LIB.ER.TY

1. the quality or state of being free

All wars seem to boil down to one idea - liberty... freedom.
During the Civil War, our country lost more men than we did during World Wars I and II combined. For what? For liberty.

This weekend, our family visited Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Most of our time was spent on the Gettysburg National Battlefield and I found myself questioning if I'm, we're, our country is actually redeeming that loss of life for my, your, our freedom. Are we?

Our tour took us through the three days of the Battle of Gettysburg, notably the most horrific battle of the Civil War and one that turned the tide toward the outcome of freedom. 

Standing atop Seminary Ridge, to our left we could see Gettysburg and to our right the expanse of field where the first battle began.

Just to the right of the small American flag is a actual shell lodged into a downtown Gettysburg home during the battle.  It is one of several that remain in various buildings since those three days in July of 1863.

The photo on the right shows a group of rocks in the middle called Devils Den - a dangerous holding place of the northern troops and one that quite possibly could have cost them the battle.

 

Standing atop Little Round Top overlooking what's known as Death Valley because of the massive loss of life during Day 2 of the battle.

Some items of surprise on our tour were: 

• The town of Gettysburg, where people were living their day to day lives, was smack dab in the middle of the conflict.
• The amount of carnage and bloodshed was astounding. To stand on the same ground where that happened was humbling.
• That a matter of a five minute wait quite possibly caused the outcome to be as it was.
• The land looked like ordinary farmland and was difficult to imagine in a state of bloody battle.
• A small creek running through the battlefield was named Plum Creek for the amount of blood, both northern and southern, that ran through it in those three days.
• The sheer size of the land area covered in three days on foot by the soldiers.

This monument stands on a ridge where the third and final day of battle took place.

On the left, an actual Civil War cannon.
On the right, one of the various state markers noting the participation of the different states in the battle.

After our tour, we visited the National Cemetery where Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. The bodies of the northern dead were originally quickly buried on the battlefield, but it was soon determined that a more respectful burial was appropriate.  (Southern soldiers were sent home for burial.) Plans for the National Cemetery ensued and bodies were moved and given a final resting place. Not expected to attend since presidents didn't travel during those days, the dedication committee for the cemetery planned to have a famous orator speak who most don't even remember.  When Lincoln surprisingly confirmed his attendance, the committee, of course, had to include him in the ceremony. After the orators 2+ hour speech, Lincoln gave is 2+ minute speech that he thought no one would remember - The Gettysburg Address.

Of course we all remember the beginning, "Four score and seven years ago..."

But it's the ending to which I want to draw attention...

"It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, 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."

Freedom isn't free - someone paid the price.  My hope is that I, you, our country redeems them.

This area of graves is for those that were not identified - the unknown.  My Nutter Butter noticed that the gorgeous gold leaves covering the ground here were heart-shaped.

David Wills House - the home where Lincoln stayed November 18 and finished his Gettysburg Address.  This is the exact bed and coverlet used by Lincoln.

At the entrance to the David Wills home with in-character Brigadier General Horace Porter, aide-de-camp to Gen. U.S. Grant. I'm standing where Lincoln actually stood and am getting ready to walk through the very same door that he walked through!

Gettysburg happened to be having their tree lighting ceremony the evening we were there.

We finished the evening at the Blue and Grey Bar and Grill.  The burgers came highly recommended and are named after generals of both the North and the South and come decorated as such! 

Keeping up our family selfie tradition as we travel!