Gettysburg 145th Anniversary Celebration

PA Festivals & Fairs
Gettysburg 145th Anniversary Celebration
By Carl Whitehill
Mar 4, 2008, 11:46 PST

Six Major Battles Will Be Featured At Gettysburg, Pennsylvania's 145TH Anniversary Battle Reenactment!

Visitors and reenactors attending the 145th Gettysburg Anniversary National Civil War Reenactment will see plenty of action on the battlefield this year. Two major battles each day of the three-day event have been slated for July 4, 5 and 6. This year’s massive five-year reenactment will be held at the C. David Redding Farm just three miles north of Gettysburg.

Image courtesy of The 145th Gettysburg Anniversary Civil War Reenactment

For this five-year national event, thousands of reenactors gather in Gettysburg from across the United States and many foreign countries to commemorate the decisive battle that changed the course of American history.

“Over 10,000 reenactors, 100 cannons and 400 horses will provide visitors and participants an extremely rare opportunity to experience history being re-created at a troop deployment level seldom seen at any reenactment,” said event spokeswoman Andrea DiMartino.

Image courtesy of The 145th Gettysburg Anniversary Civil War Reenactment

The Independence Day weekend action begins at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, July 4th with the First Day scenario “The Devils To Pay – Struggle At Willoughby Run.” The battle will feature Confederate infantry and plenty of Federal cavalry. An interesting component of this first battle will be the approximately 100 mounted cavalry who will ride onto the battlefield and engage directly into battle from Hanover after reenacting the Battle Of Hanover the previous day. At 6 p.m. on Friday, “Holding The High Ground – Defense Of Cemetery Hill”, brings thousands of reenactors into battle and depicts the ferocious struggle for this strategically important hill with plenty of infantry and massive artillery fire.

Hundreds of mounted and dismounted cavalry will engage at 11 a.m. Saturday in “Polished Sabers Dazzling In The Sun – Hanover Road.” This will be the largest cavalry battle since the Gettysburg 135th in 1998! After viewing this epic East Cavalry Field engagement, there will be a Grand Cavalry Review. Saturday concludes with a major infantry and artillery battle at 5 p.m., “Hold The Line – Gallant Rally At The Klingle Farm.” General Sickles broke ranks, moved forward, and almost caused a federal disaster in the process. Only a valiant delaying action allowed Meade and Hancock to stop the Confederate onslaught.

After suffering the disastrous defeat at Gettysburg, the Confederate army slowly slogged their way back to Hagerstown and waited anxiously to cross the rain swollen Potomac. Union cavalry finally pursued and attacked in strength – but it was too late. On Sunday morning at 11 a.m., this cavalry action is re-created during “We Must Cross The Potomac To Virginia.”

Image courtesy of The 145th Gettysburg Anniversary Civil War Reenactment

“Pickett’s Charge – The High Tide Crashes In” kicks off activities on Sunday afternoon with a thundering cannonade at 3 p.m. Over 100 cannons and thousands of reenactors will participate in this famous battle which is the event finale. A 225-yard-long stone wall replicating The Angle has been erected just for this event. The conclusion of this battle is a very moving experience as troops from both armies meet at the wall, shake hands, bow their heads to honor their ancestors and Taps is played.

In addition to these popular battles, there will be field demonstrations, live mortar fire, a living history village, a medical demonstration area, and two large living history tents with continuous programs all day. Just a few of the announced living history programs include Ladies Period Dress, Civil War Music, Period Religious Services, Civil War Period Weddings, Presentations by The Generals and Civil War Photography. Visitors can also stroll through the military camps talking to the reenactors.

The 145th Gettysburg Anniversary Civil War Reenactment is an all day family event in Pennsylvania designed to both entertain and educate. This event is great for schools as it helps to make those dusty old history books come alive!

Tickets and complete information are available at the Official Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Reenactment website or by calling the Gettysburg Anniversary Committee at 717-338-1525.