006 - Part 6 - Guide Tour Of The Park

Nestled among the gently rolling farmlands of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, lies the site of one of Americas most pivotal battles. Over three intense days, from July 1 to 3, 1863, a fierce confrontation unfolded between 75,000 Confederate forces and 88,000 Union troops, resulting in 51,000 casualties. Acts of heroism were abundant on both sides, culminating in the infamous Pickett’s Charge on July 3, a moment that resonates throughout history. This Union victory not only marked the end of the last Confederate incursion into the North but also signaled the gradual decline of Southern military strength. Just a few months later, President Abraham Lincoln delivered his iconic Gettysburg Address during the dedication of a national cemetery, honoring the fallen soldiers. This insightful publication, first released in 1954 and revised in 1961, is part of the Historical Handbook series by the U.S. National Park Service. The author, a World War I veteran and esteemed Civil War historian, served as the chief historian for Gettysburg National Military Park during the 1950s and 1960s. - Summary by Frederick Tilberg and David Wales