Dawn on Cemetery Hill - Gettysburg

The monument to Union Major General Winfield Scott Hancock stands over East Cemetery Hill at Gettysburg. (Click image for larger view).

8th Pennsylvania Cavalry at Gettysburg

The monument to the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry stands on Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg. The 8th was active in the campaign, but did not hold the ground where its marker is located near the center of action during the repulse of Pickett's Charge. (Click image for larger view).

Fight over the Angle - Gettysburg

The monument to the 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry stands before of a lone weathered tree at the Angle at Gettysburg, scene of the repulse of Pickett's Charge. Placement of the monument only took place after a legal fight carried out by the survivors of the 72nd Pa., who wanted to place their monument at the stone wall they eventually regained from surging Confederates at the height of the fight. Park rules would have had the 72nd place its marker on its main battle line to the rear of this monument, not the more prestigious forward position. (Click image for larger view).

Fog on East Cemetery Hill

Fog envelopes East Cemetery Hill at Gettysburg, including the monument to the 7th West Virginia (center), which rushed to help repel Rebels from this ground late on the second day of battle. (Click image for larger image).

Maine at Gettysburg - Lost Avenue

The 7th Maine Infantry monument stands on Neill (Lost) Avenue at Gettysburg. The 7th was part of the brigade holding the extreme right of the infantry line of the Union army's 'fishhook' position during the battle. (Click image for larger view).

Meade and the Moon - Gettysburg

A full moon rises beyond the monument to Army of the Potomac leader Major General George G. Meade on Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg. (Click image for larger view).

These honored dead - Gettysburg

Work on the National Cemetery was still in progress when President Abraham Lincoln traveled to Gettysburg for its dedication. The fresh graves before him, Lincoln's words took on an importance rivaling that of the battle as he reaffirmed the task facing the Union: "We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." (Click image for larger view).

Minnesota in the National Cemetery - Gettysburg

A memorial urn to the First Minnesota Infantry, the first permanent monument on the battlefield, stands among graves in the National Cemetery at Gettysburg. 52 dead of the First Minnesota rest nearby, part of the 82 percent casualty rate suffered by the regiment in the three days of fighting. (Click image for larger view).

Firepower in the Cemetery - Gettysburg

What is today the peaceful National Cemetery at Gettysburg was crowded with artillery during the battle. Cemetery Hill, prominently situated overlooking Gettysburg, became home to dozens of artillery pieces that anchored the center of the Union line and were splayed in nearly all directions. Among them was Taft's New York battery, outfitted with 20-pounder Parrots, the largest artillery carried in the army. A diminutive rendering of one of the large guns now tops the monument to Taft's men and their Cemetery Hill position. (Click image for larger view).

Dilger on Day One - Gettysburg

Guns mark one of the positions held by Capt. Hubert Dilger's battery of Ohio men on the first day at Gettysburg. Dilger's efforts were one of the few success stories for the Union army fighting north of the town. He held several positions, taking on both enemy artillery and infantry with great effect. His opening shots against a Confederate battery provided a memorable, if unlikely, sequence of events as reported by one witness:

"The first shot from the Ohio Battery flew over the Confederate Battery. At this time the rebels yelled in derision. Capt. Dilger now sighted the gun himself and fired it. The shot dismounted a rebel gun and killed the horses. Capt. Dilger tried it a second time, sighting and firing the gun. No effect being visible with the naked eye, Col. Brown who was near, asked, 'what effect, Capt. Dilger?' Capt. Dilger, after looking through his glass, replied. 'I have spiked a gun for them plugging it at the muzzle.' "