Gettysburg 150th - Pickett's Charge (Civil War Reenactment)

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The most famous fighting from the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 occurred in the climax of the battle, what is known as Pickett's Charge. In an all out attempt to break the Union line, Robert E. Lee hurled three divisions from his army against the Union force. This video was shot at the Blue Gray Alliance's commemoration of the Battle of Gettysburg, where over 10,000 reenactors came out to commemorate the battle.
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Footage thanks to:
Allan Johnson / hmdeath1
Jzaharek53 / jzaharek53
PlnkZinger / plnkzinger
Punkhorn Productions / punkhornproductions
KOSA-TV/CBS7 www.cbs7kosa.com/
Music thanks to the Unreconstructed Band.
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Twitter - / discernhistory

[@keithratamess9402]

could you imagine the real carnage when that battle took place.. I just can't fathom!

[@Jaasau]

There are stories of a half a dozen confederate men all being blown apart at once by the artillery barrage. Mind-numbingly horrific.

[@huhouse]

Must have been horrific.. Especially with the cannons etc.

[@TheJoan48]

This has sense of it but the lecturers describe body on top of body in various places at Gettysburg. This does touch me deep in my DNA where my great grandfather is.

[@Houdini774]

These reenactments are great, but I keep losing money betting on the south to win every year. Gotta feeling their due for a win - big time!

[@JagerLange]

It's their year, for sure.

[@sirus976]

Yea bois get them yanks from texas

[@snorf525]

bet on a southern victory for battles not including gettysburg, you'll get billions in no time

[@awesomefo]

Actually, the South did win more battles than the North because of their great generals and high motivation

[@NA-ck6cz]

@@sirus976 Your biggest city is named after a southern yank. L

[@RiseJokester]

There's a really cool civil war fps game being developed called War of Rights.

[@TheWillyNilly]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKHWqp6Ihb1skMU

[@Junksaint]

Of rights lol

[@itzmeggy0074]

Oh my god the nostalgia that came from your comment

[@tubesocks1019]

i play that game every day and i also reenact so i got the full experiance

[@NEY-uu3lx]

do you play it now?

[@TheMwarrior50]

There is something very emotional about crossing that field, crossing the field that our ancestors payed the price on 150 years ago... You walked upon that open expanse of green, with lead and cannon ripping through men scores at a time, friends and brothers torn away in a instant, and to have the guts to go across that field is unimaginably brave. -My Company commander, who participated in the charge, with the cap worn by her 3rd great grandfather, who died in Pickett's charge. RIP

[@stacyk1997]

I was out there for the 150th (I also visited Antietam) and they really are places that touch you in the depths of your soul. They aren't just places, they are experiences.

[@randoman1538]

It makes me sad too because my greatx3father died on that field.Rest in peace-too all who gave their last there.

[@MinecastWary]

My greatx3 grandfather was at Vicksburg.(Union) on the last few days he was shot in the left arm, but the bullet went clear through so he was sent to garrison the city. Well his buddies gun went off, going through his fingers (3 were amputated) and then taking his leg. I know this because of his Records that have been passed down, I.e. His dischargement due to injury.

[@AHannah79]

It is sad and knowing that some never came home. The families never got any closure. I had a great great great grandfather and 2 of his brothers (my greatx3 uncles) that fought in the Virginia infantry. Luckily they came home.

[@tubeslats]

the traitors got whuped

[@Jaasau]

Absolutely fantastic. Just imagine what it would have looked like with six or more times this many men and a crap load of actual artillery. Truly breathtaking and tragic.

[@ifyouloveChristyouwillobeyhim]

It's one of the most tragic wars in our nation's history.

[@DangerRussDayZ6533]

I believe the men engaged in the charge numbered about twice this. I could be wrong on that.

[@101trus]

pretty good despite being void of the agonizing screams of the fallen.

[@Dylanowich]

How would a dead guy scream?

[@justlemons4077]

I wanna get into reeanacting events like these. Then when I would go down I'd go down injured and try crawling around or screaming.

[@seabassnc]

Only intended to be a representation of tactics and weapons used in order to educate the public, if you are looking for more Watch Gettysburg, Glory or Gods and Generals. Also this is the "B team" Reenacting Community this event was a week earlier and had about 1/3 the numbers and a bunch of farby hobbyists. The Official 150th Anniversary Event was held over 5 days surrounding 4th of July weekend 150 years to the day the actual Battle took place.

[@carterc4307]

@@seabassnc Do not watch God's and Generals, it is a crappy movie

[@jameskemp6439]

Good 're enactment effort. The Charge could have been more concentrated on the wings or centre to break through but defenders are always able to shoot more accurately than charging men. They also have a certain amount of cover. Confederate very authentic in dress as by this time many were in rags even without boots.

[@carterjohnson3879]

The graphics on this game look great!

[@Ryan-jr3ok]

Carter Johnson a\XD

[@austinnorris4117]

It is not a game you idoit

[@ballparkburgers5799]

Austin Norris ._. Wow really it's not?

