Brian Creager

Why I created Echoes of Gettysburg

Greetings, history buffs and Civil War enthusiasts!

My name is Brian Creager, and I'm the creator of Echoes of Gettysburg, an email newsletter dedicated to exploring the rich history and enduring legacy of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Through this newsletter, we'll delve into the strategies, the characters, and the consequences of this pivotal moment in American history. We'll explore the battlefield itself, the stories of the soldiers who fought there, and the lasting impact Gettysburg continues to have on our nation's identity.

So, whether you're a seasoned Civil War buff or just beginning your journey into this fascinating period, I invite you to join me on this exploration. Together, we'll listen to the Echoes of Gettysburg and uncover the stories that continue to resonate from that hallowed ground.

My fascination with Gettysburg began much closer to home than you might think. I grew up in York County, Pennsylvania, a mere 30-minute drive from the hallowed grounds themselves. My childhood memories are filled with weekend trips with my extended family, taking the scenic route on U.S. Route 30 from York, through Gettysburg, and finally reaching Caledonia State Park. Even then, the weight of history seemed to permeate the landscape.

However, the seeds of a deeper connection were sown during my grade school years. School trips to Gettysburg were a regular occurrence, and I vividly remember being enthralled by the Cyclorama, a massive 360-degree painting that transports you right into the heart of Pickett’s Charge. Standing before it, the sounds of musket fire and the cries of soldiers seem to emanate from the canvas, bringing the conflict to life in a way that textbooks simply can’t.

As I transitioned into my college years at Penn State, my connection to Gettysburg took an unexpected turn. As an engineering student, I landed a summer internship with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) working on none other than the expansion of US Route 15 – right there in Gettysburg. Eating lunch under the Marsh Creek Bridge (just north of the Emmitsburg Road intersection with Route 15), I couldn't help but imagine the soldiers traversing the same paths all those years ago.

After graduation, life took me to Erie, Pennsylvania, far from the battlefields but not from the echoes of history. Several of my close colleagues were proud graduates of Strong Vincent High School (now Middle School). The namesake? Colonel Strong Vincent, the Union brigade commander who played a pivotal role at Gettysburg, ultimately meeting his demise on Little Roundtop. Hearing their stories and school pride instilled a renewed interest in the man and the battle that claimed his life.

Today, I find myself residing in Cumming, Georgia, a world away from Gettysburg. Yet, even here, the echoes of the past manage to resonate. Periodically, I visit the final resting place of Lee’s “Old War Horse” General James Longstreet himself, buried in the peaceful Alta Vista Cemetery in Gainesville. Standing by his grave, I can't help but ponder the decisions he made, the lives lost, and the enduring mark left on our nation.

These experiences, both personal and professional, have fueled a lifelong passion for understanding the Battle of Gettysburg. Echoes of Gettysburg is my way of sharing that passion with you.

I invite you to join me on this exploration. Together, we'll listen to the Echoes of Gettysburg and uncover the stories that continue to resonate from that hallowed ground.