Over One Mile of Fences Constructed on the Pickett's Charge Fields

The Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg constructed over a mile of fences Saturday across the Pickett's charge fields. Most of the fences run from this point at the intersection of the Emmittsburg Road and Long Lane westerly to Seminary Ridge. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

On a hot, humid Saturday, the Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg constructed over one mile of fences on the fields of Pickett's Charge. Most of the post and rail fencing ran from east to west. At the east point, the fences began along modern Long Lane near the monument to the 8th Ohio Infantry regiment, and continued to the west, eventually going through the Bliss Farm to near the Tennessee monument. Other fences were constructed from north to south in the area west of Colt Park which last year had many of its trees removed. This is an impressive amount of work, involving hundreds of posts, and thousands of rails. The hundreds of volunteers who showed up for this annual work day should be very proud of their accomplishment.

The 8th Ohio Monument at the intersection of Long Lane (left to right in this photo) and the Emmitsburg Road. The Virginia State Monument is the white image against the treeline to the right of the 8th Ohio monument. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

The 8th Ohio monument is to the far left in this image. To the left of the tree is the wayside to Camp Colt. The wayside to the 8th Ohio Infantry is in the foreground. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

The 8th Ohio Wayside. This view was taken from the east facing west from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

A closeup of the painting on the 8th Ohio wayside. Notice the fence along which the 8th Ohio lined up to fire into the Confederate left flank as they advanced toward Cemetery Ridge. This view was taken from the east facing west from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

The fencing goes west, down Long Lane to the green "port A pottie." This view was taken from the east facing west from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

The fencing along modern Long Lane. In the background from left to right is the Copse of Trees, U.S. Regulars monument (obelisk), Pennsylvania Monument (round dome), Colt Park Memorial Tree, Little Round Top, and Big Round Top. This view was taken from the northwest facing southeast from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

The rails came in bundles held together by metal wires, such as this one at the corner of Long Lane and Fairview Avenue. This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

At the "port a pottie" near Long Lane the fencing either went straight ahead (west) or left (south). This view was taken from the east facing west from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

A closeup of the "port a pottie" and the fencing going south to the Bliss Farm. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

The bushes to the right of the fence, and the tree to the left of the fence are growing out of a small stream or run. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

The gravel is used to reenforce the posts after they are placed in the ground. This view was taken from the west facing east from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

Looking west on the Bliss Farm to the marker of the 12th New Jersey. This view was taken from the east facing west from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

The markers on the Bliss Farm to the 12th New Jersey (right), and the 14th Connecticut (left) now have fences around them. This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

Okay, this isn't a fence shot, but we wanted to take a break to show you the new addition to the Bliss Orchard. This view was taken from the northwest facing southeast from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

The fencing continues from this monument to the 12th New Jersey at the Bliss Farm towards the Tennessee State monument on Seminary Ridge. This view was taken from the east facing west from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

The fencing continues to the Tennessee monument. Seminary Ridge is marked by the dark trees in the background. This view was taken from the east facing west from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

The new fencing on the right meets the older fencing on the left. Above the gap in the fences is the North Carolina State Monument. This view was taken from the southeast facing northwest from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

Some fences run north to south behind (west of) Colt Park. This view was taken from the south facing north from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

Fencing still continues west of the housing development at Colt Park. The empty fields in the background is where the new fencing has not yet been completed. This view was taken from the south facing north from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

Compare this picture of the Colt Park Wayside to our previous post on Camp Colt on May 22nd, before the fences were constructed. This view was taken from the northeast facing southwest from approximately 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2008.