The 1863 Inn of Gettysberg, was indeed our address last night, after breakfast we trotted over the road to meet our tour.

The lovely Amy was our driver for the trip, and army veteran John was our licenced guide.

The battle at Gettysberg took place over July 1st 2nd and 3rd 1863. Our tour began just inside the park with a drive by of General Meads Headquarters, leader of the Unionist Army. This is one of the many original historic buildings we will see today.

The battlefields cover a huge number of acres, the 2 main areas fought over were Cemetery Hill, and Seminary Hill..Our guide john admitted he'd likely mix the 2 up more than once during his monologues.

Each of these upward facing cannon represent the headquarters or camps of the various units during the battles.

A view of Seminary Hill and the college that gives the ridge its name.

Gettysberg was chosen by Robert E Lee for this significant battle, as it is a hub, with 10 roads leading into the town, he saw the opportunity to engage with the Unionist forces, as General Buford, one of General Meads officers, had decided to try to hold the town. Lee sent word out that all the various scattered units, should head here ready for battle.

Cannon were the weapon able to inflict the most damage, both sides used the same 3 types and the same ammo, meaning they could be used immediately if captured.
On the 3rd Day " Pickets Charge" took place,150 cannon fired at the confederate infantry as they charged up cemetery hill. The noise was heared many miles away.

Over the 3 days 167,000 soldiers converged on the battlefields, leaving 70,000 dead and wounded, after the battle 21,000 wounded were left in the makeshift field hospitals, with 100 unionist doctors, but just a handfull from Lee.

A memorial to General Longstreet, he is remembered for his slowness in co-ordinating his forces, allowing Mead to make his move.

Major General John Sedgewick.

All of the participating states have erected monuments to commemorate their heros and their dead. The Pennsylvania Monument is the largest, with brass plaques around its base, listing all of the 35,000 local troops.

Monument for General Mead.

The town of Gettysburg was home to about 2400 people, roughly half of them stayed for the duration of the battle, most hid in cellars to avoid the shelling and sniper fire.
Amazingly there was only one civillian fatality, on the morning of the 3rd day, 20 yr old Jennie Wade decided to bake bread for some unionist soldiers, a stray bullet passed through her front door, hit her in the back and killed her instantly.

A new cemetery was commissioned to bury the dead. On 19th November 1863 the cemetery was dedicated, Edward Everett was the main speaker, he delivered a 2 hour speech. President Abraham Lincolns followed with his 2 minute speech, known as The Gettysburg address.

Another gruelling 5+ hour drive for Ian, to Schroon Lake. We had hail, rain, wind and some mighty interesting pyrotechnics from the heavens!
Goodnight dear reader, hope the skies are clear tomorrow xx