Gettysburg

Sdiver · 07-01-2013, 15:24

Today, July 1,2013, marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the battle at Gettysburg, PA.

For the next three days, Union and Confederate forces engaged in a battle, that in my opinion would either save (which it did) or forever divide the Union, and to-wit, I feel is the greatest battle ever fought in human history. First only to the battle of Thermopylae.

Although I don't like, nor can I stand the SOB, I will tip my hat to Ted Turner for making a very well made movie of this historic time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTcaRk0ZRJ4

cbtengr · 07-01-2013, 18:32

As skirmishes go I guess one could say that Gettysburg was pivotal to the Union cause.

However the big news came July 4 when Vicksburg fell to Grant and his Army. Those Eastern battles always seem to garner all the publicity. A lot of folks are under the impression that the CW ended April 9, 1865, maybe for the Army of Northern VA. My Gr Gr Grandfather proudly served with the 2D Iowa Cavalry till they were disbanded in September of 1865.

Ret10Echo · 07-01-2013, 18:47

Just completed 4 days in the field just outside of Gettysburg at the Blue Gray Alliance event (BGA Gettysburg). Really getting into the details of those few days as a member of the Iron Brigade. A great experience

Here's to Private John Black, Company B, 24th Michigan. Wounded twice on the first day of fighting.

mark46th · 07-01-2013, 19:08

Yesterday, June 30 marked the 150th anniversary of my Great-great grandfather's death at Gettysburg.

RIP Garrett Clay Selby, Sgt, 1st West Virginia Cavalry

Stobey · 07-01-2013, 20:12

From what I remember, the rebels surrendered on July 4th, precisely because they thought that they could get the best terms on that particular day.

(The ones I remember most from that 3-day battle were Joshua Chamberlain and the 20th Maine - both on the second and third days.)

PSM · 07-01-2013, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark46th

Yesterday, June 30 marked the 150th anniversary of my Great-great grandfather's death at Gettysburg.

RIP Garrett Clay Selby, Sgt, 1st West Virginia Cavalry

Rest in Peace, Sgt. Selby!

Pat

mojaveman · 07-02-2013, 01:26

If time travel were possible Gettysburg is one of several large battles I wish I could witness. Enjoyed both of the movies that were made on the subject.

**Razor** · 07-02-2013, 19:13

"Five minutes more of such a defensive, and the last roll-call would sound for us! Desperate as the chances were, there was nothing for it, but to take the offensive. I stepped to the colors. The men turned towards me. One word was enough--"BAYONET!"--It caught like fire, and swept along the ranks. The men took it up with a shout, one could not say, whether from the pit, or the song of the morning star! It was vain to order "Forward." No mortal could have heard it in the mighty hosanna that was winging the sky...the color rose in front; the whole line quivered for the start; the edge of the left-wing rippled, swung, tossed among the rocks, straightened, changed curve from scimitar to sickle-shape; and the bristling archers swooped down upon the serried host--down into the face of half a thousand! Two hundred men!"

--"Bayonet! Forward" by Bvt. Maj. Gen. Joshua Chamberlain

Red Flag 1 · 07-02-2013, 19:24

One can only wonder how, Gettysburg would have played out with Lt.Gen. T.J. Jackson and his boys in the field? Pickets Charge probably would never have happend, if Lee had Stonewall in the camp.

RF 1

**The Reaper** · 07-02-2013, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Flag 1

One can only wonder how, Gettysburg would have played out with Lt.Gen. T.J. Jackson and his boys in the field? Pickets Charge probably would never have happend, if Lee had Stonewall in the camp.

RF 1

LTG Jackson would have taken Culp's Hill on the first day and the position on Cemetery Ridge that the Federals occupied would have been untenable. LTG Longstreet could have also set up his Corps in defensive positions and made the Federals come to them.

If....

TR

MR2 · 07-02-2013, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

LTG Jackson would have taken Culp's Hill on the first day and the position on Cemetery Ridge that the Federals occupied would have been untenable. LTG Longstreet could have also set up his Corps in defensive positions and made the Federals come to them.

If....

TR

Exactly.

**Airbornelawyer** · 07-02-2013, 22:27

My great-great-grandfather fought there as part of the 16th Georgia Infantry. He was captured 10 months later at Spottsylvania Court House and died in Elmira, NY, the Union's Andersonville. His brother, who had been wounded at Sharpsburg, was in the 8th Florida, and was part of the Florida brigade which supported Pickett's Division in its charge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by STOBEY

From what I remember, the rebels surrendered on July 4th, precisely because they thought that they could get the best terms on that particular day.

Your memory needs refreshing. The Confederates did not surrender. After the failure of their last attacks, and after the expected Union counterattack did not materialize, Confederate forces retired from the battlefield.

**PRB** · 07-02-2013, 23:51

My Mothers maiden name was Scott and our family had (has) a farm in Colon Michigan since 1858...My Uncle Howdy Scott resides there now in the original farm house.
One of my relatives a great great great Uncle was killed at Gettysburg and is buried there with the Iron Bde. Black Hats of the 24th. Vol Michigan Infantry.
Another Scott, buried in Burr Oak Mich was killed at Pittsburg Landing.
It made walking Gettysburg battlefield pretty unique.
God save the Union, and it was saved that July week.

Ret10Echo · 07-03-2013, 09:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRB

My Mothers maiden name was Scott and our family had (has) a farm in Colon Michigan since 1858...My Uncle Howdy Scott resides there now in the original farm house.
One of my relatives a great great great Uncle was killed at Gettysburg and is buried there with the Iron Bde. Black Hats of the 24th. Vol Michigan Infantry.
Another Scott, buried in Burr Oak Mich was killed at Pittsburg Landing.
It made walking Gettysburg battlefield pretty unique.
God save the Union, and it was saved that July week.

PRB,
My unit portrayed 24th Michigan......Company B last week at the BGA Gettysburg event.

**PRB** · 07-03-2013, 12:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ret10Echo

PRB,
My unit portrayed 24th Michigan......Company B last week at the BGA Gettysburg event.

Tough soldiers in that unit...had the highest casualty rate of a Brigade sized unit in the whole Union Army.
When my cousin David saw our relatives Civil War headstone in Burr Oak Cemetery in Michigan (Pittsburg landing/Shiloh) he became intrigued and did a family tree history that took him 20 years to complete then sent a copy to all of us.
He found our GGG Uncles grave site at Gettysburg as somewhere along the line that info about the burial site was lost.
That is the most amazing battlefield I've ever visited.
Wouldn't want to take a hit from a .58 cal soft lead minie ball round...must have felt like a base ball bat hitting you.