Well, Cathy finally did it! We have talked about going to Gettysburg for at least the last ten years. Cathy and I both are something of history nerds. So, Gettysburg is high on our bucket list. Now, she pulled the trigger and booked the trip.
The battle itself is fascinating. The Confederate Army under General Lee was moving into Pennsylvania with the aim of taking Harrisburg, the state capital. The Union Army, under General Meade, was marching north from Washington to intercept. Lee issued orders to not engage the North until the entire army was together. The advance unit from the South was about 10 miles outside of Harrisburg, which is about 40 miles north of Gettysburg. However, one of the Confederate generals going past Gettysburg heard they made shoes in the town and took his men to go get some.
But before they got there, they happened to be spotting by a Federal calvary unit, whose commander decided this would be a good spot to take on the soldiers in front of him.
Neither Lee nor Meade, wanted to fight at Gettysburg. But troops kept coming up and within hours a major fight was underway. At first it looked like the Union soldiers were going to win the day. Then their line broke and they were just about routed. They fell back on high ground just south of town to dig in. And more troops from both sides just kept coming and coming.
The resulting three-day battle could have gone either way so many times. Uncharacteristically hesitant generals, last moment adjustments, troops arriving just in time, among other things kept the outcome uncertain until the last terrible uphill charge by the South. In the end, Lee suffered his first substantial defeat in the bloodiest battle in our country’s history. It is estimated there were over 50,000 combined casualties.
And the war ground on for another year and nine months.
However, slavery, the most divisive issue for the young United States, the world’s first experiment in government by the people, was settled.
May we, as a country, never have to settle our differences in the same way again.
Now moving on to lighter subjects, in City news this week, I heard there was going to be an invisible magic leprechaun at the library on St. Patrick’s Day, Thursday, March 17 who is going to make all of the late fees disappear for anyone coming in that day. So, if you have any overdue books, Thursday is the day to have dues wiped away.
Also, you may have noticed the long-awaited exercise equipment is installed in City Park. Go by and take a look. Thanks again to the hospital employees who spear-headed this effort to make our town healthier.
In addition, I wanted to remind all of you young softball and baseball players, to register for the 2022 season. The deadline is April 13. The fees for co-ed T-ball and Coach Pitch players (ages 4-9) are $30 for Weiser residents and $35 for county. The fees for all U-11 through U-15 players are $47 for Weiser Residents and $52 for county residents.
Well, that’s it for this week. Hope you have a blarney good St. Patrick’s Day!
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