Hancock on Pickett's Charge | Eyewitness Account/Official Report

In this video, we hear the commander of the 2nd Corps of the Army of the Potomac, General Winfield Scott Hancock's, account of Pickett's Charge.
#Civilwar #PickettsCharge #HaveHistoryWillTravel
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[@mattmusselman5055]

He was my favorite General..I live just 5 minutes from Gettysburg..its a beautiful and sacred place

[@alienlife7754]

He was never the same person after Gettysburg. That charge haunted him for the rest of his life. A classic case of PTSD. Sad.

[@TheBargles]

@@alienlife7754 If Gettysburg hadn't messed him up, Wilderness and Spotsylvania Courthouse definitely would have. It must have been horrible to witness.

[@mikvermm]

It is, have family there

[@kennkid9912]

The UNION artillery under the command of Gen. Hunt was told to not reply to the CSA bombardment prior to Picketts charge. Hancock tried to get them to fire ,but they waited until the CSA infantry came forward. Most of the CSA artillery fire overshot the Union lines and landed in the rear areas. The CSA artillery ammo was frequently defective. The fuses were inferior .PIcketts charge was preordained to fail.

[@usfreight]

My great great grandfather died that day. He belonged to the 4th Va infantry under Picketts command.

[@rubinsteve1]

My late Dad was a 6 yr WW2 Vet, Lieutenant in artillery, Australian Army, and he had a big interest in the Civil war, he had a soft spot for the Confederacy. The men who made that ill fated charge, like your relative, were very brave indeed. great courage to do what they did, their sacrifice for what they believed is admirable indeed. Sadly the lessons from that charge were not learned, and were repeated even worse again, in France in WW1, useless carnage and death, for no result. Grant was right, war is hell. It is.

[@IloveJimiHendrix2009]

Mine died from wounds incurred at the Battle of Chancellorsville, VA.

[@jaywinters2483]

My great grandfather was flanked by Jackson’s men @ the Wilderness. Grandpa told me: “Dad said, ‘I invented running that day, only back then they called it “desertion”. 😀 true story.

[@johnwheet7037]

Do you know of any other engagements for your grandfather? Respect to your family.

[@howardsmith8453]

My Great-grandfather fought at Gettysburg in the peach orchards. He was 20 years old and belonged to the 62nd Volunteers of Pennsylvania. Fortunately for me, he survived the battle or I wouldn't be here today. He had a lucky streak. He fought at Antietam also and was wounded at Fredericksburg. Proud to say his name is on the Pennsylvania Monument with the rest of his unit. He passed in 1905. He was Issac Smith.

[@wecandobetter9821]

Longstreet new the charge was going to be a disaster as it truly was. He wanted to withdraw and find a good defensive position between the Union Army and Washington DC, forcing the Northern troops to attack them. Like most battles during that war missed opportunities, communication and leadership carried the day.

[@stevenmullens511]

Hancock is one of my favorite generals of American history 👮‍♂️

[@Zarastro54]

Very underrated.

[@marknewton6984]

Hancock did more at Gettysburg than Meade!

[@barryervin8536]

General Hancock is buried about 2 miles from me in Montgomery Cemetery in Norristown, PA. Union Generals Hartranft, Zook, Slemmer and McClennen are also buried here. This cemetery at one time had fallen into a sad state of neglect but it's been cleaned up extensively and is a fascinating place to visit.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

I'd love to visit that cemetery and pay my respects to them.

[@headshotsongs9465]

Longstreet knew this attack would fail. He only let it advance under Lee's orders.

[@valeriegriner5644]

This is known as "malicious obedience." It's well known that Longstreet didn't like Lee.

[@lindencamelback2305]

Which brings up a serious moral dilemma: What do you do if you know, or at least suspect, and order is impossible? Disobey and be Court-Marshaled?

[@JonathanHStone]

@@valeriegriner5644 that Longstreet undermined Lee is one of those great Lost Cause chestnuts that doesn't hold up to actual scrutiny.

[@kirkmorrison6131]

I read a letter from a Virginian who was in Pickett's Charge" Mother, we were in a big fight yesterday, I am safe but many were hurt or killed" an understatement to be sure

[@xotl2780]

Run! Run old hare! If I was an old hare, I'd run too!

[@kirkmorrison6131]

Jennifer LePage yep but so many were life long friends and such that they were worried more about being seen as cowards than dying

[@BELCAN57]

@@kirkmorrison6131 How could you show your face "back home" if you ran and left your comrades in the heat of battle.

[@kirkmorrison6131]

I agree and that explains so many retreats having men walking backwards so as not to be shot in the back. They didn't want to be shot in the back and thought a coward

[@michaeldunne338]

@@kirkmorrison6131 Troops going AWOL, bolting, desertion, etc. was not uncommon in the Civil War with both sides.. That possibly contributed to a relatively sizable "missing" category for Civil War casualties from battles at the time.

[@drfranklippenheimer8743]

Hancock is one of my historical favs too, along with John Gibbons.

[@evanmartinez2049]

Thanks for all of your videos. Great content as always.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much. I appreciate the support.

[@jeffsmith2022]

I have walked on that field twice, one must admire the absolute courage of all these soldiers on both sides, of course, during the battle, especially the C.S.A. troops in Picket's failed charge. They all knew that a great percentage of them would die yet they still moved onward to Cemetery Ridge...that calls for more than guts...

