I grew up in Cashtown, and graduated from Gettysburg High School. The battlefield is a sacred place for me. This was a very well done documentary. Thanks to all the re-enactors making this film so outstanding.
Is it true some say at some nights you can still hear musket fire.. Dont know how true.. But lot of unrest spirits of men dying on that battlefield.. Rip to both sides
Bee if you go to Sailors Creek late at Night you can every now and then hear musket fire and down behind the hills man house and fields around there you can see campfires around the areas the camps were
It really is a magical place, first time i was there i went on there on a whim, it was late August, i got the about 8pm, i was by myself it was warm and still, there was an energy in the air, you could feel that something went down there, i loved it.
I have been fortunate to have visited Gettysburg twice ,many years apart , I felt a great compassion for the valor shown by both sides and a sadness that this battle had to be fought. To those interested in this war, Gettysburg is a must visit. There are a plethora of cannons on this site but not one was fired in this battle. May God continue to bless the souls of all those who perished there.
The fact that they used Sam Elliott sound alike voice(Gettysburg movie roll of Buford) to do the voice over of Buford truly is a wonderful addition to this very good movie!
I’m so lucky to have been to Gettysburg, being a Brit I have a different perspective, brave men on both sides and excellent generals but civil war is the worst kind of war, I live near Edge Hill, which was the first battle in the English civil war and both battlefields have that eerie feeling that something big happened in these places. Excellent documentary, one of the best I’ve watched.
I went to Gettysburg and had friends who lived at the top of Edge Hill so, like you, I've been on both battlefields. I don't recall an eerie feeling but if you know what happened at them they certainly make you think about the heroism of those who fought, died and were wounded there and wish that there would be no more wars - I've had the same feeling at on the Somme battlefield.
Alan Boots Being from the South, I've Studied The American Civil War, if you Understood what the Yankee Government did to Remove President Lincoln, you would not glorify the Union for having defectors in her Midst
I also visited from England and walked "Pickett's Charge" alone on a July Day. It was memorable - I think one has to know a lot about the subject to make it "come alive". The 16th (and worst) US president responsible for the war between the states (for it was not a "civil war") who was responsible for all this, should not be a poster-boy for anyone.
I'm a Resident of Pennsylvania and I have been in Gettysburg numerous times throughout the 1980's, I've been all over the Town of Gettysburg, including the Cyclorama that was in Gettysburg, I've Toured The Jenny Wade House mote times than I can count, I Love My American History.
Never more the most comprehensive documentary ever seen ! Been to Gettys burg my self but seeing this I want too return ! This was a eye opener you might say ! Of course the tragedy on both sides shall never go not forgotten those three days of battle ! Each one a hero in their own right . The reality of those days should never be forgotten forever etched in our minds by what history has taught us . As what was so told out in Lincolns address in which did bring forth a new nation conceived in liberty by all people ! This we must live up to this today .by all people no matter the race ,color or creed of who we are ! That is a nation that stands together remains together for the benefit of all .
Lee's retreat from Gettysburg is an amazing story and should be a sole source of study. It was crazy and an awesome show of mid-level leadership. Textbook!!
A lot of Missing Details here, It's General E Lee to you, What you Fail to have here in your post The Union let the South blow all of its Ammo on day One was a Tactic of the north After The South Won Day One at Gettysburg, The South was running out of Ammo and Supplies to Continue the Fight Than The loss at The Siege Of Vicksburg is what Ended the Civil War for the South
@@AWFULWORKPLACES Oh really? You mean the Union allowed its best corps (along with one of its worst) to be destroyed as a ploy? And the day two attack that nearly broke the Union line and destroyed another corps (thanks to the bumbling of Sickles) meant they were nearly out of ammo? Not to mention the day 3 bombardment. I don't think so.
