Today in History: Pickett's Charge (03 July 1863)(great illustrations)

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[Fairview]

You don't really get a sense of what happened there until you stand on the scene and say to yourself "My God, they marched from there to there in the open under an artillery barrage?" I am a great admirer of Lee but I honestly cannot imagine what he was thinking.

You really don't get a sense of what happened there until you try to walk the line of the march yourself, on a July day, while carrying a gun and ammunition. You don't realize it when you're just looking at the field, but that's a long incline, so those boys were marching uphill for a mile.

A kinsman of mine, a captain in the 8th Virginia, took part in that charge. He said afterwards that the artillery fire was so intense he had to pick chunks of his comrades' flesh off of his uniform.

[CurlyBill]

I did that march today with the 26th North Carolina on that very ground. We stepped off from the North Carolina Monument (right of the Robert E. Lee memorial when facing Seminary Ridge)at 4:00pm and marched across the battlefield and proceeded left of the angle to the wall where the North Carolinians advanced to. This is the third time that I’ve done this march, and it is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I carried the Confederate Battle Flag out in front... an honor that I will never forget. We joined up with the Virginians about 200 yards from the crossing at Steinwehr and went in together. I’m very lucky in that it takes me only about an hour and fifteen minutes to get to Gettysburg.

[stainlessbanner]

Wish I was there with you CurlyBill!

The colors! Hurrah!

[Fairview]

Good for you. You’re keeping an important tradition alive. I was invited to march with the 26th NC in the parade several years ago; they were a very hospitable group.

It was cool and pleasant today. Now imagine doing that march in 90+ degree weather, clad in jeancloth & wool uniforms, as our ancestors did it.

[CurlyBill]

It was unreal... simply unreal. There was a guy marching as General Stonewall Jackson.. who was really a dead ringer for Jackson... with the Virginians. Yes, we all know that Jackson died just before the Gettysburg campaign, but he marched with us this day. After our march, he was overcome with emotion as were a few others. I kept myself composed, but it was tough. This was organized by Bill Hartley who is a great guy.

[stainlessbanner]

If only Stonewall was at G’burg....

[CurlyBill]

Good for you. You’re keeping an important tradition alive. I was invited to march with the 26th NC in the parade several years ago; they were a very hospitable group.
It was cool and pleasant today. Now imagine doing that march in 90+ degree weather, clad in jeancloth & wool uniforms, as our ancestors did it.

Did it last year in 95 degree heat in my Richmond II. We had two drop out, but the rest of us made it. Today was cooler and somewhat cloudy and a bit breezy, which helped. I can't say enough about the 26th NC... and Bill Hartley is a class act.

[CurlyBill]

If only Stonewall was at G’burg....

We joked with "Stonewall" about that today! Tomorrow we are doing the Severna Park, MD parade... complete with bagpipes!!

[EternalVigilance]

OTH - When you stand at the top of Missionary Ridge in Chattanooga, you think there was no way Sheridan’s attack could succeed. Yet it did.

My great-great-grandfather was there. Just went through there a few months ago. What a campaign that was.

[EternalVigilance]

[EternalVigilance]

I really love the old paintings...and of course, there are lots of them of this particular pivotal event in American history.

[EternalVigilance]

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[stainlessbanner]

Fantastic artwork - thanks for posting.

[EternalVigilance]

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My pleasure.

[stainlessbanner]

There’s CurlyBill carrying the colors today!

[EternalVigilance]

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