Get Out of the Car Tours

“My God, young man…if you go out there with your regiment they will swallow you!”  As the Confederates under Lt. General Richard Ewell swept westward on the late afternoon of July 2, 1863, their task was a literal uphill battle as they climbed the northern slopes of Culp’s Hill. The men of the Union 12th Corps had spent all day preparing their welcome and that preparation was about to pay off. Join us as we explore the defense of the northern part of Culp’s Hill and explain just how arduous a task the Confederates actually had.

MEET AT THE CULP’S HILL TOWER.  PARK WHERE LEGAL

“…I lost all my officers killed and wounded and most of my men”  July 1, 1863 brought the war to Gettysburg in a way only rumor had previously threatened. As the battle raged northwest and north of town, it was soon apparent to those living within town that it would shortly surge past their doorsteps. Come with us as we explore the stand of the 11th Corps on July 1, 1863 and examine some of the reasons for their subsequent forced retreat.

MEET AT BARLOW’S KNOLL.  PARK WHERE LEGAL

“With a wild yell the whole line dashed forward . . . and swept the Federal dismounted men back”  While the Confederate infantry was preparing to begin their march to destiny, the Union and Confederate cavalry engaged in their own struggle east of town on the afternoon of July 3, 1863. Take a trip out to East Cavalry Field, this little-explored portion of Gettysburg National Military Park, as we try to gain some insight into what it all meant to the overall battle as the three day struggle was about to reach its crescendo.

MEET AT THE ECF PARKING LOT ON CONFEDERATE CAVALRY AVE.  PARK WHERE LEGAL

“Farnsworth, if you don’t charge that battery, I will” As the Confederates made their way back towards Seminary Ridge on the afternoon of July 3, 1863 after their failure to breach the Union line, it was not the end of combat on this day. Elon Farnsworth would lead his own fatal charge against the Confederates, although of a very different nature. Join us as we examine this action and some of the ground which helped make it folly. Bring your tick spray!

MEETING PLACE TBD.  PARK WHERE LEGAL

“Every charge was repulsed with terrible slaughter” While the movie “Gettysburg” turned its spotlight on Colonel Joshua Chamberlain, the 20th Maine and their defense of Little Round Top, the men from Maine were not the only Union Soldiers who arrived in time to blunt the Confederate thrust. Join us as we direct some of the spotlight towards other units which didn’t quite make the director’s cut as well as some “monumental mistakes” belonging to Little Round Top’s most famous monument.

MEET AT 20TH MAINE POSITION.  PARK WHERE LEGAL

“Here opened the most destructive and deadly battle of the war . . . “  The fighting on July 1, 1863 in and around the railroad cut turned a transportation avenue into a place that lives on to this day. As the fighting grew in scope on this first day of battle, the terrain began to dictate events for both sides. Join us as we explore this area northwest of town and talk about some of the men who would never forget this erstwhile common railway line.

MEET AT THE WEST END GUIDE STATION.  PARK WHERE LEGAL

“It is not as hard to get there as it looks . . . The real difficulty is to stay there after you get there . . . “  The Confederate assault of July 3, 1863 is one of the most famous charges in all of military history. But it was not the first time Confederates had traversed the same ground. July 2, 1863 also saw a brigade of Rebels march across the same field to try and break the Union line on Cemetery Ridge. Cross the rarely-visited Spangler Farm as we walk the path of Wright’s Brigade to see how close they came to their goal.

MEET ON CONFEDERATE AVENUE NEAR THE FLORIDA MEMORIAL. PARK WHERE LEGAL