5th and 6th grade students and staff at Jackson Pre-K-8 took a field trip to Gettysburg on May 10, 2024. On the way to Gettysburg, the group drove through New Oxford where the Civil War passed through. They also drove through historic downtown Gettysburg where they saw Jennie Wade's house and statue. Jennie Wade was a resident of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania during the time of the Battle of Gettysburg. She died at the age of 20 after being killed by a stray bullet during the Battle. When the group arrived at the Battlefield, they first stopped at the Eternal Flame which represents the peace and unity that arose between the Union and Confederate army. They also saw cannons at this stop in addition to the Worm wood fencing that is held together by only gravity. Next, the group went to the VA monument and discussed how the horse statue stood all four feet on the ground, signifying that the horse survived the war. One foot up meant it was wounded and two feet up meant it was killed in battle.
Then they went to the observation tower that overlooked Pickets charge and talked about how this was a huge part in the war and how many lives were lost. Some students conquered their fear of heights going up the tower. After this, the group drove past Little Round Top and Big Round Top as they were making their way to the observation tower at Culps Hill. After they walked around Culps Hill, they finished at Sachs covered bridge before returning back to school.
