It’s early in the morning on a hot and humid summer day. Two opposing sides of the American Civil War have been traveling towards Gettysburg and an inevitable confrontation. The soldiers, dressed in full uniform of heavy wool suits, sweated in the July 1, 18863 heat while marching to orders.
At 9:30 a.m. the Confederate Army under the command of General Henry Heth, clashed against the Union Cavalry division lead by Major General John Buford. Fighting along the farms and ridge at McPherson’s farm, the beginning of a three day long battle ensued.
One of the first major casualties was Major-General John Fulton Reynolds. While riding his strong steed along the east edge of the woods, to rally the Iron Brigade by shouting “Forward! Men, Forward! For God’s sake, and drive those fellows out of the woods” a bullet struck him in the head and killed him.
The battle swept through the fields of McPherson’s farm of wheat and corn. Even with the tough fighting cavalry lead by General Buford, the Confederates out numbered the northern army. After a long day of battle, Buford and his northern army were forced to retreat through Gettysburg and regrouped on higher ground.
There is one building that remains standing today on McPherson’s Farm. This white barn became a place of refuge for the wounded and remained a hospital long after the Gettysburg battle ended.
In just two weeks, the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Battle will be reenacted.
Get an idea of what it is like to step back into history and walk among campgrounds and speak with reenactors that create living history. By clicking on these two posts of a visit to the Gettysburg Reenactment in 2012:
http://bellaremyphotography.com/2012/06/07/take-a-time-machine-to-the-civil-war/
Categories: 2013 Project 365
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
Oh Emily..lovely photos and profound memories.
“Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
― Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address
I LOVE that you shared this quote with us, and on top of the comments as well. So very appropriate. I saw the reenactment will be replaying day one this year, so I’m hoping to follow up on this story line.
You took me there…
Wonderful ! Stay tuned as I’ll be back up there on July 4th for the reenactment.
Will do, I look forward!
I have forgotten so much of the Civil War history that I had learned that this was all new to me, again. Thank you!
I had the worst history teachers while growing up. I know no history at all ! It’s been fun learning now that I’m interested in hearing the story. Thank you!
Most of what I learned came from books, I used to be an avid reader, mostly history, but I don’t have time for that any longer.
If you saw how many Gettysburg history books are in my house, you’d faint. We could have our own library ! I don’t read them. I like to live history.
Little do you know. 😉 Both of my parents were avid readers, and they raised 4 more of us, we did have our own library, not all history, many of the books were on science.
Amazing photos and a very memorable place… 🙂
Maybe the world have had only 4 real statesmen at all – Abe Lincoln was indeed one of those 4 – I believe his was right when Lincoln said these words – “America will never be destroyed from the outside – If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves”…
This quote is fantastic Drake ! How I wish Americans would remember this now. Who would say are the other 3 great statesmen? I’m interested.
In my eyes Abe Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Gandhi… 🙂
Thank you for the history lesson, always fascinating. And trust that simple old barn to survive the battle and start a life all of its own by becoming a hospital. If buildings could talk…
Can you imagine the ghosts that linger in this barn. The pain and suffering. Wow..pretty powerful stuff. Great introspection Fatima.
Excellent…for some obscure reason I have a fascination with the American Civil war…I really don’t know why…but I have. So it is nice to see some pictures of the battle site and learn a bit of the history.
But a good obscure interested though. For once the battle wasn’t for land, but rather for human rights. I hope to share more in a couple of weeks.
What a cool setting 🙂
All of this area is considered hallowed ground and is maintained by the park service. They do rent out the fields to farmers to grow wheat and corn though. The reenactments are held on a field not related to the battle.
Great post! It seems like much of the country forgets this battle and the importance of it Could it be that it’s so far away, out of site – out of mind. Shame because a lot of American blood was shed in that small community. Fabulous photographs, the horse sculptures are incredible. Thank you for the reminder ~
Thank you so much Mary. Indeed, there were so many casualties in that war and battle. Particularly when you look at percentage of loss and wounded to the full population.
Great post & photos, very informative. You have wonderful barn buildings in your neck of the woods! 🙂
I am so lucky with the barns around here. I love them and they’re everywhere ! Hope people don’t get bored seeing them. 🙂
I don’t see that happening anytime soon! 🙂
Awesome!!!
a good movie on Gettysburg – is the movie Gettysburg by Turner Pictures 1993 – major actors but the majority of the cast is re-enactors – based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book The Killer Angels – this movie was filmed on location at Gettysburg – and is a good account of what actually happened –
such a beautiful place to be haunted by the spirits of so many brave men
beautiful captures you have posted
If you only knew how many times that movie has been played in my house. With pauses and deep discussions about who and what was going on. LOL !
Oh…I read the reenactment paper last night and realized we had met the actor for A.P. Hill when there two years ago. He is awesome.
That is excellent Emily! I am very much interested in Civil War history.
Oh Phil ! You should be here for the reenactment. It is such an experience that you would never forget.
We are in line of battle and momentarily expecting a battle although I think at times Lee has escaped. – As soon as we get into camp, the monthly return for June will be forth coming.