History Buffs: Gettysburg

[@edmundcarter2610]

Proud to say I was one of the re-enactors in the film. One important note that I am very surprised he didn’t mention here is that despite how well made the film was, it is almost bloodless. The only scene where blood is shown is when General Reynolds was killed, otherwise it doesn’t make an appearance. The lack of blood, the suffering, and complete dismemberment of bodies made this movie somewhat inaccurate in terms of practicality. Whereas the movie Glory was the opposite.

[@wyldbill100]

THANK YOU for your dedication to this pivotal time in American History. I've been to Gettysburg on multiple occasions; as well as, other Am. Civil War battlefields. Perhaps I should keep quiet but you are indeed correct about battle carnage...and often what happened to human corpses at night AFTER such battles. Pretty grisly.

[@thalivenom4972]

but a gorefest wouldnt have had the dignity this does. no one thinks a cannonbal ripping men apart is a clean thing, and the music adds emotional weight too. this helps keep it more about the moral side, and less about the red mist.

[@normdunbar2943]

Is the story true of the re enactors taking a break after filming on Little Round top and being approached by an old soldier who appeared to be dressed in genuine civil war union uniform, had a sulphurous smell about him, and gave the re enactors two rounds of genuine 1863 era ammunition, then disappeared in front of them? I've heard the tale, but would love to know the REAL story.

[@waltertaljaard1488]

Ridley Scott would have known how to portray that.

[@ConnorNotyerbidness]

To be fair the lack of blood was probably due to rules in place by the national park Spilling fake blood over this preserved battlefield would be a big no no.

[@robertnorman6380]

Pretty good video of Gettysburg. I was there as one of the reenactors. 17 of us came from Calif to participate in the scenes for Pickett's Charge, and it was awesome. We have a little screen time, and as it turned out, the VHS graphic cover (no CD's yet) featured our exact unit in a closeup! I have a 6 foot cardboard stand-up of that cover still, which video rental stores used in their displays. I met Sheen, the late Richard Jordan (Armistead), Morgan Shepard (Trimble, and also the film's narrator). Sheen was very kind and came up to us with sharpie in hand for autographs. As another has posted, the cheering scene for Lee (Sheen) was not scripted. It was spontaneous by all of us when we first saw Sheen, who was not scheduled that day. I know some have criticized Sheen in the role, but I will say that, in my opinion, Sheen was not well then. (And neither was Lee in 1863, heart troubles.) But the favorite of everyone was Stephen Lang as Pickett. He was an excellent horseman and was always charging around to rally the reenactors during the slow times. I was also an extra in Gods and Generals and met Lang and Jeff Daniels there. Both excellent gentlemen. And yes, we were paid at the end of the week. $50. That was the max allowed. Local (PA or VA guys) got less. Wish all you history buffs could have been there. You have not lived until you have marched behind a fife and drum corps in woolen uniforms.

[@verdatum]

Excellent insight. My high school teacher was a reenactor in Andersonville. I could totally see myself getting into reenactment. I just wish it wasn't a hobby so devoid of women. I have too many hobbies as is that only guys get into.

[@Brae182]

verdatum It is a tragedy that women are left out of historical reenactment, but we have to keep a level of realism in those types of events

[@roboknight]

@Robert Norman -- Congratulations. Sounds like the opportunity of a lifetime. Although I did see many re-enactors at the 150th anniversary of the first Battle of Bull Run. They did not look too excited to be marching in wool uniforms in 103F heat. That was brutal. I never looked up the weather for the 21st of July 1861, but as awful as the battle was (Gettysburg too), I was hoping it wasn't 103F.

[@VagabondCrazyDiamond]

Thank you for your contribution and spirited involvement. I reenacted once in a generic, 3-day event in a ferry in northern California. I happen to be a person of color, so, it wasn't exactly 'historically accurate', hahaha, but, I'm glad to have tasted the life of an American Civil War soldier. It was an experience to die for.

