Gettysburg: The First Shot | History Traveler Episode 126 

If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out. Click here: ru-vid.com Thanks!

The fact that you do not yet have a million subscribers is sad for the people who have not discovered your channel! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO!

I spent 3 days at Gettysburg several years ago. I remember feeling very sad the 1st day. What these soldiers and citizens endured had to have been hell. It was a beautiful town and this battlefield definitely has my respect.

And here I am….binge watching your channel. No matter how many times I’ve seen a video I still enjoy it!!!

Absolutely fascinating. I am a Brit, but recall learning a little about the American Civil War and it’s pivotal battles in School more years ago than I care to admit. The content of the lessons were quite basic, so it’ll be great to get some perspective and meat on the bones as it were, following this series. Great channel and historical content. You don’t have to be an American to enjoy it. History is valuable no matter where you’re from. Kind regards 👏

Another outstanding video, JD. I have visited the Gettysburg National Military Park 7 times and every visit is a new adventure. If you get a chance, try to walk this battlefield and beyond. A very impressive American Civil War battlefield.

I live about 45 minutes to the east of Gettysburg. It plays a part in how I became fascinated with history.

My Great Great Grandfather fought and was wounded at Gettysburg. He died 10 days later from his wounds. For you to show us all of this helps me to understand more about what happened. I thank you for that.

I'm really glad you spent so much time on the Seminary Ridge Museum. I visited right before the pandemic kicked off and learned a lot while I was in the building. It's too bad you weren't able to visit on a better weather day. The view toward the mountains is tremendous.

That's pretty cool the seminary is now a museum. it wasn't in 2000 when I was there. Also the marker of the site of the first shot was something I never saw either. Thanks to you, now I I've seem both. In 20 years since I was there, a lot of things may have changed or been added, and that's why I'm kind of exited about this series. Great start.

Love the relaxed but informative style of commentary, not to mention the excellent sound quality and color grading. Very good video. I've been to Gettysburg several times and found some new things to explore. Keep it up!

When you’re talking and I hear the music slowly building in volume, I am sad because that segment is over. This is wonderful JD. I am living vicariously through you, as probably many of us. Thank you sir for doing this, God Bless!!

My husband and I went to Gettysburg and hired one of the personal guide you can get through the museum. He was interesting but I learned so much more from your videos. We missed so much that I think we will need to go back again. Thanks for such a great job on the places you visit.

I have learned much from this trailer already... I am looking forward to seeing the series.

I visited Gettysburg years ago when my son was a Boy Scout. We hiked the entire battlefield with his troop in the beginning of July. It was so hot! I can’t imagine what those soldiers felt like with their wool uniforms on. I need to go back so I can visit some of the places I missed.

A honest Thank You from Sweden. To educate people all over the world is next level. Thank you for everything you do. Have an amazing day/evening/night!

I have to say this is my favorite RU-vid channel. J D does a fantastic job walking us through history. These videos should be mandatory for high school history classes. They are entertaining enough to hold their attention, and they might just inspire them to learn more.

Bravo! Gorgeous work! And I have never seen quite this approach. It is terrific that you are really orienting us to the place. As a traveler, I appreciate getting a sense of the scale and juxtaposition of things. It will definitely be a great help for anyone trying to get a grip on planning a first visit that has more time to devote than a visit to Little Round Top, Devil’s Den and The High Water Mark, as you mentioned in your live intro yesterday. What you ideally hope to do is to build an understanding of the shape and sweep of events. The Seminary Ridge Museum is a gem. Thanks very much!

Wow! What a kickoff! Great camera work, especially the drone, as you patiently panned around the scenery. The background music is terrific as well. I've read so much about this pivotal battle but your footage made me feel like I was really there. The heroism of union leaders Buford and Reynolds definitely saved the town and the Potomac army from being defeated. Wondering as I have if the loss of Stonewall Jackson handicapped Lee's approach - he was known for being ultra-aggressive while some of the confederates generals on scene were being cautious. I am waiting with great anticipation for the following episodes. Thanks so much for your hard work.

