Since 2009, visiting Gettysburg has become an annual tradition for us, even if we can only manage a few days at a time. Each trip feels like a return to familiar ground, a place that never quite gives up all of its stories. No matter how many times we come back, Gettysburg always offers something new, whether it is a quiet moment of reflection or an unexpected experience that reminds us why this battlefield continues to draw people from around the world.

Our first stop after checking into our hotel is almost always East Cemetery Hill. Its location makes it a natural starting point, sitting right next to where we stay and directly across from Evergreen Cemetery and the National Soldiers Cemetery. There is something grounding about beginning our visit here, surrounded by layers of history and remembrance, before we head deeper into the battlefield.

Over time, East Cemetery Hill has become more than just a convenient stop for us. It feels like a gateway into Gettysburg itself. Standing there, you can sense how much activity once surrounded this area and how critical it was during the battle. Even during daylight hours, the atmosphere feels heavy with memory and purpose.

Because the battlefields close at sundown, we learned early on to make use of the edge of the parking lot near East Cemetery Hill. From that spot, you can still overlook key areas of the field, and it has proven to be an intriguing location for conducting spirit communication sessions. It is a simple workaround, but one that has allowed us to continue our investigations respectfully and legally.

Each year, we usually choose one night to return to this spot after dark. The quiet that settles over the area once the crowds are gone is striking. Traffic noise fades, the lights dim, and the hill takes on a completely different presence. It is during these moments that the past feels closest.

Over the years, we have conducted several investigations here, sometimes brief and sometimes stretching late into the night. We have captured moments that left us questioning what we experienced, while other nights offered little more than silence and reflection. Both outcomes feel meaningful in their own way.

We have documented a number of these investigations on video, sharing them as part of our ongoing Gettysburg coverage. Each recording serves as a snapshot in time, showing how our approach and understanding have evolved while the location itself remains constant. Looking back at older footage, it is clear how deeply this place has become woven into our journey.

One of our most memorable experiences at East Cemetery Hill was conducting a live stream during an investigation. Knowing others were watching and experiencing the moment with us added a unique layer to the night. It felt like we were sharing the atmosphere of Gettysburg in real time, inviting viewers to stand with us, even from afar.

East Cemetery Hill has become one of our favorite places to investigate while we are in Gettysburg. It is not just because of what we may or may not encounter, but because of the feeling of connection it offers. The hill represents a balance between history, remembrance, and curiosity that keeps drawing us back.

Each visit reinforces why this location remains a cornerstone of our Gettysburg trips. Whether we are filming, live streaming, or simply standing quietly in the dark, East Cemetery Hill continues to be a place where the past feels present. It is a reminder that some locations stay with you long after you leave, calling you back year after year.

East Cemetery Hill stands as one of the most significant and emotionally powerful locations on the Gettysburg battlefield. Rising gently above the town, it overlooks the streets below and the surrounding countryside that once echoed with cannon fire and shouted commands. Today the hill feels calm and reflective, but during the battle it was a place of chaos, determination, and fierce resistance that helped decide the fate of the Union army.

The importance of East Cemetery Hill comes from both its location and its purpose. It served as a key anchor point for Union defensive lines, especially during the second and third days of the Battle of Gettysburg. From this elevated ground, artillery units could control approaches from multiple directions, making the hill a vital position that could not be lost without severe consequences.

On the evening of the second day, Confederate forces launched a determined assault against East Cemetery Hill. Despite their exhaustion from the brutal fighting earlier that day, the Union defenders understood the importance of holding their ground. Confederate troops advanced through darkness, confusion, and heavy fire, managing to briefly overrun some Union artillery positions before fierce counterattacks drove them back.

The fighting on the hill was close, intense, and personal. Soldiers clashed at short range using muskets, bayonets, and even hand-to-hand combat. Artillery crews fought desperately to defend their guns, often standing their ground despite overwhelming pressure. The darkness added to the terror as smoke, fire, and shouted orders blended into a nightmarish scene.

By the early hours of the morning, Union forces had fully secured East Cemetery Hill once again. Their success ensured that the center of the Union line remained intact and prevented Confederate forces from gaining a commanding position over the battlefield. This defense had a major influence on the events of the following day, including the famous assault that would later unfold across the fields to the west.

Today visitors walking East Cemetery Hill can still sense the weight of history in the air. The slope is dotted with monuments and markers that honor the regiments and batteries that fought there. Each stone tells a story of courage, sacrifice, and resolve, reminding visitors that this ground was paid for dearly by those who stood their ground.

The view from the hill offers a powerful perspective on the battlefield and the town of Gettysburg below. From this vantage point it becomes easier to understand why the position was so fiercely contested. The landscape itself tells part of the story, showing how terrain influenced decisions, movements, and ultimately the outcome of the battle.

East Cemetery Hill is also closely connected to the broader meaning of Gettysburg as a turning point in the Civil War. The successful defense of this position helped secure a Union victory that shifted momentum and altered the course of the conflict. The hill symbolizes resilience and the determination to hold fast even in the darkest hours.

For many visitors East Cemetery Hill feels quieter and more contemplative than other areas of the battlefield. It invites reflection not just on the battle itself but on the individuals who fought there. Soldiers on both sides faced fear, exhaustion, and uncertainty, yet continued forward, driven by duty, belief, and loyalty to their comrades.

Walking the paths of East Cemetery Hill today is a reminder that history is not just found in books but in the ground beneath our feet. Every step across the hill connects the present to a past shaped by sacrifice and struggle. It remains a solemn and powerful place that continues to speak to those willing to listen.