The Gettysburg Reunion of 1913 by Mike Jesberger

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The Battle of Gettysburg, July 1st to July 3rd, 1863, turned the tide of the American Civil War, but not before 50,000 Union and Confederate soldiers became casualties from the ferocious three days of fighting. 50 years later, from June 29-July 4, 1913, To commemorate the anniversary of The Battle of Gettysburg, more than 50,000 Civil War veterans ranging in age from 60 to 112 years old descended on the rolling hills and the town of Gettysburg. They traveled back to the site where half a century earlier they engaged in combat and would now host an occasion of healing that was known as the Grand Reunion. Abraham Lincoln had incorrectly stated in his endearing Gettysburg Address that "the world will little note nor long remember what we say here" in November of 1863, those same words could also be said about the Grand Reunion. Although the 1913 gathering was a widely anticipated, momentous event with over 50,000 spectators joining the 50,000 veterans, this largest of all reunions of Civil War veterans has been all but forgotten in the 100 years since that occasion. Join historical reenactor, lecturer and tour guide, Michael Jesberger for a discussion on this often overlooked story of the American Civil War.

Speakers Biography

Mike Jesberger is an independent military historian who specializes in the American Revolution and Civil War time periods. He is renowned for his depth and breadth of knowledge, as well as his engaging and passionate presentation style, whether providing formal lectures, living history presentations or tours of historic sites in the Tri-state area.

A member of numerous history based organizations and active in the reenactment community, he participates in numerous battle reenactments, living history programs and ceremonies to honor American veterans. A lifelong resident of the Philadelphia region, He is a native of Northeast Philadelphia and has relocated to Bucks and Montgomery County, PA and currently resides in Lansdale, PA with his wife, Amy, Son, Erik and two daughters, Erin and Emma.

The event is free but we welcome donations to enable us to continue our education and conservation projects on both sides of the Atlantic.