Pick up the driving tour audio cd at the counter in bookstore. Grab the map from the info desk and hit the road. Allows you to drive and visit at your pace and get some stories along the way.
The Battle of Gettysburg began about 8 a.m. to the west beyond the McPherson barn as Union cavalry confronted Confederate infantry advancing east along Chambersburg Pike.
The rifled Whitworth cannons from here could reach almost part of the battlefield.
Union soldiers here held stubbornly against Rodes’s advance. By 3:30 p.m., however, the entire Union line from here to McPherson Ridge had begun to crumble, finally falling back to Cemetery Hill.
When Maj. Gen. Jubal A. Early’s Confederates smashed Union defenders here at 3 p.m., the Federal line north of Gettysburg collapsed.
Built on one of the Battle's bloodiest grounds, employees say they've heard and seen ghosts at the engine house. The spot has also been visited by the Travel Channel's "Mysterious Journeys."
Early in the day, the Confederate army positioned itself on high ground here along Seminary Ridge... The lines of both armies formed two parallel “fishhooks.”
The large open field to the east is where the last Confederate assault of the battle, known as “Pickett’s Charge,” occurred July 3.
Come early in the morning or late in the afternoon for the best views, it is also much cooler then.
Longstreet’s assaults began here at 4 p.m. They were directed against Union troops occupying Devil’s Den, the Wheatfield, and Peach Orchard, and against Meade’s undefended left flank at the Round Tops
Quick action by Brig. Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren, Meade’s chief engineer, alerted Union officers to the Confederate threat and brought Federal reinforcements to defend this position.
"There were several regiments of Sharpshooters employed on both sides during the war. The first regiment was composed of men who brought their own rifles, and could snuff a candle at a hundred yards."
Charge and countercharge left this field and the nearby woods strewn with over 4,000 dead and wounded.
The Union line extended from Devil’s Den to here, then angled northward on Emmitsburg Road. Federal cannon bombarded Southern forces until about 6:30 pm when Confederate attacks overran this position.
Scene of heavy fighting during the Second Day of battle, as Longstreet's Confederate forces attacked and forced the Union artillery back up Cemetery Hill.
While fighting raged to the south at the Wheatfield and Little Round Top, retreating Union soldiers crossed this ground on their way from the Peach Orchard to Cemetery Ridge.
Union artillery held the line alone here on Cemetery Ridge late in the day as Meade called for infantry from Culp’s Hill and other areas to strengthen and hold the center of the Union position.
At dusk Jul 2, Union forces repelled a Confederate assault that reached the crest of this hill. By day’s end, both flanks of the Union army had been attacked and both had held, despite losing ground.
Late in the afternoon, after a two-hour cannonade, some 7,000 Union soldiers posted around the Copse of Trees, “Pickett’s Charge” against the Federal center.
"The second of July was one of the most lovely days of the season, with the exception of occasional shots...remained perfectly quiet. The headquarters, however...presented a most animated appearance."
Gettysburg Address, delivered at the cemetery’s dedication on November 19, 1863. 'But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground.'
"The original (Evergreen) cemetery was a very handsome enclosure, and contained many elegant monuments, very few of which were injured, notwithstanding the terrible nature of the conflict."
Here on July 3, during the cannonade that preceded Pickett’s Charge, Union cavalry under Brig. Gen. David McM. Gregg intercepted and then checked Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart’s Confederate cavalry.
Jennie Wade Ghost Tour. Definitely worth going to see. It should be on every Paranormal Investigator's To-do List.http://www.ghosttour.net/gettysburg.html
One of our 10 Great Haunted Places Across the USA. This former orphanage is near the site of one of the Civil War's bloodiest battles and the building has its own tragic history. Read more.
Ghost tours are awesome! Go on the midnight tour...it makes it a lot more fun! Great guides with a lot of information!
The Travel Channel's "Mysterious Journeys" filmed here. Serving as a Confederate field hospital during battle, blood stains can be found on the wooden floors. Bring a camera to catch ghostly images!
Considered one of the most haunted places in U.S., many TV crews film paranormal activity here. It is said rebel sharpshooters stand guard, spirits walk the halls, & soldiers are heard in the basement
Head for the green room and talk to Hank - a Confederate ghost soldier sentry who goes on duty when the lights go out. See if you can find out his real name and what state he calls home!
Great homemade ice cream. Different flavors often, but I loved the watermelon flavor
Yummy diner food. Food snobs need not apply. Go to The Pub where they'll charge you 3x as much.
