Today In History - July 3 1863 - Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg

National Park Service ^ | 7/03/06

[MplsSteve]

With the loss of his advantage at Culp's Hill, Lee decided to alter his strategy. Having already ordered his cavalry chief, "JEB" Stuart, to ride around the Union position and attack the Union supply line, Lee decided to strike what he thought to be a weakened Union center on Cemetery Ridge where he observed few troops and only a handful of batteries.

If this section of Meade's line collapsed, it would threaten the Union rear and those strong hill positions. He issued orders for a massive bombardment aimed at this area followed by an assault of 18,000 men,

[MplsSteve]

The entire battle of Gettysburg is worth noting - especially the 1st Minnesota's charge on the 2nd day of the battle, a charge that prevented the Union line from being broken in two.

But the part of Gettysburg that most remember (even if they're not familiar with the battle) is Pickett's Charge, an epic and futile attempt to split the union lines in the center. Pickett's division was shattered in the attempt and two days later, Lee retreated south across the Potomac back into Virginia.

Comments or opinions on the battle - anyone?

[Young Werther]

July 2nd and

"The entire battle of Gettysburg is worth noting - especially the 1st Minnesota's charge on the 2nd day of the battle, a charge that prevented the Union line from being broken in two."

Errol Flynn was wonderful, (oops Gen Custer and the 7th Cavalry that is!)

[angkor]

If like me you had forgotten about this year's annual Gettysburg Reeactment, you still have time.

"Due to record breaking rainfall and recent flash flooding in the entire Mid-Atlantic Region since Sunday, in the interest of public safety it has necessitated the re-scheduling of this weekend's Gettysburg Reenactment. Despite obvious disappointment, inconvenience and scheduling difficulties, the only prudent and responsible decision was to delay the event by several days. The event has been rescheduled at the Redding Farm for July 7, 8, & 9. Tickets from July 1, 2, & 3 will be honored for any day of the rescheduled event."

http://www.gettysburgreenactment.com/

[nathanbedford]

The Gallant Armistead fallen, the splendid division of Virginians wrecked, Lee's desperate hope for a decisive strike before he is engulfed, dashed, Lee advanced towards his retreating and bleeding men with tears coursing down his cheeks.

Historians say it was the high watermark of the Confederacy. As Douglas Southall Freeman wrote, it was late in the afternoon, but it was high noon for the Confederacy. Lee knew the implications of this defeat, he knew his army could be destroyed on the ground on which it stood, he knew that they might never make it back across the Potomac, he knew that at best the south faced a war of attrition against overwhelming odds which it was most unlikely to win. We know Lee knew this because he offered to resign.

As he advanced towards his bleeding troops, he kept repeating, "it is my fault, it is my fault, it is all my fault."

It is in shattering defeat that true character is revealed and it is one more illustration why one is justified in saying, Lee: The noblest and sublimest American of all.

[KC_Conspirator]

Taking the offensive during the Civil War was a hard thing to do. The pressure on Lee to get a victory in the north was very high, but even if he had not ordered the charge, he probably would have been check at Gettyburg anyway.

[ConorMacNessa]

My ggg-grandfather was a Corporal with Battery "C", Fifth U.S. Artillery and took a piece of schrapnel at the Clump of Trees on July 3, 1863. I was able to get all his pension records from the National Archives some years back.

[Mrs. Darla Ruth Schwerin]

It is common knowledge that the Union won it's useless slaughter campaign of the South. I for one, am not proud of the fact that Lincoln and his cohorts invaded the South. Many of their commanders took unholy advantage of the Southern women, along with slaughtering many of the unarmed elderly. And yet, this time in our history is held up as a shiny medal. And why is that? A President who calls out war on people in his own country? Sounds quite perverted to me...

[MplsSteve]

The last sentence in my original post was:

"Comments or opinions on the battle - anyone?"

Do you actually have any?

[Mrs. Darla Ruth Schwerin]

Obviously, not for you...

[MplsSteve]

Boy, that was a stinging comeback...(sarcasm)

Please come back when you have something credible to add to this thread.

[smug]

Lee: The noblest and sublimest American of all.

Amen.

[SunkenCiv]

There have been plenty of efforts during the ensuing 142 years to shift blame for the day three disaster onto others, including (and most recently) JEB Stuart; but Lee did indeed take on the blame, which was his, and should at least be taken at his word. The disaster was indeed all his fault.

Meade's strategy was to dig in and counterpunch, and that worked very well. Lee had a very good matchup of forces with Meade, and (other than Sickels' foolish insubordination) was unable to make any headway with frontal assaults.

When Grant assumed supreme command, he kept Meade right where he was, despite ongoing efforts to remove him (by a senator from Michigan in particular) and also despite Meade's failure to attack (on day four) or pursue Lee (during his flight from the north).

Meade's also known for having humiliated a reporter from The Philadelphia Inquirer by making him walk around with a sandwich board regarding a story he'd written and seen published. I ask you, what is wrong with that? ;')

[MplsSteve]

Well put post.

The battle of Gettysburg was, like many battles, a series of what-ifs.

What if Ewell had captured Culp's Hill on the 1st day?

What if the 20th Maine and 1st Minnesota had not been where they were on the 2nd day of the battle?

Someday I look forward to seeing Gettysburg. With the exception of a few small state battlefield parks, I have seen almost every Civil War battlefield - except for Wilson's Creek, Pea Ridge...and Gettysburg. Been working on it on and off since 1990.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks.