Gettysburg, our trip back into time
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Hi Andi and all!
Andi asked me to tell her about our trip, but I thought you all might like to
hear about it!
Gettysburg was so cool. We went up in 400 ft tower and viewed the entire
battlefield. We went on a 2 hour bus tour with a guide that described the
whole battle for us. We drove the battelfield ourselves and got out of the
car and stood on some momentous spots in history. We stood right on the ver
spot where General Reynolds (Union) felll as he led the Iron Brigade on an
attack on the edge of what is now called Reynold's Woods. We took a 2 hour
train ride during which the Confederate Army took over the train and held us
prisoner!
As you walked down the streets, many people were dressed in period costume
and answering questions from the public. We saw a house with over 150 bullet
holes in it fired by the federal army at a confederate sharpshooter in an
upper window. We drove past a house where a cannon ball was still lodged on
the side of it. We saw a barn were a cannon ball was shot clear through it,
literally, you could see straight through the barn to the otherside! We saw
the home of Jenny Wade, the only civilian casulty in Gettysburg. She was
making bread in her kitchen when she was hit in the back by a stray federal
bullet.
The re-enactments were really something. I even began to cry. I am very
sensitive and really get wrapped up in things that I see. I feel things very
deeply. The sounds of the cannons and guns, the soldiers yelling out
commands, the men falling to the ground. All very emotionally moving. I
would encourage anyone who has a chance to see a re-enactment to do so.
And the cemetary was very humbling and saddening. We saw the spot where
Lincoln had given the Gettyburg Address dedicating the cemetary in memorium
of the soldiers who fell there. We were too tired to walk up and touch it by
that time :-(
Now how is that for studying history!!!!! I never learned that much about
Gettysburg in school!!!
When we got back home we rented the movie "Gettysburg" and got goosebumps
when we saw the soldiers standing and fighting, and living where we had stood
just a couple of days before. And TLC and the History channle ran segments
on the Battle of Gettysburg for a couple of weeks after. That just
enthralled us even more. And the boys were more readily willing to watch the
movie and segments after we had actually been there.
We were there on the actual dates of the battle, July 2 & 3, 1999. the
battle was over three days, July 1,2, & 3, 1863. So the town was done up and
ready to re-live its past. So many of the homes there now were there during
the Civil War. And I, as an architecture freak, had a hayday just looking at
the houses and buildings.
What a wonderful memory and good knowledge we now have! I will definitely
hit the road more this year to live and learn history on the road (the best
way i think).
Kim in Ohio
Andi asked me to tell her about our trip, but I thought you all might like to
hear about it!
Gettysburg was so cool. We went up in 400 ft tower and viewed the entire
battlefield. We went on a 2 hour bus tour with a guide that described the
whole battle for us. We drove the battelfield ourselves and got out of the
car and stood on some momentous spots in history. We stood right on the ver
spot where General Reynolds (Union) felll as he led the Iron Brigade on an
attack on the edge of what is now called Reynold's Woods. We took a 2 hour
train ride during which the Confederate Army took over the train and held us
prisoner!
As you walked down the streets, many people were dressed in period costume
and answering questions from the public. We saw a house with over 150 bullet
holes in it fired by the federal army at a confederate sharpshooter in an
upper window. We drove past a house where a cannon ball was still lodged on
the side of it. We saw a barn were a cannon ball was shot clear through it,
literally, you could see straight through the barn to the otherside! We saw
the home of Jenny Wade, the only civilian casulty in Gettysburg. She was
making bread in her kitchen when she was hit in the back by a stray federal
bullet.
The re-enactments were really something. I even began to cry. I am very
sensitive and really get wrapped up in things that I see. I feel things very
deeply. The sounds of the cannons and guns, the soldiers yelling out
commands, the men falling to the ground. All very emotionally moving. I
would encourage anyone who has a chance to see a re-enactment to do so.
And the cemetary was very humbling and saddening. We saw the spot where
Lincoln had given the Gettyburg Address dedicating the cemetary in memorium
of the soldiers who fell there. We were too tired to walk up and touch it by
that time :-(
Now how is that for studying history!!!!! I never learned that much about
Gettysburg in school!!!
When we got back home we rented the movie "Gettysburg" and got goosebumps
when we saw the soldiers standing and fighting, and living where we had stood
just a couple of days before. And TLC and the History channle ran segments
on the Battle of Gettysburg for a couple of weeks after. That just
enthralled us even more. And the boys were more readily willing to watch the
movie and segments after we had actually been there.
