Gettysburg will take two paragraphs. It was the most
concentrated day of our journey and every second of it was a treat. In 1850
human property was worth more than railroads and factories combined. Cotton was
75 percent of the USA’s world export. Many in the North opposed freeing the
slaves out of fear that freed slaves would come north and take their jobs. The
Republican Party was born over the slave issue and when Lincoln took over the
presidency his goal was not necessarily to abolish slavery but only to contain
it in the South. By November of 1863 as he pointed out the hallowed ground at
Gettysburg, the North had gained the momentum it needed to wholly eradicate the
practice of slavery in America.
A clump of
trees in the middle of a field which was home to Pickets charge was the “high
water mark” of the Confederate Army. Lee was undefeated going into Gettysburg
and was looking for one final victory to crush the hope of the North. Heroic fighting
occurred on both sides of the lines: entire regiments (300-1000 men) were wiped
out over a three day stretch, leaving hundreds of cities destitute of men;
leaders such as Chamberlain and Strong Vincent solidified themselves in civil
war legend; thousands of men were buried in 18 inch graves, some Confederates
not returned home for 8 to 10 years. Said a Union soldier, “I find that men who
talk the most are not always the bravest.” At Gettysburg, men of America showed
what they were worth and fought for their ideals.
Going to
Philadelphia had a very distinct change in atmosphere. Learning the same
historical events and characters had a unique feel to what we had felt during
our week in Virginia. Philadelphia was less British and held certain founding
fathers in higher regard. Here there was more talk of Ben Franklin, John Adams,
Gouvienor Morris, Robert Morris, and James Madison. In the original Declaration
of Independence, Thomas Jefferson had to remove a paragraph which blamed
England for slavery being implemented in America. John Adams never owned a
slave. The taxes imposed on American’s really weren’t very steep, the bigger
issue was lack of representation.
First time
in New York City was an eye opener, such beautiful tall buildings! We visited
the World Trade Memorial and it was an extremely moving and empowering
experience. It was emotional to reflect on my feelings that day and reminded me
of my pride to be in the military and how, as sad as it is, there are people in
the world who hate me and hate my fellow Americans enough to commit a heinous
crime against humanity.
Palmyra, NY
is a small little known town upstate of the Finger Lakes and home to the
birthplace of America’s most underrated religious leader. It lies along the
Erie Canal and actually became a fairly important town in the hay-day of the
Canal. We visited the scared grove at midnight and the following afternoon. Both
times provided moments of reflection and introspection. That land is an
extremely sacred spot and I love the unstained glass window which peers into it
from the Palmyra Temple. In Palmyra, Alvin Smith began making a frame house for
his parents, before he passed, so that “a long life would be desirable.” We
learned about the Grandin Building and the massive undertaking of writing and
printing the Book of Mormon. John Kilpert(a Grandin employee) was the first to
put punctuation into the Book of Mormon. In1841 an edition was printed in
England, other editions were printed in Kirtland, Nauvoo, and Salt Lake. The
massive undertaking was a miracle as a new printing press had been obtained
just months before and Grandin took the undertaking despite much criticism from
the local citizens.
This
concludes the rudimentary account of a few interesting things I learned this
summer. I encourage everyone to save money and make a similar pilgrimage
someday. We have rich history and this trip as instilled a lifelong desire to
learn more about the great people and ideas which preceded me.