[@henryb9720]

stellvia hoenheim stellvia hoenheim I was there at the 150th, I started chanting for Robert E Lee in the aftermath, and the crowd of us started thereafter, ‘LEE, LEE, LEE LEE’, it wasn’t any different then nor now. I ‘took a hit’ at the wall, and saw what became of our ‘army’ in 2013, it was awe inspiring and made me realize the dedication we take in our craft to portray these men. As long as we remember what we are here for, there will always be a remembrance for this battle, and the others, in history. I pray that the future generations will at least look to us or read about what happened that fateful and somber day on both sides. History took a true shade of crimson that day if anything

[@markaltenhoff4049]

Lee: "You understand what I mean?" Soldier: "Yes Sir!" History Buffs: " Unfortunately, General Ewell didn't understand what Lee meant."

[@fierce_history]

I laughed WAY too hard at this.

[@MASTEROFEVIL]

Ha

[@listenchump4041]

Yup ^^, Lee was used to let Jackson fight his thing as he saw it, so his replacement Ewell wasn't used to Lee's extremely vague and changing orders, which were given orally and not by writing.

[@strategicgamingwithaacorns2874]

@@listenchump4041 Lee: General Jackson, do the thing! Jackson: Yes sir! [kicks ass] Post-Chancellorsville... Lee: General Ewell, do the thing! Ewell: What thing? Lee: THE THING!

[@listenchump4041]

@@strategicgamingwithaacorns2874 Haha! If you are interested in the subject, I recommend JCF Fuller's book ''Grant and Lee, a study in personality and generalship'', or Ed Bonekemper's books on the Civil War. Lee was a profoundly good man, profoundly Christian who sometimes open thought that things happening were the making of God. He cared tremendously for his men. This being said, he was often overly agressive and his army sustained extreme casualties that they could not sustain. He was lucky to have some men like Jackson and Longstreet. Often, he was saved by Northern general's incompetence. Hooker froze at Chancellorsville, McClellan was good at organizing but not at attacking. Lee only had to remain on the defensive on his own ground and with short supply lines, so the Confederacy could try and hold until the North grew tired, but he tried to invade the North, and that cost him dearly. Lee was a product of previous times, sometimes forgetting the new state of weaponry with increased accuracy and power.

[@SKBottom]

I was a member of the band in this film. Saxton's Cornet Band. It was so unbelievably hot that summer that we filmed. Band members and reenactors were going down left and right. They had trailers and provisions for the actors, but nothing for us. Martin Sheen found out about it and absolutely ripped the director a new one. Before you knew it, we had tents, water, Gatorade, fresh fruit, everything we should have had all along. I was always a fan of his acting, but for the rest of my life, I knew I would also be a fan of Martin Sheen, the man.

[@marknewton6984]

A good guy!

[@siddmic]

He’s been known to do that. I can’t remember the movie, but he once threatened to quit because of how the gaffers were being treated.

[@westxlcr]

I’ve been told that he stayed in character in between takes for Gettysburg, so I can only imagine how that conversation went!

[@Bedwyr777]

I still kick myself all these years later, I had the chance to go out to Gburg to film but i did not have the funds at the time.

[@redt7452]

Wow that’s a dam cool story to tell friends and family! I always liked most of Martin sheens movies but it’s great to hear he can be a good man too.

[@iowaclass5657]

I think we can all agree that facial hair peaked during that period. Those beards are positively glorious!

[@davehoffman4659]

And don't forget sideburns are literally named for one of the generals, Burnside.

[@nora22000]

It was, shall I say, the absolute epitome of testosterone displays. On the face and on the battlefield.

[@hobied62]

Did you notice the higher your rank the more facial hair a race to promotion?

[@stephenvince9994]

@@nora22000 Yeah but how does that explain all the gimps with beardy wierds walking around at the moment. Not 3 micro grams of Testosterone between them.....

[@nora22000]

@@stephenvince9994 You, my friend, are absolutely spot-on! Looks like all their testosterone went into producing the beards. Could it have been as bad with the war dudes?