[@matthewmiller9526]

Undoubtedly Lee had some of the greatest infantry in history but I think there are 2 things that you are not realizing, for one they were contemptuous of the Yankees, with good reason, the battle before Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, was Lee’s greatest victory. The rebels knew they were vastly outnumbered and outflanked yet they won. Second they thought the artillery bombardment would rattle them. It was until WW1 the greatest artillery bombardment in history, they underestimated the Union troops, I think there is no doubt of that. They also overestimated the bombardment, it was mostly an overshoot and did not have the effect they thought it would.

[@paulwilfridhunt]

Jeff Smith Here is another thought regarding Pickett’s charge. Let’s take into consideration that Lee’s only chance of winning the civil war was for the North to come to the bargaining table. And he knew that if he could inflict the north with heavy enough losses, even if the South was suffering just as much as the North, the North might decide to call it a day. That was his plan. But it failed. Lee wasn’t a traitor to the South but he knew right before Pickett’s charge that the North could not be beaten. Therefore why does he order the charge? We are meant to think that Lee lost the plot but I don’t think he did. If Longstreet knew the charge was doomed to fail, then so did Lee. So what’s the deal? What was that fiasco all about? Maybe this is the answer. When Lee knew he couldn’t beat the North he also knew that whilst it would be wise to surrender, and he’d like to do that, he couldn’t do that because the South didn’t yet want to give up. They needed a lot more punishment before they’d see the writing on the wall. Therefore Lee in order to bring the war to an end as soon as possible, he desperately starts the process of inflicting pain on the South with Pickett’s charge, knowing full well that it’s a suicide attack, all for the purpose of reducing the will of the south to fight. I don’t think Lee wanted to see anymore useless carnage. And although Pickett’s charge was carnage on an epic scale, nevertheless maybe it shortened the war, because without it the South might have still thought they could win. Herein is the summary of what I am saying. I am saying that maybe Lee ordered the charge to shorten the war because it would help the South realise that their cause is over.

[@josephcockburn1402]

@Doug Bevins You comment on everything don't you, Cornpone?

[@elr.4780]

@@paulwilfridhunt at a cost of 3 divisions and over 12.500 men? That's too HIGH a price to pay to shorten the war. Besides the south was winning up to Getteysburg, Lee had chalked up victories , 2nd battle of bull run, battle of south mountain, battle of antietam, battle of fredricksburg, battle of chancellorsville, that may be why Lee had the character, he seemed unbeatable.

[@josephcockburn1402]

@JAG there was no opposition to slavery in Northern states. Why did you fail to mention that? Are you just dumb?

[@brianashe]

Nice job. Always great to hear a first hand account

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel.

[@user-nx8pe6pc3h]

I just finished reading The Killer Angels. I thought one of the most interesting thing were how the South got supplies. A British observer notice the wagons for cannon shot had a sign USA on it. A Confederate General said most of those cannons and shot came from captured USA supplies. The book is a great read.

[@dukeman7595]

You did a fine job explaining Hancock's account.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much.

[@TheMeatCutter]

WOOHOO!!! Thanks again! Like many, Hancock intrigues me. I picked up "Sam" Hood's memoir as you recommended last week. Just joined up on FB and will take a look at the tee spring soon enough!!!

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much. I am truly thankful for supporters like you. Hancock was a great commander, very level headed. I would have loved to have seen what he could have done as commander if the Army of the Potomac.

[@hancock63]

Excellent video.

[@cbigb1000]

I love this perspective. Thank you.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you. I love it too. I want to do a few more from the union side.

[@TennesseeHomesteadUSA]

Well done, Sir ! Well done !

[@hannahthomas6835]

Thank you so much for these episodes that you make! I look forward to them every week! I found your channel when I was looking up history on middlesboro KY since I now live in the area while going to veterinary school at Lincoln Memorial University. I appreciate how informative and factual your videos are and I especially appreciate how you look at both the Confederate and Union side. Thank you so much!

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel. I went to LMU for my bachelor's degree. I was born and raised in the area and still live here.

[@julianmarsh1378]

A day so bad for the South that if written in ancient times we would hear about the 'cold hand of Fate'. Confederate cavalry was to attack from behind but was thwarted by Union cavalry. Subsidiary attacks on either flank were not carried out with any vigor by Confederate commanders who had no faith in the battle. Pickett's Charge simply could not succeed without support beyond their own battle lines.

[@JBG1968]

The Union calvary that day was led by general Custer . With a smaller force he attacked the southern calvary and defeated them . An unsung hero of the battle

[@rikk319]

@@JBG1968 No, Custer was a brigadier under General Judson Kilpatrick, who outranked him in the cavalry. However, it was General Gregg who directed Custer and his Michigan brigade to attack Stuart's superior force and broke them. Custer was one of the youngest generals in the war at only 23!

[@curtyoung1175]

Custers rank was a brevet rank

[@1roanstephen]

Great episode, thank you for what you do.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much.

[@needsaride15126]

I really enjoyed this video. The map and the way that you narrated the video.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you very much! I've got many more videos. Please check them out.

[@adamhonestyanddecency5054]

You never disappoint.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much.

[@Nick-wn1xw]

Going to see both Gettysburg and Harpers Ferry next week for the first time. This provided some great perspective.

[@zach7193]

Fascinating.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel.

[@davidrasch3082]

I think it was Shelby Foote who said something like; this was a veteran army. They knew how to take a position from where they could do the most killing, and they weren't going to run away.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

You are right. By 1863, the Army of the Potomac was a lethal fighting force and with commanders like Hancock, they were successful.

