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Tuesday Evening “Walks Through History” Series
2025
2025 will mark the fourteenth year of Licensed Battlefield Guide-led “Walks Through History” on summer Tuesday evenings, Guides will lead an evening walk each Tuesday evening dedicated to a specific topic. These are ideal for those who desire a more in-depth look at one aspect of the Battle of Gettysburg, or for those simply looking for something to do on a beautiful, and at times not-so-beautiful, summer evening. Each session is offered for a fee of $35, payable to the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides.
Note: Under the provisions of our Commercial Use Authorization permit with the Gettysburg National Military Park, we are required to have on file that you have read and agreed to the provisions detailed in the Acknowledgement of Risks form. Should you wish to register for any of the programs detailed below you will have to agree you have read and understood this form before you will be taken to the payment site.
Please car-pool whenever possible and make sure to obey all National Park regulations regarding parking in the National Park. At all times make sure your car is parked in a legal parking place OR parked in such a way that it does not present a road hazard by partially blocking tour roads. Be aware of traffic flow on two-way roads. At no time should your vehicle be parked on the grass or dirt berm. All four wheels must be on the pavement.
When: Tuesday Evenings throughout the late spring and summer.
Dates: June 3, 10, 17, 24; July 8, 15, 22, 29; August 5, 12, 19, 26.
Time: All programs will run from 5:00 PM until approximately 8:00 PM
Where: Detailed in descriptions. Parking is limited. Abide by park rules and consider car-pooling
Cost: $35 per session.
June 3, 2025 Evening Program
“Captain Augustus Martin’s Artillery US V Corp July 2, 1863” featuring LBG Mike Rupert
“No sir, I hold you responsible that the artillery does its work.” General George Sykes to Captain Augustus Martin, July 2, 1863. Martin’s five batteries are spread to amend General Sickles Emmitsburg Road position. Even though two are gobbled up by some unknown officer of Sickles staff, Martin does earn his star that day although never received. We will cover all 5th Corp batteries – Hazlett, Gibbs, Walcott, Watson and Barnes.
Meeting place: Near Hazlett’s Battery monument on Little Round Top. Suggest parking in gravel lot at northern base of Little Round Top off the Wheatfield Road. Moderate walking involved, under two miles not including walking back to your vehicle.
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June 10, 2025 Evening Program
“I venture to say, on no field at no time during the war was more individual gallantry shown than on this occasion.” Capt. Andrew Cowan, 1 NY Independent Battery, describing the actions of the Phila. Brigade on July 3 at Gettysburg. The service of the Philadelphia Brigade, from the beginning of the Civil War to its end is a distinguished record of courage, valor and sacrifice. After the War was over, regiments in the Philadelphia Brigade continued to be watchful over their war-time reputation. Squabbles with the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association and with a member of General John Gibbon’s staff come to mind. But they were also healers of sectional animosity after the war. They led the way toward reconciliation, holding joint reunions with veterans of George Pickett’s Division. This program explores the formation and service of the Philadelphia Brigade, including their stout defense of Cemetery Ridge on July 2 and 3 at Gettysburg.
Meeting Place: General Webb monument on Hancock Ave.
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June 17, 2025 Evening Program
“The Defense of Culp’s Hill – The Other Guys” – LBG Stuart R. Dempsey
The determined defense of Culp’s Hill by Brig. Gen. George Greene’s brigade on the night of July 2nd holds justifiably legendary status among Gettysburg students. Yet his plucky New Yorkers did not fight alone, receiving several regiments of reinforcements drawn from three different corps, a timely assistance that nearly doubled Greene’s numbers. The story of their contribution is often lost among their more dramatic deeds on other days, and compounded by a lack of primary sources chronicling a confused nighttime firefight against an invisible enemy. Our look at the contribution of these critical reinforcements will attempt to shed some light into that darkness, in the process getting to know the stories of those who fought in and led these units on that crucial summer evening.
