Cemetery Ridge, Historic ridge in Gettysburg, United States
Cemetery Ridge runs roughly two miles through Gettysburg National Military Park and rises about 40 feet (12 meters) above the surrounding landscape. The ridge held the main Union defensive line, marked by hundreds of monuments and interpretive signs documenting the battle's events.
This ridge formed the center of Union Army defenses during the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, where troops successfully repelled multiple Confederate attacks. The battle marked a turning point in the war and ended Southern hopes for expanding northward.
The northern section holds The Angle, a stone wall formation marking where Confederate forces advanced furthest during the battle. Visitors gather at this spot to understand the intensity of the fighting that took place here.
Visitors can walk along the ridge via marked trails and see hundreds of monuments representing different states and regiments. The area is accessible both on foot and by car, with information boards at key points explaining the events that occurred.
Thirty-four Union artillery pieces stationed along the ridge became inoperable during the heavy cannon fire before Pickett's Charge. This overlooked detail reveals how intense the bombardment was before the famous infantry assault began.
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