This Day In Civil War History July 2, 1863 Second Day of the Battle of Gettysburg

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=Article&id=2231 ^

[mainepatsfan]

July 2, 1863 The second day of battle at Gettysburg

General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia attacks General George G. Meade's Army of the Potomac at both Culp's Hill and Little Round Top, but fails to move the Yankees from their positions.

On the north end of the line, or the Union's right flank, Confederates from General Richard Ewell's corps struggled up Culp's Hill, which was steep and heavily wooded, before being turned back by heavy Union fire. But the most significant action was on the south end of the Union line. General James Longstreet's corps launched an attack against the Yankees, but only after a delay that allowed additional Union troops to arrive and position themselves along Cemetery Ridge. Many people later blamed Longstreet for the Confederates' eventual defeat. Still, the Confederates had a chance to destroy the Union left flank when General Daniel Sickles moved his corps, against Meade's orders, from their position on the ridge to open ground around the Peach Orchard. This move separated Sickles' force from the rest of the Union army, and Longstreet attacked. Although the Confederates were able to take the Peach Orchard, they were repulsed by Yankee opposition at Little Round Top. Some of the fiercest fighting took place on this day, and both armies suffered heavy casualties.

Lee's army regrouped that evening and planned for one last assault against the Union center on July 3. That attack, Pickett's charge, would represent the high tide of Confederate fortunes.

[mainepatsfan]

If you're ever in Gettysburg and looking for a way to burn calories follow in the footsteps of Oates' men up and over Big Round Top. Make sure you bring the water his men didn't get on that hot July afternoon.

[Hugin]

I’ve been there. Did they go over Big Round Top to get to Little Round Top? I didn’t know that. No wonder Chaimberlin’s last ditch bayonet charge pushed them back.

That reminds me, I’ll have to watch Gettysburg again.

[BluH2o]

Visited Gettysburg a few weeks ago. The new visitors center, which opened last November, is very impressive ... ‘awesome’ in todays vernacular. My wife and I took the two hour bus tour, which can be arranged for at the visitors center, then went back to some of the battle sites later in our car. The visitor center is the place to start.

[mainepatsfan]

Oates men weren’t supposed to go up there but the colonel decided he had to push the US sharpshooters off of it rather than leave them on his flank or rear. They were nearly out of gas before they ever fired a shot at the 20th Maine.

[Non-Sequitur]

Bump

[mainepatsfan]

The old visitor center on Cemetery Hill was recently torn down. The park is gradually trying to make it appear as much as possible as it did in 1863.

[AFPhys]

I have the movie Gettysburg on right now. An excellent production, though of course there is no way the full scope of the battle can be perfectly reflected.

Regarding water at Gettysburg: there is a stream between Devil’s Den and Little Round Top. It was red with blood, what water there was left. I believe that between the nearly 200,000 men and on the order of 80,000 horses at Gettysburg, and the summertime weather, there was insufficient water to begin with in the area.

[BlueLancer]

"The park is gradually trying to make it appear as much as possible as it did in 1863."

Then they need to start by cutting down some of the trees on Little Round Top and around Devil's Den. From pictures taken shortly after the battle, most of the slopes of Little Round Top were pretty bare of trees, as was the area around Devil's Den. The last time I was there, the place was so overgrown that it was hard to visualize the reported flow of the battle in that area (as well as others, but that was the worst that I could see).

-------------------------------------------------------

RESISTOR

Swear allegiance to the flag, whatever flag they offer;
Never hint at what you really feel.
Teach the children quietly for, someday, sons and daughters
Will rise up and fight while we stood still.

Der Elite Møøsënspåånkængrüppen ØberKømmändø (EMØØK)

[Stonewall Jackson]

I hope to visit Gettysburg later on this year.

I had two ancestors who fought in this battle. They were in Company F of the 16th Georgia Infantry, which was assigned to Wofford's Brigade. They fought in the Wheatfield and Peach Orchard, suffering only minor casualties, before being sent over to assume defensive positions in the Devil's Den, taking over from the Texans who had suffered severe casualties in taking those positions.

[Redleg Duke]

Let’s hear it for the 20th Main and COL Chamberlain!

