Recently I saw a show in which they demonstrated that only about half the available command was in the actual assault. Based on reports of the day, it seems that many of Pickett's command slipped back when they were held up at the fence, which of course should have been sapped the night before. They based this on the number of casualties reported ... which should have been far greater if they had all attacked. A sad calculation indeed.
So it's all the more amazing that those who actually made the charge, made it to the Union lines. No matter what side one happens to favor, this was a tragedy.
Special interest.
I’ve been there. Looked down from Cemetery Ridge, and looked up from the field that the Rebs had to cross to get there.
Marse Robert faced his first competent general in Meade at Gettysburg, and didn’t fare well.