[@farhanrizkiahnafa7404]

Austin Norris *idiot

[@marymoriarty1296]

Austin Norris it is a game

[@ScreamingPatriot]

Crazy how this is one of the most haunted battlefields in the world. Imagine the spirits that roam this field during the re-enactment.

[@thewierdlemon5956]

its like the ghosts join in on the reenactment but think the battle is still going on lorl

[@MattSuguisAsFondAsEverrr]

the spirits round the field watching (they think it's a comedy the way their successors did it)

[@charlesvitanza8325]

It isn't the actual battlefield that is used for the reenactment because of all the monuments that were built post war. It is however incredibly close by

[@TheJoan48]

I'm haunted by my great grandfather who fought at Gettysburg. I've been thinking of him every day, researching alot. I finally found the reason I think why he's been camping out in my mind. Our family records say he was in the 20th NY volunteers. I've found out he was in the 20th New York State Militia, which is a totally different group. They were at Gettysburg and participated in fighting off Pickett's Charge. The 20th was renamed the 80th to the chagrin of the men, hence the confusing record. It even mentions on their monument that the infantry had two names. I feel I'm bringing peace to my great grandpa who died in 1941 at 98 years, when very few were still left alive. It's a big deal and must be remembered so we can pass his heroic memories along.

[@quietreader4190]

Sorry this this is a slightly late reply, but maybe he was haunting you because he wanted to be remembered and not forgotten.

[@rednecknation3225]

I'm in Civil War reenactments and if u see a guy point a gun at you and fires you are dead or wounded. I've done this for about 2 years now

[@robg3198]

with real guns lol? areyou serious you idiot

[@robg3198]

why are mostly americans so insular and brain dead ?

[@chwossant9425]

rob g Yes, with unloaded guns. Re-enactors don't load real ammo and actually shoot people. Seems to me you're just as braindead as you seem to think americans are.

[@waynejohnson1786]

rob g, he's saying if a guy points a gun at you and fires, you play dead... Idiot. You shouldn't call people names, it's not nice. Plus, you look even dumber since you were such an ass.

[@sebking7902]

rob g I think you're the idiot, insecure about your own low-functioning brain?

[@JudgeLazar]

I always wondered how you know when you're supposed to die in these

[@tglake9471]

Normally you'll be told "Start taking hits" or "Take a few hits, guys." It's not too structured, mostly the honor system.

[@ScreamingPatriot]

in my group we just die on our own. when we or they are at the halfway point

[@Urko2005]

use live rounds, sorted.

[@rickybobby158]

A lot of the time there is a random purple cartridge in each soldier's ammo pack, so when they pull out the purple cartridge they're supposed to drop

[@emperorconstantinexipalaio4121]

+rickybobby158 You're right but it can also be red.

[@stacyk1997]

I was out there for this. It was about 100 degrees with high humidity. I was wearing a tanktop and shorts and still ended up with heat exhaustion. I have so much respect for the soldiers and reenactors that do this.

[@ifyouloveChristyouwillobeyhim]

Oh my. Was it on the same day of the year the actual battle would have taken place?

[@josephhinton5489]

The movie did not provide the same ground perspective as this production and for that I am grateful. Kudos and congrats. And a salute to photographers everywhere.

[@davidnash1220]

Yes you are completely right this if you imagine just a little more is quite frightening I will visit this place before l go Thank you for posting

[@tankmaster1018]

Haha I love it when the Confederate dudes manage to make it to the wall and there is a yelling match along with a few mock hand to hand blows, then they are "taken prisoner" with smiles all around from both the Union and Rebel sides! These look so fun to participate in!

[@EPICFAILKING1]

It's a shame that there's not a big community for re-enacting in the UK, I'd love to do it.

[@masonnix9707]

***** Redcoats were the joke of the world Battle of Iswadala

[@martinbeane8011]

EPICFAILKING1 There is a big re-enacting community in UK, I am a reenactor. I am a member of American Civil War Society (UK). We have 6 events this year : East Yorkshire, West Midlands, Leicestershire, Wrexham, Worcestershire, Cheshire. I can give you more details if req, or acws.co.uk/welcome.php

[@EPICFAILKING1]

MARTIN BEANE Wow that's awesome!

[@sergiodias2549]

Mason Nix For the brotherhood

[@masonnix9707]

Sergio Dias Yes.

[@CorsetGrace]

This really gives a sense of the scale of that battle. This seemed huge and was still only a tiny fraction of the men who truly fought on this ground. Never before could I see the battle in a visual sense that made it all seem so close and personal. This was remarkable.

[@ifyouloveChristyouwillobeyhim]

Yep, it's not always easy for me to imagine the scene when I'm reading in a book. In this clip I felt a moment of real fear, imagining if I had to do this for real. I don't have a quarter of the courage of my forefathers.

[@DangerRussDayZ6533]

I think this is roughly half of the forces that engaged in Pickett's Charge. I believe it was 10,000 Union and something like 12,500 Confederate.

