Gettysburg

Gettysburg. . , (The plaque on the top of the marker shows a circa-1863 topographical map of Gettysburg, with 12 locations marked on map): , 1. Benner Hill . 2. Culp's Hill . 3. Spangler's Springs . 4. Barlow Knoll . 5. Cemetery Hill . 6. Cemetery Ridge . 7. Little Round Top . 8. Big Round Top . 9. Oak Hill . 10. McPherson Ridge . 11. Seminary Ridge . 12. Peach Orchard, (Panel facing west, toward Confederate Avenue): , Seminary Ridge , The wooded slopes of Seminary Ridge were occupied by Confederate soldiers of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. The ridge, stretching for over two miles, was a jumping off point for Confederate attacks on July 2 and 3., Virginia Memorial , Dedicated in 1917, this memorial honors Virginians who fought and died here. Near this spot, Confederate General Robert E. Lee watched his men's final assault at Gettysburg, Pickett's Charge., North Carolina Memorial , North Carolina lost more men at Gettysburg than any other Southern state. Dedicated in 1929, it is placed near the spot where many North Carolinians made their final assault., (Panel facing south, toward the wood lot): , Emmitsburg Road , This road, bordered by stout fences, ran diagonally through the field of battle. It was a deadly obstacle for attacking Confederates, especially during Pickett's Charge on July 3., Little Round Top , On July 2, Confederate infantry nearly captured this position, but tenacious Union soldiers secured the heights. The next day, Union gunners on this hill shelled Confederates during Pickett's Charge., (Panel facing east, toward the field of Pickett's Charge): , Abraham Brian Farm , Brian, a free African American, lived near the intersection of Taneytown Road and Emmittsburg Pike with his family. They fled as the Confederate Army approached. After the battle, they returned to find their home in ruins., Cemetery Ridge, Copse of Trees , On July 2-3, the Union Army held this ridge. The small copse (group) of trees, north of #6 on the map, marks the farthest Confederate advance on July 3., Peach Orchard , On July 2, Joseph Sherfy's peach orchard became a killing field. Near this spot on July 3, the first shots of the Confederate bombardment, the prelude to Pickett's Charge, were fired., (Panel facing north, toward the Virginia Memorial): , Benner's Hill , On July 2 and 3, the only Confederate artillery cast of Gettysburg, (near #1 on the map) dueled Union batteries on East Cemetery Hill and Culp's Hill., Culp's and Cemetery Hill , The Union Army's right flank was anchored on these two important summits. Cemetery Hill was a strategic artillery position, while Culp's Hill guarded the Baltimore Turnpike, the lifeline of the Union Army.