School on a Bus (a.k.a. Radical Sabbatical)

We visited Gettysburg with much anticipation since we’d already visited a number of other battlefields and forts from the Civil War era. We had been learning about the war since we first came to Vicksburg, Mississippi last fall. After Vicksburg came Fort Sumpter, Appomattox, Richmond, and other field trips. We had also started reading Michael and Jeff Shaara’s books including ‘Gods and Generals’ and ‘Killer Angels’. We also watched the movie Gettysburg which is based on ‘Killer Angels’.

When we arrived, we were able to arrange for a personal guide, Renae MacLachlan, who drove our car and took us through the events of the battle. You may have to reserve ahead if you are visiting during the prime season but we were able to schedule a guide for that afternoon. This was a worthwhile investment.

Devils Den, Pickets Charge, John Chamberlain’s defense of the left flank on Little Roundtop. All the events came alive as we stood at each location. Renae would answer our questions and give us additional insights. She brought the reality of the battle to us by pointing out things we hadn’t considered before such as poison ivy, black flies, and lack of water in the heat of July. Many soldiers died due to poison ivy, mainly from the lack of sanitation.

Our guide became our commander as she showed the kids how to march double time as we tried to cross the field and climb over fences while imaginary musket balls whizzed by. The passion and courage of the soldiers was magnified by the visible peril of the grassy expanses while approaching the entrenched Union soldiers. Lack of information and poor judgment led to Robert E. Lee’s first major misstep in the long war – resulting in a timely victory for the Union. Prior to the Union victory, Lincoln’s reelection was tenuous. This victory was a major step towards preserving the union while abolishing slavery. Just as Gettysburg was a climactic event in the war, our visit was a climax in our learning journey through that historic era.

Kevin: Today we went to Gettysburg, a famous battle site of the civil war, rivaled in bloodshed only by Antietam. This climatic battle was fought on two sides. Lee’s forces invading the north’s territory, with General Meade on the other defending. We went through the museum, where I learned many things. At about 11:00 we took a tour of the cemetery, which was fairly big, there was the Gettysburg Cemetery, and the Greensburg Cemetery. Later in the day, about 1:30, a tour guide came and drove us all around the battlefield, and explained what happened on both sides. It was a great day, and I had quite a bit of fun on the drive.