I'm one of those who believes that Lee paid too high a price in casualties in winning the first day at Gettysburg. He didn't have enough men to pull off his offensive tactics on the second and third day
Best Gettysburg documentary I've seen in the past decade. Great colorizations. Really enjoyed hearing stories of lesser-known aspects of the battle. Alonzo Cushing @ The Angle [Stone Wall] would have been a nice addition, but I appreciated hearing about Farmer Abraham and the poetic karma of the big picture!🎩
the south couldve won easily if there wasnt that miscommunication between lee and ewell, lee told ewell "Take the hill, if practicable, but don't bring on a general engagement.” but ewell was way too cautious so even though it WAS practicable to take the hill, ewell didnt want to take that big of a risk another reason lee lost was because his scouts took way too long to make it back, if he had knowledge of the situation early enough and wouldve taken the hill the south wouldve won when the one part of the union line advanced and left gaps in the line, the south shouldve done a full on charge at the gaps, instead of focuing on chamberlains regiment
@@AeonAxisProductions:"the maximum effective range of an excuse is ZERO METERS "sir"! The South was doomed from the first shot at Ft. Sumpter! The North had ALL the necessary resources to crush them!👿
Did you happen to catch the source that was cited about the story of Abraham? I went back and listened several times and am sure he didn't give it orally. I wanted to go and read some more about that man and his life, but couldn't find the source written and cited either. If you found it, please share 😀😀
I was trying to figure out why the battle scenes were giving me deja vu... Then I realized that I was there in the Federal 3rd Division with Co. B, 2nd WI in 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade.
I am pleased to finally see a video that gives recognition to the Union Cavalry under Custer. Lee's strategy on the 3rd day was brilliant. I just wasn't executed. There were 3 components of which Picket's Charge was only one. The second was a massive artillery bombardment of the Union center. Because the South did not have smokeless gunpowder, Alexander who commanded the artillery, could not see that his guns were over shooting the Union line. Most shells fell harmlessly into the Union rear. The 3rd component is where Lee should have destroyed the Union army. It called for a movement not unlike Chancellorsville. Stuart's entire cavalry corps was to sweep around the Union rear and attack the Union center at the same time as Picket hit it from the front. Stuart who was not present until the evening of the 2nd day, was stopped cold by George Custer's Michigan Brigade supported by the 1st NJ and 2nd PA cavalry regiments. Custer himself led 3 charges against the head of Stuart's Corps which was in column formation and could not bring its full force to bear. Custer disobeyed a direct order to move his brigade to the extreme left of the Union line to protect the flank. Had he not saved the Union Army from being cut in half and swept away he likely would have been court martialed. An interesting footnote is that on 22 June Custer commanded a single cavalry troop. Suddenly orders came through making him a brigadier general and putting him in command of the 4 regiments of the Michigan Brigade: obviously a very fortuitous blunder at the War Department. My great, great uncle was with the 1st NJ Cavalry protecting Custer's left flank as dismounted riflemen in the woods. Gregg gets the credit as a senior officer, but the casualty lists clearly show who did the fighting.
You didn't mention that the ANV cavalry horses were jaded, and the men exhausted after being in their saddles for the past week. Custer did well, but I don't think he'd have done as well against a rested Stuart.
@@bradspicks Thank you. As a boy I would go with my father to visit "Uncle Will" my great uncle. A full Union cavalry uniform with saber was proudly displayed in the stairwell. I have researched that battle for a very long time since. I am amazed at the small quirks of fate that have altered battles and wars. Forever a student.
And how would a movement like that at Chancellorsville have worked? Which corps would have made the move? By what route would they have marched? And most importantly, what moves would Meade have made to counter such a maneuver? The fact is that Lee got extraordinarily lucky at Chancellorsville. The much-vaunted flank movement was observed all day, but not interdicted. Howard was directly ordered to prepare for an attack on his flank, and disobeyed the order outright. If he had made sensible preparations, Jackson would have been in serious trouble. So what in the first two days of Gettysburg makes us think that Meade and his generals would be caught unawares by a redo of the Chancellorsville flank attack? Lee’s “plan” on the third day was a Hail Mary. Nothing brilliant about it at all. 1. Massed artillery bombardments had not been an effective offensive tactic up to that point. 2. Stuart’s cavalry was exhausted, and without wireless communications would be utterly unable to coordinate with the rest of the army...and of course the “plan” hinged on the silly hope that the Union cavalry would be inactive. 3. A mile-long charge, mostly uphill, across several sturdy fences, into the face of a determined enemy with superior artillery...not very brilliant.
Union losses at Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg were completely necessary to lure Lee into a false sense of security, and to go all in at Gettysburg. Union fought the battle with an army well coordinated, properly reinforced, under the right leadership; something not done before in the war. The Union troops fought with confidence and conviction, to Lee's surprise; and stood its ground. Long story short, Union could lose battle after battle, but the Confederate could not afford to lose a single one, especially a major one. For Lee, Gettysburg was the beginning of the end.
