Benning's Brigade on July 2 - Anniversary Battle Walk with Ranger Matt Atkinson and Son

Ranger Matt Atkinson leads a battle walk on the 156th anniversary covering Henry L. Benning's Georgia brigade on July 2 in their attack on Devil's Den.
Ranger Atkinson and the NPS hold the rights to the notes and lecture.

[@marymoriarity2555]

Thank you Benjamin Lee Atkinson for helping with the tour. You did a fine job

[@wes2262]

Stuff Writer, you don’t have to focus the camera on the speaker the whole time. When Matt is pointing towards something, you can move the camera, so that we know what he’s talking about. You have it fixated on him the entire time and we have no idea what hill, valley or topography he’s talking about.

[@jamesmartin3431]

Watching in London England. Matt's the best & that's from a Red Coat

[@marymoriarity2555]

Always look forward to all MattAtkinson and all other ranger videos. The park rangers explanations entertain and teach history. These rangers are treasures everywhere. No matter which parts of history they explain. I can’t visit these places anymore but the videos allow me to go there. The lecture series and campfire programs are great.

[@jaywinters2483]

Come on,....take camera off the speaker at least to show us the area around and what it looks like.

[@ronlinfonte2651]

You need to use a good camera person...this guy didn’t cut it.

[@kimberlyhenshaw8368]

Thanks, StuffWriter. I met Ranger Atkinson roughly a month ago and he seemed to be very proud of this particular presentation. He asked me more than once if I had seen this.

[@whitespider8523]

Camera guy had something on his mind and it was not, where should I point my camera.

[@firebird_spleen4190]

Stuff writer sucks

[@chriscoco547]

Love the videos. One huge benefit of your presentations is the ability to see the landscape. The clouds are nice but showing the terrain really helps.

[@BamaTidefan3]

Love these videos. Theres not a single one that I haven't watched! Very much appreciated.

[@jdelozier1312]

Clouds treetops Matt's hat would have liked to see some of the terrain

[@andrevangils367]

Thanks Stuffwriter, allows us to enjoy ranger programs Also thanks to Matt, John, Carlton and all other rangers... Great job And lets not forget Travis, the man with the t-shirt showing the commanders Awesome

[@leonidaslantz5249]

Ben Atkinson, you did AWESOME!!👍👍👨‍🎤🙌

[@jupite1888]

Thanks Again StuffWriter, Another Great Ranger Matt Adventure.

[@victorianidetch]

Nicely done Mat and Ben! It is wonderful to see such affection between father and son.

[@dougkidwell7142]

Another outstanding Matt Atkinson program.

[@ltrain4479]

It's that time of year again, more Gettysburg videos from StuffWriter!!! I hope there is more to come.

[@rgbrin]

following in dad's footsteps,,,how cool!!!...Matt is first rate,,,

[@mikesecor6074]

Great talk and walk with Ranger Matt Atkinson. Can't wait to get back.

[@brettcole84]

Thank you sir, I was hoping you'd be there this week

[@micahelwoods2674]

My my, who ever does the video camera sure loves to photo the sky. hahaha

[@bradhaywood385]

The camera work is horrible. Matt deserves better lol

[@Westcoastjazzer]

Camera placement should be considered when doing these wonderful talks. I had to jump ship on this one!

[@pauldevlin9835]

Stuff writer thank you for posting these. Really enjoying them

[@chrisdonahue4205]

Love this man and his knowledge, interesting how many people have bought into the lost cause mentality

[@donaldwallace7934]

Ranger Matt, keeps it interesting!! Ben, you did great reading those passages!! 👍👍

[@sparkey6746]

Fewer extended shots of the top of Matt's head and more of the points and things he's pointing at would be appreciated.

[@richardsmithRE]

It was very hot and sunny but so entertaining and informative.

[@rgbrin]

who's the camera dude,,,,needs to go back and try it again,,,,wow!!

[@zettle2345]

I think Pickett's charge is happening as I read this... It's July 3rd, 1:04 pm. Thanks NPS and Stuffwriter for your service to us all Edit should have told the intern to take a hot soapy shower or bath as soon as he got home to fet rid of the chiggers haha

[@fireman19841]

YES!!!!! This just made my work shift I whole lot better!!!!

[@danmathers141]

Why does the camera operator keep the camera pointed so high?