[@markproulx1472]

They remembered the effective positions taken by the confederates at Fredericksburg. Payback’s a bitch.

[@randallwhite536]

@@markproulx1472 - It wasn't rocket science!

[@bigblue6917]

@@randallwhite536 You would think that, and for the most part you are right, but history is full of armies and generals who never learned anything.

[@sqike001ton]

@@markproulx1472 thats why they chanted Fredericksburg as the rebels retreated

[@slimpickins9482]

Perhaps the best account I’ve heard.

[@safc76]

Great video enjoyed it

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel.

[@ajross311]

Nice job with these videos

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting this channel.

[@SGTRIP-dh7fz]

Well done!

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel. Please check out my other videos.

[@SGTRIP-dh7fz]

@@HistoryGoneWilder I have with exception of a couple (no reasons) I'll get to them. I also enjoyed your video on Gen. Hood explains Gettysburg....also well done! Keep'em going.

[@AlGreenLightThroughGlass]

A fine general but I think the two criticisms of his judgment at Gettysburg at the time are also still valid. 1. His demand that Union guns respond to the cannonade left artillery short for Pickets charge - General Hunt wanted the union guns to preserve their ammo. 2. Failure to entrench - Greene on Culp's hill entrenched and successfully defended with much fewer troops. Had the rebel artillery not overshot the union position, due to faulty charges, the casualties could have been devastating.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

I agree to a point. I think the amount of infantry and interior lines made the Union line at Gettysburg under his command more stable than most people think, even without artillery.

[@gettysburgbrian]

You maKe great videos fantastic narrative

[@colerainfan1143]

On all sides, these were brave men, doing desperate work. The courage and valor displayed is awe inspiring.

[@elr.4780]

Enjoyed the video. There are historians who, including my University professors that say General Picketts divisions didn't stand a chance in taking that hill. They got close. General Hancock refusing to be taken off the field because he knew the impact it may have had on his men, bravery. To fight in this battle took courage, Union side , Confederate side, to stand and defend a position despite the gunfire, to march in advance to overtake a position. That LONG march on Picketts charge comming under cannon fire, long shot, a fence, then when in range solid shot, closer, cannister fire , not even counting rifle fire. (You want me to march WHERE??!!). It is said Longstreet knew what would happen and did not want to give the command to Pickett to start the charge. The cost of the loss of the battle was high for the Confederates. It is said General Pickett did not forget what happened to his divisions.

[@scottklocke891]

No he did not forgive General Lee.

[@robertthompson6346]

Many thanks from this English supporter for your contribution to try and understand the unbeleivable sacrifices of the American Civil War....(more difficult to comprehend is that the sacrifices of WW1 and WW2 were still to follow)

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for supporting the channel. I try to help people understand the war better and I'm glad that you enjoy them.

[@robertthompson6346]

@@HistoryGoneWilder Thanks for the response....you have taken on quite challenge. However, consider if your chosen path had been writing fiction, you could never have dreamt of the horrendous details of the American Civil War - or any war for that matter (20 million civilians in WW2). Best wishes

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

@@robertthompson6346 thank you so much. Stay tuned for more history videos.

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

People are stupid. They keep repeating the same mistakes under different circumstances.

[@rikk319]

@@georgesakellaropoulos8162 Not quite stupid as ignorant. Each generation has a responsibility to teach the following generation the lessons they've learned, and no generation in history has ever done this to a satisfactory level. We're not born with wisdom--we need to be taught it, or else learn it through difficult experiences. Just remember that before you judge a younger generation harshly, that it was your responsibilityas their elders to educate them, and their faults partially lie on your shoulders.

[@stever4181]

As a re-enactor with the 1st Regiment from Minnesota Company A. We were at the 125th Anniversary. We slept on that battlefield. It was the best sleep I have ever had while re-enacting. Pickets charge had us all in tears both North and South! I still get chocked up when I talk about it.

[@lurahcsinclair9274]

My 1st cousin 5x removed was in this battle. His name was Captain George Allen Gilreath, Confederate. Commanded 55th NC Regiment. He was killed 3 July 1863 in this battle.

[@scottriley1913]

Certainly the courage and military strategy of this battle on both sides was far beyond detailed recorded history, it’s very hard for even hardened Civil War historians to characterize this particular fight from so many different perspectives. It was certainly a legendary battle no matter what perspective or lense you look at it through.

[@stonesinmyblood27]

Love for you to do a series on Gen. Armistead

[@LanceisLawson]

When watching the reenactments especially the Confederate troops often look too well fed. The South's army was starving and being short on food and marching all day would understandably lean troops.

[@donb1183]

They are also old, the reenactors seem to be 40-60 years old when the actual soldiers were teenagers or 20ish.

[@jangiel3103]

There were older soldiers on both sides contrary to what other posters say. And, they had surprisingly young guys in command positions. There was a 19 year old major in the artillery in Ewell's Corp wounded on Benner's Hill. The Union Army had a 19 year old artillery officer. Custer and Farnsworth were brigadier generals in the Union cavalry at 24 and 25 respectively. You're right about the re enactors being too heavy. There were no fat boys on either side. Keeping the troops fed was a constant struggle. To be fair, the Southerners had been eating a lot better for two weeks prior to the battle and had regained a lot of their strength. However, nobody was sporting a gut.

[@wutzg.owenon5869]

@@jangiel3103 You only have to go back to the 1970's to experience nobody sporting a gut. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5evd3aogM2cftE Today at Walmart; most are way overweight. We have lost the healthy battle.