Capturing the Mississippi and the Cumberland rivers divided the Confederacy, cut-off supplies to the east, and kept Kentucky from seceding. These played a big part . Also, the US Navy closing down the eastern and gulf ports. The south had no reserves in men or supplies.
This is Old information here for Us Southerners, it's just now we have Technology, You might not understand this in your Big Government Worshipping Tiny Brains, I'm From The South and We Don't See from ignorant Lenses of the Misinformation being Spred here About THE SOUTH! It was The Yankee Government that waited for Lincoln to Win his Second Term and on the Same Day John Wilkes Booth was seen in the background not far from were President Lincoln was making his Speech With 100+ conspirators, plotted against President Lincoln being President Jefferson Davis had Nothing to do with what (THEY) The Yankee Government Did to President Lincoln on That Day President Jefferson Davis was Cleared after two years of investigation that showed He Did not have a Thing to do with it President Jefferson Davis was Not impeached was Andrew Johnson who him and Others like Grant had Locked up to keep President Jefferson Davis from going to Congress to Prove The South Succeeded Legally President Jefferson Davis was to be The Confederate President from 1861-1867 6 1/2 Years in the Confederate Constitution, After Two Years After the Civil War Would Mean President Jefferson Davis could not be President of The Confederate States Union Soilders Payed for President Jefferson Davis to get out of Prison, Because They Could See He Was Telling The Truth
Now that we got the Old information Cleared up, The South Had Heart to Fight Yankee Invaders that Lost Day 1 To General E Lee and His Army Of Virgina What General E Lee was sepected by the Union Army he would Always Go On The Attack The South after Day 1 at Gettysburg Used up all of the resources to Continue the Fight Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Virgina Armies with Only 3 Confederate Generals compared to The Union 20+ Generals and 30,000 More troops than what General E Lee had at Gettysburg and not having The Higher Ground, Battle Confusion, Not Flanking Right, running out of Ammo and Resources, Did not take the higher Ground on certain points of Battle, Horses dieing left and right The Union Played Possum as it seems on day 1 After that Brought more Men and Resources to the Union After Gettysburg, The Confederate Army put Everything on a Train and Went South to Virginia and other Southern States That's Why General E Lee Lost After Day 1 Vicksburg Mississippi Another Loss were Coca Cola founder John Pemberton was the reason for the Loss at the Siege Of Vicksburg John Pemberton surrendered to grant after 47 Days, On July 4Th Accepted grants terms for Surrender, shortly there after, was seen to be a Traitor to The South by people in Vicksburg, Mississippi John C Pemperton, Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Died in Penlin, Pennsylvania 1881 You Yankees haven't Changed Since The Civil War The Only Difference Now is, The Republican Party Moved to Rural Towns and Democrats moved out after the Civil War to Republican inner Cities like Chicago, Illinois that has become run by Democrats Treason and total disregard for the Law and Life You Yankees are not so smart with your stupid gums flappin The South Won The Civil War taking More Union Life's at 360,000 Men Compared to The South's 250,000 When President Jefferson Davis and General E Lee Had Survived the Civil War with The Two Years imprisonment of President Jefferson Davis, Will Say The Confederacy Won The Civil War Being what The Yankee Government did to Remove President Lincoln Was a Hard Fought Battle and President Lincoln in the After Life Understands Now The South Never Betrayed Him as Southerners Seen him as Our President to John Wilkes Booth was no Super Hero going to the South after what he did nobody claimed him and Was put in a Witness Protection Program Had died in Oklahoma in 1903 of Alcohol Poisoning Our Playlist Lincoln the Guy shows people 5 Real Pics of John Wilkes Booth from the Library the Union Did Change The Story after What occured at Ford's Theater Brad Matzers Civil War Decoded Exposes The Truth on the Yankee Government in the Lincoln Cover Up and The Changing of History at the Barn after the Two Union Soilders Allowed Both to escape by horse back past the bridge after Falling out of a window Went to a Dr that repaired his leg, Then went to Tennessee, Texas than Oklahoma because people were starting to notice that was John Wilkes Both The Actor that Betrayed President Lincoln A Day Before the event at Ford's Theater, Booth was pointing at President Lincoln saying You, You, You, The Man Next to Lincoln said "Its Like He's Talking to You" President Lincoln was at Ford's Theater a Day before the Event were Booth was When President Lincoln was sitting in the Same Chair at Ford's Theater The Two Major Corporates that Plotted against President Lincoln was Grant a General, and Andrew Johnson Lincoln's Vice President Both had become president Was Against President Lincoln wanting to go easy on the South At Gettysburg After 7 Days Grant wanted to go in the South like Sherman's March but burn down every town and kill every woman child and Soilder that was left, Had Grant been Successful 9 Million people would have died and Millions Of Southerners would not have been Born Such As Elvis Aaron Presley from Mississippi
I don't understand why this war isn't talked about more cuz I'm Swedish and find this extremely interesting ! I'm in my 3rd day watching about this war ..
