Chambana Sun

Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Teutopolis) commemorated the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, in a July 3 Facebook post. The three-day battle was considered a turning point in the Civil War.

"160th Anniversary Battle of Gettysburg, July 1 - July 3: The Battle of Gettysburg is considered the most important engagement of the American Civil War and was a major turning point for the future of the United States. This year marks the 160th anniversary of the historic three-day battle," Niemerg posted.

In his Facebook post, Niemerg shared a link to the History Channel’s page on the Battle of Gettysburg, which was fought July 1-3, 1863. On July 3,1863, Gen. Robert E. Lee ordered fewer than 15,000 troops to attack at Cemetery Ridge, and eventually failed, although the soldiers did make it through Union lines. On July 4, Lee withdrew and took his soldiers toward Virginia

The American Battlefields Trust estimates that there were 51,112 casualties in the three-day battle, including 28,063 of Lee’s soldiers, including 5,425 missing or captured and 18,735 who sustained injuries.

The Gettysburg Battlefield is now a National Military Park, operated and maintained by the National Park Service. There are multiple areas to the park, including the first day’s battlefield, north of Gettysburg; the U.S. line followed Cemetery Ridge, curves around Cemetery Hill and reaches Culps Hill. The third area is the Confederate line, which spanned Seminary Ridge to two miles south of Gettysburg, opposite of Cemetery Ridge.

Gettysburg National Military Park offers a Living History program schedule, which started May 13 and continues four days each month. During the battle anniversary, several groups participated in the living history, including 1st Pennsylvania, Battery D; Confederate Military Forces and the 8th Florida Infantry. There were encampments and programs at Auto Tour Stops 12 and 13, and Pitzer Woods, West Confederate Avenue.