Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

The Beautiful Town With an Ugly Past

In June 1863, the bloody American Civil War was entering its fourth year. This military meat-grinder had already consumed 300,000 troops. By war’s end, 2 years hence, another 300,000 soldiers would die from combat and disease. Until 1863, most of the bloodshed occurred on Confederate soil. In a bold move to turn the tide of war, the Confederate army, under the direction of Robert E. Lee, invaded north into Pennsylvania. Having marched hundreds of miles north from Virginia, the malnourished Southern troops were like locusts on the Pennsylvania countryside. Thousands of threadbare and barefoot troops also scavenged for shoes. They entered the vicinity of Gettysburg in search of footwear. There they stumbled upon advance elements of the Army of the Potomac. For three days, both sides poured reinforcements into the battle. The result was the deadliest battle in United States history. Because of its military and historic significance, Gettysburg is a restoration dream-come-true. The town is also known for its institutions of higher learning, namely the Lutheran Theological Seminary, founded in 1826, and Pennsylvania College (now Gettysburg College), which began operating in 1832. Harrisburg Area Community College also has a campus in Gettysburg. EARNS OUR HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.