[@gavinwilliamson7481]

My God, Arthur Freemantle is so stereotypically British in real life, I love him! A British army officer riding off the back of his queen's prestige just so he can strut around an ex-colony to watch the locals fight each other? Why? Because he wanted to and damn it that is THE *BRITISH WAY!*

[@JuanKuzov]

can i have some thigh slapping to concur! (preferably your own)

[@herman1850]

His book is well worth reading, too! :) He meets all the great generals: Bragg, Johnston, Beauregard, Longstreet, Lee.

[@weldonwin]

And naturally, he does so, with a cup of tea in hand and wearing a bright red uniform, so everyone can see him from a mile out

[@King_George_VI]

Thekais Tzar War and combat is no excuse for not drinking tea properly! ;) lol

[@donfelipe7510]

European powers were intensely interested in the American Civil War and the new technology like trains, telegraph signals and rifled muskets and artillery being used in warfare for the first time. The Prussians especially made a lot of notes in their copy book then used what they had learned against the French.

[@whatdothlife4660]

Lee gave the order "if it is practical" because he was so used to leaving orders up to Stonewall Jackson's best judgement.

[@joeschembrie9450]

The orders you give to an intelligent and experienced person can leave room for judgment. The orders you give to a person of lesser intelligence and experience had better be as specific as possible.

[@badguy1481]

I think the word was "practicable". Different meaning (i.e."...take the hill...if it is possible").

[@HalfLifeExpert1]

Jackson had been dead for about a month by that point. I suppose it was an old habit of Lee's to be a little understated like that, but he did screw up by not explicitly ordering Ewell to take Culp's Hill.

[@alanarc1]

@@badguy1481 that is my recall also, and it is a blunder not caught here.

[@tomcoyle9703]

Lee’s communication style was terrible. He was very gentile and indirect. For the early part of the war, he had guys like Stonewall Jackson who understood his idiosyncrasies. Ewell was in his first battle as corps commander. When he served under Jackson, Jackson gave him very direct orders. Therefore, he was not used to this communication style by Lee. The lesson here is if you have something specific you want, be specific. If you want a leader to use their initiative, let them do that and live or die with whatever decision they make. Communicate so that you are not misunderstood.

[@MorimotoRei]

My father was a reenactor in Gettysburg. The passion that the reenactors had is what made the film so real. For example, the scene where Lee comes out and the southern army starts cheering was completely unscripted. It was the first time the reenactors had seen Martin Sheen in full costume. If you look at his face, you can see how surprised and even scared Sheen was.

[@markbeckens]

The South doesn't like the war is over or that they lost. They still honor traitors.

[@jean6872]

Martin Sheen was too small for the part.

[@kempodle4665]

*the civil war but every time Lincoln fires a general it speeds up*

[@sonofjack6286]

It would be at 5000 speed.

[@VS-et4pn]

I rarely laugh out loud, but this comment made me do it

[@citizenfoffie7605]

It would end in 1861

[@otlayr3030]

It would be over in the blink of an eye.

[@miffedmax6775]

top 5 fastest wars in history

[@GeneralKenobiSIYE]

You cannot defeat the HIGH GROUND! "It's over, Lee! I have the High Ground!" - General Meade "You underestimate my power, good Sir." -General Lee "Don't try it!" -Meade

[@HolyknightVader999]

Well, there is a reason why it's the most common military advantage of all, and why Lucas put it there in Episode 3.

[@trexoil7774]

old ben ? that u

[@adamfrederick5682]

He is the senate

[@MaiNerys426]

Impressive. Most impressive.

[@tscream80]

Bragg at Chattanooga: "It's over, Grant! I have the high ground!" Grant: "Hold that whiskey my critics keep saying I've been drinking." ;)

[@saintdenis11]

"Its over General Lee, I have the high ground." -General Kenobi

[@ThePatrioticTurtle]

This is great

[@HistoryPug_Channel]

"My powers doubbled since the last time we met" - Christopher Lee

[@777crusader]

Good. Twice the pride, double the fall

[@maksdojack6986]

I love Starwars

[@youdoitillwatch]

*Star Wars

[@TrentWalker]

I'm fightin' for my rats! See me at time stamp 19:35 of this video. "Gettysburg" was the very first movie I acted in and it lead to me getting a part in "Gods and Generals." I'm forever grateful to the director Ron Maxwell and the casting director Joy Todd. It was an experience I'll never forget.