[@MrFlossinlawson]

@@wutzg.owenon5869 Welcome to the only time in human history where poor people are fat and rich people are skinny.

[@selewachm]

@@MrFlossinlawson And the rich pay for gyms, trainers, Peloton bikes, etc . Not that there's anything wrong with that. :)

[@tigertiger1699]

Excellent bids🙏🙏 fascinating US history…,

[@jameseubanks379]

The book killer Angels started me on this Trek to consume all info on the Civil War!

[@HistoryBoy]

You must read it Gardner Barnes!

[@timgulstine2767]

​@Gardner Barnes I'd say the events are historical, and the dialog is largely fictional, but the dialog is based on the views expressed by the men themselves. And it is one of the best books I've ever read. The opening chapters on the spy, Longstreet/Lee, and Buford are some of my favorite literature. I think it won a Pulitzer in '75 or thereabouts.

[@samiam619]

Gardner Barnes Another excellent book is “Hardtack and Coffee”. It is more in the line of the day to day life of a common soldier. The Southern counterpart would be “Company Aitch”.

[@jamesphillips4836]

@@samiam619 I read Company Aytch many years ago as a kid. It is still one of my favorites. I had been to Gettysburg many times growing up. But it wasn't until I read Killer Angels that I finally gained a basic understanding of the flow of the battle across the three days. Two of my favorite Civil War books.

[@scullymj]

My maternal Grandmother was Ada Mae Eubanks born in Adams County Ohio around 1902. Wondered if you might be kin. I'm trying to trace her line for any Union veterans.

[@MrMenefrego1]

Greetings from, "The Kingdom of The Netherlands"! AKA, 'Holland'. I just happened to stumble upon this video, if all of your videos are similar in quality and fascinating historical detail as is this, I want more! Thank You! you just gained a new sub! (Sorry... I'm a "Damn Yankee!" lol)

[@truckert9729]

Recall visiting Gettysburg as a child... There is so much history on those hollowed grounds which seen so much blood. Still brings me to silence when I think of it.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

I couldn't agree more. Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel.

[@kylevantassel7259]

I , like many others here had family on both sides . This madness was one of the countrys darkest days and most disgraceful . I hope that people today can look back and get the message this sent to us all and never again let the wealthy coax us into killing our brothers for their gain. Most if not all of the men on this battle field had nothing to gain from any of this and most lost everything . More people should take note of this era and this war and then look at our current situation in that light.... The rich will always have the poor do their bidding while they sit somewhere on a beach or a nice serene mountain top sipping a drink and talking about their own days events as if brothers werent tearing one another apart . Take note people and make the choice to treat EVERY AMERICAN as your brother in arms against the mostly unseen enemy we all have.

[@BemusedHumanist]

Excellent mix of maps, pictures, and drawings. So dramatic.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel. Please check out my other videos.

[@BemusedHumanist]

@@HistoryGoneWilder I have watched a half dozen or so in the last couple of hours. Chickamauga (I live in Atlanta any have been there many times); Hood at Franklin and Nashville (there are efforts to rehab his reputation, as the negative quotes about him are poorly-sourced); Barksdale's Charge; Jackson at Fredericksburg; and the other Gettysburg ones. I admire your use of primary sources. If I had one suggestion it would be dating the memoirs as opposed to the after-battle reports. I believe E.P. Alexander had a long, long time to think before he wrote his description of Pickett's Charge.

[@pwb0511]

General Lee surely remembered the slaughter of Fredericksburg on that day, yet still he sent his soldiers, in the hottest part of the day, against superior odds uphill in better fortified positions. An impossible situation, a huge mistake.

[@tommyturner6677]

wise1 Lee was over confident. If he’d listen to Longstreet.He was totally against it. He wanted to move to the right. So he could have the high ground. The Union would of had no choice but to attack .

[@richardlahan7068]

No men ever made could take that hill.

[@zanzibart3]

Many civil war generals made this sort of mistake at one time or another in their careers. Grant's assault on Cold Harbor and some of his assaults on Vicksburg fall into this category, I think.

[@vinsanity982]

@@zanzibart3 doesn't make it any less dumb. That's an "everybody's doing it" argument. Besides, Grant could afford to make those mistakes. Lee could not. Lee unfortunately placed too much faith in god and destiny instead of listening to his brain.

[@richhickman6863]

My great great grandfather, Pvt John Blair (fathers side) was in G Co 69th Pa and a great great Uncle Sgt Denis Loughery (my Mothers side) in H company of the 69th that day. The 69th Pa was an Irish Regiment.

[@johnpappone8610]

Bravely and heros pn both sides will never be forgotten

[@ITILII]

Winfield Hancock is one of the greatest military leaders, of all time. He was close friends with both Gen. John Reynolds, killed on the 1st day at Gettysburg, and Gen. Lewis Armistead, mortally wounded at Pickett's charged, and died 2 days later. On the 2nd day, on the right flank of the Union Army, Hancock ordered the only troops he had available, the 1st Minnesota to charge and repel the Confederates, who outnumbered them 5 to 1. 1st Minnesota suffered a loss of 216 of 262 (83%) but held long enough for Union reinforcements to stem the assault. Of the actions of the 1st Minnesota, Gen. Hancock said "There has never been a greater display of gallantry, by any men, in any battle, at any time"

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

I will be doing a series on Hancock in the coming weeks. Please stay tuned for that. Please consider subscribing if you have not done so already and check out my other videos. I think you will enjoy them.

