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"Hey, Ranger!"
Gettysburg National Military Park's |
Cool subjects! As a ranger/historian at Gettysburg, you have to understand many different topics. Here are some of the most common:
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Welcome! You're probably here because you are curious about our nation's past and the Civil War. At Gettysburg National Military Park, it is the ranger-historian's job to study this controversial time in our nation's history and provide an explanation, or interpretation, of these events to park visitors. Sound interesting? Well, it is! Explore these pages and see if you have what it takes to be a junior historian! What Started the Civil War?
The first major land battle was fought at Bull Run in Virginia in 1861. The men who were soldiers in these armies were volunteers who chose to go to war. They wanted to win a quick victory but instead found that there was a lot of marching and drill, living outdoors, disease, bad weather, and boredom. Where did all the soldiers who fought at Gettysburg come from? Why did they choose to go to war? How were the armies different? How were they so much alike? Just who were "Billy Yank" and "Johnny Reb"?
1863 was the most critical year of the Civil War and for the hopes of the Confederacy. For two years, the Union and Confederate armies in the east battled with each other in Virginia and in Maryland. Confederate General Robert E. Lee advised Confederate president Jefferson Davis that the time was right to invade the North that summer. In June, almost 78,000 Confederates made their way northward into Pennsylvania with the support of southern leaders filled with high hopes that another victory would ensure independence for the South. Their hopes were dashed at the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place during the first three days of July 1863.
Whew! You need a scorecard to keep track of everyone who was important at the Battle of Gettysburg! Check out who some of the big (and little) shots were:
After the fighting had ended, a portion of the battlefield was purchased as a burial ground for the fallen Union soldiers. The dedication of the Soldiers National Cemetery in November 1863 was a very special occasion and Gettysburg had not witnessed such an invasion of people since the battle. They all came to see the dedication and the special guest who had been asked to speak. Who were some of the dignitaries at the dedication ceremony and why was it so important?
Now that you've read, clicked, guessed, and wandered through all of these
subjects, are you ready to take the ultimate quiz?
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If you love our National Parks, Monuments and Historic Sites, your next challenge is to become a Web Ranger. If you are new to our National Parks, we hope this site helps you experience how wonderful they can be! |
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National Park Service
Gettysburg National Military Park
97 Taneytown Road
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325
author: John Heiser
Gettysburg National Military Park
Updated July 2006