Friday, August 22, 2008

Skywatch Friday




It's not as dramatic as last week's entry, but it's from one of my favorite places, Gettysburg, PA. This is a witness tree. What does that mean? It was there when the Civil War took place and witnessed all the horror of the War that happened during those three days in July, 1863.



In July of 1863, General Robert E. Lee's Army Of Northern Virginia of 75,000 men and the 97,000 man Union Army Of The Potomac under General George G. Meade met, by chance, when a Confederate brigade sent forward for supplies observed a forward column of Meade's cavalry.

Of the more than 2,000 land engagements of the Civil War, Gettysburg ranks supreme. Although the Battle of Gettysburg did not end the war, nor did it attain any major war aim for the North or the South, it remains the great battle of the war.

Here at Gettysburg on July 1, 2, and 3, 1863, more men actually fought and more men died than in any other battle before or since on North American soil.

Want to take part in the fun? Stop by Skywatch and get more details.

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25 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

A fine picture, beautifully balanced. Just right.

11:17 AM  
Blogger mrsnesbitt said...

made me think of the Joshua Tree...wonder where that came from.
D
Thanks for visiting my flying lady.

11:19 AM  
Blogger bobbie said...

The lone tree makes for a very dramatic photo under those clouds. Lovely.

11:30 AM  
Blogger Carletta said...

A beautiful landscape image. The sky is just gorgeous!
Witness tree - I like that.

Thanks for your nice comments on my reflection shot.

11:42 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Lovely landscaps shot!
Have a nice weekend.

11:45 AM  
Blogger Angie said...

A really lovely photo.If that tree could talk!

12:06 PM  
Blogger Tommy said...

nice skywatch photo

12:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great picture for SWF:)

12:24 PM  
Blogger DeniseinVA said...

I have learned a new expression, The Witness Tree. This is a beautiful photo. I live very near the Manassas Civil War Battlefield and have visited it many times over the years. Wonder if you have ever been there? Any Witness Trees in that location I wonder? I have been to Gettysburg a couple of times and am always interesting in learning the facts you have written about. Thanks for such a great post.

1:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Me again.
Thanks for the Badger comment - youare very kind and considerate.

1:12 PM  
Blogger Maude Lynn said...

Witness Tree. I didn't know that. Very cool!

1:18 PM  
Blogger Our Two Blessings From Above said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Love the Skywatch Friday photo.
Have a great weekend!

1:26 PM  
Blogger JustinB said...

Cool SWF!

1:54 PM  
Blogger Jane Hards Photography said...

It is a very evocative image. That lonely tree against that vast sky, hoenstly is very dramatic.

2:50 PM  
Blogger Rose said...

This is a marvelous photo!

3:43 PM  
Blogger Kelly said...

Wonderful photo! Great SWF photo!

3:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Super shot...thanks.

5:47 PM  
Blogger This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Gretchen: Very nicely done with the tree and the cloudy Sky.

7:47 PM  
Blogger threesidesofcrazy said...

I love cotton candy clouds - beautiful!

10:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Salute !

12:52 AM  
Blogger Dirkjogt said...

Great shot. This tree has witnessed too many killing of young men during a war. But people don't learn lessons. We have in Belgium a area called the Westhoek were hundred thousends men were killed 1914-1918. Not even a witness tree survived this war, all of them blasted away.

2:52 AM  
Blogger Rambling Woods said...

My parents and brother are Civil War buffs and my sister lives in VA. Terrible to think of such a loss of life...we never learn from all our wars..

12:13 PM  
Blogger marcia@joyismygoal said...

That looks like a book Cover ---What are you going to write?

2:00 PM  
Blogger Louise said...

I think it IS dramatic. I love the composition of this photo. Well done!

10:30 AM  
Blogger Lapa37 said...

Aren't clouds just so breathtaking sometimes? I could just stare for hours at them.

6:20 PM  

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