[@ghostlylighthouses]

Unfortunately, I missed this.We went to Gettysburg in August(a month after the reenactment) It was my first time to Gettysburg.What a beautiful and somber place.Such a sadness.You can feel the death and sadness in the battlefield.I miss Gettysburg, I would love to live there.

[@nora22000]

ghostlylighthouses Visit various places in Pennsylvania. The astounding spreads of trees and rolling rolling meadows make it some of the most beautiful scenery in the world and so restful to the eye.

[@nightflyer17]

At Gettysburg, 12,000 Confederates attacked over a mile of open ground following a 150-gun bombardment of a Union line protected by a low stone wall. They reached their objective and held out for around thirty minutes before being repulsed, leaving about 1,415 dead or mortally wounded on both sides. At Franklin, 20,000 Confederates, supported by just one battery, advanced over two miles of open ground and struck a Union line made up of three tiers of sturdy breastworks and abatis that in most places stood about eight feet high. The Army of Tennessee pierced the center of this line and held their position for over three hours, resulting in over 2,000 combined fatalities. Such bravery and ferocity so late in the war shocked and saddened many observers--Private Sam Watkins of the 1st Tennessee called it "the blackest page in the history of the war."

[@Txman1996]

My cousin was in the 2nd Battle of Franklin. My friend, who is from AL, had his cousin have his fingers blown off (he was in 46th AL infantry). Just found out I had a Grandfather in 116th IL infantry. The cousin that I had was in 9th Texas and temporarily under N B Forrest. He fought against a distant cousin who was in 10th KY (Union). Unfortunately, the cousin from 10th KY was mortally wounded in that battle (Chicamagua). I can prove all of this through records on Fold 3. It's amazing how many of those people were family and fighting against each other.

[@TheManofthecross]

and that is before or after the union counter attacks?

[@tylersimmons2588]

It was $15,000 Confederates proximately around there and

[@tylersimmons2588]

Approximately around 15,000 Confederate soldiers walked across that field I can't imagine what they felt Crossing that Bloody land

[@daviddavies2072]

After a busy week driving and dealing with customers , what better way to unwind, thank you for this video, and keeping history alive 👍🇬🇧

[@ifyouloveChristyouwillobeyhim]

I see what you did there with the "union jack".

[@Trey_816]

My great great great great grandfather was a Union soldier and fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. He described Pickett's Charge in **vivid** detail, describing, "the rebs being mowed down like a harvest of wheat with each cannon roar. There were rivers of blood. Carnage everywhere." SSGT. Robert R. Byers (February 25, 1845 - June 19, 1949)

[@pineapple467music8]

Finally, some folks who appreciate history, and have fun doing it. 👌

[@thornie123]

I always wanted to reenact but these guys don't go into it like I would. I'd be full charging, acting as if it was a real life or death. And when I'd get, "shot" I'd really fall. Like from a full run to a dead drop. But I guess a lot of the guys that reenact are older and what not.

[@aufseher1718]

I'm so with you on that.

[@shepjepp7289]

+TooManyWulfyz same

[@crusadernikolai1996]

If I were in charge of reenactments I would have a contract thy says we are not responsible or conflict related injury lol at 2:46 I would have wanted to charge in Swinging.

[@algeria3033]

But that isn't how those battles were...unless you were completely out of ammo, and your enemy is within melee distance. Then a charge would be ordered. War was civilized then, and you wouldn't be reenacting anything if you go in charging like a fool.

[@thornie123]

I guess I was just really focusing on the reenactors commitment to the role they're playing. Most of them are shot and just kind of take a knee and slowly go down. Sure some weren't instantly killed but a lot were and just being shot would make you drop like a sack of potatoes I would think. I guess it's because most of the reenactors are of a certain age so their bodies aren't as forgiving to falling hard on the ground.

[@WESAVEDTHELEFT1863]

3:02 Love the pure smile on that union boys face. Just happy to be there.

[@davidtrogdon577]

A reenactment is a reenactment. The spirit and enthusiasm is there but the realism is limited. It has to be. The actual battle was bloody and death was everywhere. No one in there right mind wants that kind of realism. I doubt there will ever be a reenactment with the number of men, horses, cannon etc. that were brought to bear that day in 1863. Detraction's include people holding visible video and camera gear, general cleanliness of uniforms and so on. What it does impart is some sense of the event. Chaos, noise, gunfire, smoke, yelling, men facing each other at close range with the intent to kill each other, the thrill of victory, the somberness of those defeated retreating, even some humanness as solders surrender when they realize it is done and the help they receive from the enemy. These things all happened and even a glimpse into the past that brings some of it to mind, even if it is imperfect, is still emotional and thought provoking. Kudos to all who participated.

[@SeattleRex]

Yeah but I’m glad the video people are there. We can’t all make it in person ;-)

[@Randomdude112]

There were over 180,000 men in the real battle, so it would be impossible to number the amount of bloodshed and death that the battle took over 100 years ago.

