Calvary men stand at the top of the ridge watching the battle ensue at Little Round Top and Devil's Den.

The battle of Gettysburg celebrated its 150th anniversary in re-enactment fashion last weekend and this weekend. Cole and I attended the smaller of the two re-enactment weekends. The first day include the battles at Little Round Top, Devil's Den, the Wheatfield and the Peach Orchard. The second day, which had many more people, showed Pickett's Charge. This is the charge the Confederate troops took toward the center of the Union lines on the third day of the battle.

The whole event was a learning experience for me, one of little history knowledge. Cole enjoyed seeing how it all really plays out with people. We have been to other battlefields, and Cole, of course, knows plenty about the Civil War. But it's different to see the scene play out. It shows the scope of how battles work, and just the sheer difficulty of moving large masses of people.

Along with the re-enactment of the battle, the event had vendors and townspeople. We walked through the made up Gettysburg, looking at the tents and wares of the people who were actually camping out as part of the 150th anniversary.

Check out the below photos, and don't miss my Re-enactment Weekend in Gettysburg album.

Confederate cannons fire on Union soldiers.

On the first day, we stared at the ridge for two hours watching smoke and hearing bangs. It was slightly boring until you could see the soldiers.

Confederate and Union soliders face off.

Confederate cannons smoke.

Forces clash.

Confederate soldiers march.

Confederate soldier faces the Union line.

Re-enactors.

Re-enactor kid.

In the town, a man wears a monocle.

Town tent.

Cole enjoys the re-enactment and the sarsaparilla.

Little drummer boy.

Townsperson.

Smokin'.

All shapes and sizes watch.

Finally some Union soldiers. From our viewpoint, we only got a lot of Confederate glimpses.

And so begins Pickett's Charge.

Smoke rings poof from cannons.

Confederate troops start to fall.

Confederates start retreating.

Cole loving the day.

Lots of interesting characters show up.

America.

Our favorite.

iPad people.

Kiddo soldiers.

It was so toasty.

Be on the watch for National Park pictures coming soon. We didn't stop at re-enactments. We also traveled over to actual location of the battle.