Thousands of re-enactors will gather at Yingling Farm in Gettysburg, Pa., next weekend to commemorate the 139th anniversary of the great Civil War battle, which took place July 1-3, 1863.
To get to Yingling Farm, take the Steinwehr Avenue exit from U.S. 15. Go north on Steinwehr Avenue 200 yards, then make a left turn onto Bull Frog Road, then to Pumping Station Road. Make a right turn from there to the re-enactment site.
Two types of tickets are available for the event. A general admission ticket is required for entry. The price for spectators 13 years old and older is $16 for one day, $30 for two days and $42 for three days, for tickets ordered in advance. For children 6 to 12 years old, the prices are $10, $18 and $24. Children younger than 6 are admitted free. Tickets for grandstand seating are $7 a day for each person. Tickets may be purchase on the Internet at gettysburgreenactment.com. Tickets purchased at the gate are priced slightly higher.
This year's re-enactment will include six battle segments.
The first re-enactment, "A Massive Fire," will be presented at 1 p.m. Friday. The action features the artillery counterbattery fire between Herr's Ridge and McPherson Ridge at the outset of the fighting.
The second scenario, "Overture to Glory," at 5 p.m. Friday will recount first-day action along the Chambersburg Pike.
The third encounter, "A Gallant Stand," at 11 a.m. Saturday commemorates the first-day fighting between the Confederate brigades of Col. John M. Brockenbrough and Brig. Gen. Junius Daniels and the Pennsylvania Bucktails at McPherson's Farm.
The fourth scenario, "Uncommon Valor," at 4 p.m. Saturday follows the Irish Brigade's attack through the Wheatfield on the second day of fighting.
The fifth re-enactment, "Charge of the Wolverines," at 11 a.m. Sunday tells of the cavalry fighting east of Gettysburg by the forces of Brig. Gen. George Armstrong Custer and Brig. Gen. Wade Hampton.
The final re-enactment, "High Water Mark," at 2 p.m. Sunday commemorates Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Armistead's penetration of the Union line on Cemetery Ridge at the climax of Pickett's Charge.
Actor Patrick Falci, who portrayed Confederate Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill in the film Gettysburg, will take the general's part in this year's re-enactment.
Falci has portrayed Hill at numerous events and has attended nearly all Gettysburg re-enactments since the release of the movie.
Re-enactment schedule
Friday, July 5
8 a.m.: Gates and camps open
9 a.m.: "Civilian Ladies" by Gwen Denson, Living History tent
10 a.m.: "General Staff CS" by Ron Hawkins, Living History tent; mounted artillery demonstration in the field
11 a.m.: "1860s Medicine" by Kirk Davis, Living History tent; Victorian Lady Riders (side saddle) demonstration in the field
11:30 a.m.: Live mortar fire competition
Noon: "General A.P. Hill" by Patrick Falci and "General Longstreet" by Ron Hawkins, Living History tent
1 p.m.: "Massive Fire" - re-enactment of artillery counter-battery fire between Herr's Ridge and McPherson Ridge.
2 p.m.: "Clara Barton" by Virginia Tracey; Living History tent
2:30 p.m.: Liberty Rifles bayonet drill
3 p.m.: Civil War wedding
3:20 p.m.: 46th Pennsylvania Band, Civil War brass band, in the field
4 p.m.: "Ladies Clothing" by Carol Ann Schmitt, Living History tent; Confederate signal demonstration in the field
5 p.m.: "Overture to Glory" - re-enactment of first-day action along Chambersburg Pike Saturday July 6
8:30 a.m.: Gates and camps open
9 a.m.: "General Meade" by Andy Waske, Living History tent
10 a.m.: "1860s Medicine" by Kirk Davis, Living History tent; 46th Pennsylvania Band, Civil War brass band, in the field
11 a.m.: "A Gallant Stand" - re-enactment of Brockenbrough and Daniels overcoming the Pennsylvania Bucktails
Noon: "General A.P. Hill" by Patrick Falci and "General Longstreet" by Ron Hawkins, Living History tent; Liberty Rifles bayonet drill in the field
1 p.m.: "Ladies Clothing" by Carol Ann Schmitt, Living History tent; Confederate signal demonstration in the field
1:30 p.m.: Victorian Lady Riders (side saddle) demonstration in the field
2 p.m.: 46th Pennsylvania Band, Civil War brass band, in the field
2:30 p.m.: Explosive artillery presentation
3 p.m.: Civil War wedding
4 p.m.: "Uncommon Valor" - re-enactment of the Fighting Irish attack through the Wheatfield
5 p.m.: "Clara Barton" by Virginia Tracey; Living History tent
6 p.m.: Complimentary dinner for re-enactors
6:45 p.m.: Old-fashioned religious tent revival, Rev. Farley
8 p.m.: Re-enactors dance with the 2nd South Carolina Band Sunday, July 7
8:30 a.m.: Gates and camps open
9 a.m.: Period worship service
10 a.m.: "Civilian Ladies" by Gwen Denson, Living History tent; Victorian Lady Riders (side saddle) demonstration in the field
11 a.m.: "Charge of the Wolverines" - re-enactment of Custer's Cavalry vs. Hampton's Cavalry east of Gettysburg
Noon: "General A.P. Hill" by Patrick Falci and "General Longstreet" by Ron Hawkins, Living History tent; 46th Pennsylvania Band, Civil War brass band, in the field
1 p.m.: "General Staff CS" by Ron Hawkins, Living History tent; live mortar fire competition in the field
2 p.m.: "The High Water Mark - Pickett's Charge," a re-enactment of Armistead's attack on Cemetery Ridge