I'm a few months late watching this. I really enjoyed and learned a lot. My 4th generation Grandfather was in the 55th Infantry unite commanded by A.P. Hill. He was also in the 1st day battle at Cashtown Rd. On the 3rd day of battle he was in Pickett's charge. Alpheus was never injured , only 121 men from his unite left Gettysburg with General Lee. He later became a POW 12/15/1864. If, he had died at Pickett's charge, I would not be here today. Your Gettysburg series has made the series so personal to me. You didn't take sides. You expressed how important all the soldiers were. Thanks for taking us along on this History Underground. I will surly subscribe .

I used to be bored with history classes when I was a schoolgirl in the 1960's. But your several history series make it come alive. I got chills seeing the exhibits in the episode following this one, and felt terribly sorry for all the men who suffered and died in the Seminary field hospital. Always great work - Thank you!

I've always wanted to tour the Gettysburg Battlefield but have not to date. Thank you for taking us with you on this field trip. I'm from Illinois and didn't realize that, according to the first shot monument, the first shot was fired by Illinois soldiers.

a great start young man. So many in this country need to watch this. I can imagine if you polled many of them, they would not know what Gettysburg was and the cost in lives on both sides.

Great video! Cant wait to learn more about the battle of Gettysburg. Excited for this series!

Love your passion my friend ... I’ve been to Gettysburg twice and I love the history and indeed the town ... if I could I would live there ... brilliantly explained as always . Jamie England uk🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

John Buford is one of my favorite characters of the Civil War. I believe his efforts on June 30/July 1 and his small band of dismounted calvary helped the Army of the Potomac ultimately succeed. It's tragic that he didn’t live to see the peace he helped secure. Thank you for this chance to see what he saw that day and where the first shot was fired. It was very special.

I have never been to Gettysburg, but have read, and watched almost everything about it. It stirs a deep sadness in me, but my mind wants to learn more about it. I can only imagine what these soldiers went through, on both sides. While I'm not a big paranormal fan, I do believe it could happen here amid the fear, death, and pain they suffered. Amazing narration, and content. See you next time.

Your first episode did not disappoint! I have not been that far east sothanks for showing us first hand . WELL DONE!

Looking forward to this series. Visited Gettysburg in 2014 and I tried to view and see the battle from all aspects. Took the ranger walks (IMO the best way to see and learn the battles), toured the town to learn about the battle through the eyes of the locals and then i took a ghost tour (i think) to learn about the make shift hospitals and surgical procedures. The one story that stands out is how the locals invited the soldiers into their homes and served them dinner. If i remember correctly, some families even served union and confederates at the same tables

This is my favorite era of American history. The way they spoke, the way they lived, and the way they spent their time still captures my imagination. Truly admire what you do and wish I had the means to travel and experience our history this way.

I’m so glad I found this channel. History channel needs to start taking notes. This is how it’s done.

Really enjoyed the video. Based here in the U.K, ever since watching the film, I've always had a fascination with Gettysburg. Looking forward to the next chapter 👍🏻

I've been to Gettysburg twice and focused on the main tour. Now I have to go back and see the places you are showcasing. Thank you, tremendous video.

Pete’s a good guy knows his stuff. My favorite 1st day areas are barlows knoll and the railroad cut. The story of barlows death is insane and just reading the book by Rufus Dawes of the iron Brigade that fighting in the cut was intense. Love the video work you are doing I’m sure the park services thrilled for a modern look for the battle!

This is an amazing video!! To stand where Buford stood, to see the battle field with all the history, so many lives lost! Love this channel and all the work you do to keep history alive!!

Visited there twice, love to walk the grounds and imagine the battle taking place all around me knowing men lived and died in the very places were i am walking it is a very special place, hope to go again taking my family.

I went here a couple weeks ago. It was one of the prettiest towns I have ever seen. Without the battle the town would not be nearly as big as it is today.

