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.' "

Guns of the Wheatfield Road - Gettysburg

Union artillery lines the Wheatfield Road at the Peach Orchard, scene of massed Union cannon the second day at Gettysburg. The Confederates won the day on this ground, but not before the artillerists exacted a cost, according to one witness: "Masses of Kershaw's and Wofford's brigades had been swept from the muzzles of the guns, which had been loaded either with double-shotted, or spherical case, with fuses cut to one second, to explode near the muzzles. They were literally blown to atoms. Corpses strewed the ground at every step." (Click image for larger view).

Citizen Soldiers - Gettysburg

The grouping of soldiers on the base of the Virginia State Monument at Gettysburg represents the various walks of life that contributed to the Confederate cause from the Old Dominion-a professional man, mechanic, artist, a boy, a business man, farmer, and a youth. The Seminary Ridge monument, better known for its depiction of Lee and Traveller at its top, is the largest grouping of figures on the battlefield. (Click image for larger view).

East Cavalry Field - Gettysburg

The monument to the 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th Michigan Cavalry of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade stands in the always-quiet East Cavalry Field at Gettysburg. Isolated from the rest of the battlefield, the site of horse soldier fighting on the third day has not changed much from when Brig. General George Armstrong Custer led his men into battle with the cry "Come on, you Wolverines!" (Click image for larger view).

Hampton's Battery at the Peach Orchard - Gettysburg

The sun sets beyond the monument to Hampton's Battery at the Peach Orchard at Gettysburg. Because of earlier losses, Hampton's gunners were incorporated with another battery during the fight at Gettysburg, when they were placed at the center of the ferocious artillery fight at the Sickles salient. (Click image for larger view).

New Yorkers on Culp's Hill - Gettysburg

The 123rd NY Infantry monument rests among other Union markers on Culp's Hill at Gettysburg. The 123rd was one of several units dispatched from its works on the hill to support the Union left on the second day of fighting, only to return to find Confederates had taken their position in their absence. They later retook their works, then were sent off again to support the defense of Pickett's Charge. (Click image for larger view).

Reynolds in the Cemetery - Gettysburg

The Union's Major General John Reynolds, the highest ranking officer killed in the battle, is memorialized with a statue in the National Cemetery at Gettysburg. Reynolds is depicted in two other full size bronze statues elsewhere on the field. At right is the New York State Monument. (Click image for larger view).