Volume_29_Issue_3

10 Volume 29, Issue 3 Preservation & Progress Imagine waking up on July 4, 1863 as one of 2,400 residents of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. On a day normally reserved to celebrate American democracy, you face the horrifying aftermath of the largest battle of the American Civil War—three days of almost indescribable carnage in your own backyard. More than 165,000 Union and Confederate soldiers had unintentionally converged on Gettysburg because of a system of roads that drew marching armies to a small Pennsylvania town. During the battle (July 1–3), over 51,000 soldiers were killed, captured, or wounded. You heard the terrorizing sounds of violence, including the largest cannonade in the history of North America. While your fear subsides on July 4 as the Confederate army begins marching back to Virginia, there is no time to savor that feeling of safety because thousands lie dead or wounded on the field of battle. Basil Biggs participating in burial. Photo courtesy of GETT. Why DoeS C i v i l i ty matter , anyWay? By Matthew C. Moen, Ph.D. Originally published on the Big History Project blog on July 20, 2018. Bloodshed @ Gettysburg: