159th Anniversary of the Peach Orchard - Gettysburg Battle Walk with Ranger Matt Atkinson

Ranger Matt Atkinson leads a hike about General Barksdale and the battle for the Peach Orchard on July 2, 1863.
No claim to original U.S. Government works.

[@bradbalderson8172]

Man I can't get enough of Matt and his walking tours plus a Ken Rich spotting is a win win!

[@sparkey6746]

Another outstanding presentation by a genuine legend.

[@TheWeatherbuff]

Thank you StuffWriter, from all of us who couldn't get there. Did I see the Mysterious Red-Shirt Man? Glad he's OK. We can't compliment you enough for doing these vids!!

[@JakobTermansen]

🙏🏻 For sharing this 👍🏻

[@frankofva8803]

Matt Atkinson-The Great One!

[@jupite1888]

Thanks StuffWriter from Australia for the Great History Lesson and The Great Teacher Matt!!!!

[@geraldpawlish6775]

We were there and boy was it a hot battle walk! Good job for sticking it out Stuff Writer!

[@karlatessitore2484]

How hot was it Gerald?

[@MrBossman87]

We decided to do some exploring in Virginia that day, brandy station, cedar mountain, Kelly’s ford and Balls bluff. It really was too hot. First thing I thought when I started this video, you poor people. Would love to have been there tho.

[@thirdgen377]

When I visited Marye's Heights in Fredericksburg, VA last summer in June the temp was 97, felt like 104, and as I walked the stone wall road I was sweating so bad, even worse than when I stopped at Appomattox Court House earlier in the afternoon, I wanted to just leave but I said to myself, "These boys fought and bled in this type of weather wearing wool uniforms, the least I can do is suffer the heat to honor them. It kept me going, and boy was I tired but glad I stuck with it.

[@davidheyssel7884]

Thanks for posting! This was the first time I ever went on a Ranger Matt tour in-person. I had a difficult time hearing every once in a while so having the ability to go back and watch is really awesome!

[@ronalddesiderio7625]

Matt’s a RockStar! For the Parks Dept! Talk about I guy that loves his job. God Bless Matt 🙏🏼 Give him a Raise$ Bonus$ A true history guy. Love ❤️ it

[@IndyRickHikes]

After 159 years, this Hoosier with Yankee great grandfathers is thrilled to see Mississippi Matt in the Peach Orchard! Imagine that! It boggles the mind! 😂🇺🇸🙏

[@jacobmasters438]

It truly does boggle the mind. Me and my Dad are from Wayne County Indiana. Back in early June we visited Gettysburg for a few days. I was actually able too see Matt Atkinson on our way out from the National Park visitors center. I thanked him personally for all that he does.

[@jamesa.7604]

My Thanks To Mr. Stuffwriter for a fine video. Matt's Battlefield walks are always entertaining and educational. I was also happy to see The Mysterious Red Shirt Man in the tour group. Thanks very much for posting these!

[@jacobmasters438]

I was in Gettysburg early last month. My Dad and I were visiting for a few days. We drove past the old train station and I couldn't believe my eyes. There next to the building was The mysterious red shirt Man! I laughed at the thought of seeing him in real life instead of in miniature, on a display screen. Lol

[@MorgansRaiders23]

Another great presentation by Matt, even including the mysterious red shirt man.

[@charlesfritz7131]

Matt Atkinson is the best Civil War presentator around.

[@jackhays1194]

matt is great. i really like garry a too. . good good 😄

[@jackhays1194]

Different but both are great.

[@mhmt1453]

Matt is a treasure

[@kreedur]

Love Matt Atkinson

[@karlatessitore2484]

Thank you so Much Stuffwriter for all you do! I Love watching my Southern Gentleman Matt Atkinson!!! Great Battlefield Walk as always 👌

[@daytonlights-peterwine468]

Ranger Matt is such a great story teller, especially on these battle walks. For one who has never been there in person (yet,) it helps to gain a bit of perspective for what happened there.

[@Uncle_Remus420]

Thanks StuffWriter. Always awesome.

[@patrickancona1193]

Thank you so much! Going to wait till tonight after I get the grandkids down & can watch & really absorb it, HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!

