Battle of Gettysburg (photos)
On Road Trip 2010, CNET reporter Daniel Terdiman witnesses the reenactment of one of the most famous Civil War battles.
Fire!
On July 2, 1863, well into the Civil War, Confederate forces were excited because they had occupied the town of Gettysburg, Pa. But July 2 marked one of the bloodiest battles of the conflict over Gettysburg, and of the war: The Wheatfield Battle, known as the "Harvest of Death."
Each year, at Gettysburg, hundreds or thousands of Civil War buffs come together to reenact the battles here over four days of celebrations, education, weddings, and more. This year, as part of Road Trip 2010, CNET reporter Daniel Terdiman was on hand to chronicle the action.
Rather than try to explain the complexity of the battle--and mainly so as not to get Civil War buffs worked up about inaccuracies--Terdiman has decided to let the photos of the battle speak for themselves.
Here, we see the Confederate forces firing their cannons at the Union troops on the far side of the battlefield.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Resting up
Prior to the Wheatfield "battle," an enactor sits under a lean-to, sheltered from the sun, resting up for what's to come.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
In thought
An enactor looks thoughtfully off into the distance as the battle approaches.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Banging the drum
Nathan Irgang, 12, bangs his drum near the battlefield. He's come from Pittsburg, Pa., and is with enactors who are part of the Stonewall Brigade, the 5th Virginia, Company H.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Mending pants
Steve Sucke, from Pittsburg, mends a pair of pants prior to the Wheatfield Battle. Sucke is an enactor who was part of the Stonewall Brigade. Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Ambulance arrives
Each side had an ambulance, to cart away the wounded.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Tents
Each side had its own camp near the battlefield. The tents that were set up were meant to be authentic, or at least realistic.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Conferederate command arriving
The Confederate command arrives from above the battlefield.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Union command arrives
From the other side of the battlefield, the Union Army command arrives.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
The Confederates approach
In the distance, the Confederate infantry marches toward the battlefield.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Here comes the Union
From the opposite side of the battlefield, the Union infantry marches from its camp.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Prayer
The enactors on the Confederate side stop for a moment of prayer, or reflection, before the battle begins.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Hanging their hats
A few of the members of the Confederate Army pause for a moment, letting their hats hang on their muskets.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Covering their ears
The cannons fired very loudly, and before each shot, the cannoneers would cover their ears for protection. Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Union fires
A cannon blast from the Union side.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Cleaning the cannon
Confederate cannoneers clean their weapons in preparation for the next volley.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Lining up to fire
A group of Union Army members line up and prepare to fire their muskets.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
The first casualties
Moments after the Wheatfield Battle begins, the first bodies are down on the field.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Confederates firing
A group of Confederate riflemen fire their muskets.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Charge!
The Confederates charge toward the middle of the field.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Cavalry fighting
Not far from this field, an actual cavalry battle took place simultaneously on July 2, 1863. Here, though, its representation took place just up the hill from the main battle.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Handing over a canteen
A thirsty Confederate grabs a canteen of water from another.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Riding and firing
Members of the cavalry ride and fire.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Raising their muskets
The Confederates raise their muskets and prepare a volley of fire.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.
Tending the wounded
Though women weren't usually on the battlefields, some stayed behind the lines to tend to the wounded.
Click here to read a related story on the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as watch videos of the reenactment. And click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.