See Gettysburg in September/October
by PA2AKgirl
While it's absolutely beautiful in the Spring and there are more festivals and special events then and in the summer, late summer and early fall are my favorite times to see Gettysburg. Why? Well, not only is this area well known for the Civil War battles that took place here, but they have a HUGE apple harvest. Pennsylvania is also great this time of year, it's not too terribly cold yet, the leaves are changing and what goes better with the colors of the leaves than apples and apple cider? NOTHING! Autumn. As a child, I remember going down here, getting the boxes of "Adams County" apples, kicking through the leaves, drinking fresh pressed cider, climbing the rocks at Devil's Den. Many of my fond memories of Gettysburg include my mom and grandmother--perfect times, perfect memories and wouldn't trade them for anything.
Electric Map
by GUYON
Attend the Electric Map which is an audio-visual presentation of the three days of battle. It also introduces the major combatants. The presentation lasts 30 mn and costs 3$.
The model on the photograph is on exibit in the visitors center : it is not the Electric map.
GHOST STORIES: You will hear...
by VBlest
GHOST STORIES: You will hear people swear they hear gunshots at night from ghosts haunting the battlefield.
BUT Be aware, hunting is not permitted on the battlefield, so during deer season the deer herd moves to the battlefield and so do the night poachers.
THEREFORE: YOU'LL HEAR 'HUNTING, NOT HAUNTING' AT NIGHT.
The park is closed at dark for safety reasons.
Looking for more history or maybe a ghost?
by 1smartblonde
If you've heard of Sachs Bridge and the part it played in the Confederate invasion and retreat then you may want to find it.
I did not see it marked on any map though but I did know about where it was located.
One way to find it is if you take the "Scenic Valley" tour (map available through GCVB) it is pointed out along the route from a bridge on MILLERSTOWN ROAD crossing Marsh Creek.
Another, is a detour from the battlefield auto tour. After stop #6 you will come to a stop sign at MILLERSTOWN ROAD. Make a right and follow for less than a mile and look for the left on to RED ROCK ROAD. At the dead end make a right (WATER WORKS ROAD). This is a rural residential area and the bridge is at the end of this road. As you will see, you cannot drive across it. The bridge now closes at dusk but from what I understand it did not used to be until it was vandalized recently. The graffiti was still present when we were there in Oct 2003. We were the only ones there at the time and scenery was peaceful and gorgeous.
Ayres Avenue - Another Way to See Little Round Top
by AlbuqRay
Near The Wheatfield on Ayres Avenue's far southeast loop there is a view of Little Round Top from the valley. It is much quieter there than up on Little Round Top. One of the videos shows this "Valley of Death," as it was named after the battle, along with both Round Tops. There are several memorials, including ones for the 13th PA Reserves Bucktails and the 5th NH Volunteer Infantry.
Although the 13th PA Reserves did not arrive until the second day, they played a crucial part in defending their home state. The Charge of the Pennsylvania Reserves is well documented during the battle of the Peach Orchard and the Wheatfield. The Bucktails were also called upon to clear the Rebel sharpshooters from Devil's Den. It was during this battle that COL Charles Taylor, the youngest colonel in the Army of the Potomac at the time, was killed by a Confederate sharpshooter when CPL Brookin's, of Company G, rifle misfired in the defense of COL Taylor.
There is a 5th NH Volunteer Infantry monument near The Wheatfield. They arrived on that field late in the evening of 1 July 1863 and were held in reserve throughout most of July 2th until about 4:30 in the afternoon when the brigade commanded by COL Edward E. Cross, was ordered into the "wheatfield" to turn back the aggressive Confederate attack on the Federal left. In three hours of desperate fighting the regiment lost 86 officers and men of 177. COL Cross was mortally wounded by a musket ball that struck him in the navel and exited near the spine. The monument was dedicated by the veterans of the 5th NH Volunteers 23 years later on 2 Jul 1886. All but the horizontal granite stone are indigenous to the site.
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Jennie Wade Birthplace
Devil's Den Summit Looking East
Information Desk in the Back
Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Icing