The army of the Potomac was not in disarray as stated here. Hooker did a good job of recognizing the army and making it more efficient. It fought more than well at Gettysburg in perfect control, Meade just had to put the artillery under Hunt and all was well, albeit not aggressive. This is an excellent documentary and well balanced. Bravo -
I absolutely love the final words of this show about the black farmer who went on to be quite successful. This is what the north was fighting for to free all men the way God intended
Family story is that I have a great-great grandfather, Colonel Stephen Ableman. Eventually opened a lumber mill and founded a town that would become 'Ableman' Wisconsin.
its so weird to me hearing all those town names talked about with historical importance because i grew up in new oxford pa (10 minutes east of gettysburg) and when i turned 22 i moved to lancaster to go to college (hacc first, then millersville), there was also a very small battle in hanover pa (i cant remember if it was civil war or the revolutionary war), i drive past buchannans house and the cemetery where hes buried almost every day, my parents were huge history buffs so ive been to gettysburg and walked the battlefields so many times it became boring lol, the one part i still love is climbing on the rocks in devils den, also fun fact for anyone who doesnt know, the gettysburg movie was filmed on site and the hill that they shot the chamberlains charge scene was actually the back side of little round top, not the front where it actually happened because theres no trees there anymore, its just grass, also not so fun fact, even though the first day was fighting in the streets, only one civilian died and her name was jennie wade her house was turned into a museum, she wasnt even outside, a bullet came through the window and hit her (well it was a window or a door i cant remember)
Apparently I have watched this before as my thumbs up 👍 was selected, but I don’t remember so I am watching again, and I am already mesmerised by this historical turning point in the Civil War, the one thing I wish I knew is how do they organise such a huge number of re-enactors so that they know exactly what to do and when, obviously they all would know the order of battle and the result, but how do the individual re-enactors know when they are meant to “die or get wounded” where not to be standing when simulated artillery explosions are set to happen, and simple things like where do they park all the cars, RV’s, horse boxes, etc, it must be a logistical nightmare, I think it would be easier for those two armies to have met than to organise such a huge reenactment, kudos to the organisation and the organisers and not forgetting all the re-enactors, without them I wouldn’t have the pleasure of watching such an excellent docudrama. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴🇺🇸🇺🇦
Meade's plan for day 3 was not to wait for the enemy to move. The XII Corps launched a preemptive attack at 4:30am to drive Johnson's Division from its lodgment on Culp's Hill, a battle that raged for seven hours and took Ewell out of Lee's plans for a coordinated assault on Cemetery Hill as he had committed over half of his brigades to Johnson's pending assault on Culp's Hill.
Interesting they mentioned the 1st MN but not it's casually rate: 82% after only 5 minutes. At the end of day 2, there were only 47 men fit for battle on day 3, and day 3 would see the men of the 1st MN at the bloody angle plugging a hole at the only point in the line the Confederate forces breached, using another bayonet charge.
My GG Grandad was in the 42 Miss Co. G( Heth’s division, A P Hill corps, Davis’ brigade) He was captured at Falling Waters MD as the 42nd were the rear guard of ANV to the Potomac. 650,000 Men died in the American Civil War.
19:20 Sure, there was some proximate "cause" of the battle, but the reason Gettysburg happened is because Lee wanted to invade the North. Some sort of battle of that type was going to happen, that was the whole point.
The argument that one guy shot at another guy and it just mushroomed from there is ridiculous. Both generals were actively seeking battle and both determined Gettysburg offered favorable advantage.
Neither Lee nor Meade was actively seeking battle. Meade's sole orders were to cover both Washington D.C. and Baltimore- and no more than that. Meanwhile, Lee stated in his after action report that he had not been intended to fight a general battle so far from his base unless attacked. Meade only resolved to fight at Gettysburg after Reynolds reinforced Buford outside of Gettysburg and Hancock assured him that the surrounding terrain was favorable. Even after opposing infantry formations engaged, Lee was still cautioning his corps commanders not to bring on a general engagement.