[@sinofdamnation1547]

Not hating, so don't attack me, but has authenticity and quality of uniforms really gone down hill or something? When I came over to take part in the 135th from the uk, the uniforms and overall quality was soooo good. This just doesn't seem the same anymore. Maybe I'm wrong and maybe it's just a wrong impression of mine.

[@CrashandTrash596]

It was the 150th. Everyone wanted to be there so if they could pass a muster they went. Quality wasn't always high but everyone wanted to be there and number of guns and men was staggering. It's since leveled off and quality is back up. It was an event not to be missed. If you can make it back across the pond don't miss the 155th at Shiloh in March.

[@sinofdamnation1547]

Jack McCall Makes sense, thanks for the reply 👍 Shiloh sounds great, wish I could make it!

[@anonymoususer9988]

Like most national events this was a huge Farb fest. Public battles are ridiculous.

[@9thtexasinfantryman590]

Fall creek and nj cicaila still does great uniforms

[@3rdMEF]

I’m a civil war reenactor and I can tell you actually being in a reenactment in person on that battlefield makes you feel like it’s the real deal it’s very fun and scary at the same time hahaha

[@sparks1504]

Picketts Charge was one of Lees biggest mistakes, and it was to bad that Longstreet didnt stand up to him and tell him directly that he was totally against it, he told him in a round a bout fashion that he was against it but Lee would not agree with his assesment, he continually insisted that they are stronger on the flanks and weaker in the center....but they werent, they concentrated the majority of their forces in the center.....

[@davidthigpen2366]

sparks1504 you don't know what you're talking about. They broke though in two places. The problem was their numbers were so depleted that it couldn't hold . Every strategic victory is underlined by the posibilty of disaster.

[@josecarranza7555]

Well thank God that robert e lee made that bonehead mistake, he became overrated with his moves losing the war, cause the Union won, and slavery was done.

[@Rebel9668]

Slavery would have ended with or without the war. It was already a dying institution. That being said, Lee was far from overrated. A lesser man in charge given the same circumstances would have been finished long before. Look at how many Union commanding officers Lincoln replaced as a result of tangling with Lee. Not to mention Union commanding General, Winfield Scott told Lincoln before the war that he wanted Lee for a top command and Lee was offered the command of a Major General to command the defense of the national capital.

[@nora22000]

Rebel9668 Lee incurred too many casualties. He followed Davis's strategy for attempting to impress the British and shock the Union for too long. After Britain permanently pulled away in August 1862 they needed a new strategy for winning this war but they didn't come up with one.

[@ianh4297]

@@Rebel9668 nah. had to kick it out of yah.

[@Controlaring]

I heard a story that on the battle of Bulls Run families set up picnics to watch the battle but immediately retreated once they found out how horrifying war actually was

[@JD-re3cj]

Sounds like they were much too close

[@bartender.official]

Nah it wasnt even that the battle just kept growing bigger and bigger until it reached them and they had to flea

[@neil5156]

True it's called the great skidaddle when the union army retreated

[@ifyouloveChristyouwillobeyhim]

Disturbing, I hope it's not true. Prayer as fasting would have been more appropriate than entertainment and lunch!

[@abrahamlincoln9280]

Hey, after the battle I gave one of the greatest speeches in history

[@West_Coast_Mainline]

1:40 The contrast, we got a butternut clad man and then johnny reb in his fine sunday clothes, very realistic

[@paytonmanningfan6387]

“Sherman it’s just a re-enactment” they said “stop lighting fires” they said...

[@thewierdlemon5956]

have you seen that tank named after you?? its p cool

[@kostan55]

"Sherman for gods sake stop burning the poor children" they said.. "It is only a reenactment" they said.l

[@28toxicdavid38]

5:30 that guy with the flag was fully in character. Great video!

[@dueltaylor]

That's the style Lo! THATS THE STYLE!

[@willoutlaw4971]

Yes!! That's the style Lo, that's the style!!!! Wearing a bullet that hit you in the balls, went up your spine causing your death a few days later. That's the style Lo!!! That's the style!!

[@kingmalric9260]

@@willoutlaw4971 Lmao

[@kostan55]

@@willoutlaw4971 THATS THE STYLEEEEE

[@mr101spencer6]

4:20 the guy waving the flag before being shot is a badass

[@brandnutopian]

You mean they don't actually kill one another? Lame.

[@thegammingnoob6502]

brandnutopian It was just fake its a reenactment

[@thegammingnoob6502]

Its not the real thing

[@ethangavin]

He knows😏

[@annaratcliffeannaratcliffe1254]

well, maybe they don't die on the outside, but you know you've been hit when all your dignity flies straight out of where ever you were shot.

[@hopatease1]

At the end of the year at the last reenactment they use live rounds to kill off the extra reenactors .

[@lawrencebittke8478]

That violin reel as backdrop to Pickett’s Charge illustrated the Irish contribution in the Civil War. Many immigrants fought in this war.

[@olemissfuture]

Good lord, too much farb. I had no idea that Confederate Marines were involved in Pickett's Charge.

