It was somewhat cold at about 25F and windy. The sun was out and there were several groups walking the fields as I was. The plaques were numerous and compelled one to read, as they each spent a paragraph describing which group stood on this exact piece of ground at what time, and what their fate would be. Looking up at the lay of the land, the distance of opposing fire and the sheer number of casualties made the walk quite memorable. The cold numbness became an afterthought as my mind's eye imagined what must've been a terrific display.
Anyways, enjoy the article. I'd highly recommend visiting the site. Great battlefield and well maintained.
Also, the concept of Nationalism, which the Left demonizes today, was the very reason for the battle and the war.
The soldier who stands in the rear rank on parade but in the front rank on attack.
I’ve been there a few times, riding back from DC after Rolling Thunder. It’s a beautiful, haunting, place.
A friend and I did a CW battlefields tour a few years ago. Two guys, eight days, starting at Appromattox, then to Lexington, up the Valley, Harpers Ferry, Antietam, Gettysburg, Manassas, Wilderness/Chancellorsville, Richmond, Petersburg. What a great time! Antietam and Gettysburg were the best, but everything was terrific. Sacred ground.
Non Sibi Sed Patriae
And that was about the sum total of his contribution. Great at parades, lousy at fighting.
I understand this battle is still studied at West Point as an example of how to violate several of the Army Principles of War.
The monument is fitting. This truly was the soldiers' battle because most of the leadership was poor. Still the bloodiest single day in the history of the Army.