[@miguelservetus9534]

My GG Grand father, James Devlin, was in the PA 69th, Company E, at the angle. His daughter, Sarah, my GGrandmother, born 1866. He was shot later at Spottsylvania. Odds were in my favor.

[@kimberleyannedemong5621]

Hancock was a brilliant general. Thank you for another great video

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching. Hancock was brilliant and a true inspiration to his men and that is what drew me to him as a commander. I can't wait to do a series on the Battle of the Wilderness and Hancock will take center stage in my videos.

[@kimberleyannedemong5621]

@Chin Brumback you need to do some research on what hancock accomplished throughout the war i.e. no. Of battle flags no. Of prisoners etc. Also how he is still regarded by military historians today. After you have done that then I'd defend my answer. Until then I'm wasting my time

[@jbearmcdougall1646]

Love these history videos.... Hancock was a good commander.. look forward to the next...

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Yes he was. When you look at his actions in the Wilderness, you can tell he truly cares for his soldiers under his command.

[@jbearmcdougall1646]

@@HistoryGoneWilder I recall in the movie Gettysburg, Longstreet saying 'thats Hancock over there, and he won't budge' or something like that... Meaning even Jim Longstreet admired the man.. I think were they both Hancock and Amistead friends with Longstreet before the war...?.!

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

@@jbearmcdougall1646 the Army back then was so small that most prewar soldiers knew one another.

[@jbearmcdougall1646]

@@HistoryGoneWilder literally, brother against brother as it were.. it's also a great change to be able to speak with a KZbinr.. :-)

[@garyvandecar8554]

@@jbearmcdougall1646 Yup and he even mentioned the Federal Army being behind the stone wall, Like the Rebs were at Fredricksburg meaning that it was futile to even suggest attacking that position.

[@mikeG-cw2gh]

Hancock was one of the true heroes at Gettysburg he haulted the union retreat on the first days battle and set up defenses on cemetery hill

[@robertreisner6119]

There was a pink haze that was seen at Pickett's charge, it was the departure of souls. Many lost within minutes, men, officers and a few horses. It was a failure as Longstreet predicated, for he knew Hancock wouldn't run it was a doomed effort.

[@oldgeezerproductions]

At the 135 anniversary of the Battle, I attended as a mounted cavalryman in the 1st US Cavalry, Company A. The field that the main reenactments were on was topographically almost identical to Cemetery Ridge, as was the hillside that substituted for Seminary Ridge where my unit reenacted Buford's Stand. With my horse, we reenacted many of the cavalry engagements that had taken place at the East Cavalry Field too, but because there was no Union cavalry present for Pickett's Charge, we were only allow to watch from a distance. The reenactment was man for man, gun for gun, unit for unit true to the original. It was (by far) the most impressive sight I've ever witnessed and it was pulled off with a magnificence and accuracy that is impossible to describe if you weren't there to see it. I got the opportunity to see what "units melting away under the galling fire" actually looked like and finally understood something of the battle descriptions I had read so many years earlier.

[@2ndarmoredhellonwheels106]

Gen.hancock and Confederate gen armistead were like brothers. They were extremely close.

[@tagreene06]

I liked how they always asked about each other when I watched Gettysburg. No greater love between to brothers in Bond

[@alienlife7754]

I believe they served together in Mexico.

[@tagreene06]

@@alienlife7754 I believe they did as well

[@calguy3838]

Before the war they were both stationed in a sleepy town in southern California called "Los Angeles."

[@2ndarmoredhellonwheels106]

@@calguy3838 there were actually 3.i believe union general Reynolds was the 3rd.

[@kevinkranz9156]

GRANT AND LONGSTREET WERE CLOSE FRIENDS AT WEST POINT MEADE MOVED HIS TROOPS CLOSER TO FRONT LINES SAVING THEM FROM LEES CANNONS SMART MOVE

[@danwagner8432]

That the Union found suitable ground was fortunate. Geography and discipline helped a lot.

[@chetthebee1322]

The delay of Jeb Stuart caused by the resistance of a town militia he encountered and Stuart getting sidetracked looting supplies was what caused Lee the battle, IMO.

[@chetthebee1322]

@Patrick Brinkmeier According to the video by the US Army War College it had plenty to do with it. Stuart was held up by a local militia

[@crashoverride4881]

What happened to General Pickett at seminary ridge at Gettysburg. Happened to General Hancock At marye's heights in Fredericksburg. A frontal charge is Fatal.

[@tagreene06]

Hancock the Superb! "He's the best they've got. They don't make'em any better and that's a fact!" Gen. Armistead said it best

[@skipper4126]

Sadly, Hancock would've been the commanding general at Gettysburg but being that he was replaced due to being put in charge of a beaten and resting army, that Jackson ended up routing, he wasn't trusted to do the job. Thing is, that wasn't his fault, Burnside screwed things up so badly any one taking over would've had the same kind of difficulty, but the newspapers see a terrible defeat it must be the man in charge to blame.

[@j.chriswatson6847]

@@skipper4126 Burnside was horrible, as were most of the Eastern Federal commanders. Hancock, Chamberlain, and few other standouts were all that redeemed the eastern Federal. The Eastern War and the Western War was an exercise of opposites.

