Posted on 07/02/2010 4:06:00 AM PDT by mainepatsfan
Jul 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at history.com ...
Just think...the soldiers of Law’s brigade have already been up marching for hours and their day is still only just beginning.
The odd thing about this battle is that South attacked from the North attacked from the south in its initial stage.
That was all but inevitable after Lee stole a march on Hooker.
When looking at Gettysburg day one and two, the lack of major cavalry support on both sides is always startling.
It is said in biographies on Chamberlain, that he helped organize reunions at Gettysburg. These men, on both sides, were devoted soldiers. Chamberlain felt strongly about that.
Well the Union cavalry was certainly involved in the initial stage of the battle.
Unfortunately due to his failing health he was unable to attend the 50th anniversary in 1913. Dan Sickles unfortunately was the star of that gathering.
The second day, and the 20th Maine's defense of Little Round Top is an inspiration of leadership and courage.
To me, as soldier, this battle was really an interesting collection of loosely-associated, small-unit actions, any of which, going the other way, would have changed the course of history.
Gettysburg was truly a nexus of AMerican and world history.
That must be why they didn't put up a monument to him until just a few years ago and the monument itself is an embarassment. It looks like he's riding a dog.
No, it wasn't Longstreet's "fault".
Did you also go to his home there?
Did you also go to his home there?
Hey - give Dan Sickles a little credit. His goofy move forward during the battle has been criticized but also credited for greatly expanding the line and the Confederates were stretched too thin.
there are islands off the coast of maine, like deer island, that lost most of their adult military age population in the war, much of it at gettysburg.
i think chamberlain went on to be both governor and head of Bowdoin college.also, and was given the honor of command of troops accepting lee’s surrender.
Even folks who know next to nothing about the Civil War know about Gettysburg.
Beaufort? Who’s he?
Now Buford, on the other hand....
“;^)
Agreed.
The benefits of his movement are far outweighed by it's downside. Meade and his other subordinates spent the rest of the day trying to plug the all the holes created by Sickles idiocy.
Now, are you satisfied? Now you can enjoy your holiday weekend! Good-bye!
Glad I could make your day by giving you a cheap shot opportunity!
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