[@michaelswayze5568]

Matt your too good! Thx for posting

[@ktd9]

Great presentation….I learned so much…🙏😍🥰👀

[@jalspach9215]

I now have PTSD from enduring the excruciating road noise. But it's Matt & I persevered.

[@patrickancona1193]

Thank you so much Stuff writer! Means a lot to all of us & especially those of us that air travel has become a out of reach luxury, y’all have a happy 4th!!!

[@paulstan9828]

Thanks so much for posting these for us who can’t be there. Always enjoy listening to Ranger Matt.

[@JackFlemingFan1]

Well said!

[@beckysteinmiller338]

Thank you for sharing! How I wish I was there!

[@Sheilamarie2]

I was waiting for this, since Matt mentioned doing this (Barksdale) walking tour last night at his lecture.. Thank you for this, Stuff Writer and Matt, my entire 4th weekend has been the best due to ABT, Addressing Gettysburg, and you all!

[@cyndiebill6631]

Great job done by Matt as always. Thank you for making history enjoyable and interesting.👍😁

[@battlewagonmclaren8004]

StuffWriter you and Mat never disappoint!! Thank you for making these videos. I dis the 130th reenactment and the movie, so I really did not get the chance to view a lot of the Battlefield. I would rather your videos then the American Battlefield trust !!! Stay hydrated my friends!!!

[@jackhays1194]

matt is quite knowledgeable but is a great communicator. great teacher.

[@OldePete]

Thanks for the reminder to stay away during "Bike Week".

[@dennisprehn5702]

Love listening to Matt describe the battle.

[@wes2262]

I’ve been waiting for a Matt 2022 video

[@buckwaddell301]

Hope to make it out to G'Burg next year and catch a tour with Matt !! Thanks for keeping him around for perpetuity !!

[@undergroundphilly3118]

32:36 The 68th Pennsylvania Infantry is my Grandfather somewhere down the line’s Regiment. He was Captain of Company K during Gettysburg. Later he was wounded during the final assault (in the head no less) but somehow survived the battle and the war. These brave men of this war don’t get enough attention. Thank you so much for what you do, I live in Philly and am trying to get up there this summer, haven’t been to Gettysburg in 10 years I think.

[@undergroundphilly3118]

@Iron Brigade Thank your Grandfather for his service as well. The Iron Brigade was one of the Army of the Potomac’s best. These men went through a lot to say the least and too many Americans take it for granted. History isn’t taught or emphasized enough in this country, and when it is by the mainstream or corporate media it’s put in a negative light, which is ridiculous.

[@stevenmay2937]

matt is the best !!!!

[@bethluther3950]

There are many of us who will never have the opportunity to visit Gettysburg or take battle field walk. As I young girl I loved to read historical fiction. I am a Hoosier - but have appreciated learning more and more about the entire Civil War ….. saying thank you to StuffWriter and Ranger Matt Atkinson can’t begin to express the depth of my feelings to have this unique way to ‘be there’ ! Thank you. May God bless you mightily for taking on this task. It reaches so many more people than you can imagine!!!

[@michaelpatterson2955]

Interesting information, but what were the planners thinking when they placed him right next to Emmitsburg Road and the heavy traffic?!

[@brianpickering4941]

Any Chance you filmed Troy Harman's Cemetery Hill program. PCN was to but didn't

[@StabbinJoeScarborough]

Well done

[@ronalddesiderio7625]

You could see him back in time 1863 yelling at commanders and soldiers to get in there proper places🤣

[@thomaswiseman1171]

Great thanks for posting!

[@FIRSTNAMELASTNAME-zt4kf]

HE LIVES! Don't think I saw a single tour with him on pcn this year and not gonna lie got a little worried lol😂 love this guy he's a great presenter. Hell pcn give me a camera next year I'll go follow this guy if you won't.

[@johnpowers3947]

This is from about a month ago. Enjoy! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYusc6FqaMiSY7M

[@allanburt5250]

Fantastic job 👏 thank you

[@americanschweitzer45]

Awesome crowd for this one!!

