This is the North Caroline State Monument facing Cemetery Ridge on the Gettysburg Battlefield and bordered on all four sides by an iron picket fence.
It was created by sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, in 1929. Gutzon Borglum (John Dutzon de la Mothe Borglum) was famous for creating the presidents’ heads at Mount Rushmore.
The spot this monument sits on is where the North Carolina troops became part of Picketts charge which was ordered by Confederate General Robert E. Lee and led by Major General George Pickett.
Approximately nine Confederate infantry brigades with 12,500 men moved across open fields for almost a mile under heavy Union artillery fire. They suffered 50% casualties.
This ended the three-day battle at Gettysburg.
For more interpretations of boundaries click here.
A profound note on which to end the day.
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How sad to lose so many lives, I can’t imagine the carnage. As a woman and mother of sons, it seems senseless to me. I find it challenging to understand war.
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I think you have a lot of company in your concern. 🙂
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It was so hard to visit these monuments and think about the dramatic loss of life in that battle and the conditions under which they fought.
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Yes, it certainly was and when they talked about some of the young men fighting barefoot and only have a handful of dried corn kernels in their pockets to eat it was quite humbling.
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And the southern soldiers were wearing heavy wool uniforms in that awful heat.
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The saddest part to me is the lack of communication to back home. So many young men never returned and families never knew where they fell or if they were even buried.
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That is exactly what you think and feel as you look at that site. Not knowing is always worse that knowing. 🙂
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Interesting to read about this NC connection Judy. Will have to look it up. Monuments to war seem to do no good in keeping us out of war.
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Now, that is a true and sad statement.
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How profoundly sad. One wonders why we keep having wars – what the heck is wrong with us, honestly?!
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When we look at our history of wars and casualties, it is seldom that it results in the ending we had planned for.
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I have never understood war and I never will. So many lives lost on both sides. So many families torn apart by the devastating loss of a loved one. And what the hell does the “winner” win? Some hunk of ground? Some buildings?
That being said, your blog is a beautiful tribute to all those who fell at Gettysburg. Perhaps the idiots in Washington should take a trek to all our military cemeteries and war memorials before they sign us up for another war!!
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It is interesting how close the politicians are to Arlington. Maybe they’ve never visited or sat and talked with the families before they agree to put boots on the ground.
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I was sleepy, when I read this so pressed like and made it back today, Judy. I enjoy going to graveyards and memorials mainly to get a true “feel” of the reality of wars.
The North Carolina State memorial reminds me of the Flag on Iwo Jima statuary memorial. This one is beautiful in yhe details.
This is where the heartache is felt, where the awards and flags emphasize the men and women who sacrificed their lives for us. The engraved placard says it all, Judy.
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That monument is so inspiring and I love getting my history lessons from you. The east coast is filled with amazing history — thank you for sharing it with us!
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A beautiful monument and history lesson 🙂
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Nice pic. I’m a long-time Civil War buff, and these monuments never fail to move me.
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Do you have any suggestions for Civil War visits? We’ve now been to Gettysburg and Manassas. Thank you for the visit and the comment. 🙂
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Certainly! Antietam, Maryland is well worth a visit. Quite a pivotal battle. I’d also recommend the battle sites of the Seven Days campaign around Richmond, Virginia. There are others, but those are a good start. Hope you find them interesting!
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Thank you for the suggestions, I’ll add them to our travel bucket list.
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