Back from Gettysburg 150th...

The Iron Brigade assaults McPherson's Ridge

Just got back from a once in a lifetime historical experience, the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg with my buddy and fellow teacher Ralph. I will be posting brief descriptions of some of the events and photos I took of those activities over the next few days. Due to the volume of photos, it will probably take a couple of days for me to sort through, edit and choose the best shots. Believe me there are many, so if I go overboard forgive my enthusiasm and lack of editing skills.

The first post will concentrate on the march of a group of living history reenactors who followed the exact path as the Union's Iron Brigade through the roads and fields of Gettysburg on their way to McPherson's Ridge on July 1, 1863 to meet the Confederate forces on the first days battle. As some of you know this was the last great engagement of the Iron Brigade as a unit in the war. It's ranks were devastated by the fighting over the next three days and pretty much ceased to exist in its' original form as a result.

Here we see the brigade marching north on West Confederate Avenue towards the Lutheran Seminary. It was a very warm and humid day and these living historians have already marched about a mile and a half from the Codori Farm by this time...

Here they take a well deserved water break at the half-way point of their march...

Next, they cross Middle Street to begin their approach to the Lutheran Seminary where they will turn west to storm McPherson's Ridge...

The next few are taken in front of the Seminary as they get closer to the field of action...

The brigade descending the west slope of Seminary Ridge...

With the Lutheran Seminary in the background we see the Brigade forming a battle line to prepare for the storming of the ridge...

The assault up McPherson's Ridge begins...

After ascending McPherson's Ridge the brigade forms a line to rest before marching to the shade of the trees of Reynold's Woods for a greatly deserved rest...

The brigade marches off to the shade of the trees...

Here is a shot of the brigade's flag...

Afterwards several stood guard at the monument honoring the fallen commander of the First Corps and the Iron Brigade, General John Reynolds...

Here we see General Reynolds in better days with his friend General Buford behind him...

Here is shot of the last position the Iron Brigade actually held that day as the First Corps retreated off the field at the conclusion of the first days fighting...

Overall, this was a remarkable event to witness in person to gain an insight as to what transpired on that field of battle 150 years ago. Stayed tuned for more...