Gettysburg (Day 12- 6/13/08)

For score 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

This speech, given over 140 years ago, had some of the most poignant words spoken in the history of our country. Even though at the time not much credit was given to it, when given the opportunity to really understand its meaning one can see how profound it was. It could not have been a better place for us to end our expedition, and more specifically at the cemetery where this speech was given. We started our trip where this country began, where our forefathers brought forth a new nation, and ended it with one of the biggest turning points in our country’s history.

As for our day at Gettysburg, it began with a visit to Gabor Boritt’s house, a small farmhouse located near where the Battle of Gettysburg was fought. Even though he just went over some of the main points from his book we read, I loved being able to sit and look out at the beautiful landscape and listen to what he had to say. I wish our time with him could have been longer because he seemed like a fascinating man who had so much to share with us.

After a great lunch at the Dobbin House, one of Gettysburg’s oldest homes, we finally ventured to the battlefield. We were fortunate to have a tour guide with us, which was helpful because he shared a wealth of knowledge with us. The only thing I would have liked was to have a little more time at each place to really take it in. Everyone who has studied American history knows the story of Gettysburg- the battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War. It is frequently cited as the turning point with Union Gen. Meade defeating attacks by Confederate Gen. Lee and ending Lee’s invasion of the North. The two armies began to collide at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, and the fighting began and continued for three bloody days. I’ve seen the maps of Cemetery Ridge, Cemetery Hill, Culp’s Hill, Seminary Ridge, and Little Round Top, but to actually be in those places was amazing. On a quiet day, without all the tourists, I could easily picture what those days must have been like- amazing anyone survived. And, the impact on the town would have been devastating. The battlefield was much bigger than I expected, but when you put into perspective how many men were present, it makes sense.

The most moving part of the day for me was when we went to the Gettysburg National Cemetery, the place where President Lincoln honored the fallen and redefined the purpose of the war when he gave his Gettysburg Address. It was so peaceful to look out across the grounds and see all the graves, however at the same time also very sad to think about how many men died there, and how many were unknown. To walk in the same place as both the soldiers who fought so bravely at Gettysburg, and also one of the greatest presidents, was an honor.

I’m not sure how anyone couldn’t use the day’s experience in their classroom. Just being able to relate to the students what it was like to be there, and to be able to describe what it felt like, is meaningful to the students. I think the pictures I will be able to show my students of the battlefields and the cemetery will give them a better understanding of what it was really like in Gettysburg during the battle (of course pictures don’t truly tell the story like being there!). Also, I will share with my students exerts from Boritt’s book about the devastating impact on the town of Gettysburg. We typically talk about the battle, but usually forget about the aftereffects on the town itself. I think this will be a new perspective to share with my students.

…-that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.