There’s just no reason to get lost in military jargon. I can say that, because I was once lost in the jargon. When I found my way out of the fog, I realized that I was confused for an unnecessarily long time. And so with that in mind, the purpose…
Why do people visit Soldiers’ National Cemetery? How does Soldiers’ National Cemetery draw patriots to Gettysburg? … I think you need to feel it, hear it, or touch it to understand. Soldiers’ National Cemetery Draws Patriots to Gettysburg For taps… Check out this May 12 article in the Hanover (PA)…
In anticipation of Memorial Day, today’s post is about my experience bicycling Culp’s Hill in Gettysburg National Military Park. For me, battlefield bicycling ignites a “new burst of freedom” (a play on President Lincoln’s words) that draws inspiration from the sacrifice of our veterans, living and dead. First, though, an…
My ears perk-up whenever I overhear a battlefield guide talk about natural and physical landmarks. That’s because it is very helpful to know where I am standing in relationship to the hills, woods, monuments and buildings that I see in the distance. In this post, you will learn how to get…
If you can buy only one history book to prepare for your bicycle trip to Gettysburg, I recommend that you first consider your needs. Okay, that may sound obvious. But if you have never planned a historical bicycle tour, you may not know what you need. Consider these questions: Do you need…
There are eight Gettysburg equestrian monuments. Can you identify which is which? What about their riders, do you know their names? Let’s have a little fun. The monuments listed in the following table are ordered for convenience designing a bicycling loop through Gettysburg National Military Park. To get started with…
Bicycling historians know that hotel selection can make or break a trip. And it’s not about money. Money won’t necessarily buy you what you need. Fortunately, selecting a bicycle-friendly hotel is not complicated. Today, I offer a few tips based on my own experience. The Ultimate Guide to Selecting a…
I begin with a personal comment: My interest in American Civil War history accelerated after my kids grew up. I like to think it’s because I started to have more time to read and reflect. Truthfully, though, that wasn’t it. In this blog post, I offer three common reasons why…
Today, a challenge: Test your knowledge about Gettysburg Union state monuments with these interactive quizzes. Even if you know very little, this is an easy way to learn a lot. After all, there are only seven Union state monuments at Gettysburg, so your chances of mastering this material quickly are very good….
Sometimes, the best books are written for kids but read by adults. My top pick for the simplest ever introduction to Gettysburg goes to MacKinlay Kantor. Originally written in 1952, this little classic for middle-school children survives as an accurate, high-level summary of the Battle of Gettysburg. As a former teacher and life-long…