[@Alex-ej4wm]

YES!!! I was hoping a new ranger Matt would be up after the anniversary. Thank you

[@ParanormalBrew]

I love the peach orchard. I have two pictures in a tour guide book written by Ralph Siegel and Mike Vallone . So cool this is!!

[@Gloriosus]

Mr Atkinson really earns his money, competing against all that traffic noise. Some of it sounds like a tank unit on the move.

[@panzerdeal8727]

12.15, 525 yards to the Warfield house 606 to the Madison light Artillery monument [ Google maps distance meter.]

[@owryan1]

Woohoo my night sorted now

[@timsickles6572]

I'm the great great grandson of Daniel e Sickles

[@chrispedraza4140]

Come out this year to the 160th in uniform. People would love it.

[@jackhays1194]

Well that is an interesting ancestor!!

[@travisbayles870]

Salute from Alabama

[@awitchlikewethought]

Please tell me the speaker system is bluetooth enabled

[@snake316171]

What kind of hat were you wearing at this battle walk? Never seen that broter l before and it looked useful.

[@jeffhester1443]

Where was the rifle and artillery fire by reenactors?

[@WindersRanger]

Artillery would be down near Pitzers woods, infantry demos over behind the PA monument.

[@cowdudeable]

Do you think Barksdale was wearing his hairpiece when he was rallying his troops?

[@joslynscott466]

If he was, he would have died with it on.

[@johnashton485]

No he was not wearing his wig but had shoulder length white hair. Please check out my detailed biography WILLIAM BARKSDALE, CSA released by McFarland Publishers in March 2021.

[@jackhays1194]

i think he lost it in his congressional wrestling match 😂

[@travisbayles870]

My great great great uncle Captain Wesley Mellard Co H 13th Mississippi Infantry Barksdales brigade fought at the Peach Orchard at Gettysburg July 2 1863

[@carywest9256]

Did he survive the battle ?

[@travisbayles870]

@carywest9256 yes he did

[@poopmcgee3826]

56:15 highlight of the tour

[@johnreilly6630]

Hey I see me!

[@jackhays1194]

can these rangers accept tips? i cant imagine the gubmint pays folks like matt what hes worth in the private sector.

[@josephsmith742]

At 1 hour 45 minutes and 3 seconds. You can here men or a man screaming faintly, but clearly. Don't know why anyone would be screaming on the battlefield like that. Maybe a reenactment. Idk. Maybe a ghostly residual of battle?. I've got ear phones on and here it clear. Can here it without them also.

[@robinqm]

I saw police cars...at least 4 pull up next to the house....wondering if something happened

[@jliller]

Probably a tourist with heat stroke.

[@jonnyy4088]

I know the chap in the red shirt sitting down behind matt's right shoulder around the hour mark.He's a tv personality or something.Can't quite place him.The older man not 'tache.

[@shannon7733]

Does everyone in Gettysburg drive a LOUD vehicle? I love these videos but for the LOVE of PETE why does everyone want to drive an obnoxious vehicle through the battlefield park? Tractor? I get it. Farmers, not even slightly perturbed. But motorcycles, garbage cars, obnoxious pukes driving past so disrespectfully? Nope... Matt has incredible patience.

[@eziehm]

Such is life.....

[@davidfeador4125]

been there numerous times and it gets worse with each visit

[@jackhays1194]

anyone know the speed limit through there?

[@WindersRanger]

Eye spy the mysterious Red Shirt Man

[@greenwave819]

I was looking for the HOT SAUCE

[@kzeich]

Having a brigade available to fill a gap in the line is not luck. It's funny if you notice, Matt does this all the time. When the Confederates are doing well Matt attributes it to Passion and skill; but when the Union successfully counter charges?.... well in that case it's luck! Makes me laugh. He says the same thing about Greene's Traverse on July 2nd. On his Culp's hill tour he is describing how Greene's line has to fall back to the Traverse they made just for that reason. Matt says, "that's how you get lucky folks, the Brigade is saved by a Traverse". It's funny and I don't think he realizes he's doing it. He does it all the time though

[@emonokari82]

He knows, and its part of the joke.

