Vacation Day 2- Gettysburg

On our second day we visited the battlefield of Gettysburg. It took us a while but we found the visitors center. Apparently they opened a new visitors center last April and is it impressive. Inside they show a movie called "New Birth of Freedom". It gave us the background that led up to the Civil War and helped us to understand what the significance of this battle was to the nation. Tears came to my eyes as I pondered the message given in the film. From there we stopped at the bookstore and then went through the museum that reinforced the film. We went away with a serious feeling of awe that this was more than just another battle in the Civil War but rather a turning point in American history.
After leaving the crowded visitors center we got in our car and proceeded through the 25 mile square battlefield using the auto tour we purchased at the center. Gettysburg was a 3 day battle. It started out small but grew as more and more troops arrived from each side. The city of Gettysburg was significant because of the number of roads that crossed there. We saw where the fighting of the first day took place and then went across the west side of the battlefield where the South made ready for the fight on the second day of battle. The North was defending the high ground along Cemetery Ridge to the east. On the extreme right flank of the North was a place called Little Round Top. It was there that some of the worst fighting took place. We got out and walked around and stood in woods were the 20Th of Maine held their ground after wave after wave of Alabamians were forced back. From there we went to the Wheat field were they said the worst of the fighting took place. In fact the lost in this portion of the battle was so great, that you could not even see the ground because of the number of bodies of fallen men. From there we went out into the middle of the battlefield and saw the place were on the 3rd day Picket's Charge took place.
The last place we visited was the National Cemetery and we stood at the sight where Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address. What a experience. Both Daniel and I went away thinking that every American must visit this battle field some time in their life in order to understand and appreciate the price for the freedom that took place on that hallowed ground.

-Derwin Brigham (My DAD)

Vacation Day 3 from Daniel Brigham on Vimeo.