A few weeks ago, my office took a trip to Gettysburg to tour the battlefields. Above is a portion of our group standing atop Little Round Top which overlooks the main battlefield. The tour is a humbling experience considering the 3-day battle left approximately 50,000 total casualties including approximately 10,000 dead. Highly recommended and I will be back.


Here we are listening while our guide shows us the ins and outs of Civil War artillery.


This is the monument erected in honor of General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, at the location where General Lee observed the battle.


This was General Lee's view of the battlefield as he looked upon Cemetery Ridge.


The Confederate view across the battlefield to Cemetery Ridge on the left and Little and Big Round Top on the right.




A closeup of Little Round Top.


The view from Little Round Top in 1865 and today.


Here was the Union view from atop Little Round Top looking towards Seminary Ridge. This area was one of the main focuses of fighting on Day 2 of the battle.


Here is the wall used by Union infantry on Cemetery Ridge. The treeline in the distance on Seminary Ridge is where approximately 12,500 Confederate troops emerged on July 3, 1863 (Day 3 of the battle) and marched 3/4 of a mile across this field towards the Union lines, a march now known as "Pickett's Charge." During the march, approximately 1,100 Confederate soldiers were killed and over 4,000 wounded.


Here is a closeup from the wall. From here, you can see General Lee's statue which is where he observed the battle.


Around this area is where the Confederate charge temporarily broke the Union lines before it was swiftly repulsed. In the middle of the picture roped off is a monument marking the approximate point where Confederate General Lewis Armistead, waving his hat on his sabre while crossing the Union lines, was fatally injured.


All along Seminary Ridge, each state has erected a monument dedicated to Confederate soldiers.