[@brazenlilhussy5975]

'Im fatting for my rats' you mean? 😁. Great job man. Great scene!

[@highjumpstudios2384]

Hey congrats man!

[@Zooooch1989]

Hey, I saw this movie for the first time last week and the first thing I googled is if you were the guy from Jericho and Band of Brothers. Love your work man!

[@klientproby]

What did that line mean, "I'm fighting for my rats?" Did he mean, children? Sorry, not an American here, so didn't quite get the meaning of this line.

[@fascinatedbyeverything]

@@klientproby He’s trying to say “rights”, it’s just his accent is so thick it sounds like “rats”….which confuses the Union guy at first too.

[@kendrickvickers2610]

"They even bring their own canons." Im here thinking that some dude just has a canon in his house so that he can fire canister when a random dude breaks in

[@swaghauler8334]

It's much more sinister. They take those cannon out and have SHOOTING MATCHES against each other with them (GOOGLE the North, South Skirmish Association). Black powder, Civil War-era cannon are not the only ones either. GOOGLE D-Day Conneaut Ohio and look at the images of all the guns that attend that FREE [to attend] reenactment every year. The German 88mm and Russian 76mm are FULLY FUNCTIONAL guns (as are all the 37mm AT guns)!

[@brycepatties]

>Own a musket for home defense, since that's what the founding fathers intended. >Four ruffians break into my house. >"What the devil?" As I grab my powdered wig and Kentucky rifle. >Blow a golf ball sized hole through the first man, he's dead on the spot. >Draw my pistol on the second man, miss him entirely because it's smoothbore and nails the neighbors dog. >I have to resort to the cannon mounted at the top of the stairs loaded with grape shot. >"Tally ho lads" the grape shot shreds two men in the blast, the sound and extra shrapnel set off car alarms. >Fix bayonet and charge the last terrified rapscallion. >He Bleeds out waiting on the police to arrive since triangular bayonet wounds are impossible to stitch up. >Just as the founding fathers intended.

[@SonicBhima]

Although it slightly predates the Civil war, Cassius Marcellus Clay, a politician from Kentucky, who published an Anti-Slavery newspaper, DID have two four-pounders in his office, and stated: "I purchased two brass four‐pounder cannons...and placed them, loaded with shot and nails, on a table breast high; had folding doors secured with a chain, which could open upon the mob, and give play to my cannon...I furnished my office with Mexican lances, and a limited number of guns"

[@TitusCastiglione1503]

Bryce Van Velson how does this comment not have more likes

[@flyingfish5054]

darn concealed-carry bump stock muskets with high capacity magazine clips

[@niknelson2464]

It brings a tear to my eye to hear how production for this movie happened. The fact that it was a project of passion, the volunteers who brought their kit and time, and the strict adherence to detail is amazing. This is how a historical film should be made!

[@jorklind]

I remember a friend of my mom at the time was a re-enactor with her husband. He was part of this production and I heard was invited (uniformed, as a part of themeing) to the premiere.

[@Samm815]

It's a shame not many reenactments are found in other settings. I would love for a world war 1 or 2 reenactment group.

[@ME-hm7zm]

Agreed! It really helps spread the accuracy load out - a ton more eyes to catch slips.

[@TigerRifle1]

Except they are all cleaner, fatter and older than the average soldier.

