thedrifter
05-20-06, 02:14 AM
May 19, 2006
On the Battlefield: Marines visit Gettysburg for a battle study
by Tia Bracey
Henderson Hall News
Brother fighting brother; son warring against father; friend battling friend in a war where the South opposed the perspective of the North, and there was failure to compromise. The American Civil War: the war that made the United States of America the nation it is today.
The Civil War began after the secession of many southern states. South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas became the Confederate States of America. Not wanting the southern states to secede from the Union, President Abraham Lincoln declared war on the South.
"The Civil War was fought because of differences in beliefs," said Pentagon command and control chief Master Gunnery Sgt. Patricia Lee.
Lee, a self-professed history buff, believes that the soldiers in the Civil War were ferocious and tenacious because the Confederate soldiers were outnumbered yet they made advances into the North. The Union soldiers were just trying to hold their ground and keep the Union together.
The Union and Confederate soldiers fought for three days in July of 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg. On July 3, the Confederate soldiers were unable to hold the Union soldiers back and suffered a loss that ultimately cost them the war. Gettysburg did not mark the end of the Civil War, but a turning point that gave the Union an advantage. After Gettysburg, the war stormed on for two more years.
"During the Battle of Gettysburg, the Confederacy lost a lot of men that they couldn't afford to lose and it placed them into defensive battle for the remainder of the war," said Provost Marshall Office operations chief, Gunnery Sgt. Rod Shriver.
Shriver and military police officer Staff Sgt. John Kirk served as tour guides for the Gettysburg battle study conducted on May 11 and 12; giving day-to-day accounts of the three-day battle that changed the scheme of the entire war. For two days, Henderson Hall Marines toured the Gettysburg battlefield learning about the bloodiest battle on American soil.
Shriver gave the Marines visual scenarios bringing the battlefield to life. He explained that much of the Civil War was fought as a "Gentleman's War." This style of war meant that they would try not to fight at night, they would allow family members from different sides to converse and they held Mason meetings which had "It came to a point that they had to go away from that style of battle to end the war," said Shriver. "Which is when the Union invaded the South toward the fourth year of battle and they burned everything they came upon. Prison camps turned into death camps."
The trip was spearheaded by Master Sgt. Gregory Johnson, Headquarters Battalion S-3 Chief. He along with 26 Marines walked the rocky terrain, retracing the steps of the Confederate and Union armies.
Johnson initiated the trip because he feels that it is important to know what happened in history so one knows what "not to do" in the future.
"The D.C. area is full of history and we should take advantage of it," expressed Johnson.
Johnson also thought that it was important Henderson Hall Marines represented the Marine Corps and Command and acted as responsible adults.
"It was a great opportunity for Marines," said Johnson. "I foresee conducting three to four battle studies a year."
Marines not only visited the battlefield, but they went to museums and some went on tours of the town. Lance Corporals Derick Frazier, Daniel Lopez, and Noime Ras went on the Haunted Tour of Gettysburg.
"Visiting the battlefields of Gettysburg wasn't enough," said Frazier. "There were various tours and activities listed in the menu at the restaurant and so we decided to do extra sight-seeing."
Battalion legal chief Sgt. JR Beech enjoyed socializing with fellow Marines and getting to know more about them during the social dinner at the restaurant.
"Visiting Gettysburg was a unique experience," said Beech. "While touring the battlefield, I could imagine having to walk up and down hills with gear with time constraints. It was difficult terrain."
Lodging and travel expenses were paid by the Marine Corps University Foundation. Road travel was provided by Henderson Hall Motor Transportation Office.
Ellie
On the Battlefield: Marines visit Gettysburg for a battle study
by Tia Bracey
Henderson Hall News
Brother fighting brother; son warring against father; friend battling friend in a war where the South opposed the perspective of the North, and there was failure to compromise. The American Civil War: the war that made the United States of America the nation it is today.
The Civil War began after the secession of many southern states. South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas became the Confederate States of America. Not wanting the southern states to secede from the Union, President Abraham Lincoln declared war on the South.
"The Civil War was fought because of differences in beliefs," said Pentagon command and control chief Master Gunnery Sgt. Patricia Lee.
Lee, a self-professed history buff, believes that the soldiers in the Civil War were ferocious and tenacious because the Confederate soldiers were outnumbered yet they made advances into the North. The Union soldiers were just trying to hold their ground and keep the Union together.
The Union and Confederate soldiers fought for three days in July of 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg. On July 3, the Confederate soldiers were unable to hold the Union soldiers back and suffered a loss that ultimately cost them the war. Gettysburg did not mark the end of the Civil War, but a turning point that gave the Union an advantage. After Gettysburg, the war stormed on for two more years.
"During the Battle of Gettysburg, the Confederacy lost a lot of men that they couldn't afford to lose and it placed them into defensive battle for the remainder of the war," said Provost Marshall Office operations chief, Gunnery Sgt. Rod Shriver.
Shriver and military police officer Staff Sgt. John Kirk served as tour guides for the Gettysburg battle study conducted on May 11 and 12; giving day-to-day accounts of the three-day battle that changed the scheme of the entire war. For two days, Henderson Hall Marines toured the Gettysburg battlefield learning about the bloodiest battle on American soil.
Shriver gave the Marines visual scenarios bringing the battlefield to life. He explained that much of the Civil War was fought as a "Gentleman's War." This style of war meant that they would try not to fight at night, they would allow family members from different sides to converse and they held Mason meetings which had "It came to a point that they had to go away from that style of battle to end the war," said Shriver. "Which is when the Union invaded the South toward the fourth year of battle and they burned everything they came upon. Prison camps turned into death camps."
The trip was spearheaded by Master Sgt. Gregory Johnson, Headquarters Battalion S-3 Chief. He along with 26 Marines walked the rocky terrain, retracing the steps of the Confederate and Union armies.
Johnson initiated the trip because he feels that it is important to know what happened in history so one knows what "not to do" in the future.
"The D.C. area is full of history and we should take advantage of it," expressed Johnson.
Johnson also thought that it was important Henderson Hall Marines represented the Marine Corps and Command and acted as responsible adults.
"It was a great opportunity for Marines," said Johnson. "I foresee conducting three to four battle studies a year."
Marines not only visited the battlefield, but they went to museums and some went on tours of the town. Lance Corporals Derick Frazier, Daniel Lopez, and Noime Ras went on the Haunted Tour of Gettysburg.
"Visiting the battlefields of Gettysburg wasn't enough," said Frazier. "There were various tours and activities listed in the menu at the restaurant and so we decided to do extra sight-seeing."
Battalion legal chief Sgt. JR Beech enjoyed socializing with fellow Marines and getting to know more about them during the social dinner at the restaurant.
"Visiting Gettysburg was a unique experience," said Beech. "While touring the battlefield, I could imagine having to walk up and down hills with gear with time constraints. It was difficult terrain."
Lodging and travel expenses were paid by the Marine Corps University Foundation. Road travel was provided by Henderson Hall Motor Transportation Office.
Ellie