Pickett's Charge
A lone cannon and the field of Pickett's Charge. The Copse of Trees (focal point of the charge) is the right-most cluster of trees on the ridge, "The Angle" is marked by the single tree to the left of the Copse of Trees.
Posted on 07/03/2007 8:51:36 AM PDT by yankeedame
A lone cannon and the field of Pickett's Charge. The Copse of Trees (focal point of the charge) is the right-most cluster of trees on the ridge, "The Angle" is marked by the single tree to the left of the Copse of Trees.
Pickett's Charge was a disastrous infantry assault ordered by Confederate General Robert E. Lee against Maj. Gen. George G. Meade's Union positions on Cemetery Ridge, on July 3, 1863, the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Its futility was predicted by the charge's commander, Lt. Gen. James Longstreet, and it was arguably an avoidable mistake from which the Southern war effort never fully recovered psychologically. The farthest point reached by the attack has been nicknamed the high-water mark of the Confederacy.
After Confederate attacks on both Union flanks had failed the day and night before, Lee determined to strike the Union center on the third day. On the night of July 2, General Hancock correctly predicted at a council of war that Lee would try an attack on his lines in the center the following morning.
The infantry assault was preceded by a massive artillery bombardment that was meant to soften up the Union defense and silence its artillery, but it was largely ineffective. Approximately 12,500 men in nine infantry brigades advanced over open fields for three quarters of a mile under heavy Union artillery and rifle fire. Although some Confederates were able to breach the stone wall that shielded many of the Union defenders, they could not maintain their hold and were repulsed with over 50% casualties, ending the battle and Lee's campaign into Pennsylvania.
Cemetery (sic) Ridge
Aftermath
Pickett's Charge was a bloodbath. While the Union lost about 1,500 killed and wounded, the Confederate casualty rate was over 50%....
Command losses were also horrendous. Pickett's three brigade commanders and all thirteen of his regimental commanders were casualties.... Kemper was wounded, and Garnett and Armistead did not survive....falling near "The Angle" at what is now considered the High Water Mark of the Confederacy.
As soldiers straggled back to the Confederate lines along Seminary Ridge, Lee... tried to rally his center, telling returning soldiers and Gen. Wilcox that the failure was "all my fault."
General Pickett was inconsolable...and never forgave Lee for ordering the charge. When Lee told Pickett to rally his division for the defense, Pickett allegedly replied, "General Lee, I have no division."
...When asked, years afterward, why his charge at Gettysburg failed, General Pickett said: "I've always thought the Yankees had something to do with it."
"Taking Battery A"
General Lewis A. Armistead
Pickett's Charge - July 3, 1863
Pickett's Charge -- Into the Jaws of Hell
General Pickett at Gettysburg-- July 3, 1863
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Quotes from the 1993 movie
[Buford's cavalry has sighted the Rebel army]
Gen. Buford: Meade will come in slowly, cautiously, new to command... And then, after Lee's army is entrenched behind nice fat rocks, Meade will attack finally, if he can coordinate the army. He'll attack right up that rocky slope, and up that gorgeous field of fire. And we will charge valiantly, and be butchered valiantly. And afterwards men in tall hats and gold watch fobs will thump their chest and say what a brave charge it was. Devin, I've led a soldier's life, and I've never seen anything as brutally clear as this.
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Lt. Gen. James Longstreet: You know what's gonna happen? I'll tell you what's gonna happen. Troops are now forming behind the line of trees. When they come out, they'll be under enemy long-range artillery fire. Solid shot. Percussion. Every gun they have. Troops will come out under fire with more than a mile to walk. And still, within the open field, among the range of aimed muskets. They'll be slowed by that fence out there, and the formation - what's left of it - will begin to come apart. When they cross that road, they'll be under short-range artillery. Canister fire. Thousands of little bits of shrapnel wiping the holes in the lines. If they get to the wall without breaking up, there won't be many left. A mathematical equation... But maybe, just maybe, our own artillery will break up their defenses. There's always that hope.
[sighs]
Quotes from the movie "Gettysburg"
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.
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.
The colors! Hurrah!
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.
If only Stonewall was at G’burg....
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.
We joked with "Stonewall" about that today! Tomorrow we are doing the Severna Park, MD parade... complete with bagpipes!!
My great-great-grandfather was there. Just went through there a few months ago. What a campaign that was.
Fantastic artwork - thanks for posting.
There’s CurlyBill carrying the colors today!
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