I have this DVD! :) I ordered it special around the time I went to a Gettysburg 150 event in late June, I was sad this was not that event but I am proud I took part. Bit of an error at the end, with the one rebel testimony, in this his rank is wrong; he was an officer not a private. Wow this is a longer version of the DVD I have, honestly I am thrilled.
"Battle is raging on the road to Cashtown" Yeah he makes it sound like its only a 5 minute walk to cashtown inn, from the gettysburg square to cashown inn is like a 30 minute DRIVE
@@dlakoba4459 okay I looked it up to make sure, its only a 15 minutes drive, but still, I can walk about 1 mile in 15 minutes, its 8 miles, and id say marching a whole army there would take about 30 minutes per mile So in reality they wouldnt get there for another 4-5 hours
At about age 11, we went to Gettysberg, I was brought up on East coast and my Dad was a history buff. Bet we visited every cemetary, fort, Washington "slept here" etc, place during my childhood all up and down the coast. Gettysberg gave me the "willies "and I felt something similar digging around an area of WW 2 battle overseas as a teen. Then I found bones and bits including rusted dog tags. Last time I ever did that sort of thing. ...not an uplifting hobby. The "Willies " are confusing and imbed in you like souls are talking to you. Once my father found a grave with a mother and child...suddenly a desert whirlie came up and swear as truth lifted my 8 year old brother into the air...my Dad grabbed him down. That was my Dad's last time . We just did not speak of that event ever again. So...if you get tingly feeling. in old battlefied sites or cemetaries..say a quick prayer for the lost souls and let your curiosity go.
Last week a friend since 1969, who's spent 40 years living in a library basement, accused me of insufficient love for America. I've lived here in the Philippines for 6 years. Fracis Barlow was the cousin of my great great great grandfather....(16:14)
I visit Gettysburg in October, what must people don’t ( maybe they do ) realize that the cannoneers by this time probably was very good reloading and firing, probably was pretty fast reloading too, and could aim their cannons and hit what they want
I find it hard to fathom that this only happened less than 200 years ago. In contrast to countries who have thousands of years of history ours is still young.
One of the better videos on the Battle of Gettysburg. There are important matters unaddressed such as Ewell's indecision. And no mention of the Peach Orchard and Devil's Den. But you can only cover so much in an hour. I would have liked to have hard a clearer description of the Union Center. And why so many Federal units were not committed. But all in all, it is an excellent video, well worth watching. Dr. Guelzo is particularly insightful in his commentary. And the film as well as any real history of the War puts to a lie Critical Race Theory. The Federal Army at the time was entirely composed of white men committed to preserving the Union and ending slavery. It might be said that that the primary emphasis was on preserving the Union, but preserving the Union was synonymous with ending the horrors of slavery.
Yes...it was ALL about preserving the Union...as Lincoln declared. The war was caused by SECESSION, with the festering issue of slavery and fear of losing it being the underlying factors for the South to secede. Any seceding state became a target for attack and invasion. This caused many noble and brave men to fight to defend their homes.....men who may have cared little for slavery, but, who saw an attack on their homes as dishonorable. This is why General Grant demanded his men respect the defeated Confederates and prohibited them from celebrating their victory, as well as threatening to resign if General Lee was charged with treason.
@@johnfoster535 It was not ALL about preserving the Union, although it is true that preserving the Union was the primary issue which is why Lincoln delayed the Emancipation Proclamation. . There were many Federal soldiers who were committed to ending slavery. You are also correct that most Confederates did not own slaves, but it is not true that they were "men who may have cared little for slavery:" There was general support for slavery among Confederate soldiers seeing as necessary to controlling the South's substantial black population. I think you are correct that Confederate soldiers saw the War as defending their homes, but it is a mistake to ignore the South's commitment to slavery.
You are so wrong, Dennis. There were many black regiments and divisions in the Federal Army at the time. And where the hell did you get the comparison of Gettysburg putting a lie to Critical Race Theory? Geezus, man, it was one of the bloodiest battles in the history of mankind, and you would have the federals yelling "Critical Race Theory" after Longstreet's advance on July 3, instead of "Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg". Get over yourself.
