This past weekend the Doubleday Inn was proud to host the "Guns of Gettysburg" package with Licensed Battlefield Guides Ralph Siegel & Rich Kohr. We were treated to 10 excellent hours on the Battlefield observing the types and uses of Civil War artillery that were present here in July 1863.Conditions are absolutely perfect for viewing the artillery fields of fire across the Battlefield right now as the leaves are not yet out on the trees and the underbrush has not grown up. Your window is narrow here, though, as the first green sprouts are already pushing through and we will be back to full foliage by the end of April.
Ralph gave an excellent Power Point presentation on the uses and types of Civil War artillery on Friday
evening, followed by his leading us on a fantastic viewing of Benner's Hill on Saturday afternoon. He pointed out the visibility and proximity of both Culp's and Cemetary Hills and the strategies needed by both sides to hold these landmarks as well as the intense artillery clash that occurred there on July 2nd.
Rich's field tours concentrated on Day 1 and 3 artillery and gave us some really fascinating insights into what actually occurred during the immense cannonade which preceded Pickett's Charge. He also covered the opening artillery clash on McPherson's Ridge, which gave him a chance to spend some time with his beloved Day One guns (and of course throw in just a few references to the gallant men of Roy Stone's Brigade).
It was a really fun weekend filled with lots of great new information. Everyone left tired & happy so we felt our mission was accomplished!
A very special thanks to frequent Doubleday Inn visitor Cheryl, who was here in November and caught these incredible photos of a double rainbow on Oak Ridge. We got to see it but were walking Molly at the time and didn't have the camera with us so we were so happy that Cheryl managed to capture these shots and was willing to share them with us:
With the warm Spring weather we will be getting to enjoy many of our favorite outdoor activities soon. The Gettysburg Farmer's Market in Lincoln Square begins this Saturday and continues through the end of October each Saturday from 7 am to noon. If you're here we might ask you to pick some things up for us as we struggle to finish up with breakfast and get down there before all the "good stuff" is gone...if you're an expert melon or berry chooser please let us use your talents!
Beginning April 1st the National Military Park Museum & Visitor's Center will offer extended hours, from 8 AM to 6 PM daily, and the Battlefield itself features extended hours from 6 AM to 10 PM daily...lots of opportunities to get your perfect sunrise and sunset as well as full moon shots!
Please keep in your thoughts this week our historian and friend Charlie Kingston. Many of you are familiar with Charlie from his discussion sessions here at the Inn. He's got a nasty case of pneumonia and is at the moment resting up, drinking fluids, and looking forward to another busy season getting underway. We hope he is back on his feet soon.
Happy Spring!
Team Doubleday
