By Regan Linde

The Washington-Hillsdale Internship Program (WHIP) students and Hillsdale In DC staff members spent the day at the Gettysburg Battlefield this past semester to better understand the pivotal Civil War battle. 

The day began at the Kirby Center with a virtual lecture from Historian Dr. Allen Guelzo – a leading authority on the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln. The lecture expanded on the importance of the battle and the specific soldiers involved.

Students then spent two and a half hours touring the battlefield with a licensed battlefield tour guide. They then enjoyed viewing the most notable spots of the three-day battle.

Sophomore Lucy Cuneo noted that “it was incredible to walk the grounds that people from Hillsdale College had fought on to preserve the union.” 

After leaving the battlefield, senior Callahan Stoub reflected:

“We have spent several classes studying Abraham Lincoln and the context of making important decisions, but Gettysburg made these conversations more realistic for our stage of life. Yes, the generals coordinated the war effort, but most battlefield victories came from young, inexperienced people who had to rely on their intuition for pivotal decisions. That is why I think it’s important for us to study the individuals and places that prepare us to face hard, decisive decisions sooner than we may expect.”