Pet Peeves of the Battle of Gettysburg (Day 3) | Tim Smith

[@DianeBianchi_MnWx]

I was a tour guide at a historic site for many years and gave tours to thousands of school children and adults. The public in my opinion are generally uneducated to history, and have very little knowledge of it, so we as guides have to listen to their generalizations and comments, and gently but firmly with tact and our knowledge to educate said public on history. Loved it when I broke through their dusty brains and got an A HA moment! Great video addressing frustrations with the public.

[@richardwalling845]

Thanks for all you do, and to the staff of the Historical Society.

[@JeffL-rj1xq]

Love the Pet Peeves. Completely agree on the "50,000 Killed" That particular one drives me crazy. I think this comes from non-historian folks who vlog or blog about Gettysburg and they casually throw that remark out there not realizing the differentiation of casualties. And thank you for the proper recognition for George Gordon Meade for the Gettysburg victory and the Grant "rant" lol.

[@DonAbrams-hq7ln]

If say 10k total deaths occurred, What happened to the 40k others ,many wounded and pows went to Elmira or southern camps. Baggage trains and ambulances carried many away from field hospitals. We can account for this diaspora fortunately from the roll calls taken at the company level.

[@davidwilhelm3431]

Another tremendous presentation and performance by Tim Smith. I love it when he gets fired up, particularly when discussing the grreat George Gordon Meade.

[@kipbebout6539]

Always enjoy watching Tim’s videos. It was refreshing to hear his praise of General Meade, he never gets the full credit for what he did those three days in July. 👍👍 Tim‼️

[@johnzajac9849]

Two months earlier at Chancellorsville, Slocum's 12th Corps men had good, fortification-building experience at Chancellorsville. (Ref. 'Slocum's Logs' and 'Slocum's Line'.) Our pet peeves: a. The underappreciation of the important effect on the fighting by the heavy smoke created by artillery and musketry on the battlefield. b. The unawareness that Lee maintained his army's position on Seminary Ridge on 4 July, waiting for the Union forces to counterattack.

[@shellysmith1037]

I have had 17 LBG tours. It was my birthday present each year. A treat, and yes it is a treat. I have had many good guides, a couple duds. After watching this....I'd trade them all for one from LBG T Smith. As the vid progressed it was like a crescendo, yep, yep, agree AGREE and then he ends on a very high note. Meade never gets a lot of due credit. 100% agree on all Tims points. He, in my opinion, epitomizes Gburg studies in this era.

[@porteralexander8936]

Tim is hands down the best Gettysburg historian

[@vickistevens423]

Another outstanding video, Tim. You are such a vast wealth of information, and a definite treasure to the town of Gettysburg. Love your perspectives. Your passion is so contagious and very much appreciated. I could listen to you talk all day about the battle. (Agreed that Gen. Meade is under-appreciated). Thank you for always going the extra mile to keep our Civil War/Gettysburg history alive. And Happy 60th Birthday.

[@150pilot]

When did "Longstreet's Assault" become "Pickett's Charge"? Wonderful videos. Thank you for posting these!

[@terryeustice5399]

Love your thoughts on July 3rds days battle. Agree with you about Culps Hill’s engagement. And Lee’s last gasp charge with Pickett’s. Into the Union center. Understand these pet peeve’s. Also about General Meade Being the victorious at Gettysburg. Thanks Tim ! 💯👍👊

[@battack56]

You never disappoint Tim!! Thank you for another great presentation! Ssssickles!!!! I’m always going to remember you from that!!

[@msspi764]

This was really great. I agree with all of that. I'll offer one of my pet peeves. All the generals you listed were commanders in the East, primarily of the Army of the Potomac. For the most part the war in the west is ignored. But flags of truce flew above the Confederate works at Vicksburg about an hour before the Confederate charge on the US center started at Gettysburg. Within a week after that, before the Army of Northern Virginia crossed the Potomac River, the last Confederate fortification on the Mississippi surrendered and the eastern Confederacy was cut off from the supplies and materials available from the Trans Mississippi west. After that several US Corps were freed up to move east to Chattanooga, Atlanta, Savannah, and the Carolinas. From a larger perspective gaining control of the Mississippi was far more influential to the outcome of the war than Gettysburg. But that's what guides and historians are there for, to help people move beyond the legends and see the war and the events from a different perspective than they had before.

[@DianeBianchi_MnWx]

Yes, a pet peeve is how the western theatre is ignored.

[@joycefranklin8981]

Tim, I agree with every point you made. I get especially upset when I hear complaints about Meade and his supposed inaction after the battle. We went to Gettysburg on our Honeymoon (1960). I hope to get there at least once more. Keep up the good work, I really enjoy your talks. I have visited there many times. Love history.

[@ThreeZeroOne]

Great talk, Mr. Smith! Especially loved the section on "Pickett's Charge" 😀. Lee said it himself: "Its all my fault". I'm not even in the same ballpark as you folks but these things are so darn irritating to me too. Not understanding casualty figures...so elementary. Anyway, way to go, fun to watch + listen. Thanks for all you (all) do!