@@brobike42 Well I am always willing to learn. 1. What were the black regiments at Gettysburg? As you say there were "many" you should not have any trouble naming some of them. Rather than writing an insulting post, this is a simple matter to prove that you are correct. Notice there is no insulting language in my post like "Get over yourself." My post is simply about history. 2. Your use of division suggests that you do not understand the structure of Civil War armies. There were 175 black regiments in the Union Army. Divisions are a very different matter. 3. Gettysburg was the greatest battle fought in America, but hardly one of the bloodied battles of mankind. Here we are talking about the Somme, Verdun, Stalingrad, etc. 4. As for Critical Race Theory. Even after African Americans were allowed to volunteer, some 90 percent of the Union Army were whites from the Free States. The idea that whites are evil or that race is the dominant factor in American history is absurd. If it was there would have been no Civil War, no Lincoln, and no Emancipation Proclamation.
This was a decently done documentary. They didn't delve into a lot of the action. They allude to the Gettysburg Address as if they will explore how it came about. But that fell short. Some of the reenactments were well done. Perhaps the movie should have incorporated some of those diary passages. Especially the Confederate soldier who took part in Picketts Charge.
I never thought I'd say or write this, but I am so sick and tired of what America has turned into, including the day to day school shootings. So UNACCEPTABLE!!
The actions of George S Greene and his brigade of New Yorkers on Culp's Hill was every bit as crucial as Strong Vincent's (and J Chamberlain's) on Little Round top, but inexplicably has been largely forgotten.
Gary Gallagher gets into this fact fairly deeply. His conclusion is that Chamberlain lived out the war and was a good and prolific writer, and that Mike Shaara fell in love with him, then Ken Burns fell in love with him while doing his "Civil War" series and Robert Maxwell did also. David Ireland, the hero of Culp's Hill, died during the war so didn't get the credit that he deserved just as much as Chamberlain deserved it.
There aren't any commemorative statues of Cols. Vincent and Chamberlain on Little Round Top either, Mr. Gior. It's basically Gen. Warren on a rock looking at a wood line
@@michaelvaughn8864 I wasn't speaking in terms of statues, however you are at least partially incorrect. There is a plaque for Strong Vincent with a bas relief of his face on Cemetery Hill just west of Little Round Top. It is considered good luck to rub his nose and of course the nose on the memorial is rather worn.
@@philipgior3312 It's actually a facial likeness of Union regimental commander Col. Patrick 'Paddy' O' Rorke of the 140th N.Y, Mr. Gior. I saw a pic of it once. You can rub his nose for supposed good luck as legend has it, sir
Their tearing down these statues now..2022. Damn I wish we woulda picked our own cotton! Look at what has come. Sure wasn't what Dr Martin Luther King had in mind!!
@ Dave Mi I disagree. The Army of Northern Virginia was badly damaged. While the Confederacy could not win in the field. They might have at the ballot box in 1864. Sherman taking Atlanta probably made possible Lincoln's reelection in 1864.
In the movie Gettysburg it's said that if the Confederates got the Union army into the open (which was suggested they did after the engagement of Buford's Calvary in day 1), that the confederate army would have an open path to DC-is this inaccurate? Though I would know that DC had troops and fortified positions surrounded on the outskirts of DC, would that have been enough to withstand an Army of NoVa attack on DC?
@@PhantomEchoes9027 I think what Longstreet was saying is that Lee should withdraw south of the Fishhook and force Meade to attack him rather than defend the Fishhook. If Lee could destroy the Army of the Potomac, Washington would have fallen. I think Lee demonstrated at Chancerville that he was a master at open field movement. Meade won at Gettysburg because the Union held the high ground and forced Lee to attack heavily defended positions. It is true there were fortifications around Washington. But they were not strong enough to defend the capital from the Army of Northern Virginia on their own. Remember when you have a fortified line. It only had to be pierced at one point. The forts were mostly at road junctions but were not on elevated positions which gave the Federal troops such an advantage at Gettysburg. And the Union at Washington did not have the substantial mobile infantry and artillery needed to back them up.
@@dennisweidner288 No Confederate withdrawal at Gettysburg would have forced Meade into an offensive. His line of communications and supply was secure, and his orders were only to cover Washington D.C. and Baltimore. On the other hand, Lee was operating under a number of time constraints. The strategic objective of the campaign was to achieve enough of a success to at least force the Union to lift the siege of Vicksburg, and Vicksburg had been under siege for almost six weeks. Although Lee's intent was to maneuver the AotP into attacking the AoNV, the Confederate tactical offensive and minor victory on 1 July ruined any chance of that. Moreover, the AoNV was foraging off of the land and hadn't foraged since Lee's concentration order of 29 June. The disaster of 1 July forced Lee to improvise in a situation which left him little alternative but to attack. Even Longstreet's idea of a flanking maneuver- although doable- was not a viable alternative because of Lee's lack of time.
