins

After his success at Chancellorsville, Virginia in May 1863, General Robert E Lee led his army through the Shenandoah Valley to begin his second invasion of the North—what would later be known as the Gettysburg Campaign. Lee wanted to move the focus of the summer campaign away from beleaguered northern Virginia, and to strike a blow against Union morale by penetrating as far north as Harrisburg.

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evergreen cemetery gatehouse

Gettysburg’s Evergreen Cemetery: Keystone of the Battleground

Imagine standing on hallowed ground, where the echoes of the past linger—a quiet sanctuary of bereavement and rest, centrally placed to witness pivotal moments in our nation’s history. Evergreen Cemetery is not just another burial ground; it’s a living testament to the town and inhabitants of Gettysburg and their sacrifices before, during, and since the Civil War.

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ghosts of gettysburg

The Ghosts of Gettysburg

October is here, bringing with it earlier sunsets and fresh spookiness, lingering whispers in shadowy nooks, and the unseen rustling of fallen leaves. Whether or not you believe in such things, Gettysburg is world-renowned among aficionados of the supernatural as a potent center for paranormal activity. No matter if you are deeply passionate about Civil War history, are interested in supernatural investigation, are a fan of ghost hunting— or even if you’re just looking for a good old-fashioned scare to celebrate the Halloween season, the ghosts of Gettysburg certainly offer a chilling invitation!

Read on to uncover more about the restless spirits that reputedly haunt this historic town and battlefield, and some of the legends that surround them.

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Culps Hill Today

Battlefield Highlights: Culp’s Hill – The Long Fight

One of the most important geographical features that played a prominent role in the Battle of Gettysburg is Culp’s Hill, located on the eastern side of the battlefield. The hill offered a high-ground advantage, providing Union troops an excellent vantage point to observe and defend against Confederate movements, while its elevation and rocky terrain made it an ideal defensive position.

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the wheatfield monument

Battlefield Highlights: The Wheatfield

The second day of the Battle of Gettysburg was the bloodiest day of the battle. Throughout that day, fighting at numerous locations around the battlefield involved 100,000 combatants, 20,000 of whom would end the day either killed, wounded, captured, or missing, making July 2nd, 1863, a truly dire day in the history of our nation. And centered amidst the near-constant ebb and flow of the ongoing carnage was a small patch of land… 19 acres of wheat owned by local farmer George Rose, that history would come to know as “The Wheatfield.”

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buford monument

Battlefield Highlights: Where the Battle Began – Buford Holds The High Ground

Have you ever wondered about the pivotal moments that shaped the outcome of the American Civil War? One such moment occurred on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg.

General John Buford’s actions on that first day at Gettysburg were crucial in determining the final outcome of the battle. By holding the line against Confederate forces, he helped buy time for the Union army to reinforce its position, an action that ultimately determined the course of the entire conflict.

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Pickett's Charge today

Revisiting Pickett’s Charge: Marching into the Fire

The Battle of Gettysburg is often identified as the definitive turning point in the American Civil War. Fought from July 1st to July 3rd, 1863, in and around the Pennsylvania town from whence it takes its name, the famous battle resulted in the loss of over 50,000 soldiers on both sides, making it one of the bloodiest engagements in American history.

One of the most famous and controversial moments of the battle was “Pickett’s Charge,” a failed Confederate direct assault against the Union battlefront that has since become a symbol of gallant bravery and terrible sacrifice. Even today, 160 years later, the grim details of that terrible feat still echo across the empty fields where that final, brutal charge took place, and where so many desperate Confederate soldiers faultlessly obeyed their orders to march into the fire.

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Devil's Den

The Devil’s Den: Exploring the Key to Little Round Top

One of the most famous battlefield locations at Gettysburg is Devil’s Den, a boulder-strewn hill rock formation located on the southmost end of Houck’s Ridge, about 500 yards west of the hill known as Little Round Top. Used extensively as a firing position by artillery and sharpshooters on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, it was the scene of some of the bloodiest fighting of the war and is an important stop on battlefield tours of the area.

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