We were there on the actual dates of the battle, July 2 & 3, 1999. the
battle was over three days, July 1,2, & 3, 1863. So the town was done up and
ready to re-live its past. So many of the homes there now were there during
the Civil War. And I, as an architecture freak, had a hayday just looking at
the houses and buildings.
What a wonderful memory and good knowledge we now have! I will definitely
hit the road more this year to live and learn history on the road (the best
way i think).
Kim in Ohio
Joseph A. & Susan D. Fuerst
You know, your e-mail brought back vivid memories of my family's (the one I
was born into) trip to Gettysburg when I was a child. The train ride...and
being "attacked" during it is my favorite part!!
Thanks for that e-mail!!! :-) Susan
was born into) trip to Gettysburg when I was a child. The train ride...and
being "attacked" during it is my favorite part!!
Thanks for that e-mail!!! :-) Susan
>
>
>Gettysburg was so cool.
Maura Seger
>From: APPLEKJF@...to
>
>Hi Andi and all!
>Andi asked me to tell her about our trip, but I thought you all might like
>hear about it!I enjoyed hearing about it, brought back memories of our trip to Gettysburg.
>
What a great way to learn about history. If you're in the mood to make more
trips like this, I can strongly recommend Williamsburg (including Jamestown,
Yorktown and Carter's Grove), Plymouth Plantation, and Concord and
Lexington. The first year we were homeschooling, we visited Concord and
Lexington in the summer and Yorktown in the fall. Within a few months, the
kids saw where the Revolution began and ended. To this day (four years
later), I think they know more about aspects of American history than do a
lot of adults.
BTW, since you liked the movie "Gettysburg", you might want to take a look
at the novel from which it was taken, "Killer Angels". The movie is very
true to the book but couldn't really be as good because the novel has so
many special qualities that don't transfer to film. It's my absolutely
favorite book, I think I've read it at least ten times!
Maura
Joseph A. & Susan D. Fuerst
Don't forget Shakertown! It's a Shaker village. The Shakers were celibate
by religious practice, and, thus, died out! But you can see where Shaker
style furniture...and Shaker bread comes from, among many other things!
BTW, we're planning a trip to Sarasota in Sept. Anybody know of sites
near there? There's a museum called Gee Whiz, which we can get into using
the reciprocal agreement on our museum pass. Anybody have a review?
Susan
--Original Message-----
From: Maura Seger <mseger@...>
by religious practice, and, thus, died out! But you can see where Shaker
style furniture...and Shaker bread comes from, among many other things!
BTW, we're planning a trip to Sarasota in Sept. Anybody know of sites
near there? There's a museum called Gee Whiz, which we can get into using
the reciprocal agreement on our museum pass. Anybody have a review?
Susan
--Original Message-----
From: Maura Seger <mseger@...>
>>more
>What a great way to learn about history. If you're in the mood to make
>trips like this, I can strongly recommend Williamsburg (includingJamestown,
>Yorktown and Carter's Grove), Plymouth Plantation, and Concord and
>Lexington. The first year we were homeschooling, we visited Concord and
>Lexington in the summer and Yorktown in the fall. Within a few months, the
>kids saw where the Revolution began and ended. To this day (four years
>later), I think they know more about aspects of American history than do a
>lot of adults.
>
>BTW, since you liked the movie "Gettysburg", you might want to take a look
>at the novel from which it was taken, "Killer Angels". The movie is very
>true to the book but couldn't really be as good because the novel has so
>many special qualities that don't transfer to film. It's my absolutely
>favorite book, I think I've read it at least ten times!
>
>
>Maura
>
>
>
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Andi Kaufman
sounds like an incredible trip kim. thanks for telling us aboutit.
Andi...domestic goddess and active volunteer
mom to Isaac
tl2b@...
Never Underestimate the Power of This Woman!
Andi...domestic goddess and active volunteer
mom to Isaac
tl2b@...
Never Underestimate the Power of This Woman!
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/21/99 9:24:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time, fuerst@...
writes:
<< BTW, we're planning a trip to Sarasota in Sept. Anybody know of sites
near there? >>
I've heard of the Ringling Bros. Circus Headquarters there...I've never been,
but it seems like I've heard something about some part of it being open to
the public....anybody know anything else about it???
Sam
writes:
<< BTW, we're planning a trip to Sarasota in Sept. Anybody know of sites
near there? >>
I've heard of the Ringling Bros. Circus Headquarters there...I've never been,
but it seems like I've heard something about some part of it being open to
the public....anybody know anything else about it???
Sam