[@cmphighpower]

Love Matt he’s the best

[@marymoriarity2555]

Thank you Stuffwriter r this video

[@TheWeatherbuff]

Thanks StuffWriter!

[@flyboy7588]

That witness tree in Devil's Den is awe inspiring. Just imagine what that tree saw that day.

[@BeselerSimRacing]

Thanks for a new upload! Ranger Matt is awesome!!

[@Medmann48]

Who's doing the camera work on this video?

[@pomietlo24]

why is the video weird at the end.

[@michaelpatterson2955]

Great commentary about a mostly forgotten regiment. But why in the world is the camera so off? Doesn't basic videography explain that the subject should be in the center of the shot most of the time? Too many shots of trees, Matt's hat, or part of his body cut off. For those who don't know the battlefield and would love to know what the terrain looks like, this is very disappointing. Unfortunately, this happens on most of these ranger tours. The rangers put so much work into it, but the camera work leaves much to be desired. I hope somebody fixes this. No offense; just a suggestion.

[@markzimmerman7279]

Was the camera man lying down?

[@dougmcever3012]

could not there the audio from the young man.

[@barryeasthope5760]

Another good job done by Atkinson senior and junior

[@firebird_spleen4190]

Not so much by stuff writer though

[@gadgetclerk1267]

Love the cap, Ben.

[@panzerdeal8727]

"In 1814, We took a little trip, along with Colonel Jackson, down the mighty Missisip.."

[@brianx2640]

Watching From Japan.

[@jackstraw585]

Camera work is just awful! Show more than his head and seeing terrain would be nice too! I hope its not the blonde beauty camera-person..

[@stevent9179]

This isn't PCN's camera.

[@pianoboy3225]

Scott Sweeney I’ve seen better camera angles in Stuff Writer’s work. This must be an anomaly.

[@kevinr3935]

WTH.... Why aren't you showing position on the BATTLEFIELD......NOT THE TOPS OF TREES AND SKY.....It would have made this one of Matts BEST video walks of all time....You FAILED my man........guess he didn't have his regular video man tis day.... too bad..... you ruined a very informative video battle walk........Kevin Rich

[@landdon24]

I hope when I come to Gettysburg some day I get to meet Matt. He seems like a pretty pleasant chap.

[@ACupPlayz]

poor dog needed water bad..

[@jameslisk4154]

that poor dog was cooking..matt your great mate

[@RobbyHouseIV]

Holy crap what is the deal with the godawful camera angles!?! While Matt Atkinson is by far the best ranger at Gettysburg, I don't need to see him in close up above the waist angles. I finally just stopped watching the video and only listened. Great video otherwise. My advice to Matt is to FIRE his cameraman! Other that that it was another great video produced by the awesome Matt Atkins!

[@glausmc1]

Wow, love Matt and his presentations, but is the deal with the cameraman? 30 minutes of looking up in the tree is too much. Here is Matt describing all the sites within view and the cameraman keeps focused on the tree. Don't like to complain, but that was ridiculous. Was there even a cameraman there? Matt was as always entertaining and informative, thanks.

[@marymoriarity2555]

It was someone maybe from PCN ON the Camera

[@npgtom]

I think I saw this guy using a go-pro camera.

[@glausmc1]

No way this "cameraman was watching what he was recording. At one point (around 45 min) there is nothing but blue sky in the frame for several minutes. Too bad such a great presentation was spoiled by poor camera work. I didn't even watch it to completion. Again, to be clear, just expressing my opinion, but to be clear, Matt was great!

[@cp0025]

If you all are so disappointed in this man's camera work do not watch or.... or?....go do it yourself? Without him we wouldn't be able to see these walks. I cannot believe you people would complain about such petty things. Tired of cry babies all the time!

[@wes2262]

chris pagani Shut the hell up 😠 Yes, we all appreciate Stuff Writer but we’d like to see the ground that Matt is talking about.

[@RobbyHouseIV]

What's going on with the weird sky shots?

[@johnwayneeverett6263]

SIR MAT WRITE THE BOOK TELL US YOUR INFO ...BEN IS LOOKING GOOD ...HAPPY FOR YOU WRITE THE BOOK ...

[@russellbrewton3425]

Stuff Writer, The talk Matt refers to that he did “6 years ago” and this video picks up where it ended, which talk is he referring to? Do you have it in your page?