[@woolfy02]

That would be so cool to watch! Are you allowed to walk in the open fields though, when they don't have reenactments? Also, anyone know what type of musket rifles those were?

[@RedDiamondOre]

who said white people had no culture

[@latvianman3433]

usually other white people that don't know that the things they do are their culture.

[@huntercurtis1574]

American's have a lot of culture. They are just too lazy to care about it.

[@huntercurtis1574]

If you can not see it. You are looking too hard.

[@isaiahcruz3431]

I'm not American, but I think they have Jazz and a whole movement revolving around that don't they?

[@nomadicshai]

Kerimcan ak yes we do African

[@cplmattbaldwin9489]

One day..I'll make it to Gettysburg...I've wanted to go there for as long as I can remember. I can't explain my obsession with the place. I've just always felt drawn there.

[@samuelhurley9269]

This is an awesome battle reenactment

[@hunterknobelcatholicknight3006]

I’m so blessed and proud that my family has fought for Lincoln in The Civil war ⬇️ My mom’s side; my grandma’s side: Thomas Haslam Ohio 116th Infantry My uncle’s side; who married my dad’s sister aunt Katy: Nowell Duncan Stark Fredericksburg VA

[@ifyouloveChristyouwillobeyhim]

No disrespect to your family, but Lincoln was an evil man. He invaded the South to control them and keep them bringing in revenue to the North. He then made it all as if it was for the poor slaves, even though he himself did not actually have an honest concern for or even liking for black people.

[@mythic_omen948]

2:01 wow I didn't know they had iPhones back then

[@DiscerningHistory]

The one playing during the title sequence is President's March by the US Army Fife and Drum Band. The first song in the actual video is Swallowtail Jig by Unreconstructed Band.

[@Jake-bq3cu]

Why did the union chant Fredericksburg at the end (6:10)? Is that like remember the alimo?

[@DiscerningHistory]

They chanted Fredericksburg because about six months before, in December, 1862, that Union army had been badly defeated by the Confederates at the Battle of Fredericksburg. They chanted it to point out they were getting the southerners back for that defeat.

[@TNT240Bravo]

In this case, they are saying Harper's Ferry. They said Fredericksburg near the end as well. But, the Harper's Ferry chant came from the 125th NY who surrendered without a fight at Harper's Ferry and were known as the Harper's Ferry Cowards. In this case during the end of the fighting the 125th actually went over the wall and continued chant.

[@antiquetrunksandchests4300]

At Fredricksburge the south had the cover of a large stone wall like the Federal troops had now at Gettysburg.

[@zacharyoverfield2743]

.-./

[@army2362]

I am teacher and civil war reenactor. Few years before the battle the Union Gen. Burnside had started to invade Virginia at a small town called Fredericksburg and when the Union crosses the river to the town the Confederates were holding the high ground just like Gettysburg. In both cases a wall was the main attacking point. Union suffered the most casualties in the battle of Fredericksburg. So now the Confederates attack the high water mark at Gettysburg and as well suffered mass casualties. So it was reported that Union soldiers yelled out Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg!

[@jaredbednar9667]

I was at the 125th as a child then a guide on then drummer then reenactor at every event and its sad what happened to the passion and love for the past that has dispelled on the events and their disintegration.... Many fond memories in the 12th NJ mifflin guard...

[@ryanmei8500]

3:00 to 3:11 WTF WAS THAT CHARGE???!!!

[@ScreamingPatriot]

{ExØTįïÇ} Rice this isn’t a European medieval re-enactment lol. We don’t bash our friends in the head with a musket for real 😂

[@dolosstudios8518]

The guys who lay on the ground when shot and actually go limp are the realest

[@SilentPony]

You know, considering the #1 killer in the Civil War was dysentery...

[@oceanbreeze3928]

Interesting. Are there any reenactments of this battle?

[@jamesbhollingsworth5452]

Ocean Breeze Underrated.

[@kezaiaholeary4433]

Imagine this tho like the real men who thought in this war had to run straight into enemy fire while trying to maintain a line

[@hexazalea1793]

Yeah I may not like the confederacy but I will never deny that they were brave and determined and i can respect that. especially if you charge into a firing line.

[@abbeyarce6948]

hey union you shall do the charge to bayonet vs bayonet

[@taloob493]

Wat

[@iDontShareMyData]

Lee: "General Pickett, Sir. You must look to your division" Pickett: "General, I HAVE no division."

[@crusadernikolai1996]

2:46 I would have wanted to charge in full speed using the musket as a weapon and hitting people with it...not hard but enough to look realistic lol

[@crusadernikolai1996]

No

[@dls1423]

Crusader Nikolai that's just great asshat

[@alltimewarrior9308]

where you there?

[@jrjohnryanjr]

When was the last time you ran a mile on the hottest day of the year ? What shape were you in at the end ?

[@Mikesman1000]

the hardest thing to reenact, is the weight of the soldiers and their morale.

[@Xycomm]

And that was the last time those traitors set foot on northern land

[@billbowgaggens306]

Britannia no no no

[@JonesNate]

I was there. It was amazing!