[mainepatsfan]

The area around Devil’s Den has been cleared and it does give one a much better view of the battle field in that area.

[mainepatsfan]

The fight for the Wheatfield is hands down the hardest part of the battle to explain to folks.

[appleseed]

Been to Gettysburg with a guide. Most incredible place I have ever been to. Amazing the loss of American life on both sides. Stood on the staging area where my relative in the 16th PA Cavalry stood. Amazing history that a lot have no clue about. Walked the Picket charge path on July 3, 1863. What is amazing to me is the American soldiers march to the objective no matter what the cost. Take note idiots in Congress - A lot of us who had relatives at Gettysburg also did our time in the military. We're not happy with the direction of our country. Better take notice or else we are doomed to repeat the errors of our past. Just sayin.

Self Reliant/Survivalist ping list

[oh8eleven]

Let’s hear it for the 20th Main and COL Chamberlain!
There were others there who don't get the credit they deserve ...
Col. Patrick O'Rorke -

"In an effort to defend the strategic Little Round Top, which if lost would had jeopardized the entire battle, O'Rorke led his 500 men [NY 140th] in a charge over the crest of the hill and was killed after sustaining a bullet wound in the neck.
Ironically, his forces were successful in defending the position, without which the Union forces would have been defeated in that important battle."

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

[MplsSteve]

The 20th Maine (justifiably) got a lot of ink and praise for their stand on Little Round Top.

But have you heard of the 1st Minnesota’s charge at Gettysburg? it’s every bit as important as what the 20th Maine did.

They were called (by General W.S. Hancock) to fill a large gap in the union line that existed north of the Wheatfield. At the time, there were no other Union units in sight.

The 1st Minnesota charged, engaging units much larger than it was. By the time reinforcements arrived, only 47 of the 262 (who started the charge were still standing, a casualty rate of 83%.

Had the 1st Minnesota not sacrificed itself, the Union line could easily have been split wide open, making the Army of the Potomac’s entire position untenable.

Here’s a link in case you want to read more about the 1st Minnesota:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Minnesota

[Redleg Duke]

Absolutely. I didn't mean to leave out anyone. In studying the Battle of Gettysburg, I am continously astounded by the recurring theme that this battle was a summation of a wide variety of individual decisions and actions. A mosaic of courage, brilliance and stupidity.

The actions of the Union Cavalry Brigade on the first day to hold up the Confederate forces long enough for Reynolds to bring up his infantry, including the ancestors of the 57th FA Brigade, the Iron Brigade.

The individual actions of the units we three mentioned. Chamberlain's unexpected bayonet charge. His decision-making process was remarkable under such conditions!

The belief by the Confederates that they couldn't lose...I call it "Victory Disease". Pickett's Charge.

Perhaps the greatest failure of the entire battle was the failure of Meade to follow-up while he had Lee's Forces reeling and retreating. That follow-up could have cut the war short by two years and saved countless lives.

[oh8eleven]

Perhaps the greatest failure of the entire battle was the failure of Meade to follow-up while he had Lee's Forces reeling and retreating.
Without a doubt and I believe A. Lincoln concurs.

[Non-Sequitur]

Perhaps the greatest failure of the entire battle was the failure of Meade to follow-up while he had Lee's Forces reeling and retreating. That follow-up could have cut the war short by two years and saved countless lives.

I'd direct you both to "One Continuous Fight: The Retreat from Gettysburg and the Pursuit of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, July 4-14, 1863" by Wittenberg, Petruzzi, and Nugent that goes a long way towards clearing up the tale that Meade didn't try and catch Lee. Meade had his own problems with thousands of wounded and his supply of horses for his wagons and artillery decimated, and yet he did pursue Lee all the way back to Virginia. There were dozens of skirmishes and stand-up fights during that 10 day period and at the end of the day the one may who was probably most responsible for saving the Army of Northern Virginia from Meade's pursuit was Jeb Stuart.

[doubled]

Could someone post a map of the battle. I am not a student of the war, but interested and only have a vague recollection from the movie of the geography.

Also, could someone attempt to explain the wheat fields as that keeps coming up and I don't remember anything about it in the movie or what I have heard or read.