Independence Hall, Philadelphia
As the week moves on in two different places and at two different times in history, excitement and tension mount as the events which will dramatically change America get ready to hit full force. On this June 30th in Philadephia, Thomas Jefferson continues to work on his Declaration, making minor changes to improve the flow of words while the Union Army is catching up with General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia but are still moving at quick step. Most of the Army of the Potomac has made it to the Pennsylvania line by mid-afternoon and pauses with the exception of General Buford's cavalry which makes it on horseback into Gettysburg, expecting to make contact with Confederate forces in the town. Although he happened upon an element to the south but wasn't observed, Lee's forces were gathering west of town. One element had planned to attack Harrisburg but plans were changed when they realized they would likely have to fight their enemy in Gettysburg.
Federal forces had gained one advantage: visibility. When Buford took high land where a church had a tall steeple, he had a built in vantage point to see the incoming Confederates from the north and west. Not only did it give them visibility, but it would make it much harder for the Southern soldiers to attack by expending so much extra energy in horribly hot weather on the uphill climb. From his vantage point, Buford informed his superiors of the situation and also told them that the town was open. Toward the end of the day, minor skirmishes took place from a distance, yet neither side was ready to commit their forces substantially until all were in place. So, with a strong guard element keeping watch on both sides, most of the soldiers on both sides by late afternoon were able to rest, if rest was even possible. While there feet might get some rest, their minds were busy thinking of the horrors they would face the next day. Many spend time writing farewell letters to loved ones, marking them to be dispatched if they were to die and soldiers who might not have prayed in a long time found themselves humbled before God. They all knew they were going nowhere until the battle was joined and finished, either with the glow of victory or the agony of defeat in life or death.
And at the same time in today's America, what do we find going on. Well, good Americans still plan to celebrate the Fourth of July, yet it will likely be scaled back because of all they hype about Covid-19 and resultant governmental regulations, many large cities continue to be war zones as violent protesters continue their push to end police forces and throw America into even more turmoil. And so many just remain silent, afraid to speak up for what is right and good. Just remember, folks, that if Americans had operated in a similar fashion back in Gettysburg or when brave representatives were willing to accept a death warrant from the Crown for what they were about to do, America likely wouldn't even be here today. Something to think about as we continue our walk through a few days in history in 1776 and 1863.
Federal forces had gained one advantage: visibility. When Buford took high land where a church had a tall steeple, he had a built in vantage point to see the incoming Confederates from the north and west. Not only did it give them visibility, but it would make it much harder for the Southern soldiers to attack by expending so much extra energy in horribly hot weather on the uphill climb. From his vantage point, Buford informed his superiors of the situation and also told them that the town was open. Toward the end of the day, minor skirmishes took place from a distance, yet neither side was ready to commit their forces substantially until all were in place. So, with a strong guard element keeping watch on both sides, most of the soldiers on both sides by late afternoon were able to rest, if rest was even possible. While there feet might get some rest, their minds were busy thinking of the horrors they would face the next day. Many spend time writing farewell letters to loved ones, marking them to be dispatched if they were to die and soldiers who might not have prayed in a long time found themselves humbled before God. They all knew they were going nowhere until the battle was joined and finished, either with the glow of victory or the agony of defeat in life or death.
And at the same time in today's America, what do we find going on. Well, good Americans still plan to celebrate the Fourth of July, yet it will likely be scaled back because of all they hype about Covid-19 and resultant governmental regulations, many large cities continue to be war zones as violent protesters continue their push to end police forces and throw America into even more turmoil. And so many just remain silent, afraid to speak up for what is right and good. Just remember, folks, that if Americans had operated in a similar fashion back in Gettysburg or when brave representatives were willing to accept a death warrant from the Crown for what they were about to do, America likely wouldn't even be here today. Something to think about as we continue our walk through a few days in history in 1776 and 1863.
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