[@SurvivalCowboy]

Idk I get the need for reenactment s but I would rather they did it somewhere else, that field is where thousands of men died. I say that it should be left in a peaceful silence, as Abraham Lincoln said, we cannot desecrate this ground, in his Gettysburg address.

[@MidevilRTS]

I see is more as honoring the dead, that their struggle will never be forgotten.

[@rickkeating1]

This was held on private property as the National Park Service does not allow reenactments.

[@waynejohnson1786]

Pretty sure they've been doing this reenactments for a very long time and the Civil War veterans probably never objected to them. Edit: Civil War reenactments began even before the Civil War ended. Also 1913 Gettysburg reunion was attended by 50,000 civil war veterans, about 8,000 Confederates.

[@nora22000]

Blue Faction When humans go extinct there will be countless millennia when the field will lie in dignified silence. While we still can, I think we should honor these war dead with these reenactments of their actions as it brings their memory alive again.

[@nickmciver5402]

This wasent on the actual field

[@bryguysays2948]

I know this was a reenactment and not real, but imagine in 1863 when this happened for real with everything on the line!

[@beardofterror5959]

All the south people hate this! But they have to deal with us winning! Go union!

[@itscalebmahdude5437]

I'm from mississippi and I love this

[@lokidude100]

Jeff Monrou same here! I live in Texas and I wish I could have participated in this!

[@paulradecki3620]

i was at this reenactment as part of the 15th Texas dismounted cavalry and i have been a confederate reenactor for almost 5 years and this was the 2nd best battle i have ever been apart of and every man in my unit either feels the same or close enough

[@ScreamingPatriot]

This was the only part of the war y’all really won. We beat the Unions ass in the south and drove y’all back and almost got to Washington. The only reason we gave up was because food, water and other supplies were low and troops got hungry. If that didn’t happen then we would have won Gettysburg and the last battle would have been in Washington

[@DD-th2bd]

This gives me chills watching

[@thelastpatriot4609]

Not 1 union dies which pisses me off

[@naomiwashinton8102]

They had a few loses if you watch it closer, but not nearly as many as the confederates. Historically they only took a few hundred loses, mostly due to supporting artillery fire. Only some 200 rebels even made it to the wall. Most got pinned down at the Emmetsburg road and cut to pieces by union rifle and canister fire. It had been one of the most one-sided major actions of the war. Not quite as one sided as depicted in the reenactment, but not too far from it. Certainly nothing to get upset over. Reenactments are not a science. Each man decides for himself when to die.

[@joshuacondran7887]

I participated in this one year. Awesome

[@jacobsmith3493]

Ok after watching this whole video, i counted about seven people filming. If youre in the battle, you should not be filming. There are plenty of other people to do that. Reenact or record, pick one.

[@Legoheads123456]

Jacob Smith but then we wouldn't have soldier POV

[@cron1115]

Yeah soldier pov is what really makes this interesting, to see a slice of what they would have

[@rc59191]

One of my 3rd great grandparents was there with the 1st New York Light Artillery. Would like to attend this event once to get a glimpse of what he felt that day.

[@Jermster_91]

I love history but in someway it almost seems like a disgrace to those that fell during the battle of how unrealistic it seems like. Not just at this battle but its seem at at all historical re-enactments. Just seems fake.

[@TheMauserGuy]

Thats because it is fake...

[@360Nomad]

Reenacting was actually a tradition started by veterans as a means of encouraging friendship between former Union and Confederate soldiers (i.e. walking across the fields of Gettysburg to shake hands instead of ripping each other apart with bare hands).

[@Stanofmay]

360Nomad It just seems unrealistic and more than a little bit chaotic. Reenactors don't seem to maintain any formation, the whole battle is pretty quiet except for occasional yells coming from charging soldiers, and soldiers don't seem to fire and reload all at the same time by command as it would happen realistically. The Confederacy also acts like it's meant to lose in this battle. Everything Confederate reenactors do into this battle is just charge right in front of Union musket lines, when in reality Gettysburg was a close battle in which both sides had almost the same number of casualties with the Union winning due to a numerical advantage.

[@Jermster_91]

PG Stan Don't forget the good ground that they had.

[@caseyc408]

PG Stan The command is FIRE AT WILL. When being charged by the enemy it's a very realistic command. War is chaotic. The men took cover behind a short stone wall that day to hide from CS artillery and they did not stand in a line and fire volleys. Obviously the reenactors are not fixing bayonets and killing each other, somethings are done fore safety reasons. Men didn't scream and yell, they were terrified for their lives, in Iraq you didn't see soldiers yelling at the enemy when shooting at them, probably the same way back then too. In the reenactors defense these guys do a lot of research into what they do. More so than the history channel does...

[@thomasharmon6444]

Thanks for posting this awesome video. Kudos to the Camera men and all involved.