[@richardallgood815]

My Gt Gt Gt Grandfather was there with the 56th VA. Infantry, Co. B He survived the battle and was eventually captured at Sailors (Saylers) Creek retreating with Lee to Appomattox after which he died as a POW at Point Lookout prison camp in Maryland. I often wonder what role he had during the battle. Was he in the charge, did he lay down, did he make it to "The Angle" or was he simply a spectator held back for other duties? Our family has over 100 letters he wrote to his family and I know on the march back to Va. he told his wife they were whooped. He said they had more civilians in PA that were ready to fight than Lee had left in the Army

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for sharing that family history. I've got a video of an eyewitness to Pickett's charge coming out today or tomorrow. Please check it out. I think you will enjoy it.

[@travisbayles870]

Salute from Alabama to your Confederate ancestor

[@AudieHolland]

Back in the day, before Windows 7, I used to play "Sid Meier's Gettysburg" which had very decent graphics for the time. Playing as the Union, I was always disheartened whenever I heard the Rebel yell, because it was always heard when they had broken some of my lines. In contrast, the Union soldiers would should simply "Hurrah!" whenever they broke a Confederate line. In my personal opinion, the Confederates must have been inspired by the blood curdling yells from the Native Americans. It sure must have been a great psychological weapon.

[@AudieHolland]

And even though I knew very little about the Battle of Gettysburg at the time, being the veteran wargamer I already was, I found that pressing on with Pettigrew's excellent brigade at McPherson's Ridge (I think) I would steamroller those Union cavalry and even the belated Iron Brigade couldn't do much. Playing as the Confederates, it wasn't that hard to win at "Sid Meier's Gettysburg" (the computer game, not the historical battle!). Playing as the Union, it was extremely difficult not to become utterly discouraged as my troops broke time and time again. Then later I found out that deploying masses of skirmishers on the Confederate flanks during an assault, would usually soften them up so they wouldn't always break through. To the regular Union soldier back then, in the midst of all this bloody firing and hand to hand combat (or bayonet and rifle stocks), it must have been utter hell. As a wargamer playing it on my PC, it was hard enough even with the excellent overall view. Knowing that most of my regular lines couldn't stand up against Confederate lines when going up against each other.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

From all accounts it was very intimidating. I have an account of a north carolina soldier describing it that I will read one day.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

@@AudieHolland I never played that game but I did play Civil War Generals 2. It was a really great game. Just never historically accurate.

[@willoutlaw4971]

The rebel yell was heard all over Gettysburg as the rebels were being shot in the butt as they ran from Union troops.

[@johnnysunday402]

I've read somewhere a Scottish writer who witnesses and heard the rebel yell, equated it to the howling battle cries of the Scots in centuries prior. I've spent alot of time trying to find more on this, specifically who the Scot was, but as of yet I've only found anecdotal stories with little to no proofed references.

[@amadeusamwater]

People criticize Lee for his mistakes at Gettysburg, but they need to remember that before Jackson's death, Lee planned the strategy and left the actual battlefield work to Jackson. Gettysburg was his first battle in which he had to fight it himself, and he may have been rusty. Longstreet disagreed with him on tactics, something Longstreet had more experience with. Would the outcome have been different if Longstreet had run the battle instead?

[@johngaither9263]

Lee was in poor health during the battle. He was suffering from angina and fatigue from his heart condition. His back ached and getting around was difficult for him. His back and heart prevented him from climbing into the steeple of the Seminary where nearly the entire battlefield other than Culps Hill was visible.

[@curious968]

@@johngaither9263 And? You go to war with the army you have. Disease was endemic in war. If Lee was that sick, he should have either not commenced battle or temporarily turned over command to someone else. He did neither, so the fact he may not have been 100 per cent is on him. If we are to credit Lee's brilliance, let us also own up to his defeats. All generals in that war resorted to frontal assaults and nearly all of them were fruitless wastes of men. If we are to cry "butcher" when Grant does it, we must certainly do the same here when Lee does it and do so without making excuses. Otherwise, we aren't really celebrating Lee -- we are elevating him above his deserts. But he did his share of butchery and Pickett's charge should be the most infamous. It certainly was the most costly as his army never really could go on a sustained offensive ever again.

[@mechcavandy986]

My 2x grandfather survived the charge with the 11th Mississippi, the Noxubee Rifles. \X\

[@charlesstuart7290]

It seems, unlike almost any contemporary depiction of the battle, he doesn't seem to think that the artillery was particularly important in stopping the charge.

[@ethanhoward389]

Hearing in his own words, hancock realize the power and importance of decentralized command a full century before it became common place is soooooo fucking fascinating

[@rocistone6570]

I have always wondered what course History might have taken had someone like Hancock been elected President in 1880, rather than Garfield thence Arthur.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Not sure, but that is something to ponder. Gilded Age political history is very complicated. I think Hancock would have made a good president. Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel.

[@Niel2760]

If his area of support came from the South, I’m glad he wasn’t elected.

[@mikeh9242]

He was one of the north’s best generals

[@Niel2760]

That’s certainly true, but his politics sucked.

[@j.chriswatson6847]

He would have been a more ethical president than Grant. Unfortunately, the Indian Wars were not kind to him.

[@dcash7018]

I had an ancestor in Stannards infantry

[@RobertWF42]

Intetesting that Hancock mentioned a line of skirmishers preceding the Confederate main battle line. Was that standard doctrine? Was the intent to keep Union troops heads down during the Confederate advance? Bait the Union soldiers to fire prematurely at long range and thus lose their ability to fire disciplined volleys at close range? Or were the skirmishers the best shots in their divisions, taking aim at Union officers and artillery?

[@Atreus21]

Do the battle of Port Hudson.