Gettysburg is a wonderful place to visit. I get really emotional when I visit the Angle and the monument that marks the spot where General Armistead fell.

It looks a like this is a well thought out place to visit. It’s easy to visit a historic place, it’s a completely different thing to literally follow the exact footprints of the event. Thank you for the video.

Great video. The Seminary Museum is a hidden gem that a lot of people don't know about. The cupola is a must thing to do. The view there is amazing and to stand where Buford stood, amazing.

Very excited about this Gettysburg series. Keep up the good work!

Once again, I'm awestruck and completely enamored by your videos. The music selection for this series so far is completely frisson inducing and I'm sure I speak for many of your subscribers when I say that I anxiously await the next video on bated breath.

i have always been drawn to the civil war era...my fave prez was Abe Lincoln...having said that I am so grateful for your series. God bless you for taking the time and the quality you have put forth. Great Job

To think that you were reticent about doing this series. This first episode is certainly in keeping with the enormity of the battle and the high standards of historical accuracy which you maintain in your videos. Very well done my friend. I am looking forward to the additions in the series.

I'm a civil war buff and I must say I was extremely impressed with your video. Great job! Just subbed.

Fantastic as usual. I took a trip to Gettysburg for the 155th anniversary in July 2018. Took the Cupola tour also. Great views. It was a very sunny hot day. Nice museum they have there. This is a must for anyone visiting Gettysburg Battlefield.

Saw your video on pickets charge first so I am back tracking to see the other videos. I have a son that is a professional reenactor and I bring my horses every year to take part in the reenactments. I still get tears when I realize the sacrifice both sides made. Even my son says men are crying when they come off the field. This defined us as a country.

JD, thanks for the 1st video of our journey down memory lane. Having visited Gettysburg first as a 4th grader over 60 years ago to my many trips and stays in this historical town I learn something new every time I visit and always gain a different perspective. Seeing this visit through your eyes will again provide me with a different insight from someone who is teaching me to regain the passion I once had for history and to put aside the anger I felt at times as to how history is perceived in these changing times.

Gettysburg is a remarkable place. Thank you for sharing.

Absolutely amazing job on this video! I'm very grateful for having stumbled upon your channel a few months ago. Great seeing someone with the same love of history that I and so many others seem to share. Keep up the great content!!

Just discovered this channel,have watched 5 eps back to back looking forward to watching many more.This part of American history has always fascinated me since I was kid and now i,m almost 60,thankyou sir for keeping this part of history alive and known 🤗🇦🇺❤🇦🇺🤗 cheers from Australia 🤗

Great job JD! I am so excited for this series and you are the prefect person to do it. One thing I have always thought about Gettysburg is the heat. Can you imagine both sides wearing those uniforms and combine that with the July heat? It must have been miserable. Keep up the great work!

Thank you so much for doing this series. Gettysburg is one of two places I have traveled I believe I truly felt spirits! I hike to the Maine memorial on Little Round Top and I felt a heaviness and swear I felt spirits going through me. We are planning at trip back East soon when things start to open back up. We look forward every Sunday to a new History Traveler episode.

Not only am I 125 episodes into The History Underground (and I've learned a lot from them all) but I also like your American Artifact series. Thank you J.D. for all you do. Don't know if anyone else has pointed this out, and I only do it to set the record straight. I'm sure that J.D. didn't mean to say that Sam Elliott played the part of John Reynolds in the movie Gettysburg. That was just a slip of the tongue (John Rothman played General Reynolds who was killed on the first day of the battle). Sam Elliott played the part of General Buford (who unfortunately died in December, 1863 - possibly of typhoid fever). I am not one to point fingers (even though it looks like I'm pointing fingers here). To give J.D. a chance at 'getting even' so to speak, I invite him to read my books: MY AMERICA SONNETS / American History Seen Through the Eyes of a Would-be Poet. By M. M. Clarke. Three volumes are available through Amazon Books, and I'm working on the 4th of 5 total. I'm sure that you would be able to find many errors that I just failed to correct. I even point out in book 3 things that need updated correction in the first two books. So once again thank you, and I hope you take this as a funny aside, or with a grain of salt. AMB, M. Clarke.

