Hallowed Ground

This week is the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Robert E. Lee's 90,000 man Confederate Army of Northern Virginia had marched far into Union terriority for supplies and break the spirit of the North in anticipation of the the 1864 Presidential Election. The 70,000 man North's Army of the Potomac marched north in pursuit making sure that it stayed between Lee's army and Washington D.C. 

These armies collided in Gettysburg and fought fiercely in the Pennsylvania summer heat for three days, July 1 - July 3, 1863, before Lee called it quits and retreated back to Virginia. Between 46,000 - 51,000 men were killed, wounded or missing in those three days. Most people believe the Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point in the Civil War.

Gettysburg National Military Park is truly hallowed ground, which everyone should visit if at all possible. It is one of the few Civil War battle sites where there is no development or private homes/businesses and the National Park Service has been able to restore it to the way it looked 150 years ago including tree lines, cleared fields, lines of sight, etc. 

I have been to Gettysburg many times since first going there as a teenager. Being on the battlefield moves me deeply every time. It is truly awe-inspiring.  If you have never been there, put it on your list of things to-do and get there some day. You will not be disappointed.