Get Out of the Car Tours
It’s time to announce the #GetOutOfTheCar 2022 schedule. Licensed Battlefield Guide, Lewis Trott, has spent the last few months thinking through this year’s tours and here they are. With the exception of our first tour in April, all tours will be on the third Saturday of each month, so, if you forget the date of a particular tour, just count to the third Saturday for that month on your calendar and make any plans to join us for that weekend. There will be no tour scheduled for the month of July. We believe that some things in life should be free to the public. That’s why we do NOT charge or ask for donations for this series of tours. It’s your Park and you should be able to explore it with other Gettysnerds and Licensed Battlefield Guides.
GENERAL INFO
These tours are all OUTDOORS and “off the beaten path.” So be sure to have proper footwear, insect repellent, sunscreen, water, snacks, etc.
COVID STUFF
We are subject to the edicts of the State of Pennsylvania that are in effect at the particular time of each tour and will act accordingly.
Adopt a Position
Due to GNMP canceling Adopt a Position clean ups for 2021, none of these tours will be in conjunction with caring for the monuments Addressing Gettysburg has adopted.
These tours are still free for you, but we’d like to have a rough headcount prior to the tour date. So please register here
APRIL 9, 2022 – Kershaw’s Brigade
“I was directed to commence the attack as soon as General Hood became engaged……Beyond the morass was a stony hill…..“ In an attack that was part of one of the most back and forth affairs on the field, one Confederate Brigade was at the center of the fight. Join us as we trace the approach to the Wheatfield in the footsteps of Brigadier General Joseph Kershaw’s Confederate Brigade on the afternoon of July 2, 1863 and then explore the attack that transpired.
PARK AT LONGSTREET TOWER
MAY 28, 2022 – Perrin’s Brigade
“To stop was destruction. To retreat was disaster. To go forward was orders.“ July 1, 1863 proved to be a deadly day for both armies at Gettysburg, and despite the apparent defeat inflicted on the Union Army, their ability to inflict their own brand of punishment on Confederate units would later prove crucial in subsequent days. Join us as we walk in the path of one of those unit’s, the brigade of Colonel Abner Perrin, as they attacked the last Union line northwest of Gettysburg that afternoon.
PARK ALONG REYNOLDS AVE OR AT WEST END GUIDE STATION. TOUR BEGINS AT THE STATION.
JUNE 18, 2022 – East Cemetery Hill
“Major….Tell my father I died with my face to the enemy“ As the afternoon wore on and the Confederate attack rolled northward, there was perhaps no closer contest during the three days of battle than that on East Cemetery Hill during the evening hours of July 2, 1863. Join us as we explore this crucial area not often walked.
PARK AT GETTYSBURG TOUR CENTER AT 778 BALTIMORE STREET. TOUR MEETS AND BEGINS AT HOWARD STATUE.
AUGUST 20, 2022 – Rodes’ Division
“Being thus threatened from two directions, I determined to attack…“ As July 1, 1863 gained in notoriety with each passing hour, one Confederate Division at the center of the action in the afternoon was that of Major General Robert Rodes. Join us as we examine the arrival and then deployment of this veteran Confederate Division as the fight General Robert E. Lee didn’t want reached the point of no return.
PARK AT PEACE LIGHT. TOUR BEGINS THERE.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 – Fifth Corps
“I was at once ordered to throw my whole corps to that point and hold it at all hazards.“ Perhaps no other Union Corps commander is more invisible at Gettysburg than Major General George Sykes. Along with another more notable Corps Commander, he has no monument. But he did lead a Corps onto the field and this Corps provided valuable contributions towards the Union victory. Join us as we examine the efforts of his men and analyze why the Union 5th Corps isn’t as celebrated as others are.
PARK WHERE LEGAL IN VICINITY OF CRAWFORD MONUMENT. MEET TOUR AT MONUMENT.
OCTOBER 15, 2022 – Caldwell’s Division in the Wheatfield
“We….rushed at a double quick boldly forward into the mouth of hell, into the jaws of death.“ As Major General George Meade’s army tried desperately to withstand the Confederate assault on the afternoon of July 2, 1863, one division stood out as they performed critical duty in the effort to hold the line. Join us as we sweep the Wheatfield as Brigadier General John Caldwell’s men did on that deadly afternoon.