[@karljoachimgoll]

1:08:45 - the trees are wonderful! 😆

[@markzimmerman7279]

Looked like he was considering a linching.

[@forrestgreene1139]

Just a thought. Maybe the "natural born coward" could have been promoted to Lieutenant Laundryman and Chief Latrine Digger. There must be a use for him somewhere in the unit. I wonder how often this sort of thing happened.

[@tcs2h1]

Ben reads extremely well for a boy his age.

[@jcksnghst]

Matt, great Jones/Sherman tie-in. Excellent work that is deserving. Equally deserving is the coward of the 20th Ga.

[@jcksnghst]

Stuffwriter, what happened @ 1:08:00 did you see a chemtrail, or something? ;p

[@thebroski7452]

jcksnghst has always II

[@thebroski7452]

jcksnghst yuy

[@thebroski7452]

jcksnghst you’re yu

[@thebroski7452]

jcksnghst yu

[@andrevangils367]

Not easy to manage 352 spectators about the size of one of Benning’s regiments Shows how difficult this is given the terrain Adds an extra dimension to the program

[@marymoriarity2555]

Andre van Gils I agree. Group was too large

[@greysongaming0845]

i was there with my dad

[@cowdudeable]

As always, Matt Atkinson does a splendid lecture wasted. In looking at some of the earlier videos I thought that the camera work could not be worse. This is the proof that it can. If the idiot running the camera is payed anything, he is overpaid. FIRE HIM.

[@gbjanuary]

David Lehrer maybe he’s a volunteer 😁

[@cp0025]

I am pretty sure he just does it for everyones enjoyment. He had many videos on here.

[@wes2262]

Matt!!!!!!

[@jcksnghst]

"You and him should get together later, I guess, y'all can swap beers." Bahahahaha,.. classic.

[@raygeary1698]

Why the delay on July 2

[@SantomPh]

During the first day the ANV was not supposed to be fighting anyone. The clash with 1st and 11th Corps drew them into a general engagement with the ANV's 3rd Corps under Longstreet still arriving on the battlefield. Other regiments and troops were lining up and slightly confused and under fire. By day 2 Pickett was still a day away not knowing what was going on and Hood with McLaws were battered.

[@carywest9256]

Someone should have gave the dog panting that l hear a lot, some water.

[@panzerdeal8727]

Had some ..on audio.

[@tommytodd9073]

Great Information, bad camera work.

[@mrs.witchyperfect9846]

John Houck is my ancestor lol

[@americanschweitzer45]

Who the heck is scratching lotto tickets in the background? Or maybe they’re starting a fire with tree branches? It’s really annoying!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@americanschweitzer45]

You know what I think it’s a dog!

[@TheHumungus1127]

Thanks Stuffwriter,

[@prechabahnglai103]

Sound like people sawing wood or maybe sketching pictures?

[@SantomPh]

It is a dog panting

[@panzerdeal8727]

Atkinson's Regiment..*Chuckle.*

[@panzerdeal8727]

Mississippi reserves ? :)

[@rhardee8]

Shout out to the 4th North Carolina State Troops CSA "Mr. Grime's Regiment"..

[@Sshooter444]

Need a gofundme for a new camera and tripod

[@marymoriarity2555]

Was that Matt’s son with him

[@robertschultz6922]

Yes

[@kimberlyhenshaw8368]

Mary Moriarity It was. I recently went to the park, met Ranger Atkinson and he seemed very proud of this particular presentation and the part his son played in it. I got to meet Ben as well! Very nice young man.

[@Framer_Mike]

Well, i was gonna go spend around 40k on a new chevy silverado but it seems my next 2 hours are tied up... ;)

[@Framer_Mike]

Oh and thx!! For the upload..

[@kimberleyannedemong5621]

Worrying about the dog was distracting. Good job matt as usual. Ben is a darling

[@stevent9179]

Tell me about it, someone brought a large dog to a peach orchard battle walk last year. Picture no shade, no breeze and a 110 heat index. I felt so bad I had to leave program early. No one else seemed concerned. It ruined that program for me.

[@marymoriarity2555]

Dogs should not be there at all

[@kimberleyannedemong5621]

@@marymoriarity2555 i don't disagree. I love dogs but why anyone would take a dog to Gettysburg is beyond me. What does a dog care about history. Humans should stop trying to turn their dogs into people

[@LeesTexan]

That person should have took the dog away so we did not have to record it panting!

