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).

The last survivor - Gettysburg

The monument to the Grand Army of the Republic and Albert Woolson, 'the last survivor,' stands near the Cyclorama at Gettysburg. Woolson did not fight at Gettysburg - he entered the war as a drummer boy in the West - but was the last remaining Union soldier from the war at the time of his death in 1956. (Click image for larger view).

'Don't give up your guns' - Rickett's Battery, Gettysburg

The monument to Rickett's Battery on East Cemetery Hill belies the chaos that swirled around his and other batteries on the hill at nightfall on the second day at Gettysburg. A Confederate attack briefly overran the hill, including a section of Rickett's guns. As his gunners fought off the attackers in hand-to-hand combat on his left, his right continued to fire cannister at other rebels less successful at gaining the crest. The order: "Die on the soil of your State, but don't give up your guns," was carried out to the extreme by three cannoneers among the battery's casualties that night. (Click image for larger view).

Right of the Army of the Potomac - Gettysburg

The right flank marker of the 61st Pennsylvania Infantry monument stands next to a marker for the right of the Army of the Potomac on 'Lost Avenue' on Wolf Hill at Gettysburg. (Click image for larger view).

Jennie Wade - Gettysburg

The grave of Jennie Wade (top center), the only civilian killed during the battle of Gettysburg, rests in the Evergreen Cemetery on Cemetery Hill. Many Gettysburg notables are also buried in the cemetery that gave Cemetery Hill and Cemetery Ridge its names, including civilian-turned-combatant John Burns, battlefield photographer William Tipton and baseball Hall of Famer Eddie Plank. (Click image for larger view).

'The Only Position' - Howard at Gettysburg

The monument to Union Major General Oliver Otis Howard stands atop Cemetery Hill at Gettysburg, on the location where Howard placed his reserve during the first day of fighting. Howard understood the hill, which commanded the landscape south of Gettysburg, would be a critical fall back position should the hard-pressed First and Eleventh Corps need to retreat. "This looks like a good position," Howard, speaking of Cemetery Hill, told an aide. "It is the only position, general," was the t0-the-point reply. Obvious or not, the hill became an anchor of the Union line for the next two days of fighting along Cemetery Ridge. (Click image for larger view).

West Virginia at Gettysburg

The monument to Union Major General O.O. Howard shares space with the 7th West Virginia Infantry monument on East Cemetery Hill at Gettysburg. The 7th was part of the brigade sent to the hill as darkness fell and a Confederate attack crested there on the second day of fighting. Carroll's Brigade swept lingering rebels from Cemetery Hill in the confusion of night and smoke, the attack having almost reached its goal but unable to hold its gains. (Click image for larger view).

Dawn at East Cemetery Hill - Gettysburg

Early morning light shows over East Cemetery Hill at Gettysburg, where closely placed Union monuments indicate the importance of the position. It was at dusk and not dawn, however, when events at the hill were most critical. A Confederate charge on the second day crested and faltered on the top of the hill in failing dusk light. But on the first day the hill loomed large for what didn't happen: an attack by rebels against the retreating Union army, which was reconstituting itself south of Gettysburg after being pushed from north and west of the town. Would a Confederate assault late on the first day have changed the history of the battle? Almost certainly, but in exactly what fashion will forever remain in the shadows of history. (Click image for larger view).

'Hold this position' - The Peach Orchard, Gettysburg

A Union gun peers over the Peach Orchard, scene of massed artillery and sharp fighting on the second day at Gettysburg. Union corps commander Major General Dan Sickles knew when he extended his line to form a salient here that the work would be hard. "Hold this position while you have a shot in your limbers and a man to work your guns," he told one battery commander. It was not a unique order on a day filled with similar directives - and it was nearly carried out as commanded when the batteries were threatened or overrun in what became a rout of the position. The Peach Orchard trees are undergoing replacement in a rehabilitation of the orchard, and are currently much smaller than the mature trees pictured here. (Click image for larger view).