Today is Day 5 of our trip and we are having the greatest time. Each night as I am downloading our pictures and taking a shower, Linwood is writing an outline of all we did that day. Even though I am the one typing this each night, 85% of the words are his. I wish that one day each of you will be able to take a trip like we are.


We started the day at the reenactment by listening to the 46th NY Brass Band. They played instruments from the 1860's. Linwood's favorite song was Dixie. The director said Dixie and Bonnie Blue were Lincoln's favorites and he always wanted them played.


The final day of the Battle was on July 3, 1863. Lee's artillery opened with a two hour bombardment of the Federal lines on Cemetery Ridge and Cemetery Hill. 12,000 Confederates troops advance across open fields toward the Federal center. The attack cost Lee over 5,000 soldiers in one hour. Today there about 10,000 people watching the battle from the grandstands. The weather was great, not too hot but sunny.



One of our favorite generals - Gen. Early was there today and he stopped and spoke to us again and wished us a safe journey for the reminder of our trip. We have talked to him of our days in Gettysburg. Linwood would one day love to own a war revolver purchased from his gun shop in Hanover, PA.


We next went to Cashtown, PA which is 8 miles from Gettysburg. Gen. Lee's army came through here and camped and ate here. There is an inn (now a B&B) where Lee stayed one night. The Inn has been shown on the Travel Channel when they were highlighting the Ghosts of Gettysburg. The Inn was closed today so we were not able to eat there, but while we were taking pictures a young couple from NJ came up. He had stayed in the third floor room before and he said you could definitely feel something in that room. We did touch the doorknob which is the same one that was on the door in 1863.






















Here are some of our pictures from today.

At the beginning of the reenactment area.

There were children from the south and from the north "learning" how to fight. They learned how to hold the rifle, load it, shoot it, and were told they did NOT have to die if they did not want to. I was sitting sitting in the shade while Linwood was standing in the sun waiting for the stands to open. I know each of you know Linwood well enough to know he MADE me get under there.

This was the start of the bombardment.

This is the spot where Robert E. Lee had his tent. Can you see Linwood's happy face? He has really enjoyed this trip.

From the bell tower on top of the building was were the Union General Buford watched the start of the battle of Day 1.