[@kennkid9912]

Ranger Matt is a dead ringer for RIP FORd the famous Texas ranger. The resemblance is uncanny. I watched A Gettysburg tour by Matt and then saw a thing on RIP FORD Texas Ranger. OLD RIp looked so familiar and I realized who he looked like.GGrandpa on wifes side was in CO I, Daniels Brigade, Rodes Division at Gett.. 53 NC. from Union County. LT. Joshua LEE.Not at the Peach Orchard. At the RR cut on July 1. 45% casualties At Gettysburg.

[@levigallup9360]

12th NH

[@vinceo1058]

So Barksdale entered the CSA as a regimental commander and rose through the ranks to brigade command. I'm not real good at math, but isn't that a single promotion?

[@johnashton485]

Actually Barksdale began as Quartermaster General of Mississippi when the state seceded. He soon resigned and enlisted in the 13th MS and was elected Colonel of that regiment. When the Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Richard Griffith was mortally wounded at the Battle of Savage Station during the Seven Days battles, Barksdale as senior regimental colonel within the brigade was promoted to Brigadier General in command of the Mississippi Brigade. He served in that capacity until his death at Gettysburg. Learn all about him in my definitive biography (first ever) WILLIAM BARKSDALE, CSA published by McFarland Publishers. Regards, John Douglas Ashton

[@patrickhamos2987]

that road sucks man

[@Baseballnfj]

It's a really really busy road. It's difficult to concentrate out there even standing by the road trying to read something.

[@b.l.6299]

Ranger Matt Atkinson is sooooo attractive to me. ❤

[@mattjones8254]

You're pretty yourself!

[@JohnnyRebKy]

Wish I coulda been there. 5 dollar gas just wouldn’t allow it 🤦‍♂️. My trip has been ruined by something the last 3 years straight.

[@tombuzzguy]

Thank stuffwriter and Matt for such great presentations.

[@michaelhenry8890]

Dead Rebs. A wonderful thought.

[@williammurray8060]

Where's all the killings now? in Yankee states.

[@michaelhenry8890]

@@williammurray8060 iron brigade smoking Rebs for breakfast. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ol6vkJJ6acZ5r7s

[@markperrault5678]

Dead Yankees. EVEN BETTER

[@dindu551]

Barksdale is a legend. God received him personally at the gates.

[@willoutlaw4971]

Confederates were fighting to preserve and expand African American slavery. Read Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens "Cornerstone Speech" made in March of 1861. They tried to destroy the USA to achieve their goals. Thank you Generals Meade, Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan for your service.

[@mmmm66]

and cast him directly into hell where he is still being whipped, raped, and forced to work the Devils sulfur fields

[@johnashton485]

David: If you want to learn all about William Barksdale please check out my definitive biography (first ever) WILLIAM BARKSDALE, CSA published by McFarland Publishers in March 2021. It covers his entire life in detail including his military career in the Civil War including Gettysburg. Best Regards, John Douglas Ashton

[@cannae216]

And God said, "Passionate supporter of slavery and died fighting to preserve it? Yeah, there's been a change in your housing assignment, but you can't be surprised. I mean come on, you're called a fire-eater already..."

[@manilajohn0182]

Barksdale was also an enemy of the United States of America. I'm not sure why you would want to put him on a pedestal of sorts by calling him a legend and invoking God himself- but you do you.

[@panzerdeal8727]

And people clain Congress don't have a sense of humor...

[@willoutlaw4971]

Three Confederate armies surrendered to Union General Grant: Fort Donelson in February 1862 Vicksburg in July 1863 Appomattox in April 1863 How many Union armies surrendered to Confederate General Lee? ZERO!!

[@mattjones8254]

Lee was the Superior commander..... Any way you cut it.... I'm not taking away from Grant but he was no Robert E. Lee.... On paper or anywhere else.

[@johnhoffman2745]

If you're counting the 12k who surrendered at Fort Donelson as an "army", then surely you're counting the 13k who surrendered at Harpers Ferry to Lee's wing as a Union "army", right?

[@clarkbuckner4900]

Love Matt, but he is way to hard on Longstreet. Anyone else who blames him, read Cory Pfarr.

[@jeffreysearle2996]

Great teacher