[@paulondra19]

I can listen to Tim all day. Somebody commented "National Treasure" and I agree. Do we know what was Lee's orders for Stuart on Day 3? I live near Gettysburg and I agree a rear calvary assault on the Union line at Cemetery Ridge would not be geographically easy.

[@K_Type]

Perfectly said

[@TimDavis-gr5jn]

Yep. National Treasures. Tim Smith and The Beach Boys.

[@michellemurphy658]

Stuart woould have had to cut his way through whole divisions to get to the back of the ridge. Absolute nonsense.

[@kevinlebaron3157]

I think the intent was for Stuart was just to disrupt the Union rear. That’s about it. Whatever they could accomplish was the ultimate goal.

[@paulondra19]

Do we know what Lee's specific orders were to Stuart? That is my question. Was it one of those attack Meade's rear 'if practicable'' orders? @@kevinlebaron3157

[@michaeldepaul7676]

I have always admired George Gordon Meade. If his promotion to Army command wasn't exactly the same thing as a rookie fireman being tapped on the shoulder and told "Here, you, run this three alarm fire" it must have been nearly so.

[@patriciaspadea2266]

Can't get enough pet peeves. Tim makes me laugh😂😊

[@jhorrocks8108]

Mr. Smith is speaking HIS truth! Best vid on KZbin this week.

[@davidsleep9259]

Outstanding presentation Tim, really absorbing. Would love to walk Pickett’s Charge fields with you next year on my annual trip to Gettysburg from across the pond! Happy 60th birthday by the way!

[@davidsleep9259]

“Pickett’s Charge”!

[@MrChappy39]

How refreshing to hear this. His approach pokes holes in the assumption that one only needs to hear one opinion of an event to get to the truth.

[@Wdstroud]

This was really great Tim. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and peeves.

[@robstevenson2729]

Excellent! Thanks, Tim!

[@K_Type]

Is it weird that I go to sleep listening to Tim’s story telling each night

[@robstevenson2729]

Maybe a little. Completely understandable, though!

[@charliet1535]

I was a bus driver on one of your tours.

[@Mark-qq9cd]

Ah, some “lost cause” thinking being addressed properly. Very very good info Tim. Thank you.

[@dks13827]

Great job, Tim.

[@creatednotcatered8668]

Many of the myths he debunks can be attributed to the movie Gettysburg; but hey, how many visitors visit Gettysburg because of the movie!

[@Baseballnfj]

This is the kind of bitter, cynical, smart ass history snob content I'm lookong for. Thanks Tim! I'm being serious lol

[@terrywallace5181]

Good program.

[@jameslohman271]

This is very good,

[@haralabostsiaklides9143]

Can you do a presentation on the third days battle at Culps hill? I'd be very interested in learning about it. I don't actually know if I've ever seen a video where they really talked about it in-depth. And to be honest I don't know if I've seen a video where they really get to in depth on the second days battle.

[@TermiteUSA]

Ghost tours are my main irk-ism. They detract from the understanding of how scary and horrible the war actually was.

[@MickeyJWind]

Meade did pursue, was never fired, still commanded the AOP at war's end, granted he was no longer the grand strategist in 1864, but he still commanded the Army.

[@karlking4980]

Another excellent video! I am one of the few who, like the wounded General Hancock, believe that General Meade should have attacked immediately after "Pickett's Charge" had failed. Meade had a unique opportunity before him, but he was timid like almost all the union generals. Remember, Lee's army was also in disarray and greatly weakened from three days of combat. Wellington was not timid and attacked the French at Waterloo after Napoleon's "Picketts Charge" almost broke the outnumbered British line." And Wellington had a coalition army weakened by two major battles. Would Patton have sat back and played it safe? Would Jackson? You mention that most people do not know that General Meade commanded the Army of the Potomac until the end of the war. But you did not provide any examples of what military accomplishments General Meade actually had after Gettysburg. There is a reason General Grant gets the attention rather than General Meade. General Meade did a great job at Gettysburg, but he let an opportunity slip by. (Like General McClellan did at Antietam.)

[@dennismatthews7060]

What is the best source for information on the relationship between Meade and Grant during the Overland Campaign? Thanks for the video, Tim.

[@mwdjr3158]

Fantastic! Thanks

[@melissapollom427]

The one I have always choked on is when someone says, "...if Stonewall was still alive the South would have won Gettysburg.. " I say Boulder dash!

[@michaelhoffman5348]

Love your analysis that Meade did a good job at Gettysburg, but there is no way the Union fights the Overland Campaign if Grant wasn't there driving him from one battlefield to the next. The war could have easily gone on another year at the pace Meade would have liked to fight it.

[@JohnLight1]

Speculation

[@horizon42q]

I agree 100%. People just don’t know their history. Meade was a great general and leader. Ask Grant!!

[@WilliamCurry-bh3dk]

how was cannons moved - also into position ???

