Gettysburg's 150th Anniversary Commemoration

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In July of 2013, the fields of Gettysburg once again echoed with the sounds of battle in commemoration of the 150th anniversary.

As captured by photographers Mark Anderson, Noel Kline and Andrew Murdock.

Gala Orchestra Concert Commemorates Independence Day in Gettysburg

Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra Delivers Star-Spangled Performance

Story and photography by Casey Saylor

Lawn chairs and blankets dotted the grass July 4 as crowds gathered outside of Gettysburg College’s Penn Hall to help the Metta Ensemble and Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra celebrate our nation’s birthday. The patriotic, public concert began as the American flag was carried out by a small, marching ensemble to a drum and piccolo rendition of “Glory, Glory Hallelujah.” As the small ensemble held attention up front, the audience stood as the orchestra delivered a powerful “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Then, as the piping piccolos and beating drums faded away, Conductor Alexander Kahn took the microphone.

After the short introduction, the Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra dove into their first of the evening’s many patriotic pieces with “The Armed Forces Salute.” Following tradition and Kahn’s request, veterans and active members of the audience stood as their branch’s tune was played to receive their well-earned recognition from the audience. After the piece, Kahn turned to the microphone again, thanking all the men and women in the audience who served. As he spoke, however, a little girl of no more than 3 ran circles in front of the stage. Turning a bit red, Kahn ended his statements of appreciation with an embarrassed, “And I think my daughter should sit down please ….”

Gettysburg College President Janet Morgan Riggs tries her hand at conducting the Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra. 

After the Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra performance, there was a short intermission as director Norman Nunamaker and the Metta Ensemble transitioned to the stage. After a medley of marches, Nunamaker took the microphone and invited a very surprised Gettysburg College President Janet Morgan Riggs to the conductor’s platform. He quickly gave her a crash course in conducting, with the Ensemble repeating the first measures of the march as Riggs practiced. “The most important parts of conducting,” Nunamaker instructed, “are the beginning and the end … we’ve already covered the beginning, [so] the end will take care of itself!”

At this, Riggs smiled. “I hear [the orchestra already] know when to stop … so let’s give this a go!”

Needless to say, Riggs did a fine job conducting the march, and then retired back to her seat in the crowd as Nunamaker returned to the platform to finish the concert.

In all, Thursday evening’s Fourth of July Gala Orchestra Concert proved to be a fine night of good music, smiles and sunshine that successfully brought the crowd together to focus on one, unanimous notion: Happy Birthday America.

Sacred Trust Lecture Series Speakers Share Perspectives on Battle Anniversary

Story and photography by Casey Saylor

A late June, extremely warm weekend offered the first of many presenters to speak at the annual Sacred Trust lecture series. Sponsored by the Gettysburg Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising and management partner for the National Park Service at Gettysburg, the free event continues this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (July 5, 6 and 7), with a range of speakers and topics featured from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Harold Holzer

With lecture titles such as, “Gettysburg in 4D” and “General Lee’s Army and the Declining Margin for Error,” the first group of lectures from June 29 and 30 attracted crowds. On Sunday, June 30, author Harold Holzer’s presentation titled “Lincoln and Freedom in Film and Fact: A Look at History and the Movies, Spielberg and the Civil War” was limited to standing room only.

Author Howard Coffin’s presentation on “The Vermont Assault on Pickett’s Charge” offered a vivid depiction of the role of Vermonters in the Battle of Gettysburg. With vivid details, sound effects and motions, Coffin used his talents as a storyteller to illustrate the history of leadership in the Vermont Brigade, along with their battle tactics and outcomes against the Confederate soldiers. Occasionally, Coffin would include quotes and conversations in his stories of the brigades, changing his voice to add local color to the story while keeping the interest of the audience.

In addition to lectures, multiple book signings were taking place inside the lobby of the Museum and Visitor Center. Just like Holzer and Coffin, many of the lecturers participating in the program have written books, so directly after their talk, they move into the lobby to sign and sell their books. 

Below are some highlights from this weekend’s series of speakers. For the complete schedule, visit www.gettysburgfoundation.org.

Friday, July 5

• “Battlefields Are About Honor: Interpreting Slavery and Freedom at Gettysburg, 1863-2013” with Jennifer Murray: 1:30 p.m.
• “Gettysburg” with Ed Bearss: 2:30 p.m.
• “The Gettysburg Story: America’s Greatest Battle as You’ve Never Seen It Before” with Jake Boritt: 3:30 p.m.
• “The Gettysburg Address Reads Like American History” with Troy Harman: 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 6

• “1913 Grand Blue-Gray Reunion at Gettysburg” with Thomas Flagel: 10:30 a.m.
• “Civil War Filmmaking” with Ron Maxwell: 3:30 p.m.
• “The Best and Worst Generals at Gettysburg” with Bradley Gottfried: 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 7

• “Reunion and Commemoration with Sue Boardman”: 11:30 a.m.
• “Despair, Defeat, Redemption and Determination-The Army of the Potomac in 1863” with Scott Hartwig: 1:30 p.m.
• “A.P. Hill at Gettysburg” with Patrick Falci: 4:30 p.m.

