Experience the Battle of Gettysburg in 'Real-Time' and on Anniversary Battle Walks with Rangers

(Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) - 6/26/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE …

CONTACT:
Katie Lawhon
Public Affairs Specialist
Gettysburg National Military Park
(717) 334-1124, ext. 3121
[email protected]

Park rangers at Gettysburg National Military Park are leading a series of “Real-Time” programs that commemorate the 146th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1, 2, and 3.

Over three days, 20 free public “Real-Time” programs will follow and explain the battle of Gettysburg in chronological order and as close as possible to the real time the events described took place. The programs range in length from 30 minutes to an hour. “Real-Time” programs involve minimal walking, although visitors will need to make short drives by vehicle between program locations.

In addition to the Real Time programs, Rangers are leading special, three-hour anniversary battle walks to explore key events during the three day battle.

These popular programs include on July 1: The Attack and Defense of Oak Ridge; and In the Footsteps of the 157th New York. Programs on July 2 are: the Attack of Maj. Gen. John B. Hood’s Division on July 2, 1863; Early’s Attack on East Cemetery Hill; In the Footsteps of the 15th Alabama: A Family Program; and the Struggle for Culp’s Hill. Programs on July 3 are: the Pre-Dawn Engagement at McAllister Ridge; and the Attack and Repulse of Pickett’s Charge; and Cemetery Ridge: A Visual History. The series concludes on July 4 with To Save a Life – The Evacuation and Treatment of the Wounded.

Two of this year’s anniversary battle walks – Hood’s Division, and the Engagement at McAllister Ridge are covering battlefield areas that have recently been returned to their 1863 appearance as part of the National Park Service battlefield rehabilitation projects at Gettysburg.

“In the Footsteps of the 15th Alabama: A Family Program” is a special Battle Anniversary Walk for children on July 2 at 2:30 p.m. The program is for ages 8 – 14 years with a parent or guardian.

The program begins at the Alabama Monument on West Confederate Avenue where the group will take orders, as the 15th did, to proceed toward Big Round Top, hug its base and find and attack the end of the Union line. When the 15th Alabama got as far as the Slyder’s farm, they were fired upon by Berdan sharpshooters and forced to change their plan and push the sharpshooter’s back by climbing straight up Big Round Top.

The family program includes a stop at the Slyder farm, building fences, blacksmithing horseshoes and gaining an understanding of the impact of the battle on civilians. After the climb up Big Round Top, the program goes off trail toward the “sounds of battle” to Little Round Top and the 20th Maine Infantry. Participants will learn to execute some of the complicated marching maneuvers that were needed to attack the enemy. This very active, fast-moving and rigorous program will cover a lot of ground and subject matter in hands-on ways. Hiking shoes and bug spray are strongly recommended. The program ends at Auto Tour stop 8, approximately one mile from the starting point.

For more information and a list of these programs, call (717) 334-1124 or visit www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/gettdivsprograms.htm.