Military Monday: Battle of Gettysburg

150 years ago this week the most critical and the bloodiest battle of the Civil War happened in Gettysburg. This three day battle in 1863 was the result of an ambitious invasion of the North by General Robert E. Lee. He was met in Gettysburg by the Union Army of the Potomac, under the command of Major General George Gordon Meade. The Union Army showed a new energy born out of desperation. The Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg resulted in Lee's retreat to Virginia. It was also the final break of the Confederate spirit and will.

During the days of the battle anniversary, with July 4 focusing on the battle's aftermath, the park will offer the following interpretive program opportunities, free of charge:

Living History Camps - Two full battalions of Union and Confederate infantrymen accompanied by artillery and other supporting units will present demonstrations and programs near the Pennsylvania Memorial and at Pitzer's Woods throughout the day to illustrate the life of the Union and Confederate soldier and demonstrate the tactics used by both armies in the Battle of Gettysburg. (PLEASE NOTE living history events are July 1-3 only.)

Key Moment Programs - Each day of the battle and on July 4, Park Rangers will present ranger guided programs at locations where key events occurred during that particular day of the battle, or during the battle's aftermath.

Overview Hikes - Each day of the battle, and on July 4, Park Rangers will present 60 minute overview hikes covering different phases of the battle and its aftermath. These will involve more walking than Key Moment programs.

Battlefield Experience Programs - Park Rangers will provide special programs that allow visitors to experience critical moments of the battle at the approximate time they occurred 150 years ago. This will include a July 3 Commemorative March across the field of Pickett's Charge, with visitors organized by NPS rangers to represent the Confederate brigades that participated in the attack and the Union soldiers that defended against it.

Voices of the Battle - Every evening at 7:30 p.m. visitors can gather and listen to the voices of soldiers and civilians describing their experiences during the battle and aftermath.

Special Junior Ranger Patch - Continuing throughout 2013, kids can earn a special 150th Anniversary Junior Ranger patch by completing an activity book associated with the battle anniversary activities.

"Kids and Family" Activities Tent - For children we will have a "Kids and Family" programs tent just outside the Visitor Center with activities throughout the day. We will also have a special interactive Signal Corps station July 1 through 3 near Meade's Headquarters.

Park Ranger Programs at the Museum and Visitor Center - Park Rangers will present Battle Overviews, Civil War Soldier, Care of the Wounded programs on a regular schedule in the Museum and Visitor Center or at Interpretive Program stations outside the building. In addition to programs in the museum, the park will offer some programs at sites including the Cemetery, Little Round Top and the Angle.

A full list of programs is available in a commemorative event guide at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center information desk, and is also available at the website at http://www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/150th-anniversary-index.htm.

Coatesville's First Serial Killer

Young Alexander Meyer was a disturbed and angry young man with some major issues. He had failed sixth and seventh grade, and instead of having to repeat eighth grade again, he finally gave up on school. At age 16 he quit Downingtown Junior High. Meyer is not a relative, nor are his victims (that I am aware). I stumbled upon young Alex while reading Tortured Minds: Pennsylvania's Most Bizarre - But Forgotten - Murders by Tammy Mal. On 11 February 1937 Alexander Thweatt Meyer killed young Helen Moyer as she walked home from school in Coatesville along Modena Road. She was not his first. The jury was out only three minutes after hearing Dr. Michael Margolis' testimony on the death of Helen Moyer. The jury determined Meyer had murdered Moyer and should be held for first degree murder. The jury also condemned the parole system which had released Meyer back into the public, after having served just 14 months in Huntingdon Reformatory, for the murder of two other girls - Anna Blasc...

Thaddeus Stevens at the Lancaster Convention Center

Within the Lancaster Convention Center (Lancaster, PA) is a small section dedicated to Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith. The section is known as the Stevens & Smith Historic Site. It is scheduled for development this year. At the moment one can only get a glimpse of it through the Convention Center or by peeking in from the outside. Here at Queen and Vine Streets in Lancaster City, Pennsylvania, Thaddeus Stevens had his law office. Stevens was an abolitionist. An abolitionist is a person who favors the abolition of a practice or institution, especially capital punishment or (formerly) slavery. Stevens was born 4 April 1792 to Joshua Stevens and Sarah (Sally) Morrill in Danville Vermont. One of four children, he attended Vermont University from 1810 to 1812 when the War prompted its closure. He then went to Dartmouth, where he graduated in 1814. He then studied law and found himself set up in Gettysburg, PA in 1816. He practiced law there until 1828 when he...

52 Ancestors: Remembering the King

Today is Elvis’ birthday. He would have been 80 today. I was only eight when he died so obviously I am too young to have seen Elvis perform. However, when I hear his music, I go back in time. I am once again that young girl dancing in the living room to Elvis and other greats with my father. Back then girls learned to dance by dancing with their fathers not some video of scantly dressed people doing all sorts of things young ladies should not be doing in public! What is YOUR favorite memory - either of your father or of Elvis? 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks is a weekly genealogical challenge issued by Amy Johnson Crow, of No Story Too Small . Look for my weekly posts each Thursday! © Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2015

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