Last month I had a convention I attended in Philadelphia for work. I had a day off from the convention though, and decided to use my time wisely and go see Valley Forge and Gettysburg (not really next to each other). I'd seen the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia along with Independence Hall (where the Constitution was written) on a previous visit. Valley Forge is about 35 minutes from Philly. Gettysburg is more like 2.5 hours. Both were well worth the visit and it would make for a fun history trip to see more stuff in the area.
Valley Forge
The General Washington's continental army stayed here through the winter of 1777-78. A lot of rolling hills with open fields and some wooded areas. There were replicas of huts where the troops lived. Also, I toured Washington's Quarters. One of the few places where there were original hand railings that Washington would've used to climb the staircase. Hopefully some of his DNA rubbed off on mine. I didn't spend a lot of time here because I only had one day and wanted to spend most of it at Gettysburg, the bloodiest battle America has every had, 51,000 casualties (that's dead and wounded). Valley Forge was just a camp, no battle there, but it is somewhere near the area depicted by the famous painting of Washington crossing the Delaware.
The huts for the troops (above), and Washington's quarters (below).
One of the many fields at Valley Forge with cannon bunkers (above).
Memorial of those revolutionary troops that fought for our freedom at Valley Forge (above).
Gettysburg National Military Park
The battle of Gettysburg was a big one with both of the largest army of the Union forces and the largest of the Confederates joined in battle virtually by chance. It really was a turning point for the war. If the Confederates would've won the battle, it may have cost us the war and the country may have been divided still today. As it happened, this was as far north as the confederate army ever came. This battle didn't end the war, but the Confederates raced south from this point on. It was a three day battle starting on July 1, 1863 to July 3, 1863. It was an interesting feeling standing where men fought, killed others, and died.
Here's Gettysburg visitor center, totally remodeled in 2010.
The Wheat Field where some of the battle took place. You can imagine hiding behind the rock wall for cover as the Confederates charged.
Here I am atop Little Round Top. The Union soldiers had the high ground and were outnumbered, but the Confederates still charged to their deaths.
Another shot of Little Round Top.
I saw these soldiers touring Gettysburg as well. Thought I'd put them in the picture too. This is the "High Water Mark" as they say for the Confederates, they never came further north than this. This is also the site of Pickett's Charge. You can see the rock wall here. This is where the Union soldiers took cover. Across the field, which is about a mile, are the woods where the Confederate soldiers emerged and charged the Union lines. No cover, just a brave and hopeless charge into a fortified Union position. The Union army was outnumbered by the Confederates and afraid as the Grays ran towards them with their "rebel yell." Some men actually broke through the line but were quickly taken down. This was a site of a lot of death.
Here is the monument at the National Military Cemetery at Gettysburg. This is where President Lincoln stood and gave his famous Gettysburg Address.
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Below is the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. I still had time to see those again a few days later. The National Park service says that this is the one park that every American should come to visit. I agree.
