The horrific Battle of Gettysburg remains America's largest loss of life in any engagement. Today those battlegrounds are protected in the Gettysburg National Military Park. The park protects and interprets the landscape of the 1863 battle and is managed by the National Park Service.
The hallowed grounds of the Battle of Gettysburg are soul searching and difficult for many people. But visiting Gettysburg is an important part of understanding one of the most pivotal moments in American history. If one is in Texas, then consider visiting the old Spanish mission of the Alamo and see how this unimposing building is so important to that state.
What To Know About Gettysburg And The Military Park
The Gettysburg National Military Park includes most of the sites of the original battle as well as many of the areas that were involved in the respective army's support and the areas associated with the aftermath and commemoration of the battle.
Many of the park's 43,000 Civil War artifacts are on display at the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center.
The Battle of Gettysburg was an important battle that defeated the Confederate invasion of the North but was not decisive enough to end the war. It pitched Major General George Meade's Union Army of the Potomac against General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.
- Date: July 1–3, 1863
- Armies: The Union's Army Of The Potomac & The Confederacy's Army of Northern Virginia
- Outcome: Union Victory
General Lee's plan was to engage the Union army, destroy it, and cause the Union to lose the will to continue the war.
The battle was a series of engagements over several days with the main event being a dramatic infantry assault by 12,500 Confederates on the center of the Union line. The assault was a disaster and the battered Confederate Army was forced to withdraw back to the south.
- Casualties: Between 46,000 and 51,000 Casualties From Both Armies
The battle resulted in between 46,000 and 51,000 casualties from both armies. It was marked on November 19 by President Lincoln's famous historic Gettysburg Address.
Upcoming Battle of Gettysburg Anniversary Reenactment
To commemorate the Battle of Gettysburg there are reenactments of that fateful day. One of the upcoming reenactments by Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Society is scheduled for 2 & 3 July 2022
- Anniversary: The Reenactment Will Commemorate Gettysburg's 159th Anniversary
Dates:
- July 2: At 8.00 am
- July 3: At 2.00 pm
If one is thinking about attending the event, the tickets are now available online. One can book spectator tickets as well as a reenactor or cannon. Reenactor registration is for reenactors only and not for general public participation. Reenactors also get to enjoy a reenactor-only Saturday night dinner (pulled pork dinner). Registration for reenactions is open at the time of writing (April 2022) but closes long before the event.
Price:
- One Day Ticket: $25.00 Per Adult
- Weekend Ticket: $40.00 Per Adult
One should also book tickets online as prices are higher at the gate.
The battle reenactments are held on the 146-acre Daniel Lady Farm just adjacent to the military park at Benner Hill. While not in the military park, the farm was still the site of artillery placements and infantry preparations for the Confederate attack on Culp’s Hill. The house and barn on the farm became a field hospital.
- Reenactment Site: Daniel Lady Farm
There are still shell fragments and soldiers' carved initials in the barn as well as blood-stained floors in the house.
- Tip: Watch The 1993 Movie Gettysburg To Learn More About The Battle
During the reenactment, one can expect to see Battle Reenactments, Artillery and Cavalry Demonstrations, Living History Programs, Tours of the Restored House & Barn, and more. There will be plenty to keep everyone engaged and learn many things one never knew.
Everyone must purchase a ticket to attend the event.
National Park Service Education Programs
One does not only need to go to a reenactment to provide an immerse education experience for the family. The National Park Service also offers a number of education programs tailed for families and children.
Due to the current pandemic, one should check to see what programs the National Park Service is offering on its website. There are many programs on offer that explore different parts of the vast battlefield while exploring different parts of the battle.
- Tip: Consider Viewing The National Park Service's Virtual Tour
In case they are not offering programs or if one can't physically go to Gettysburg, there are also Virtual Tours. They offer virtual tours led by Christopher Gwinn, Chief of Interpretation and Education at Gettysburg National Military Park.
The virtual tour is built around each of the sixteen Auto Tour stops and provides a comprehensive and immersive experience of the Battle of Gettysburg.