Thursday, October 15, 2009

Thankful Thursday (brought to you by 'holy crap! A week has gone by again?)


The Union doctor and his tools.


The rebel company camp.

The cooking area and commander camp.


A Union infantry uniform. Authentic.



View from atop Little Round Top.



Yes, Virginia, a week has blown by! Yikes!



Some Gettysburg pics above for your enjoyment!



1. Gettysburg. I really, really love the place. The people are so nice, the history is all around you, and there is so much to do and see.



We saw 2 groups of reenactments. The first set was mostly Confederates out of Virginia representing Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, up on the extension of Seminary Ridge, near General Longstreet's Memorial. The doctor was a Union doctor of the Army of the Potomac, that was with them and he was very knowledgeable. Gave a great talk and demonstrated with actual Civil War instruments how he would amputate legs etc. A good doctor would do 3 legs in about 5 minutes, moving quickly from one to the next. Would only clean their tools to keep them from slipping out of their hands.



The second reenactment group was from 124th New York Regiment! They were celebrating their anniversary of being called to service 148 years earlier in 1861, on Sunday, October 11th. They were an all volunteer regiment. They did some line formations and demonstrations of rifle firing. No balls in the rifles, just the powder which gave a good bang!



We also visited Little Round Top. This was the extreme left flank of the Union line which Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and his 20th Maine were told to 'Hold at all costs to the end.' And, they did. Even though they were facing 3 times as many soldiers, they held the high ground, and when they ran out of bullets they began the first and only bayonet charge ordered in the Civil War, the last ordered in any battle since, as well. They held the line, captured more soldiers than they had to guard them (thankfully their reenforcements arrived before anyone noticed, but the Rebels were all unarmed quickly), chased off the rest of the Rebs into a retreat. The 20th Maine saved the Union line from collapsing unto itself and thus ended day 2 of the Battle of Gettysburg. (can you tell I LOVE this period of history?)



2. Hubby. He organized a great trip for the boys. Our kids have already been to Gettysburg and probably will return again, but many kids in our troop would never have gotten this opportunity and were exposed to the living history of the Civil War. It wasn't easy to arrange moving 30 plus kids and some parents to the Battlefield and around it. Good job, honey.



3. Mom and Daughter time. Pumpkin Muffin and I really enjoyed our time alone with each other at the hotel room for night 2 and 3 of our trip. We went to the pool, had dinner and snacks. Relaxed and watched tv together, and got to talk a lot. Very nice.



4. Hammer. He helped me so much with all the camp laundry and regular weekly laundry over the last 2 days.



5. Technology. It does make life easier to connect and share.



Okay... that is all I have the brains or brawn for today.



be well...

8 comments:

garnett109 said...

Sounds like a great time you had at Gettysburg

Missie said...

I really need to remember to do Thankful Thursday entries.

I always enjoy reading yours.

Have a good night.

Beth said...

Sounds like a fantastic trip, and I'm so glad you all enjoyed it! It's an amazing place, isn't it? I also love the story of Chamberlain and the 20th Maine. Amazing stuff. Hugs, Beth

betty said...

my gosh, that talk from the doctor must have been fascinating! can you imagine the horrors modern medicine have when they hear how medicine was practiced during war times?

the pictures are awesome too; the look over the valley area must have been really humbling to realize that battle took place there!

glad all had a good time and you were able to enjoy girl time with Pumpkin

betty

Traci said...

Looks like you had decent weather for the trip! I can't wait to go to Gettysburg someday! Love reading about your trip.

Coelha :B said...

Three legs in 5 minutes?! Oh my gosh... Thank the Lord for modern medicine! Ouch!! I wonder how many died from infection. Interesting time period.. I think it's great that your whole family enjoys American history-that is something to be very proud of! Julie :)

Lisa said...

You were in Gburg and didn't visit me!!! We aren't that far ~ next time be sure to let me know!

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