I liked the video and look forward to visiting the museum and the battlefield some day. My great great grandfather was a part of Company D of the 8th Illinois Vol. Calvary that was a part of the cavalry brigade under the command of Colonel William Gamble which was a part of Gen. Buford's 1st U.S. Calvary Division at Gettysburg. Buford was shadowing the Confederate forces to determine their location and direction of travel. On June 30th Buford passed through Gettysburg toward the west of town with his forces in column formation with the 8th Illinois in the lead when Buford observed Confederate infantry moving along the Chambersburg Pike road toward Gettysburg. The Confederate forces saw Buford's force and withdrew since they were under orders from Gen. Lee not to engage the enemy. Buford scouted the area and determined that A.P. Hill's Confederate Corp was massing behind Cashtown (about 8 miles from Gettysburg) and that Ewell's Corps was located north of Gettysburg. Buford notified John Reynolds, commander of the Army of the Potomac's 5th Corp., and the closest Union infantry to Gettysburg, of the location of the enemy and his belief that the forces were converging upon Gettysburg. Reynolds ordered Bufford to "hold to the last man" while he brought up his Corp. in the morning of July 1. Buford had fewer than 3,000 men divided into the brigade under Gamble and a brigade under Colonel Devon. He set upon a plan to make his forces appear as infantry rather than cavalry. He had them dismounted and spilt his six three-inch rifled cannon battery into two to give the appearance of two batteries. His cavalry were experienced veterans trained to fight dismounted. Knowing that he was heavily out numbered by Hill's forces Buford planned on holding a series of ridges west of Gettysburg until the Confederate forces looked to be flanking their position or too close to hold back. Once that occurred he would fall back to the next ridge all the while buying time for Reynolds to arrive. The 8th Illinois, and my great great grandfather, was assigned to defend the south side of the Chambersburg Pike. Despite heavy fighting Buford was able to delay the Confederate advance until Gen. Reynolds arrived. I hope this adds to the information in the video about the first day of the battle. An interesting note about the 8th Illinois was that it served as the honor guard for President Lincoln's body as he lay in state in the U.S. Capital building after his assignation.

I’m in just a Awww in watching n learning from this great video. I tried to vision in my head what actually happened n it’s more than my brain can comprehend. Will not say it enough how much I appreciate this great history that you bring before us. Waiting patiently for next video. ♥️♥️😊👍👍

Gettysburg is in many ways an iconic battle in an inconic war. Thank you for giving us so much interesting facts and museum is cool! I am looking forward to the other episodes.

Your videos are by far the best. I’ve been to a lot of civil war battlefields and museums, but you always manage to find places and things I didn’t find. Really appreciate your perspective on things, attention to detail, and your enthusiasm. It makes it so much more enjoyable to watch when I can tell you are genuinely as excited as I was when I was there. Will be interested to know what your favorite place to see is when you finish. Reaaaly hope you have time to go to the Civil War museum in Harrisburg while you are there, one of the best I’ve been to.

What a great history find. Your production is amazing. I so appreciate it when you give the local guides and historians their proper due. Outstanding work all around. . Question have you thought about doing a series on our first civil war aka the American Revolution. I moved to S.C and have been walking the Revolutionary fields. Amazing. Safe travels

Great video! Loved the focus on Gen. Buford! Edward G. Longacre's General John Buford, A Military Biography is a great read about the man too. I sometimes wonder what kinda of role he would have played in the later half of the war had he lived longer. If feel like his and Grant's style of fighting would have worked well together but who knows. John Buford's half brother, General Napoleon Bonaparte (not even kidding lol) Buford fought under Grant's command though...