@@manilajohn0182 I do not entirely agree. If Lee had taken a position between Meade and Washington, there would have been enormous pressure on Meade to attack. But you may be correct. Meade had secure supply lines and Lee did not. About Meade's orders. Covering Washington it seems to me hardly involved allowing Lee to come between his force and Washington. And after July 3, Lincoln ordered Meade to attack and trap Lee in Pennsylvania. Whether Meade after Gettysburg actually had the capability to do this I do not know. Many Federal units were chewed up. But many were not.
It is sad, pitiful even, that 600,000 men should lose their lives, not to mention the widows and orphans it created, so that the few could retain their slaves. I know some will say "it was not for slaves, it was for states rights". But it was the states that were demanding the right to have and keep slaves. If the states wanted to fight for their rights, they needed an honorable cause.
JULY 2ND 2022 159 Years ago today to me was the worst day of Gettysburg. At this time they had know idea how many were dead. Just that there were a lot on both sides. Then how many horses and other farm animals. What a total waist of everything. Some where around 53000 dead from this battle. Today very few remember if at all. So very sad. To every person that keep this day in there heart. THANK YOU.
Lee lost because he had allowed his main cavalry force to leave the army so he went blindfold and unprepared into the battle. Longstreet may have 'worked to rule' because he wanted to move round the Union left, hold a defensive position between the Union army and Washington and fight a defensive battle. I cannot see that this was a reasonable idea. Moving round the flank of an army in contact is difficult, moving through enemy country without proper reconnaissance could be suicidal and because of lack of supplies I can't see how the Confederates could have waited for an attack anywhere. As a long term student of the war I would be very interested to hear other peoples views on this point.
It seems that in every reenactment there are those individuals that just can't follow instructions, This documentary was excellent except for the dead men raising up on their elbows to see what's going on or having conversation with the dead man next to him. It's the little things that just screw up the production and is not edited and cut out by the crew reviewing the film. I've been in several reenacted battles while serving with a Confederate Artillery Battery, and like I said, it never fails. Maybe I'm too much of a stickler for this type of adventure.
@@manilajohn0182 Vicksburg was absolutely devastating to the CSA war effort. Amazing how that aligned perfectly with Gettysburg. The confederacy couldn't afford to lose troops and nearly 30,000 surrendered.
The South was never going to win militarily! Their only chance was politically. Gettysburg was lost at Chancellorsville, when the south lost Jackson. Very nice video. I enjoy hearing the words of those that where there!
Lee took a wild gamble at Chancellorsville and got lucky when Howard inexplicably disobeyed Hooker’s order to prepare for a flank attack. Jackson fed Lee’s reckless streak, so it seems improbable that Jackson - who also had a tendency to drive his men and himself to exhaustion - would have helped much at Gettysburg.
I wonder if that is still true? Do you think the new generations know about Gettysburg? Would any of them recognize the Gettysburg address or know how it starts if asked?
EVERY time I've watched------------read about-----------& studied this 3rd day, i just will never understand how Lee could possibly think this charge----------a walk, really-------was anything but suicide. I give the men of the South credit for stout hearts , but damn ! There just had to be a better way. ----------I guess not, just look at WW1 & that's proof enough that little to nothing was learned. -------------------------MJL, 75 y/o
@ Michael Lazzeri It is certainly easy to see now. But at the time Lee did not know all you now know. And Lee was right that Gettysburg's was the South's best chance to win the War.
I am shocked as to nothing learned at any point what so ever, again and again sending men over the top straight into machine gun fire again and again. Mind look at todays role, in effect the role of some kind of police law enforcment, looking after big buisiness interest overseas, no longer working for the country, but protecting overseas investments, more often than not some large mineral deposit being proptected for plundering
Lee knew it was suicide if it failed, all other options had exhausted himself and he was forced into a corner: accept the horrendous losses his army had taken and retreat with no chance of destroying meade's army, or try to split the union center in half with the charge. All of Lee's option at this point weighed down on that single charge. It was all or nothing.
