Especially now, Gettysburg is perfect destination

In late June 145 years ago, the quiet countryside around the Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg was alive only with birdsong.

But storm clouds soon gathered, and for three days, from July 1 to July 3 in 1863, 165,000 opposing forces from the Union and Confederate armies met to fight on foot, on horses and behind great, powerful cannons. Personal freedoms, beliefs and economic fortunes were at stake. Later, a great president would stand on the hushed land, trying to mend a torn nation with his now-famous Gettysburg Address.