It Was Revolutionary and Unforgettable

Gettysburg was one of my most memorable parts of the trip. So many died for equality.

The American Civil War was a conflict between the United States of America, represented by the Union, and The Confederate States of America, represented by the Confederacy.

They fought between 1861 and 1865.

It was considered the most dramatic and violent experience in American history.

The Civil War remains a defining moment in our nation's history.

The Battle of Gettysburg has often been referred to as the High Water Mark of the Rebellion. Many consider it to be a turning point in the Civil War because the Union victory placed the Confederacy on the defensive and ended Gen. Robert E. Lees ambitious attempt to invade Union territory. The Confederates never again reached the military strength they held at Gettysburg, yet the Civil War continued on for two more years.

3 days.. 51,000 killed... right here...

More than 165,000 soldiers of The Army of Northern Virginia (the Confederacy), commanded by Gen. Robert E. Lee, and the Army of the Potomac (the Union), commanded by Gen. George G. Meade, fought at Gettysburg. Neither Gen. Lee nor Gen. Meade anticipated a battle at Gettysburg, but chance brought these two forces together. Union forces eventually defeated the Confederates after three days of fighting that resulted in approximately 51,000 soldiers killed, wounded, captured or missing, divided nearly equally between the two armies.

They say the remains of those killed are still on these sacred grounds...

This is the castle at Little Round Top, a memorial representing the 44th New York & (2) companies from the 12th New York Infantry Regiments.

The Soldiers National Cemetery was dedicated in November 1863, four months after the Battle of Gettysburg. It is a resting place for the Union dead at Gettysburg and was a first step toward helping the United States heal from the Battle of Gettysburg.

Cannons ready for battle

As part of the dedication ceremony, President Abraham Lincoln traveled to Gettysburg to deliver what would become known as the Gettysburg Address. In 272 words, Abraham Lincoln defined for the North, and for all Americans, the meaning, value and price of freedom.