In the Maryland Section of the cemetery at Gettysburg is a simple marker indicating the location of 22 unknown soldiers buried there. The methods of identifing bodys so well known to us today did not exist during the Civil War. Often times parts of uniforms with company insignias were all that could identified as to the body recovered. I often wonder how many mothers of the era never had closure as to the whereabouts of their sons during this horiffic time in our history.
Pictured here is the monument in the cemetery at Gettysburg. Near the base of where this monument now stands is where Lincoln delievered his famous "Gettysburg Address". If you have never visited Gettysburg and are interested in history I strongly suggest you go there. A one day visit will not do justice to the overall experience. A new visitor center is slated to open this spring and I recomend everyone start there. Before you begin the battlefiels tour go the the "Electric Map" in the visitors center. The cost was $4.00 a person but after watching the map the battlefield tour itself is much more meaningful.Take the kids! Don't let this period of history slip away.
8 comments:
My brother was the history buff, so back then, the battlefield was his thing. At a very young age, she could tell you where everything took place...Devil's Den, Little Roundtop, Cemetary Ridge...etc. I am always in awe of the number of markers at the Soldier's National Cemetary. My grandfather is actually buried next door in Evergreen. Gosh, Soap, you've brought back so many memories, makes me want to go this weekend. But, the cabin is closed for the winter..boo hoo.
lol, of course I meant "he could tell you".
While you are there, be sure and have a meal a the Dobbin HOuse in downtown Gettysburg.
Also be sure and head south on Rt. 97, about 9 miles out you will come to the Hillcrest Restaurant. Stop in there in the EARLY AM for some fresh baked apple fritters and/or donuts.
Never been to Dobbin House but the Hillcrest Restaurant is unbeatable.
Soapbox:
Have you ever had their apple fritters or donuts when they are first made about 7 AM. They are to die for.
I just had my last hunk of their banana walnut bread this morning for breakfast.
Also, you should go to the Dobbin House. It is a bit of a museum itself. The food is good, the steaks are good most of the time.
Hadley
I have only eaten dinner there twice. The desserts are the absolute best. Maybe on my next visit we will breakfast there.
The Dobbin House's french onion soup is to die for. You also might want to have a beer down in the Springhouse Tavern. Very cool.
A few years ago, two friends from the fire department and I hiked Gettysburg, following an old BSA Blue Gray Trail guide. A full day's hike, we went from the top of Cemetary Ridge, down through the Wheatfield, Peach Orchard, Devil's Den and Little Round Top. Across and through the woods, back up along the Confederate line and then across where Pickett advanced. Aside from the company and conversation, the biggest impression I came away with that day was the walk, out from the woods, and across the open, all the way up to the copse of trees. Picturing the many men and boys that traveled the same distance, yet under fire, for such a long time, keeping the formation, was made more remarkable then any book or history class. Soapbox is correct; take your kids. This country is rich with history and much of it is close by.
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