
The Battle of Gettysburg was the largest in the American Civil War, causing 45,000 casualties in just three days. This huge set-piece re-enactment, on the original site of the battle, involves over 20,000 active participants, while tens of thousands watch.
The original battle took place in 1863, two years before the conflict ended with the defeat of the Confederacy. The smell of gunpowder, the flash of rifle fire and the replica 19th-century battle uniforms make this yearly re-enactment an evocative and highly atmospheric event.
The highlight is the Pickett's Charge at 2pm on the Sunday. It is a loud, smoky affair with the sounds of pistol crack and rifle shot ringing loud over the battlefield.
Capturing the imagination of schoolchildren and war historians alike, it is an extremely popular event and it's worth booking a viewing position well in advance. Traffic is heavy around the weekend, so arrive early so as not to miss the battles. If you fancy getting involved, anyone over 16 can join their regiment of choice and can even bring their own horse. Aside from the battlefield, there are live mortar fire and artillery demonstrations, war photography exhibitions, civil war music concerts and even military weddings.
Related Information
| Contact Details | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Gettysburg Anniversary Committee |
| Email: | gac3@comcast.net |
| Phone: | +1 717 338 1525 |
| Address: | P.O. Box 3482, Gettysburg, PA 17325-3482, USA |
| Town Information: | Gettysburg |
| Full Name: | Gettysburg,USA |
| Directions: | About 30 miles north-west of Washington, and a similar distance from Washington-Dulles International Airport.
For those attending the annual Battle of Gettysburg Reenactment, most visitors drive to the area of farmland on Pumping Station Road, northwest of Gettysburg. |
| Other Information: | Gettysburg |
| Website: | Gettysburg Website |
| Contact Details | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Gettysburg Anniversary Committee |
| Email: | gac3@comcast.net |
| Phone: | +1 717 338 1525 |
| Address: | P.O. Box 3482, Gettysburg, PA 17325-3482, USA |
| Name: | Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging Association |
| Location: | Pennsylvania |
| Address: | 4th Floor, Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225 |
| Phone: | +1 800 847 4872 |