And While Caledon Was Dancing (1863)

My typist and her children took today to travel to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania as part of their Memorial Day Holiday remembrances. Initially she thought that doing so on the holiday might be ill advised due to the expected numbers of tourists visiting, but despite greater numbers of people there than she generally has experienced at the National Battlefield, she and the kids learned and grew, and enjoyed the day together.

Some of the monuments seen today:





You might recall another article posted here about her travels to Gettysburg just before Veteran's Day in 2007.

(OOC voice)

Gettysburg now has a new Visitor's Center and Museum, and I highly recommend started any tour you do here. The new film which precedes viewing of the Cyclorama is quite moving as Morgan Freeman narrates the brief history of the battle. Tears welled up in my eyes as he described the 2 and a half hours of cannon fire on the third day of the battle. During the description, cannon were heard all around us in the surround sound of the theatre, the music swelled, and then portraits and photographs of some of the men who died were displayed across the screen as the reenactment of the battle displayed beneath them. It was very moving.

At the end of the movie, my oldest told me that she had been "nearly crying".

"What made you feel that way?" I asked.

"When Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was read - it was just so beautiful."

Now THAT makes a mother proud.

from the Cyclorama
The Third Day of the battle and what was left of the 12,000 men in Pickett's Brigade
attempt to take the high ground being held so well by some 7,000 Union soldiers

Union Reenactors at Meade's Headquarters along the High Water Mark trail

Putting the men through their paces

"READYYYYYYYYYY! AAAAAAAAAIMMMMM!"

"FIRE!!!"

Pickett's lines being nearer, the impact was heaviest upon them. Most of the field officers were killed or wounded. Colonel Whittle, of Armistead's brigade, who had been shot through the right leg at Williamsburg and lost his left arm at Malvern Hill, was shot through the right arm, then brought down by a shot through his left leg.

General Armistead, of the second line, spread his steps to supply the paces of fallen comrades. His colors cut down, with a volley against the bristling line of bayonets, he put his cap on his sword to guide the storm. The enemy's massing, enveloping numbers held the struggle until the noble Armistead fell beside the wheels of the enemy's battery. Pettigrew was wounded but held his command.

General Pickett, finding the battle broken while the enemy was still reinforcing, called the troops off. There was no indication of panic. The broken files marched back in steady step. The effort was nobly made and failed from the blows that could not be fended."

Lt. General James Longstreet, Discussing the end of Pickett's Charge, Originally from "From Manassas to Appomattox" As quoted in "The Civil War Archive", Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, p429

The Copse of Trees in the midst of Codori Farm. The furthest north that the Confederate army would ever be. This was the climax of the Battle.
Lee's forces began retreat on the following day (July 4, 1863)

A very good day all-in-all. And I look forward to my next visit to this historical place - this sacred ground.

**Veteran's Day**

Certainly as the patron of the Caledon 1st Lancers - Loch Avie's Own; a member of the Caledon Militia, Navy, and the head of MI5, I lend full support to my typist, who has been inspired to write the following OOC note.

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It has been my privilege to know many men and women who are serving- or have served - their countries in the armed forces. My own husband was in the United States Navy for 13 years, and his father, an Army First Sergeant, served in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

My mind has now turned a little further back in time, however, as I had the honor of walking a small portion of the Gettysburg National Battlefield recently during some time spent otherwise in that town. It was merely on the spur of the moment that I decided that I would drive through the "car tour" portion of the Battlefield. It was a cold, rainy day. Much different than the hot summer day that the men of the Union and Confederate Armies experienced in the wool of their uniforms so many years ago. I stuck to the car as I looked all around me - the monuments standing tall and proud in the dreary day - until I began to wind up the hill at Little Round Top. There I saw the sign for the 20th Maine. I knew I needed to park the car and get out for a look.

For those who have read any history about the battle at Gettysburg, or have ever read Killer Angels (or seen the movie, Gettysburg based on this book), you will recognize that the 20th Maine were pivotal in the Union Victory at Gettysburg.

I grabbed my umbrella and stepped out of the car. There were a number of buses with school groups and tourists stopped here as well. I walked through the woods at the top of this little hill and a great reverence fell over me as I realized that I was walking in the footsteps of these brave souls...imagining what horrors they experienced that day (and the many days before and after). What was running through their minds as they fought and fought? I listened to the guides all around me catching snippets of information here and there as the tours groups got their lessons.

The view of the 20th Maine position from the point of view of the 15th Alabama.

There was one gentleman very near me, who was quite an able teacher, and I found that I learned much about the battle listening to him as I stood looking over the low rock wall, which the 20th had created. I learned how the rebels tried to take the hill many times, and at the last when Chamberlain (Commander 20th Maine) and his men were nearly out of ammunition, he staged one last defense. Described here in his own words:

"Not a moment was about to be lost! Five minutes more of such a defensive and the last roll call would sound for us! Desperate as the chances were, there was nothing for it but to take the offensive. I stepped to the colors. The men turned towards me. One word was enough- 'BAYONETS!' It caught like fire and swept along the ranks. The men took it up with a shout, one could not say whether from the pit or the song of the morning sat, it was vain to order 'Forward!'. No mortal could have heard it in the mighty hosanna that was winging the sky. The whole line quivered from the start; the edge of the left-wing rippled, swung, tossed among the rocks, straightened, changed curve from scimitar to sickle-shape; and the bristling archers swooped down upon the serried host- down into the face of half a thousand! Two hundred men!

"It was a great right wheel. Our left swung first, the advancing foe stopped, tried to make a stand amidst the trees and boulders, but the frenzied bayonets pressing through every space forced a constant settling to the rear. Morrill with his detached company and the remnants of our valorous sharpshooters... now fell upon the flank of the retiring crowd. At the first dash the commanding officer I happened to confront, coming on fiercely (with) sword in hand and big navy revolver (in) the other, fires one barrel almost in my face. But seeing the quick saber point at his throat, reverses arms, gives sword and pistol into my hands and yields himself prisoner.

"Ranks were broken; some retired before us somewhat hastily; some threw their muskets to the the ground- even loaded; sunk on their knees, threw up their hands calling out, 'We surrender. Don't kill us!' As if we wanted to do that! We kill only to resist killing. And these were manly men, whom we could befriend and by no means kill, if they came our way in peace and good will."

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
1828-1914

Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry
Brigadier General, U.S. Volunteers
Brevet Major General, U.S. Volunteers
Congressional Medal of Honor
Governor of Maine, 1866-1870
President, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine 1871-1883
American Commissioner, Universal Exposition at Paris, 1871

It was in 1954 that President Eisenhower changed that name of Armistice Day to Veteran's Day with a proclamation, which included the following words:

Now, Therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, do hereby call upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954 , as Veterans Day. On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain....

In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose.

Truly on this day, I send my deepest expression and gratitude for all who have defended, cared for, fought for, and guided our countries and our peoples. I shall whisper a prayer for all who have sacrificed (military and civilian), fought (and continue to do so) for us on the seas, in the air, at home, and on foreign soil.

*bows with hand over her heart*
May you be blessed.

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for more information about the 20th Maine and the Battle of Gettysburg, you may wish to begin your learning here at the National Park Service site.