[@WandamianCrucifixplate]

Umm I've done my fair share of reenacting, and we took it much more serious. For one, nobody and i mean nobody should be holding a camera high up in the air in the middle of the action if they are in uniform. That's just plain wrong. Two, why are you guys milling around and shuffling your feet like your in line to buy movie tickets, this is war. Third, hand to hand combat doesn't end with capturing someone as a pow, it's a fight to the death. Lastly, no one should be smiling as much as the Yanks in this video, I've been a participant and a spectator and everyone can tell when your half assing it. If you can't act like it's real then die sooner in battle for the sake of the audience.

[@hk_802]

The Gettysburg event has gone downhill for the past few. Sadly by the time the 150th came around, most units didn't want to deal with the organizer's BS anymore. So ever since then, its been severely underwhelming with numbers. And the ones that do show up, don't care too much with the spectators anymore (note the bleachers sitting right up close and the loudspeakers narrating)

[@jesseusgrantcanales]

I was HERE! 71st Penn Co. B. from Nevada but I am California.^-^

[@the-low-end-gamer3932]

go Confederates

[@charlestemm4870]

The 135th was far bigger. Supposedly Picketts Charge was actually bigger than the actual one. We were on the Federal right and it was pretty impressive to watch them come in. Funny thing was the Rebs who made it to our line all had empty canteens and they proceeded to drain ours pretty fast too.

[@thecivilwarhistorian]

Reenactments often become “big fish stories,” meaning reenactors exaggerate the size of the event a bit. The 135th Gettysburg in 1998 is usually considered the largest reenactment ever held and included about 25,000 participants.

[@donmelton7653]

If only the south had one...children of our confederate heroes be proud it was a good fight, may we rise again.

[@Hal-gj1bw]

You're taking a bigger L than the confederates did

[@bosscool4246]

You were in no way shape or form heros more like monsters who had to be stopped you could even tell God looked down upon you

[@suzietrecallion1042]

Boss Cool what the Hades t u talking about?

[@suzietrecallion1042]

Alan Morris don't u think u r talking balderdosh here?

[@alexanderfortier5488]

"Good fight" that's a bit of an oxymoron.

[@robertrock8778]

Prior to the attack, Longstreet told Lee, "no 15,000 men who ever lived could take that position." For that period that was a bold and outspoken statement to the commander of the ANV. The interpretation of Lee's order to Hood to attack the right, "when practicable" was the biggest mistake at Gettysburg. Hood turns the right and "those people" are skeddaling all the way back to Washington.

[@kevinmorera9654]

these guys need women

[@datboilee6859]

LMAO

[@Alex-kc3ex]

Kevin Morera Uh why?

[@PravdaKatyusha]

They do mostly fat old women who also dress like soldiers and pretend to be in the Civil War. Then justify it by saying "Some women were in the war" but in truth only a handful.

[@PravdaKatyusha]

Prove what, the women in the civil war or the annoying trashy women reenacting?

[@PravdaKatyusha]

I knew some when I reenacted. My mom was one. They got in the uniforms, carried the guns. Then they would shamble slowly on the field, annoy everyone, refuse to die, give anyone who criticized them a long lesson on women soldiers that they had ACTUALLY SPENT HOURS WRITING! They also loved to start drama and criticizing clothing. Like this one woman, I knew named Helen, who also brought a coffin with her, and said it her husband was inside, and that she was fighting in his name. Which made no sense, seeing as the coffin was modern and they wouldn't have dragged coffins around during that time, also it would give away that she was a woman, which is something that women soldiers would never do!

[@wolfkafitz9461]

1.37. Ok, folks. Let's get over the fence. But - easy... No - forget hat. Great video. :)

[@SeattleRex]

Very cool, thanks for posting this. I’d like to see it live one year.

[@zapso7742]

What a tragedy for those who died. Greetings from Chile 🇨🇱

[@moris7055]

Please, do not forget the 10.000 italians who volunteered, fought and died for the Confederacy. The militia of Louisiana had an italian guards battalion, later renamed 6th Regiment European Brigade, and other companies within regiments from Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee and Louisiana. General William Booth Taliaferro served in the Confederate Army as well as the commanders of the 6th Regiment European Brigade, Lt.Della Valle, Captain Marzoni, Captain Santini, First Lieutenant Marinoni and Second Lieutenant Baselli. Thank you from Italy for remembering them.

[@cherylevans1698]

Picketts soldiers were quiet as they crossed the field.. They had been ordered not to do the Rebel Yell. A Union commander said it was the most beautiful site he had ever seen.

[@ryanainlay224]

If time travel ever because a tourist activity, one of the first things I would do is go back and watch major Civil War and Revolutionary War battles. ...from a safe distance, of course.

[@davinogueira6743]

These scenarios are fantastic, I really wanted to participate in some such as this.

[@suzietrecallion1042]

Davi Nogueira good,another recruit.let me know when u join n good luck,have fun.

[@thecivilwarhistorian]

There are units and events all over the country (and the world)! They’re usually more than happy to help you get started and loan you things. Just look for a unit in your area. If you can’t find one, try to find an event in your area and tell someone you’re interested in giving it a try; if it’s a small event, the units there are probably local!

