The Battle of Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863) saw more than165,000 Union and Confederate soldiers at war, with morethan 51,000 killed, wounded, or captured in the largest battleever fought on North American soil. Afterward, it stoodwitness to President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
Led by historian Ted Alexander and battlefield guide ElwoodChrist, this tour—suitable for beginning Civil War buffs—summarizes the actions of the three days. Itstarts at the Museum and Visitor Center at Gettysburg NationalMilitary Park, which houses Paul Philippoteaux’s GettysburgCyclorama. The painting, which has a circumference of 359 feetand was recently restored, depicts Pickett’s Charge on the thirdday of the battle. Next up are sites associated with the first day,such as McPherson’s Ridge and Oak Hill.
Enjoy lunch at the historic 1776 Dobbin House Tavern, andthen continue to sites from the second day of the battle,including Little Round Top, theWheatfield, the Peach Orchard, and Culp’sHill. Examine theterrain of the climacticPickett’s Charge andconclude at thenational cemeterywhere Lincoln gave hishistoric speech.
CODE: 1ND-040
8:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. bybus from the southeastcorner of the Air andSpace Museum, 4th St. & Independence Ave., S.W., with a pickup stopat the I-270 Exit 26 Urbana carpool parking lot at about 9:05 a.m.
Dress for some battlefield walks.