[@Drew791]

I love the portrayal of Hancock in the movie Gettysburg; and his laments on the strained friendships caused by the war.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Yes, Hancock was portrayed beautifully in the movie. It represented his military qualities well. Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel.

[@Drew791]

@@HistoryGoneWilder Absolutely! I'm so glad I found your channel. Please keep doing a great job!

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Will do. Thank you. I appreciate all the views. Please feel free to share the video to get the word out about the channel.

[@garyvandecar8554]

I truly love the account of the wonderful friendship between Lewis Armistead and Winfield Scott Hancock.

[@garyvandecar8554]

Detroit native Brian Mallon did a masterful job portraying Winfield Scott Hancock, He even bares some resemblance to Hancock.

[@azramey1164]

I live in southwestern Pa and periodically venture towards Gettysburg it is a beautiful and haunting place full of memory I only wish I could get there more often as it is a 3hr drive from where I live most people who live outside of Pennsylvania have no idea how large our state is its literally faster to drive from my location just south of Pittsburgh by leaving state dipping down into west Virginia and Maryland and then coming back up through the back hills then traveling straight across the state I can see why the north felt it had to hold this location at all cost as Washington is only about an hour or two away by car granted this would be much longer by foot but still it's way too close for comfort

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel. Please consider subscribing to the channel if you have not done so already. Also, please check out my other videos. I think you will enjoy them.

[@rogerhwerner6997]

Hancock is certainly an underrated Union general.

[@jamesricker3997]

The sad reason for Pickett's Charge what's that Robert E Lee thought his troops could accomplish anything he ordered them to do regardless of the risks , because they always had succeeded in the past.

[@frankmiller95]

Hancock was from Pennsylvania. He did not have a southern accent.

[@Spaceball22000]

The narrator does.

[@tnt-hv6qw]

go virginian!!!!!!!!! great stuff. thank you sir.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

You are welcome. Thank you so much for the support. Hancock was a great commander.

[@brucenowacek8092]

tnt87 1998 glad they lost

[@Rockhound6165]

I've said this in other videos but the most underrated battles of Gettysburg were Little Round Top and Culp's Hill. And by underrated I mean their significance in winning Gettysburg. Most talk about Pickett's Charge but had the Confederates had been successful at LRT and Culp's Hill, Pickett's Charge not only might never had to happen but it would have been a moot point. Winning at LRT would have given the South much needed high ground and Culp's Hill would have exposed the Meade's right flank and would have allowed Lee to box them in for a slaughter. And had Lee won this battle, I still don't believe the South wins the war but what would have happened is that it would have demoralized Northern resolve and the Union would have pressured Lincoln into negotiating a cease fire. However, at the same time, Grant was splitting the Confederacy in half by taking Vicksburg meaning if Lincoln held fast and didn't negotiate peace, the war might have stretched longer than it did but eventually the South would still lose.

[@joycekoch5746]

Would be interesting to get General Hancock's take on America today if a time machine could give him a tour of our time.

[@billw5823]

I'm not sure that anyone could have done a better job with less than what Hancock did and his actions probably won the day for the Union. This is probably one of the very few battles in which Lee got a little ahead of himself and felt that the Army of Northern Virginia was invincible, which until this time was pretty accurate. I believe that Lee felt that this was his only real chance to strike hard and end the way and because of that he probably over committed himself to this battle. One of the biggest mistakes of the day was made by Stuart and his brilliant horsemen who got distracted and arrived too late to help, probably a turning point in the battle. I believe that because of this Lee started with a huge disadvantage where he thought he had an advantage. Plenty of heroes on both sides and I'm sure more than a few mistakes made on both sides. The Union could afford to make more mistakes while the south had very little room for even a stalemate here.

[@alienlife7754]

Pickett’s charge was a rare mistake by Lee. But damn it was a costly one. It was a desperation move. Never really had a realistic chance of success.

[@jamesmurray3082]

Longstreet told him it would fail.lee wouldn't listen.

[@curious968]

Well, there was at least Malvern Hill. But Lee's biggest mistake is the one no one thinks about. After November 1864, with Lincoln safely re-elected, the war was 100 per cent hopeless. There was no victory possible. Lincoln was going to persist until it was finished, no question and no doubt. That's not hindsight. That is what everyone knew would happen prospectively. He should have told Davis to sue for the best peace he could get while he still had armies in the field and so some leverage, however slight, over the peace. War is not just for the heck of it. It needs to have a point. It lost all its point by November 1864 at the latest. Lee did nothing of the kind. He did the opposite. He fought and bled his army until they were on the verge of starvation. Even three days before Appomattox, he told his staff not to consider surrender. . .yet. Butchery, pure and simple. Pointless butchery. Every soldier in every theater that died after November 1864 was on Robert E. Lee and Jeff Davis for refusing to face the inevitable. Did they obtain better peace terms for all that carnage? No, they did not. Lincoln already knew what he would impose and he did exactly that. Every soldier died for absolutely nothing. People forget that had Lee held out even longer, Sherman was going to come right up his ass and do to North Carolina and Virginia what he did to Georgia. So, it was actually a blessing, of sorts, that Lee ran out of gas in April. Because it would have actually gotten worse than it already was for the south.

[@alsehl3609]

Other accounts describe the Union artillery very powerful in decimating Picketts charge, however Hancock relates it was not much of a factor. Why the discrepancy?

[@RalphReagan]

Do a video on Fredericksburg.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

I do have a video about Stonewall Jackson at Fredericksburg. But I will be doing others on Fredericksburg. Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel.

