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Cemetery Hill, Gettysburg

Day 2 of the 3 day Battle of Gettysburg ended with a fierce fight between several thousand soldiers at this scene, Cemetery Hill. One feature prominent in this picture is the fencing. Fences like the split-rail with mortise fence in the foreground are still used commonly today. Beyond are several rows of low stone wall fences, behind which soldiers found some cover. Fences throughout the park are generally maintained roughly in their original locations, as determined through photographs from the time period.

 

Looking at this picture in large size, the cemetery can be see through the trees on the left beyond the white building. About a half-mile ahead, at the horizon, is a brown structure, the Cemetery Gatehouse, built in 1855.

 

Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous "Gettysburg Address" for the dedication of the adjoining Soldiers' National Cemetery in 1863, a few months after the battle that cost over 51, 000 casualties. The Civil War lasted another two years after the Battle of Gettysburg.

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Uploaded on October 7, 2012
Taken on September 19, 2012