Wonderful start to this series. What a blessing when hearing your Gettysburg series may last until July during yesterday’s livestream. Of all the Civil War battles, Gettysburg weighs heaviest on my heart. Brother against brother, father against son, astronomical need for medical assistance being stressed to its limit, and the horror the residents witnessed during this invasion of their livelihood....very unsettling indeed. Unfortunately I feel our country is on the verge of experiencing this horrific battle once again, only with differing causes and battlefields. ABT is passionate on ensuring these unnamed soldiers’ legacies are never forgotten despite what called each soldier to fight. Battle walks given by NPS Rangers are another great source to learn more about all of the tactics used at the many locations witnessing fighting during the 3 day battle. I can’t wait until the next upload! I’ve gotten my dad to subscribe to your channel. This man has taken me to so many Civil War battlefields multiple times, I feel like I’ve lived it! With each time we went and being from NC, I always hoped the south would eventually win but disappointed every time.

A great start to the series, a pleasure to watch, well done.

Thank you for this great video, I need to hit the Seminary Ridge Museum on my next trip to Gettysburg. I’ve been to the first shot marker and it was fun trying to park on the side of the road with lots of traffic whizzing by.

Watching your whole series again on Gettysburg. Making the trip for the reenactment this July. Been on my bucket list for years and my wife got the trip set up for us. Beyond stoked about it. Your channel is top notch!! Keep up the good work and thank you for making such amazing content.

Mind blown! Thank you for another virtual tour with an awesome guide!

Been excited for this since the first announcement, and did not disappoint! Thank you for this! :)

Your content is incredible. Can't wait for the next episode!

Thank you for this educational vlog on the Battle of Gettysburg and I also look forward to the rest of the trip (well done)!

I'm so glad that I found your channel. I LOVE history. The good and the bad. We need to learn from it.

Best channel ever. So love the way you take us through these places.

Love your channel. The more I learn about the civil war, the more tragic it becomes. I actually get nauseous at times learning about what happen to people and just how much they suffered.

Been patiently waiting since I watched the preview video a few days ago.... definitely wasn't disappointed!! Can't wait for part 2!!

Thank you for always bringing a different perspective to history. To humanize history is always my favorite.

Absolutely fantastic!! I can’t wait for the next episode. I was never in that museum and now I feel like I was. Wonderful job JD!!

I just returned from a family trip to Gettysburg. The information you have posted greatly elevated our experience there. I just want to say thank you for doing what you do. It is greatly appreciated.

Great video! Thanks! I've spent a lot of time at Gettysburg and took many photos in the same spots as the 19th century battlefield photos, using landmarks as guides. Keep the history alive!

What a great job you do explaining, interpreting and filming! Thank you! I am definitely a fan!

OMG I'm so excited for this!! I visited Gettysburg a few years back and it was AMAZING. If anyone goes they should book one of the rides they offer there with an actual historian. Our guys was fricking fantastic and we learned so much from him that if we just went by ourselves we never would have known.

Great beginning of your Gettysburg video series! Thank you, JD! Looking forward to more!!!

Totally looking forward to this. I made a 1/2 day to visit Gettysburg about a decade ago and pretty much stuck to the car tour. However, having studied it before, knowing how to map and have a photographic memory for geography, I am able to connect the dots now. When I went the views from Little Round Top were spectacular. The first day in my view, contributed more to the Union winning the battle strategically. It is one of the highest things on my bucket list to go back there when I retire and spend a week or more there. I am sure I will be referencing your videos right before I go in five to ten years. Excellent "1st shot" on Gettysburg and am eagerly waiting for your further videos. Thank you!

I took my family to Gettysburg many years ago, and like you, wanted to see the place where it started. Hard to comprehend the sacrifice so many made in just a few days.

Gettysburg has been one of the most emotional stirred battlefields I have visited. I am looking forward to viewing the rest of this series. Thank you!