[@jaymuzquiz2942]

"You want me to march into F@#$g what!" every single Civil War soldier

[@cindycampbell4606]

Have you found any information of Hancock's reaction at the loss of his friend armistied

[@math4U1234]

Any one know what music this is? Been looking for it.

[@frankgioia514]

hancock's my favorite also. i firmly believe the union cause would not have been successful without him.

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

He was very effective.

[@weaselworm8681]

Love the drama of Gettysburg, but the more I read and study Vicksburg seems like the more important victory.

[@Putaspellonyou]

Historians will debate that for generations to come. Vicksburg had a definite strategic impact with Texas and Arkansas and Missouri (and all their resources) cut off, but after Gettysburg Lee could never take the initiative again, he could only react.

[@TheBargles]

Vicksburg was a great Union offensive victory, Gettysburg was a great defensive victory. Amazing that the two generals from these battles won arguably their greatest victories at the exact same time and then would work together in the Overland Campaign.

[@Putaspellonyou]

@@TheBargles true. And that Grant had the vision to turn Sherman loose. I don't think he could've come east to deal with Lee did he not have confidence that whomever was out west didn't need hand-holding.

[@Putaspellonyou]

@@TheBargles true. And that Grant had the vision to turn Sherman loose. I don't think he could've come east to deal with Lee did he not have confidence that whomever was out west didn't need hand-holding.

[@calguy3838]

@@Putaspellonyou Part of the reason why Lee never really took the initiative again is that Grant never let him have it.

[@Northman1963]

It's difficult to understand how so many men could be persuaded to march slowly into a suicide mission. It was a mile of walking towards the union line under heavy fire most of the way. The artillery inflicted awful losses, yet they marched on into a wall of rifle fire. I think the average soldier in the ranks had no idea what they were in for, and were just placing all their trust in the leaders. Lee really blew it. A massive blunder.

[@AudieHolland]

Oh, forgot to mention I was hit and wounded but that's a minor detail.

[@TheManofthecross]

Yeah he was hit in that fight

[@louisavondart9178]

An interesting point to note. The Union soldiers firing into the flanks of the Confederates while moving into position. They just couldn't wait to get revenge for Fredricksburg.

[@georgelindsey7370]

Thumbs High!

[@treyb387]

"As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free"

[@docholiday1806]

Horrible song that glorifies the nat turner Rebellion and slaughter of innocent people.

[@gen.subutai6720]

@@docholiday1806 Bullshit!

[@michaelmorris4515]

@@docholiday1806 Slaveholders and white supremacists are not innocent.

[@cindycampbell4606]

Is there a record of Hancock's reaction at the loss of his best friend armastied

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

I'm not sure. I will have to look into that. It would make for a great video.

[@cindycampbell4606]

Thank you

[@stevestringer7351]

Ahhhh, "Hancock the Magnificent". Didnt he and General Reynolds discover a ford downstream from where Burnside wanted to cross at Fredericksburg? They proposed the ford to take the town and heights before General Lee arrived with the army. This action could have probably been the death blow to the Confederacy right then.

[@trippbloodworth4217]

Steve Stringer Probably so, don't remember who suggested it. But one thing was for sure, Burnside wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer...

[@springfield03sniper]

Tripp Bloodworth he wasn’t dumb, he just had no confidence. He didn’t want to take chances. There were always options for audacious maneuvers when your force is larger, and better supplied. Burnside didn’t think like that, so a frontal assault it was.

[@Putaspellonyou]

There was actually another bridge, unguarded by Confederates, further downstream.

[@Putaspellonyou]

@@springfield03sniper considerin McClellan had en entire corps he didn't commit at Antietam and Burnside's bullheadedness later that year at Marye's Heights I'd say he was merely just not that inventive as a tactician.

[@scottriley1913]

Many people don’t agree with me, but I believe if you are terminally ill it helps to think of all the American youth on both sides of this conflict, the many thousands who lie bleeding out on this field of battle (on both sides) who never ever got even a slight chance to live life. On one hand it breaks the heart into pieces on the other it should give you perspective.

[@elr.4780]

Anyone see the 1993 movie Gettysburg? Lee wasn't always taking General Longstreets ideas under advisement. Before the Battle of little round top Longstreet was arguing with General John Bell Hood, he wanted to place confederate guns in place to support his men attempting to take the hill. Longstreet said it would take too long to cut down the trees and put cannon into place (half the day), his (Hoods) attacked had to take place along with other attacks in other areas to keep the Union busy and unable to strengthen areas under attack. in the movie he told Bell, hell I have been arguing with him this morning and the whole time we have been here. General Longstreet knew what General Picketts division were about to face from the Union forces if they attacked the Union center. I know it was a movie, but surely General Lee was not like the character portrayed in the movie, stubborn, indicisive. Longstreet pressed his artillery chief Col. Edward Alexander, to concentrate his artillery on the area they were going to attack, the center, cemetary ridge, Longstreet wanted to weaken the center before attacking it. General Pickett had 3 divisions under his command for the attack (march) , officers: Trimble, Hill, Pettigrew, Armistead. General Longstreet could give the order to attack because he knew what was about to happen. We know what happened. General Pickett was Bitter about what happened it is said he never forgave Lee neither.

[@jameshood1928]

The advantage of higher ground and superior firepower at the point of attack provided the margin of victory for the North. I have visited the area twice. Words fail me.

[@Josh-vg2lj]

"Heaviest artillery fire I have ever known" ahh yes edward porter alexander. If only you knew him