Meeting Place: Start point [Stand 1]: Meet at the foot of the Culp’s Hill observation tower. Adequate parking is available in the 15+ marked car spaces by the tower. Should any additional space be needed (doubtful), parking at the Stevens Knoll pull offs would be possible. Attendees will also be reminded all four wheels on pavement.
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June 24, 2025 Evening Program
“Critters in the Ranks” regimental mascots. LBG Tim Pierce
This walk is on the regimental mascots and other animals that accompanied the two armies fighting at Gettysburg. I will, however, not limit it to the Battle of Gettysburg, but include some stories of animals in other armies. I will explore not only the names of the various critters, but also look at the purpose of mascots such as their part in the emotional support of the troops and possible connections to the soldiers’ homes. We will also look at the animals used as army trucks or jeeps carrying equipment, cannons, and their commanders. We will look at the bonds forged between the soldiers/commanders and their trusted service animals.
Meeting Location: Oak Ridge at the 11 PA monument. Park on the right side of the avenue with all four wheels on the asphalt. Carpool if you like. We will move to 5 Ohio monument on Geary Ave, then walk to the 78/108 NY monument on Slocum Ave. The final stop will at the Vermont brigade monument on Wright Ave.
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July 8, 2025 Evening Program
“Kershaw’s Brigade and the Spot Where the South Lost the War” – LBG Ralph Siegel
The story of the South Carolina memorial to be followed by the background and battle action of Brigadier General Joseph Kershaw’s South Carolina Brigade on July 2, 1863. The walk will focus on the south end of the field from Warfield Ridge tower area to Stony Hill/The Loop.
Stop 1 – South Carolina memorial on West Confederate Avenue
Stop 2 – Rose Farm (if available); otherwise Peach Orchard
Stop 3 – Stony Hill/The Loop
Meeting Place: Parking arrangement for the group. The group will car-pool caravan from West Confederate Avenue to Rose Farm lane parking at barn OR Peach Orchard designated parking, to right side of one-way Sickles Avenue north of The Loop beyond the 140PA marker so as to be well clear of the Loop turn.
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July 15, 2025 Evening Program
“The Gibraltar Brigade at East Cemetery Hill.” LBG Chuck Rebesco
There was another “All Western Brigade” with a nickname at Gettysburg. As part of the Second Infantry Corps of the Army of the Potomac, Carroll’s “fighting fools” participated in some of the heaviest fighting of the Eastern Theater. This walk will introduce the Gibraltar Brigade and discuss its contribution during the July 2nd evening battle for East Cemetery Hill. Like many other parts of the Gettysburg battle, this action also has its share of controversy and legend.
Meeting Place: At the National Cemetery parking lot on Taneytown Road. Later drive: To GTC parking lot on Baltimore Pike. Walk: From GTC lot to East Cemetery Hill and meet there. Brief walk to Wainwright Avenue and back. Modest slope.
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July 22, 2025 Evening Program
Maj Gen Henry Slocum, USA “I’ll be damned if I take responsibility for this fight.” – LBG Rob Abbott
Maj Gen Henry Slocum, commander of the US XII Corps during Gettysburg gets a bad reputation for two major reasons: his alleged refusal to come up and aid Maj Gen Howard on 1 July 1863 and apparent confusion over Slocum’s role as AoP Right Wing commander. Join LBG Rob Abbott as we take a different view, based on the wording of the orders and the timing of how events unfolded. If we are going to dislike Henry Slocum, let’s at least dislike him for the right reasons.
Meeting Place: Daniel Lady Farm parking lot. There will be three stands: Daniel Lady Farm, 28 PA Volunteer Infantry monument off East Confederate Ave and the Henry Slocum Equestrian Monument.