Reenacting Pickett’s Charge – 150 Years Later

Story and photography by Brendan Raleigh

On a hot, humid July day, Old Glory and the Confederate battle flag fluttered gently in the wind as their respective carriers faced each other from a mile away. The roar of cannon fire pierced the air suddenly and the cries of Union soldiers shouting, “Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg!” could be heard from across the battlefield as the Confederate Army of reenactors advanced across the open field, just as the actual Confederate Army had 150 years ago under Maj. Gen. George Pickett.

Thousands gathered on the Gettysburg battlefield on Wednesday, July 3 to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of Gen. George Pickett’s Charge, which many historians view as the most significant turning point of the Civil War. It not only dealt the Confederate Army a crushing defeat, ending Robert E. Lee’s Gettysburg Campaign, but it also dashed the South’s hopes of ever successfully invading the North.

The commemoration began as the Confederate reenactors emerged from the tree line to begin their fateful march across the fields. Nine National Park Service rangers led groups representing each of the Confederate brigades, and three rangers led three Union divisions stationed at Cemetery Ridge.

No rifle shots were fired during the march, as the commemoration served, not as an act of recreation, but one of deference and remembrance of the thousands who fell on the battlefield in 1863.

For some, such as U.S. Army veteran Tim Booker of Dolton, Illinois, the act of paying one’s respects to fallen warriors is a far more personal matter.

Tim Booker, Dolton, Illinois

“I fell in love with [Gettysburg] 16 years ago,” says Booker. “This is my fourth time coming here and I plan on coming here as much as I can. I’m here to honor the vets. I’m here to honor all of those who fought for freedom.”

Crowds of tourists, locals and members of the media lined up along what is known as “the high-water mark”—the farthest point at which Southern soldiers were able to advance—to witness the tribute, snapping pictures and cheering along with the Confederate soldiers as they issued their famous “rebel yell,” waving their hats and weapons proudly. From all across the country, people came to the battlefield to be a part of what one visitor from upstate New York called a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

After the soldiers completed their march, the crowd of onlookers and reenactors all bowed their heads in silence in deference as buglers and drummers played “Taps.” The scene evoked the haunting memory of those thousands of men who lost their lives that day.

Officials from the National Park Services estimates a total of approximately 35,000-40,000 people were at the Pickett’s Charge Commemorative March, including approximately 15,000 who crossed the fields. No serious injuries were reported.

An Independence Day Parade was previously scheduled for 7 p.m. that evening, but an emergency in the Gettysburg area demanded the police’s attention elsewhere, which resulted in the parade’s cancellation.

View more photographs from the Pickett's Charge Commemorative March on Celebrate Gettysburg's Facebook page. 

Transportation Note for Pickett's Charge Commemorative Event - Wednesday, July 3

National Park Service officials are encouraging visitors attending today's Pickett's Charge Commemorative March to park in the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center Bus Parking Lot, located at 1195 Baltimore Pike, or the North Cemetery Lot along Taneytown Road. Shuttles will be available from 1 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. to transport park visitors who wish to participate in the march. Return shuttles will not be available to take visitors back to West Confederate Avenue, the starting point for Pickett's Charge. Gold Line shuttles will be available from the South Cemetery Lot after Pickett's Charge, returning visitors to the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center and satellite parking.

  

For those who wish to view the march from the Union Battle line, the Gold Line shuttle will be available from the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center to the Ranger positions along the Union battle line on Cemetery Ridge, adjacent to Hancock Avenue.

Parking for East Cavalry Battle Overview Hike:  To ensure the efficient flow of traffic and to provide parking for visitors attending the East Calvary Battle Overview Hike, East Calvary Field Avenue will be a dedicated one-way route traveling from west to east from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 3. Parking is only available along Gregg Avenue.

For more information, go to www.nps.gov/gett or call 717-334-1124. 

Armistead’s Brigade Camps at American Civil War Wax Museum

The front lawn of the American Civil War Wax Museum, 297 Steinwehr Ave., Gettysburg, was full of life this past weekend as reenactors portrayed the soldiers and civilians of Armistead’s Brigade in a Living History Encampment. Both days consisted of full, open-air agendas for the reenactors, including breakfast (8 a.m.), drill-running and a post-battle performance of TAPS (8 p.m.). Horses, music and period costumes added to the activities, allowing visitors to experience firsthand what daily life was like for soldiers and civilians who lived during the Battle of Gettysburg.

At the same time, various authors were being featured in a historical Gettysburg genre book signing located at the borders of the encampment, both inside the museum and in a nearby tent. Notable authors featured included C. James Gilbert, Jeff Shaara, Scott F. Hipp, John Ellsworth Winter and Tobe Law.

Check out more images from the living history presentation at Celebrate Gettysburg's Facebook page. —Story and photographs by Casey Saylor