I had relatives who fought for Virginia under Pickett at Gettysburg, and one who fought for North Carolina and was captured on East Cemetery Hill. My wife had two who fought for New York, one of whom was killed and is buried in the National Cemetery on East Cemetery Hill. Once you discover that you had relatives who fought there, it makes history more real, more personal. It is no longer “they” fought at Gettysburg, it is “we” fought there.
Sincerely,
Gettysburg National Military Park
The 1863 battle in this small farming community resulted in more than 50,000 casualties over three days, making it the deadliest engagement of the American Civil War. This battle is now referred to as the “High Water Mark of the Confederacy” — the last meaningful offensive the South would conduct against northern forces. The visitor center at Gettysburg features one of the largest collections of Civil War artifacts in the country.
State(s): Pennsylvania
Established: 1895
“I first visited Mt. Rainier National Park when I was 12. I am now 74. Once a park is visited, it stays with you for the rest of your life. When I say to you I long to return to Paradise, you know what I mean.”
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