JUST RETURNED FROM GETTYSBURG
 

I just got back from Gettysburg Pa. and would be happy to give anyone the info I now have......

I'm going in October, what kind of info to you have? How long did you stay and where did you stay. Thanks <BR>

Just one question..who won?

I stayed at the Baladerry Inn [717-337-1342]--which was fine... a portion of it was used as a field hosp during the battle--The Dobbin House Tavern is a good restaurant in town and also historic. I noticed the Abner Doubleday B & B right on the battlefield which would be interesting if you are inclined to walk the battlefield at night. I took a tour with a licensed guide (you get them at the visitors' centere), which cost $35 and was very interesting. What else would you like to know?

I've been twice but only during the day. <BR> <BR>I'm just curious if anyone experienced something "supernatural" like I've seen on the t.v. show "Ghosts of Gettysburg"? <BR> <BR>

Phil, my husband and I drove the battlefield at night. We parked the car at one point and opened all the windows. We saw and heard things we could never in a million years explain. I firmly believe everything that was portrayed in "Ghosts of Gettysburg" which we did not see until after our visit there. I highly recommend the battlefield at night for anyone who is interested.

When my sister and I were kids, my parents took us to Gettysburg. I loved the 'talking' map and all of the history (I was old enough to appreciate). We drove the battlefield one night, and, I'm not making this up, there was a thunder and lightning storm. It was the eeriest thing, and I swear we also heard things and saw things that can't be explained. My sister will never go back, she was so spooked. Also, I remember a house that was supposively haunted, I can't remember the name, but it was the home of the only civilian killed in the battle. They had a tour, with period costumes and voices throughout the house. Like I said, my sister (younger) was so spooked she will never go back!

Oh, you are talking about the Jennie Wade house. I didn't hear that it was haunted, but there is a story that says if a single woman puts her finger in the bullet hole in the door, she will be engaged within a year. Worked for me!

I will have to try the night thing next time. I would think that ghosts or no ghosts it would be a "haunting" experience. I bet Little Round Top, the Wheatfield, Seminary Ridge, Culp's Hill, and other more isolated areas are really spooky that late. I was taking photos after sunset at the point of departure for Pickett's charge one evening, but I guess it was still too early for the ghosts. I once ran into a guy's Web site that had photos from Gettysburg and other places of "orbs" (I believe that is the correct word), which are supposedly spirits. Of course, they only looked something on the lens to me.

After seeing all the stories on tv., i.e. the Confederate ghost in Devils' Den, the Union platoon marching on a field, I feel somewhat inadequate that I haven't seen this. <BR> <BR>Although, I probably would have soiled my pants if I saw a spirit while I was standing by myself on the 20th Maine's position on Round Top!

Supposedly Devil's Den is really haunted.

I love Gettysburg! These posts make me sad that we didn't go up there again during our last trip back to Harper's Ferry/Antietam and DC over the 4th of July. <BR> <BR>During one visit, Mrs Kal and I got caught in a lightning storm while at the top of Lil' Round Top. <BR> <BR>Took refuge in the NY (?) monument and <BR>Mother nature gave us one heck of a show! You could just substitute the thunder for cannon fire, the hard rain for the popping from rifle fire... <BR> <BR>Could not even imagine what a real battle would have been like there but you could just see the Confeds charging up thru the rocks. <BR> <BR>Whole heartedly agree w/ ilisa's suggestion of a night-tour. Ooooh. <BR>I wanna go back! <BR> <BR>Oh...and they had a great pizza joint located near the "Y" in the road near the battlefield! ;^D

You are all so well informed. <BR> <BR>By chance you have not read them, please pick up "Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara and the two subsequent books by his son. <BR> <BR>I've read numerous Civil War books, including all 3 volumes by Shelby Foote, and found the Shaara books fascinating. Basically, they are dramatized accounts as told by by the major participants in a first person account. <BR> <BR>Just great reading!

After I finish brushing up for a trip to Italy, Phil, those Shelby Foote books are next on the list for me to read. I have read his book on Gettysburg (really an excerpt from the volumes you mentioned - called Stars in Their Courses), and it is superb. Read that and "Killer Angels," and you will be very prepared to visit Gettysburg. If anyone is in need of a tremendous history of the war, I love McPherson's "Battle Cry of the Republic," which ties together all the military, economic, political, and social aspects of the war. Toldham, you might be interested to see my travelogues on Civil War sites at www.oneeyed.homestead.com. I included a fairly thorough description of the Gettysburg battlefield, along with many photos.