I have unfortunately only been to Gettysburg twice in my life, during school field trips & it fostered my love for history more than any other history field trip I had ever been on including a trip to Washington DC. Being a New Jersey native the tour guides made sure to show us high school juniors & seniors where the New Jersey troops fought their fair share of the battle & after graduating high school, I moved to a small village in western Pennsylvania in Westmoreland County where the 11th Pennsylvania regiment was from & their monument has one of the only non-human or equine statues. It is a small brindle pit bull named Sally Ann Jarrett, who was their mascot & during the fighting she was separated from the regiment & stayed with her injured, dying or dead unit members until the fighting was over. Ever since every reenactors who portray the 11th Pennsylvania make sure to include a little brindle pit bull as their mascot.

Have now watched every episode of this fantastic series. What I was impressed with the most was how you really brought to life the topography and feel of the different locations on the battle field - and their relationships to one another - in a way that I haven’t experienced via other videos. I also learned a lot from the episodes focussing on civilian life in and around the battle. If I have one ‘complaint’ - the background music was too good!! (Spent a lot of my time shazaming it). Really very well done. Maybe some of the other civil war sites next?!

Thank you for this series! Gettysburg is calling me again.

Nice way to end the day, great video and enjoy all your videos. Gettysburg is my favorite place to visit and immerse myself. Thanks again

I wish my history teacher back in the day would of been like you...your voice & knowledge makes learning fun

OUTSTANDING! Great video and looking forward to seeing the entire series.

Living just a few miles outside the 'burg, I feel so blessed in being able to take in and enjoy this great American treasure on an almost weekly basis....exploring theses Hallowed grounds reveal many secrets.....long live the Republic!

I've been to Gettysburg twice, and never thought to try and get up in the Seminary cupola!! I'll have to make a trip there next time! Well done!

The Mrs and I visited Gettysburg back in 2015. Did Gettysburg battlefield tour on Monday and then went to Antietam on Tuesday. We had other plans for Wednesday but she asked if we could cancel them and go back to Gettysburg again. Explored the town a little bit, and then went back over some areas of the battlefield. It was an unusual request from my wife as she really isn't into Civil War history. That visit, standing on that ground....truly moving. Everyone should experience and take in the meaning of what happened there.

We moved to Virginia last September and I am loving every minute of it! Even the big daggum bugs and humidity! I love the history of the Civil War and just found your videos yesterday. I will be watching and rewatching just so I don’t forget anything. Your videos are great! ❤

Every episode I have watched was great, very well done and very interesting!!

I have learned so many new things about the battle of Gettysburg. Incredible!!!

I really enjoy your videos and have been looking forward to the Gettysburg series. It was nice to see my family's farm named on the museum maps. Herbst Farm/Woods is now often referred to as Reynold's Woods, in his honor, instead of the name of our family who once owned the farm and acreage of woods that portion of the battle was fought on. Looking forward to more of the series. Thank you!

Gosh I'd love to visit there! Thank you so much for taking us. You show me things I'll never get to see in person, and they all just thrill me. Thank you seems inadequate.❤

Great start to the history of Gettysburg. Enjoyed. Can't wait to see the rest

I’ve visited Gettysburg four times and could barely whet my growing appetite of interest and amazement. This series will definitely kindle people’s curiosity and desire to also visit Gettysburg. Thank you for your generosity in sharing!

Very interesting. Loved it. Cant wait for the others. Great work

I was born in Lancaster, PA, still live there I went to Reynolds Junior High. General John Fulton Reynolds was also born in Lancaster and is buried in Lancaster Cemetery. My Daughter graduated from Gettysburg College. She ran cross country at Gettysburg and the CC team would run practice on the battlefield at night and she and some of her teammates saw ghosts there on several occasions. The Gettysburg College is also quite haunted even the College Library, which most students would not go to at night because of the ghosts. When I was a child, my Brother and myself were fortunate enough to be able to play on the battlefield at Devils Den. Also need to mention that General Reynolds was one of General Grant's favorite generals who fought under him. Very nice video, Thank you.