This Day In History - Civil War July 2, 1863 The second day of battle at Gettysburg

http://www.history.com/tdih.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=2231 ^

[mainepatsfan]

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]

My favorite part about that movie was the soundtrack. It’s awesome.

[PaulZe]

I was there two years ago. I had been there a few times. This time I stayed a couple days. One of the highlights was taking a ranger walking tour ( they are all free) of Pickett’s Charge. The ranger who presented the tour made it feel like we were there. One of the descriptions he gave that stayed with me was that at every moment during the attack there was something being thrown in the air, a canteen a rifle, an arm, a leg. He also talked aboout the “red mist” from the blood. It’s amazing that these guys still moved forward

[mainepatsfan]

Then he was very busy on this date in 1863!

[Shaun_MD]

Very probable. John fought with Co B of the 55 Regiment and served under Hood at some point.

John Taylor
Residence: Greene County, Georgia
Occupation:
Service Record:
Enlisted as a Private on 05 May 1862
Enlisted in Company B, 55th Infantry Regiment Georgia on 17 May 1862.
POW on 09 September 1863 at Cumberland Gap, TN

[mainepatsfan]

The Union soldiers who repulsed the attack all marveled at the discipline the rebel soldiers had despite the hell that surrounded them.

[EternalVigilance]

Sebastian Buehler, son of Jacob and Mary Katherine Buehler, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, March 30, 1845. He came to America with his parents in 1855 and they settled in Lake County, Indiana. In 1861, although only sixteen years old, he proffered his service for the support of his adopted country and enlisted in the twenty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry on September 28, 1861, being mustered in at Indianapolis, Indiana in 1862 as a private under the leadership of Capt. J.A. Sims. He served throughout the entire four years of the Civil War. The exposure to which he was subjected during the struggle left him in such physical condition that he was never in good health again.

My great-great-grandfather. Notice the medal on his chest. After the war, he moved on to Iowa and bought some of the best farmland on the planet for five bucks an acre. :-)

[Shaun_MD]

I loved that movie, Gods and Generals was good too. I’m still waiting on the third movie if it ever sees the light of day.

[Shaun_MD]

You are very lucky. No photos of our family survived.

[Lurking in Kansas]

I love walking the battlefield early in the morning with the mist still hanging in the air and no one else around. It’s eerie.

Ditto.

Once at Gettysburg I walked the grounds a little after daybreak. I was alone, the tourist weren’t stirring yet. There was an extremely heavy fog –visibility was about 20 yards.

A perfect time to reflect on what happen there and what our nation is currently experiencing. I’ll never forget that June morning in 2002, so far, my best trip yet to Gettysburg. .

[mainepatsfan]

Unfortunately due to the poor box office performance of Gods and Generals there are currently no plans to produce the Last Full Measure. Hopefully some day it’ll be done.

[vetvetdoug]

I had the honor of sitting with my six horse artillery hitch at Gibbon's Batteries' position the exact minute 125 years after Longstreet's final assault (Pickett's). Chilling...Brice's Crossroads 125 years to the minute sitting on a horse at the creek...Shiloh on horseback 125 years to the minute sitting where Forrest charged a position....Corinth...125 years to the minute sitting on a horse at Battery F...Middleburg 125 years to the minute...Grierson's Raid...125 years to the minute....Chickamauga 125 years to the minute...Kennesaw Mountain....125 years to the minute...

It really gives one a time to reflect and ponder...

[mainepatsfan]

The next time I go I’m planning to go one of those ghost tours.

[Shaun_MD]

I have never been to Gettysburg. Hopefully this next year I’ll get to go. Would not mind going to Sharpsburg either.

[mainepatsfan]

Here’s a tip...avoid visiting the park during the weekends. Way too many people.

[mc5cents]

I remember on my visit to Gettysburg and standing at one end of the field where Pickett’s charge took place and feeling wonder at how those men could march into withering fire and cannon for almost a mile. I was in awe. I still am. The book “The Killer Angels” has a great description of that battle. Puts you there.

[EternalVigilance]

My other great-great granddad, Abner L. Chandler, served in Co. D, 96 Illinois Infantry for four years. Went on to Iowa, where he served as the first superindent of the famous Wheeler Ranch. They broke up the prairie sod. He lived until 1919.

He grew up on a farm in Kansas which was a stopping place for John Brown. Quite an abolitionist clan, the Chandlers. Pretty dour, too. ;-)

[EternalVigilance]

Amazing. Thank you for keeping their memories alive.

[Shaun_MD]

I’ve often wondered, what the hell was General Lee thinking. Longstreet knew the attack would fail and warned Lee against it.

[EternalVigilance]

The family still has Abner Chandler’s rifle. Unfortunately, not my branch. :-(

[gate2wire]

“Hopefully this next year I’ll get to go. Would not mind going to Sharpsburg either.”

With a little planning, and driving, you could see Manassas, Harper’s ferry, Sharpsburg, and Gettysburg.

Pretty cool trip.

Damn, this thread makes me want to drive on up.