@@dennisweidner288 actually, Lee had seen plenty of uphill attacks fail (both Union and Confederate), so he certainly should have known better. And considering how close Bragg came to destroying Rosecrans at Chickamauga - when Lee finally sent quality divisions and an outstanding corps commander to the western theater - it seems clear to me that Gettysburg was neither the south’s best chance nor a particularly astute strategic move on Lee’s part.
@@mjfleming319 Thee were two dynamics at play, military and political. I think it is fair to say that the longer the war went on, the military capability of the North increased, because of both improving northern leadership and the increasing weight of northern industry. the other dynamic was political, how much pain the northern public would endure. Militarily the South's best chance was earlier in the War. Antietam may have been even more important than Gettysburg. Politically, Lincoln was weakened by the huge casualties (the 1862 election did not go well). If it were not for the fall of Atlanta and the clear indication that victory was in sight, Lincoln and the Republicans would probably have lost the election. As it was Lincoln changed the name of the Party running on the Union ticket. War and battle are a roll of the dice. The fact is that Rosecrans was not destroyed at Chickamauga and by that time the South had been picked in two and that west of Virginia, much of the South including New Orlean was occupied by the Union and the Union Naval blockade had cut off the South from foreign trade. The campaigns in the West, meaning west of Virginia had been a disaster for the Confederacy.
It's nice to see that for once somebody has edited the subtitles so that they bear some resemblance to the soundtrack. One the other hand, note, please, that "places," at around 8:30 is a plural noun and needs a plural verb -- "...is one of those places which……" Need. "It," singular, is the "one" which is the subject of the sentence, but "places" is the plural subject of the adjective phrase.
This is a very detailed and compelling account of what is not only the greatest battle in American but perhaps world history. Consider how history would have changed had the south emerged victorious. The United States would have split indefinitely into two nations, Texas and California could have formed new republics and the foul institution of slavery would have existed for decades longer. Moreover in Europe, the continent would have been split into two factions over divided loyalties. What Gettysburg conveys equally well is that the army of the Potomac had a parade of heroic figures on its side as well. From Buford, Reynolds, Gouvernor Warren and Chamberlain to the lowest ranking soldier. These men were heroes for a cause far more noble than the army of northern Virginia. Tell it like it was, the southern cause was steeped in infamy. Slavery was the ugly crux behind states rights. Jefferson Davis was the leader of a traitorous government based on the subjugation of an entire race of people. Bad karma finally caught up with the confederacy. That and the last measure of devotion on the union side that matched the will of the staunchest southern soldier.
@ Don Schmidt Churchill wrote a fascinating essay on that very subject. ('Had Lee not won at Gettysbirgh') And he understood from an early point the importance of getting America into World War I. Not to mention World War I.
Some people say Lee had a spell of some kind and wasn't thinking clearly when he ordered Pickett's charge head on attack. Longstreet disagreed with Lee's orders possibly seeing that it wasn't sound orders is why Longstreet dallied History proves Longstreet was correct
You know, I used to assume that my family had nothing to do with the battle of Gettysburg. The fact is that Co. M of the 1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment was likely present there and my great grandfather's brother was listed as being in that company. This particular company's was mustered mostly in Ohio and services sold.
Has anybody else wondered this? Seems a lot of the soldiers on both sides just saunter and stroll up to engage in combat, rather than charging and running headlong into the fray. I understand walking at some point, but once you're right upon the enemy? Seems like it'd be a fast-moving maelstrom or whirlpool. Never been a trooper myself, so ... anyway, interesting documentary.
My great grandfather was an artilleryman for the union at Gettysburg.. My grandfather told me , when His father , my great grandfather saw gray , he saw red when he saw red he got his gun.
@@jimreilly917 i am too, i grew up and lived in new oxford till i was 23 (27 now and living in lancaster) new oxford is literally right down the street from gettysburg
45:44 damn what song is that? I'd like to hear the whole thing. It doesn't sound like any classical piece I've ever heard and an original full choir and orchestral piece seems a little expensive for this documentary. It sounds like something out of a Final Fantasy game.
Gettysburg was a road hub that had strategic value in controlling transportation in the region. Couple that with the favorable ground for battle from the Federal point of view, the die was cast.
For the most part, Ms. Schaffner, they probably orchestrated similar tactics and movements of the actial troops engaged back then. Many reenactors are students of The Civil War who spend many hours studying as many aspects of the various battles as possible, ma'am. My late maternal uncle was one
