“Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never do less.”
General Robert E. Lee
In the late fall, we journeyed to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania for a tour of the battlefield and for dinner with two very illustrious characters from the Civil War. General Robert E. Lee and Mrs Mary Anna Custis Lee were kind enough to accept our dinner invitation at the The Inn at Herr Ridge. Portrayed by Frank and Bonnie Orlando of Arlington House Impressions, two incredible Civil War Living Historians.
The battlefield in Gettysburg is hallowed ground. Many souls, both from the north and south sacrificed their lives in support of what they believed in.This historical site is haunting and eeringly beautiful at the same time. A battle that transpired over a period of three days in July 1-3, 1863. Being an unexpected conflict between the Union and the Confederates, this was the turning point in the Civil War and resulted in Lincoln’s Gettysburg’s Address.
The battlefield is now a National Park, and nearby Gettysburg is a lovely town that offers plenty of accommodations, dining, and entertainment that one can make at least a weekend out of visiting. However, nothing can match the experience of sitting down with General Robert E. Lee and his wife Anna to truly learn their story and hear of the history and their experiences.
When speaking with the Lees, one learns of their steadfast and honorable way of living their lives. Spoken in first person and in current times, when asked of things that may have occurred later on in life, frequently the answer was “Well, I don’t know anything about that..it hasn’t happened yet.” It is rare to meet such an incredibly enlightened couple that clearly are still madly in love with each other. With an intense passion for history and to make that history a living history is what helps us preserve what has made this country great.
Spending time with General and Mrs Lee was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Their energy and enthusiasm for American history quickly entraps you and makes you want to return again and again to Gettysburg.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GETTYSBURG:
150th Anniversary of the Gettysburg’s Battle
Gettysburg National Park
Ride on Horseback with General Robert E. Lee
Gettysburg Travel Information
Categories: Foot Prints
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
My husband and I have visited Gettysburg many times and it never fails to awe me. If you enjoy spending time with reenactors, you might find James Madison’s Montpelier a fine place to visit. You will have to watch for when “James and Dolley” will be back, generally during the summer months. But it is well worth the time. They too were very much in love and you couldn’t find two more different people together. My husband and I enjoyed our visit so much that we are now opening a Bed and Breakfast in Port Conway at the home where James Madison was born. We expect to be open in 2012. Please check out our blog for progress and history of this beautiful home. And I look forward to following your blog and seeing where you go next.
This sounds great and I appreciate the share. Will definitely put it on the ‘to visit’ list. Good luck with the B&B. I know all about that as I have one as well. More of a part-time thing. Lots of work !
I found it!!!
I wish you could have been there. He and his wife were so awesome and knew so much history.