Battle Comes to a Small Town

“The watcher was beholding something never before seen from this spot, and never seen again-two great armies, bound for the greatest and most violent collision the North American continent had ever seen” (5).

The Book

Gettysburg: The Last Invasion by Allen C. Guelzo is a complete recounting of the Battle of Gettysburg, from Robert E. Lee’s plan to attack on Northern soil to the dedication of the Gettysburg Cemetery.

Guelzo divides the book into four parts: The March Up, The First Day, The Second Day, and The Third Day. Each section provides a description of the people, places, and events that make the narrative come alive. The division helps the reader understand what happened throughout the several days of battle. Equal time is given to the lead up to the battle, and three consecutive days of smaller battles. The Third Day section describes the Confederate attack so well that the reader can easily picture the lines of advancing soldiers.

Gettysburg provides a lot of detail that can be difficult to process. It can be hard remembering which side a person was a part of and where he fits into the battle. The numerous maps in the book help the reader visualize troop movements and places of battle. Any history buff will find this book fascinating, but it might have too much depth for the average reader.

The Place

Gettysburg National Military Park is a moving place to visit. It is wise to plan at least two days to tour the park and museum. Entry to the park is free, but the Museum and Guided Tours have a fee.

There are several options for touring the battlefield: licensed battlefield guide, guided bus tour, or a self-guided auto tour. My family and I used the self-guided auto tour and enjoyed our freedom to take our time at each stop. The Visitor Center provides visitors an introduction to the battle and an opportunity to view the Gettysburg Cyclorama.

You don’t fully comprehend the magnitude of the Battle of Gettysburg until you visit the site. As you stand atop Little Round Top and look down on Devil’s Den, you appreciate the sacrifice of the men who prevented the Confederates from flanking the Union lines. I remember standing on the Union embankments and looking across the field to the Confederate lines. The Union soldiers fought hard to repulse the Confederate attack and begin the end of the Civil War. 

The General's Home After the Presidency

“Fifty evergreens lined the avenue from Waterworks Road to the farm residence, a gift of the Republican state committees” (21).

The Book

Going Home to Glory: A Memoir of Life with Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1961-1969 is part personal stories and part history. Authors David Eisenhower and Julie Nixon Eisenhower bring so much to the book because of their personal connection with Dwight D. Eisenhower. David is Eisenhower’s grandson and his wife, Julie, is the daughter of Richard M. Nixon. The book follows the last eight years of Eisenhower’s life which were also his years after the White House.

Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie, moved to their farm in Gettysburg, PA in 1961. It is a short drive from the White House to Gettysburg, and the small town was eager to become home to the president. The Eisenhower’s became involved in the community and their grandchildren were often visitors. David tells of his summers spent working on the farm and getting to know his grandfather in a context other than president. Eisenhower did not stay secluded at Gettysburg. He and Mamie traveled to homes in the south and west to visit friends and golf. Despite his retirement, Presidents Kennedy and Johnson sought Eisenhower’s advice on numerous issues.

Because Going Home to Glory is authored by Eisenhower’s family, the reader feels a personal connection to one of the First Families. Details are given on the presidential transfer of power, the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and presidential elections. The details are given through the lens of Eisenhower’s views, diary entries, and discussions with family. It is a unique way to learn more about American history.

The Place

The Eisenhower’s bought their farm in 1950 and it was the first home they owned as a married couple. They had moved thirty-three times during Eisenhower’s career with the Army. The farm included orchards, a putting green, a brick hut and patio, a skeet and trap shoot range, and a herd of cattle. In 1965, Eisenhower sold his cattle herd and he and Mamie deeded their land to the National Park Service, effective upon their deaths.

Today, visitors to the Gettysburg can tour the Eisenhower National Historic Site adjacent to the Gettysburg National Battlefield. You are able to tour both the house and farms to see what it was like when Eisenhower and Mamie lived there. The Historic Site also teaches visitors about Eisenhower’s service during World War II and as the president. It is a great experience to walk where an American leader during World War II and the Cold War walked. If you are traveling with children, there are two ways they can get a hands-on experience: the Junior Secret Service Agent Program and a virtual tour of the home.