American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

Tonight I caught by accident a small film on Turner Classic Movies. It was a filler piece between TMC's main attractions and was called, simply, "The Battle of Gettysburg". This movie had no actors. Location was the actual battlefield and the stars were the monuments and statues of the participants as they are shown on that battlefield. It was a narrative of course and it covered only the main points of the battle. The thing that captured my attention was the scene of the battlefield and the pristine condition of the area. Dory Schary directed and wrote the script so I believe it was made in the late 40's or early 50's when he was active. Now I will have an actual picture of the wheatfield, Little Round Top, etc. in my mind when I play this battle. If any of you have seen this movie and have been to the battlefield, it will be interesting to hear how the battlefield has changed over 60 years. In panorama sweeps. I saw no airplanes, powerlines,cars, people or any evidence of the 20th century. It was beautiful.

Maj.Gen. Drex Ringbloom,
AotS Chief-of -Staff,
2nd Division Cmdr, "Corcoran's Legion", VIII Corps
Army of the Shenandoah

I just saw it myself tonight. The documentary was from 1956 and won an Academy Award. That according to the description on the guide for my digital cable. Narrated by Leslie Nielsen of Naked Gun fame. Of course he sounded much younger. Interesting 40 minute documentary. I agree, the pristine condition of the battlefield was neat to behold. Too bad I couldn't have seen it in person.

Brig. Gen. Jerry Butley
AOS

I just looked it up. It is actually from 1955 and was nominated for two Oscars, Best Documentary and Best Short Subject.

Jerry Butley

Sorry, as soon as you said Dory Schary all I could think of was the "I Love Lucy" episode where she hires him to pretend to be a producer... classic tv! I live nearby to Gettysburg and the battlefield is being overrun by commercialism. Much like all the others. I am sure most of you are aware of the numerous attempts to place a Gettysburg Casino practically on the battlefield. This proposition is not going away it seems. They keep moving the location of it a little farather away each time but the overall goal is to turn the town into a little vacation hub where dad can go shoot a few craps while the family visits the battlefield and mom shops at the Gettysburg Outlet Mall. Tour buses clog the old streets and you cant throw a rock without hitting some fools out on a ghost tour. Perhaps I am cynical but I am tired of seeing battlefields turned into some Disney-like attraction. The field itself is still pretty though. On spring and autumn days once the tourist season is over it is really a beautiful place. Avoid the summertime rush though! And for those brave souls out there... go on the coldest possible day you can in January and you will have a hell of a time walking the field alone!

Col. Blake L. Strickler
Army of the Mississippi
Chief of Staff
6th Bd/4th Div/IV Corps

It may be due to the European release, but it is an extra on Gettysburg-the movie

It may be due to the European release, but it is an extra on Gettysburg-the movie

I went to Gettysburg on 1st weekend in December 2007 with Bill Spitz as my guide - although very cold, not many people and you got a good view with out the trees having leaves - great day[:)][:)]

Major General Cam McOmish
Commander Western Theater
Confederate States of America

Ironically I just passed through G'Burg this week on my way back from vacationing in the Shenandoah valley. Having been there several times I have learned to hit the field very early, before the tourist buses and the high school field trips (the only thing worse than one teenager is a mob of teenagers). Oh, sitting on top of Little Round Top at 6:30 AM all by myself was a pure treat. The field is indeed a beautiful place, especially with the efforts to restore it to its 1863 appearance.

Just try to enjoy the field itself when you go and try to ignore the commercialization. And say No to Casino!







Lt.General Dale Lastowicka
4/1/XIX Corps, AOS

Yup, Cam and I had a great time, we also managed to visit Antietam that weekend. I was last there about 6 weeks ago and marvel at the restoration projects that are going on. The ground over which Hood's division advanced on day two has been and is still being cleared and looks totally different, providing lines of sight that existed then. The same has been done on Oak Hill. The old Electric Map building is gone and the parking lot is due to be eliminated in the future as well. Going to G'burg these days just gets better and better. A whole strip of little shops has been taken down in the area where the 8th Ohio tore into Pettigrew's and Trimble's left flank during Pickett's charge. Again providing more historical site lines.

Major Gen. Bill Spitz
3rd Division
I Corps
Army of the Potomac
[image]http://tmg110.tripod.com/federal/us-1c3d.gif[/image]

I just returned from Gettysburg, and would like to comment on the philosophy of the Park Service.
It is now the policy of the Park Service to actively restore the controlled portions of the battlefield to as accurate a condition as possible. This means cutting down of trees that have grown, replanting orchards, removal of buildings that are not historical, restoring fences, etc. While there, there was a major fence rebuilding effort taking place with clumps of fence rails waiting to be constructed.
This will make it much easier to "see" the battlefield as the troops saw it and will make understanding the tactical flow simpler as well.

Lt. Col. Neal Carney
AotT/XVI/2/1

Check out the Gettysburg Daily website for alot of photo's, tour guide videos, and news on restoration progress. I start everyday cheching out the new posts.

http://www.gettysburgdaily.com/


I have destroyed over 2,000 barns filled with wheat, hay and farming implements; over 70 mills filled with flour and wheat, and have driven in front of the Army over 4,000 head of stock and have killed and issued to the troops not less than 3,000 sheep. Tomorrow I will continue the destruction down to Fisher’s Mill. When this is completed, the Valley from Winchester to Staunton, 92 miles, will have but little in it for man or beast.....
- General Phil Sheridan

Lt. General Rusty Hodgkiss
Army of the Shenandoah