Quite a few years ago, we went to Gettysburg, Pa as a part of a tour of Pennsylvania as our family vacation. The most interesting thing to me was the fact that the battlefield felt so peaceful. It would seem that there would be some residue of the angst that was felt there but it was lovely. All I wanted to do was plop down on the grass and let the atmosphere soak in. I didn’t, of course, because I had two young boys to entertain.
We went on a tour and one of the really cool things we learned is that the statues of the men on their horses have meaning. If all four feet are on the ground, the rider survived the battle. If one foot is off the ground, the rider was injured and if two feet are off the ground, the rider died. I thought that was quite unique and a poignant tribute to injured or fallen soldiers.
Jillian Chantal 
I never knew that. Great fact. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
By: Ciara Knight on August 19, 2011
at 3:34 pm
I thought it was pretty cool.
By: Jillian Chantal on August 19, 2011
at 3:46 pm
Absolutely fascinating. THanks for sharing. Rita Bay
By: Rita Bay on August 19, 2011
at 7:54 pm
Thanks Rita. I was intrigued by it.
By: Jillian Chantal on August 19, 2011
at 8:09 pm
Wow, that’s interesting about the statues. I wonder if that’s only there or relates to all statues.
By: Laurie Ryan on August 19, 2011
at 9:54 pm
I think it’s only there. Ice seen statues of Robert e Lee at other battlefields with his horse on only his back legs and we know he didn’t die in battle. So, I think it’s unique to Gettysburg.
By: Jillian Chantal on August 20, 2011
at 8:57 am
We did a historical tour a few years ago. Started in Washington DC, then Charlestown and Gettysburg. I know what you mean about the peacefulness of the battle fields. It wasn’t nearly long enough to see everything.
Great pictures.
By: Lavada Dee on August 20, 2011
at 10:54 am
I agree about not long enough to see it all. Isn’t it odd about the peacefulness?
By: Jillian Chantal on August 20, 2011
at 2:09 pm
I’ve only done battlefields in the South. Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee but there is something about it. It’s good that some of those places are perserved. Kennesaw Mountain is probably my favorite. Maybe because I spent the most time there. Thanks for sharing this info, Your Friday facts are always thought provoking.
By: Darlene Henderson on August 22, 2011
at 6:42 am
thanks for the comment. I like to tour battlefields for some reason. Maybe it’s the peacefulness.
By: Jillian Chantal on August 22, 2011
at 8:31 am
I think I heard something like this once upon a time…you know, when I actually had a memory. Of course now it’s gone, but it sounds familiar…or it could just be my imagination LOL
By: danicaavet on August 22, 2011
at 7:20 am
Haha. You crack me up, Danica!
By: Jillian Chantal on August 22, 2011
at 8:29 am