I took this during my last trip a few years ago of the marker honoring the furthest advance of the 26th North Carolina.
Posted on 07/01/2007 5:23:20 AM PDT by mainepatsfan
1863 : The Battle of Gettysburg begins
The largest military conflict in North American history begins this day when Union and Confederate forces collide at Gettysburg. The epic battle lasted three days and resulted in a retreat to Virginia by Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.
Two months prior to Gettysburg, Lee had dealt a stunning defeat to the Army of the Potomac at Chancellorsville. He then made plans for a Northern invasion in order to relieve pressure on war-weary Virginia and to seize the initiative from the Yankees. His army, numbering about 80,000, began moving on June 3. The Army of the Potomac, commanded by Joseph Hooker and numbering just under 100,000, began moving shortly thereafter, staying between Lee and Washington, D.C. But on June 28, frustrated by the Lincoln administration's restrictions on his autonomy as commander, Hooker resigned and was replaced by George G. Meade.
Meade took command of the Army of the Potomac as Lee's army moved into Pennsylvania. On the morning of July 1, advance units of the forces came into contact with one another just outside of Gettysburg. The sound of battle attracted other units, and by noon the conflict was raging. During the first hours of battle, Union General John Reynolds was killed, and the Yankees found that they were outnumbered. The battle lines ran around the northwestern rim of Gettysburg. The Confederates applied pressure all along the Union front, and they slowly drove the Yankees through the town.
By evening, the Federal troops rallied on high ground on the southeastern edge of Gettysburg. As more troops arrived, Meade's army formed a three-mile long, fishhook-shaped line running from Culp's Hill on the right flank, along Cemetery Hill and Cemetery Ridge, to the base of Little Round Top.
(Excerpt) Read more at history.com ...
This is true, although speculation is that Jackson was already sick before he was shot at Chancellorsville. At the ‘Cracker box meeting’ of Jackson and Lee the night before his 17 mile march, it is reported that Jackson was bundled up in his overcoat, even though it was hot out. It is possible that he would have died from the pneumonia even if he hadn’t lost his arm. He was the hammer to Lee’s anvil, and Lee was never able to duplicate the ‘flank and crush’ tactic that made them so successful. Lee tried to use Longstreet for his hammer, but Longstreet didn’t come through.
I took this during my last trip a few years ago of the marker honoring the furthest advance of the 26th North Carolina.
My sons, a friend of theirs and I visited Antietam this past March and did the CD-Driving Tour (did a similar trip to Gettysburg last year in late February) — great trips and a great way to get an appreciation of what happened there on those monumental days. It really is amazing how these small obscure towns became such important parts of our history.
One observation: if Stonewall Jackson survived to participate at Gettysburg, I doubt Lee and the South would have made the mistakes they made there... and who knows what the outcome of the war would have been. Jackson being brought down by friendly fire — that may have been the turning point in the Civil War. JMHO.
Sam Elliot did a great job portraying him in the movie.
Yep, I remember seeing that marker. The 26th were the real ‘badasses’ of their day. As was told to Lee at Fredricksburg .....(paraphrased).... “Sir, these men will hold their ground like they have tar on their heels...”
Lee had indeed lost his right arm.
Many years ago I took the family to Gettysburg. As we visited the area right around Little Round Top I noticed a large number of blackberry bushes, with a good quantity of ripe berries. I plucked several of the berries and began eating them, before realizing that I was eating fruit grown in soil that had been fertilized by the blood of American heroes. A sobering moment, to be sure!
My sister now lives in NC and some of her co workers had relatives in that very unit.
Not the best ground to attack is it?
http://www.gettysburgreenactment.com
The Battle Reenactment is next weekend General Lee will be there
My father and I have been wanting to go to this for a few years, but his health has prevented us. Now that he is healthy again, I may plan on taking him next year. I understand it is the best reenactment around.
Not if it was anything then like it is now!
He was "visiting" with General Custer.
Careful, if you bring up this topic, you might end up mentioning how outnumbered Cortez was, which would be politically incorrect.
I had planned to visit the park during one of their reenactments but unfortunately that year it had rained so much they decided to postpone it for a few weeks to let the ground dry.
I have an original NY Times dated July 6, 1863 (long before it became a liberal rag) providing the first reports from the Battle of Gettysburg. Amazing stuff — including the misreporting of the deaths of Longstreet and Hill.
The Battle of Vicksburg (also wrapping up that weekend) gets lost in the Gettysburg news. What an amazing turning point in that war.
Not the most inviting ground for an attack.
Actually that would take place two days later.
Lincoln was incensed with Meade when he allowed the tattered forces of Lee to escape rather than cutting them up piecemeal.
Lee should have taken a defensive position like Longstreet wanted.
Luck sure has its place in history, but so does strategy of what is needed to be done in order to carry the day.
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