The Peach Orchard: Point of Decision

Ralph Siegel, Licensed Battlefield Guide
May 18 or May 25, 2013

Registration deadline: March 1, 2013
Open to Members and Non-members
$70 members/ $95 Non-members
$12 optional boxed lunch

An Adams Seminar is a full-day program consisting of a half-day indoor lecture and a half-day battlefield tour. Program begins at 9 a.m. in the Ford Education Center Classroom of the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. A boxed lunch is available at an additional charge of $12.00. Please indicate in the Comments Box below a preference of ham, roast beef, turkey, or vegitarian sandwich.

The fight for the Peach Orchard on July 2nd was an accident that set the outcome of the battle. Meade has never intended for it to be a part of his defense, and Lee had never intended for it to be the focus of his attack, yet this is precisely how it unfolded. As the fight begins, first with artillery, then with vast infantry columns on the assault, it becomes a chaotic and crackling battle story with the bloodiest three-hours fighting of the entire battle, perhaps of the entire Civil War. Explore the dramatic action at the level of the regiments and of the batteries- all of it under the shadow of a debate raging for 150 years about the decisions made by Dan Sickles and James Longstreet. The classroom seminar will break down the battle action in close sequence, followed by a narrated walk on the field to relive the events.

The Peach Orchard: Point of Decision Adams Seminar is also offered on May 18th. To register for the May 18th seminar, please follow this link: http://www.friendsofgettysburg.org/EventsCalendar/AdamsSeminarMay182013.aspx