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July 29, 2025 Evening Program
“The 17th Maine in the Wheatfield” – LBG Bill Trelease
The heroic stand of the 20th Maine on Little Round Top is one of the best known Gettysburg battle stories. Yet, at roughly the same hour and barely half a mile away, another Maine regiment was also making a desperate stand. The 17th Maine- the Red Diamond Regiment- defended the southern end of the Wheatfield against repeated Confederate attacks, buying valuable time and playing a crucial role in the Union defense of that sector, albeit at terrible cost. We will explore the 17th’s actions on that fateful July 2nd, and discuss the story of an extraordinary regiment that, by war’s end had suffered the highest casualty rate of any unit from the Pine Tree State. This tour will involve moderate walking
Meeting Place: 148th Pennsylvania monument on Ayres Avenue. We will walk to Winslow’s Battery, then down to the 17 ME and back to the 148 PA.
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August 5, 2025 Evening Program
“The US Provost Marshall General, duties of the provost guard including prisoners and the Bureau of Military Information.” LBG Joe Mieczkowski
Two important roles for the provost guard were to assure that the enemy did not gain intelligence about the Federal army and that discipline in the ranks was not compromised. Thus, the provost marshal was responsible for any visitors coming into camp, including “unauthorized females”. The critical Bureau of Military Information functioned under the command of the Provost Marshall as did responsibility for captured prisoners”.
Meeting Place: We will begin and end this program at Meade’s HQ, with a walk to Cemetery Ridge and back. Park at the Taneytown road overflow lot across from the Leister House.
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August 12, 2025 Evening Program
“The Mystery of Lt Gen Ambrose Powell Hill, CSA” – LBG Rob Abbott
What does AP Hill actually do during the battle of Gettysburg? Join LBG Rob Abbott as we explore the influences that model AP hill’s leadership style. We will discuss the recorded Hill sightings and activities during the battle. Since we cannot really discuss what he does, we will focus on what he should have been doing in his role as the brand-new commander of the CSA III Corps.
Meeting Place: West End Guide Station (WEGS). There will be three stands: WEGS, near McMillan Woods and The Angle.
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August 19, 2025 Evening Program
“… they will come booming”: John Buford’s Masterful Defense on July 1, 1863″ – LBG Therese Orr
There are many heroes of the Battle of Gettysburg. John Buford and his cavalrymen certainly, in my opinion, are heroes for their defensive stand on July 1, 1863. While JEB Stuart was riding around trying to find his army, Buford and his men did find the Army of Northern Virginia. Buford kept his superiors and colleagues informed of the suspected location of the enemy, and established a classic, successful cavalry defensive line to slow the advance of Henry Heth’s Division until John Reynold’s I Corps arrived. Join me for an in-depth look at Buford’s tactics and the cavalry-infantry clash that began the Battle of Gettysburg.
Meeting Place: We will meet at the parking lot for Seminary Ridge Museum. The presentation will involve three or four additional battlefield stops with a point-to-point tour. After departing the Seminary parking lot, we will drive to Stone Avenue and park along the Avenue. The group will cross Chambersburg Pike and gather near the Buford/Reynolds statues. The group will return to their vehicles and drive to Buford Avenue, parking and gathering near the WV Cavalry monument. The group will park at Oak Hill and gather on the hill behind the Eternal Light Peace Memorial, overlooking the valley and Barlow’s Knoll. Time permitting, the group will drive to the PA National Guard armory via Ridge Road and Armory Road, parking behind the building. If time is short, the tour will finish on the grounds of the ELPM.
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August 27, 2024 Evening Program
“The Florida Brigade” LBG Bill Thomas
The program will focus on the smallest brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia: Perry’s Florida Brigade. They fought on both the second and third day of the battle under the direction of an “acting commander” and suffered significant casualties. On the second day of the battle, in spite of its small size, the three regiments drove portions of Carr’s Brigade from the Emmitsburg Road Ridge and endeavored to press onward. During the walk, the Brigade’s role in support of Pickett’s Division on the third day of the battle will also be examined. The conclusion of the program will focus on the dedication of the Florida State Monument during the centennial anniversary of the battle.
Meeting Place: Perry’s brigade Tablet on West Confederate Ave.
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Last updated March 25, 2025