[@arcticgrayling105]

Ordering Pickett's charge really calls into question Lee's generalship.

[@hexazalea1793]

I think he admitted at one point that was his biggest mistake and it was all his fault.

[@arcticgrayling105]

HexManiacMaylein ..Then he should have resigned.

[@arcticgrayling105]

HexManiacMaylein ..Then he should have resigned.

[@hexazalea1793]

They would've imeedaitly lost the war... He should've stayed out of the war altogether as siding with the confederacy is why it took so many years to end. the blood is on his hands.

[@gamingcollection4448]

That was a pretty crazy thing to watch; may I suggest a paint ball fight next time? see who wins, lol

[@thegreatskinkpriest8104]

Oh my god. I attended this event and it was hot as balls. It was totally worth it tho. Seeing Pickets charge was so awesome, even tho we were leaving just as it ended

[@BoDAssassin]

I like how at 5:53 the they started to shout "Fredericksburg" because the Union did a similar charge there.

[@chicogrande5516]

Lol I love the union soldier at 3:38 taking a video with his cell phone 😎

[@RightAway87]

Great reenactment. Only difference would be most of the soldiers were well under the age of 30 during the real battle. Average age was 25. Imagine a bunch of college aged boys today fighting and dying on the field. That was the civil war.

[@SanitysVoid]

Those Union Boys kept up a brutal rate of fire. I've done WWI Reenacting, this looks cool too.

[@hexazalea1793]

Didn't know there was ww1 reeinacting. Which country did you do it in and how much detail did you go into. I mean there Mud and gas and barbed wire and i imagine the gas could be faked with a fog machine. Also do you actually dig the trenches?

[@rweerakkody4565]

Im a Sri Lankan-Filipino. After watching #GoneWiththeWind , I became a Civil War afficionado. Gawd, why is American history so interesting? Its full of action and dilemma, and whoa its really exciting. I also am an afficionado of the American Revolution.

[@wilthomas]

If you like the Civil War, I highly suggest *Battle Cry of Freedom* by James MacPherson. It's probably the best single volume, introduction to the war in print.

[@joellaz9836]

Gone with the wind is a fictional and romanticised version of the south. Watch something real.

[@ifyouloveChristyouwillobeyhim]

Don't say "G-*-W-D", it's taking YHWH (God)'s name in vain.

[@macie7770]

I wonder if the know that they were on the battlefield with so many ghosts during that reenactment

[@RoninDave]

I went to the other one. Wish I could have made it to both Pickett's Charge at the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 7, 2013)

[@connorkirwon]

Dave you do civil war too?

[@Renfield37]

i was here at this one.. it was a good weekend

[@mollymu1]

Am doing research to do a painting of NC troops waiting that morning /afternoon . Would the men have been waiting in the woods like some I see in the movie "Gettysburg " or out in the open like some I saw / Would there of been horses among the men ? Any help , leads , book recommends would be greatly appreciated . Thanks . . 

[@thecivilwarhistorian]

The North Carolinians in Pickett's Charge were in the left-center of the attack and would have been in the woods on Seminary Ridge.

[@bcwest56]

It is very hard to re-enact a day July 3, 1863 when troops under the command of Pickett, but not lead by him, charge the Union lines Pickett stayed in the rear. Garnett, Kemper , and Armistead led the attack. And only Armistead made it to the Union lines. Where he was mortally wounded. Garnett did not survive the assault, and Kemper was mortally wounded. But Pickett survived unscathed. Why? Because he let his subordinates lead the attack. It should not be called Pickett's charge, because he did not lead the charge. It was Longstreet's plan in the beginning.

[@yoylecakeyoye]

The mistake every American Revolutionary War and Civil War is that they don't use the ram-rods when reloading. Ram-rods are important for pushing the ball down to the place of ignition, so when they fire the ball reacts from the inside and fires the projectile. Ram-rods are literally like the trigger in a gun.

[@DiscerningHistory]

You're right. After some incidents years ago with people at reenactments accidentally leaving their ramrods in and shooting them across the field, they aren't used at any reenactment I've ever heard of.

[@yoylecakeyoye]

@@DiscerningHistory Oh, okay. But I hope they didn't have injuries or anything. The ones who got shot with ram-rods.

[@hezitate7250]

this vid looks like it was filmed 150 years ago

[@baronofrhodes1185]

Kinda looks more like Pickett's Really Long Walk than a charge...

[@fojnica2226]

nice video...greetings from croatia for all of soldiers

[@johnchambers2996]

I loved my aunt's summary of it all. She was an ambulance driver during World War I, hated war, and she exclaimed, after a Gettysburg visit, "Well, if the first one wasn't bad enough, these yahoos have to get out and reenact the damned thing."

[@weownthenight8565]

1:37 “Car...Car !!” (Car passes) “Game on!”

[@Mnwildlife]

The song in the beggjning is called swallow tailed jig it is pretty popular