[@travisarnold4824]

7:57 me

[@SirDenzington89]

It’s almost like you’re trying not to film this

[@martybrunes1090]

Need to replace the camera person and get someone who understands the concept of centering the subject.. Also the dog panting in the mic really is annoying.

[@rhythmannblues1182]

Thank you! I was just about to say that. I get the feeling it's just some kid half-a**ing it with the phone or camera, not really paying attention. Annoying.

[@travisbayles870]

Two of my Confederate ancestors were in the 20th Georgia Infantry Bennings brigade who fought at Devils Den July 2 1863 I agree with Hood they shouldve gone to the right and flanked the yankee defenders there

[@stevesimon1994]

Too bad someone had to torture that dog all afternoon!

[@palibrae]

The most interesting tidbit about Benning at Gettysburg: His brigade was deployed to follow and support the attack of Law, on the right flank of Hood's attack on July 2. (Extreme right of the entire Army of Northern Virginia, in fact.) As it happened, Benning lacked instructions on which way to advance and followed up Robertson's Texas Brigade on the division left, marching on Devil's Den. If he had followed the original plan his brigade probably would have put another four regiments into the attack on Little Round Top--easily enough to take that key position and flank the whole Union position, maybe even surrounding Birney's division of III Corps. Chamberlain & the 20th Maine regiment of movie fame would have been captured or killed and lost to history. Not to say that this would have won the battle for the Confederates, but it's interesting to consider what could have happened. The shot that wounded Hood right after the attack started made a big difference.

[@Rowehouse1819]

Good video but the dog is rather annoying

[@mhollman8650]

Agreed...love dogs but....come on

[@Rowehouse1819]

@Charles McCarron I know it, i was thinking the same.

[@Rowehouse1819]

@Charles McCarron i agree and still love to listen to these. I know the feeling. Iv bin there 18 times and living on the west coast makes it hard but these videos do help get the fix

[@Rowehouse1819]

@Charles McCarron you know when you go to gettysburg to much is when you get the local resident discount on drinks and food

[@americanschweitzer45]

The camera man has got to be drunk! All you can see is fricken clouds and the top of Matt’s hat! It’s absolutely garbage videography! Come on I love these videos and Matt deserves better camera job than this! It’s every time This happens! I will come and record and do a much better job without even trying!!!

[@melodymakermark]

Love listening to Matt, but that dog panting is too distracting. Gonna skip this one.

[@pantheman6139]

Matt deserves a better camera man. Please someone help that dog.

[@Rogijimbex]

Matt Atkinson is always great. The camera work in this and several other of his presentations is deplorable. One of the best parts is to be able to see the landscape Matt's talking about. Whoever is doing the camera has it mostly directed upward so Matt's head is barely in the frame and, rather than landscape, we see sky and upper tree branches. Absolutely disgusting work!! I cussed more than once during this because of this inept video person. Get another job or learn how to frame a presentation!! Sorry Matt - not your problem.

[@markcrampton5549]

With camera work this bad what was the point of being outside?

[@Rogijimbex]

@TotallyToobs Ok the video work was great. Looking at the sky was great. I was way off base. Chill out dude!!

[@Rogijimbex]

@TotallyToobs Boy you really are a jerk aren't you? Put in my place by what? Your condescending rap? Hardly

[@CheechNoChong-mb6wp]

I am really bothered by having to listen to a panting dog during the presentation. Seems to whine also. The dog must be very uncomfortable. I am sure it’s owner is an avowed animal lover.

[@willoutlaw4971]

Robert E. Lee, as usual, absent from the battlefield. Lee allegedly had diarrhea.

[@marymoriarity2555]

This man makes idiotic comments on every CW video. He’s mentally incompetent

[@kimberlyhenshaw8368]

He allegedly was also suffering from dysentery.

[@marymoriarity2555]

He suffered from heart disease. Robert E Lee fief not long after the war.

[@carywest9256]

@@marymoriarity2555 Do you ever proofread your comments? In a reply to the moronic imbecile Will Outlaw you stated that Gen. R.E.Lee fief instead of died of heart disease.But you are mistaken about the man dying shortly after the war. He surrendered on April 9,1865 and expired Oct.12th.1870. To me that is not shortly!!! Please get your facts right,don't be like the jackass Will Outlaw.Thank you.

[@markzimmerman7279]

@@marymoriarity2555 1870