[@donb7113]

I had Truman as my guide. To me the romantic narrative that Gen. Armistead was so upset that Hancock had been wounded is interesting. One, they’re in battle, and I think Armistead would have been more concerned about the status of his troops, his own wounds, and the fact that their relationship is blown way out of proportion, especially with the movie Gettysburg. Meade was a solid commander, and there is a famous photograph of Grant and his staff, and in it Meade is pouring over a map.

[@65U512]

Yes, Culp’s Hill has been long ignored.

[@GlennAnderson-nb1nk]

you are correct sir !

[@michaelzivanovich2061]

The narrative on Meade may be different, had Grant called upon him at Appomattox, to come and take Lee's surrender, as an equal.

[@MrChappy39]

Won't be surprised if someday we'll hear of a battle theory including alien intervention using space lasers.

[@garneroutlaw1]

My biggest pet peeve is that the battle was not lost on day 3. It was lost when Rodes sent his division in blind to be slaughtered. If Rhodes sweeps the field like they should have, Pender attacks and carries the field in support of Wright on day 2. No doubt in my mind.

[@ReadyForSummerNow]

Pickett’s charge drama of an “almost success” is the same as the Chamberlain saving the free world on Little Round Top non-sense.

[@lawrencemyers3623]

I remember one guy insisting that since Armistead crossed the wall at the Angle, the Charge was a success. I reminded him that Meade also breached the Confederate line at Prospect Hill during the Battle of Fredericksburg, but was thrown back by a counterattack. And we all know what a resounding success that battle was for the Army of the Potomac 🙄 .

[@lendir1]

I don't always agree with Tim Smith, but he is right about Grant not taking control of the Army of the Potomac. As a matter of fact, he had been asked by Sherman to accompany him, as they had known each other for years.

[@burrellbikes4969]

I’ve been looking for a good detailed book or even lecture on Meads actions at Gettysburg. With everything going on, he has to be riding all over the place. But the image I had for years was that Handcock won the battle, while Mead did paperwork.

[@jonziegler6538]

Read Masterson-Brown: Meade at Gettysburg - A Study in Command.

[@jonziegler6538]

Kent Masterson-Brown has written Meade at Gettysburg: A Study in Command. It is worth the read, I believe.

[@shiloh6519]

Meade didn't possess the urgency required to possibly crush Lee. Meade also dithered around for months afterwards. Meade was a good division or corps commander. Meade was not mentally equipped to be a Army commander like Grant or Lee.

[@SandraTarbox]

The You Tube Channel "Jeffrey the Librarian" has a very good overview of the Battle for Culps Hill. His delivery is a bit dry, but I came away with a much better understanding of the vital importance and incredible fighting that happened there on all three days.

[@brianwilliams8635]

Is it true that "Harrison the spy" was not really a Shakespearean actor? Two people were confused with each other? But the original story got so ingrained! I would want to hold onto it just for that reason. But I suppose we should be truthful.

[@rosescott9299]

I always think it’s amazing that the loser of a war, and a traitor who took up arms against this country has his likeness carved into a literal mountain in the country which he took arms against, while the victor has no such thing. A sad lesson in what propaganda will do to repaint history.

[@mjciavola]

Peeves always fire Tim up.😆

[@nathanielalgernon975]

Excellent history on the third day, ever think of writing a book on your pet peeves, this is some really important things you talk about, should be written down.

[@markcrampton5873]

I would like to see Tim discuss Lee's options if he had forced Meade to retreat.I don't think he had many good ones .

[@RobertPaskulovich-fz1th]

On Day #3 at Gettysburg, Robert E. Lee needed an F-35.

[@MarkBerglund]

Not wanting to suggest an alternative history, but what would the result be if Lee surrendered his army in mid-July and then there is no Gettysburg Address to shape - perhaps historically- what the new birth of freedom is all about …

[@pizzafrenzyman]

The 50k KIA irks my ire as well.

[@WilliamCurry-bh3dk]

a good COMANDER always listen to his generals

[@chrisj9904]

❤❤❤❤

[@dhutton77]

Tell us how you feel, Tim. :)

[@edschermerhorn5415]

I wish you would show some passion when confronting these!🤪🤪🤪

[@colleenrice-lozensky2503]

Interesting

[@JDMacko23]

Hey Tim, you’re a legend…. P.s there’s no EX in especially and there’s no SUS in subscribe 😜🤪

[@MarkTreharn]

51,001 😮

[@T.K...]

The "Pickett's charge almost succeeded" myth is another very popular sentiment amongst the X surrender flag crowd. They love their myths.

[@WilliamCurry-bh3dk]

lee should of listened

[@bills6963]

Right on about the BS about Ziegler’s Grove being the target of the “Charge”. My pet peeve: “CaLvary” and not “cavalry”. Aaagh! 😝

[@andrewc2491]

3rd day: COMPLETELY "ad lib" on the part of Lee. Complete ignorance coming from successive generations. 100% agreed with Tim. End