The Fourth of July holiday is a time when we Americans celebrate the birth of our nation, but 98 years ago more than 50,000 veterans of the Civil War spent that time together to celebrate and reminisce about the Battle of Gettysburg.
In 1913 it was the 50th anniversary of the pivotal three-day collision of two armies in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Half a century later, the small town was inundated with more than 100,000 visitors for the official celebration. Every living Civil War veteran who had an honorable discharge received an invitation that did not have to be decoded like the message in a bottle intended for the Confederate commander in Vicksburg. The Johnny Rebs and Yanks headed to the Keystone State in droves for the reunion held July 1 through July 4. The veterans, most of them well into their 70s by this time, slept in 5,000 tents at the site and ate more than 688,000 meals during their stay.
Former foes came together with both the Stars and Stripes and the Stars and Bars making an appearance to represent the men who wore the Blue and the men who wore the Gray. There is no report as to whether the stuffed head of Old Baldy, the horse Union General George Meade rode during the battle, made an appearance.
Mental Floss has the whole story including details like the camp kitchen serving up 24,930 dozen eggs and the tale of two soldiers from opposing sides who found each other twice, once during the battle and again at the reunion.