Children lost fathers and wives their husbands.
Mothers buried their sons.
They fought brother against brother.

They bore witness to the matchless valor and courage
of ordinary men.

They lived through the unspeakable horrors of war.
Thousands died alone on nameless fields.

Most volunteered. Some deserted.
Many stayed.

Such was the character of the American Civil War.
Such was the Battle of Gettysburg.