Stepping onto the Battlefield- Gettysburg National Military Park

​Stepping onto the battlefields of Gettysburg was a surreal feeling. Knowing that many men and women had once fought for their lives in the spot that I was standing was both a mesmerizing and haunting thought. If you want to experience a town with rich history, see battlefield and real war craft, or maybe even go on a ghost tour through haunted homes, you need to go to Gettysburg, PA.

I took a day trip to Gettysburg to learn more about the great battle that took place during the American Civil war in 1863. The Battle of Gettysburg , though it spanned only a short three days, was the bloodiest single battle of the entire Civil War. According to American Battlefield Trust, the battle took place on July 1st-3rd and ended in more than 50,000 casualties, as well as thousands more wounded and captured. The bloodiest single battle ended with the Union victory.

During my visit, I got the opportunity to walk through the Gettysburg National Military Park and pay my respects to all of the men and women who lost their lives on that soil. The Pennsylvania Memorial is a building that pays tribute. The names of citizens turned soldiers who fought on the fields during those long and terrifying three days are listed in long rows at the bottom of the monument. There are stars placed next to those who lost their lives. At the very top of the monument, the Goddess of Victory and Peace can be seen standing tall. She is made from melted bronze cannons and signifies the women who lost their lives on the home front. There is a quote sculpted in, reading, “To the Loyal Women who through four years of war, endured suffering and bereavement.”

Around the large monument, there are old cannons, and more memorial plaques, celebrating those courageous enough to fight. Gettysburg National Military Park is walkable, or drivable and is a visual representation of battle that happened there. Every monument that was built has information to go along with it. All throughout Gettysburg, there are opportunities to learn through tour guides or self guided tours, and visit the sites where battle took place.

I could have spend many days walking through the battle grounds because it is filled with so much history. If you take a trip to Gettysburg, make sure to check out everything that it has to offer. From the battle grounds, to unique restaurants and shops, haunted ghost tours and more. Gettysburg has it all!

Helpful links:

https://www.nps.gov/gett/learn/historyculture/places.htm.

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/gettysburg.