[@16montana24kobe]

"It makes sense they rationalise this the way they do. And how do they go about this" *Enter most stereotypical British soldier in cinematic history+a cup of tea*

[@eugeneflynn7435]

Great stuff. As a newer viewer to HB, I had thought about suggesting both Gettysburg as well as Gods and Generals for your consideration. You beat me to the punch. A couple small points. First, the word Lee uses is "practicable", not "practical". It's certainly what he says in the movie, and I believe it is the word used in Longstreet's memoirs. The other point has to do with the root causes of Lee's miscalculations in engaging the Union troops entrenched on the high ground. I've read that he was suffering from severe dysentery (the "runs") leading up to and during the battle. This would have dehydrated him, made him physically weakened, and most likely adversely affected his judgment. Lee may have also suffered a a all stroke or heart attack in the days or weeks leading up to the battle. (Don't recall the source, and this may not have been proven.) In any event, he effectively and explicitly let go of the rope when he told Longstreet on the morning of the second day of battle (if memory serves) that "it is in God's hands now". Dereliction of duty much? As a fan of historically accurate movies, I was delighted to have found HB, and will be donating to your work. Keep your reviews coming!

[@realhorrorshow8547]

As a Brit, let me assure you that we are always able to conjure up tea in a crisis.

[@azzwort]

If you ever get the chance, read Freemantle's book "Three Months in the Southern States" he is REALLY like that. The only thing they got wrong was that he looked like a hobo by the time he joined Longstreet's camp, he was wearing a borrowed brown dusty coat and no one believed he was British til he spoke and showed his credentials.

[@GlennonNelson]

As far as I read, Director Ronald Maxwell made the choice so there was no confusion on screen at all that Col. Arthur Fremantle was foreign. In one of the deleted scenes, which is in the extended version, Col. Fremantle is shown in the Confederate camp dressed more like he described himself to be during the Battle of Gettysburg.

[@SantomPh]

"the British Empire was built on cups of tea." Lock,Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

[@littletweeter1327]

I really love how Tom Berenger portrayed General Longstreet. Really, every role was played perfectly. This movie is a masterpiece that every American needs to see.

[@mikegillettify]

Agreed!

[@nbenefiel]

Jeff Daniel’s Chamberlain was wonderful. Everyone in Gettysburg was perfect. We went to Gettysburg a few years ago. It was truly amazing.

[@Ken-fh4jc]

Jeff Daniels as Chamberland was always the stand out character.

[@frankpienkosky5688]

there's more to Chamberlain's story then what was depicted in these two films in which played a key role@@Ken-fh4jc

[@wyattcole5452]

I’m reading the books first, also you’ve seen Gods and Generals right?

[@HarperSanchez]

As a southerner, I respect the non-biased approach to this movie and your review. Of course the conflict was sparked by the issue of slavery, but to the illiterate and uneducated, poor southern farmers that fought and died in the war, it was as simple as a foriegn army invading their homeland. You could also break down exactly who owned slaves in the south, since they were not easily afforded by farmers that were not wealthy. Most of the Confederate soldiers that fought never benefited from slavery, but all they had to be told was "the Yankees are invading!" and they were off. An interesting example of how the facts of the matter can be easily manipulated when the people can neither read nor write. It reflects a lot of similar situations in history and even some today.

[@Charok1]

It's like wars of any "civilized" time period. Many of them are fought by people that are not directly affected by what they are supposedly fighting for. It's rich people that decide they want something and get many poor people killed. You can see the stupidity of the "common man" who feels honored to reinact where his kin fought. It is so easy for a few to control so many because they are idiots. Lee seems really stupid to not just go to DC.

[@TheAiurica]

Also keep in mind that in those days, especially in the South, people never walked too far away from their homes. Mostly knew only their native small town, neighouring towns, probably some big city closer to them, and only a few, the "elite" of that small town knew something about their state capital city. Other states look as foreign to them as any other foreign country. (- Where are you from? - Tennessee. And you? - Maine. I've never been in Tennessee. - Nor I ever been in Maine.). And "Yankees are coming!" sound as scary as "Redcoats are coming!" Only after the Civil War, they all got some sense of being part of something larger than their own state: The United States of America.

[@Philbert-s2c]

+ Chris Walker Just "going to DC" was a bit more complicated than you make it sound. The Confederates had the same problem the Union had had for over 2 years. The terrain in the region between the two capitals was heavily traversed by rivers and mountains, which channel armies into bottlenecks which were easily defended by entrenched armies. Lee was pretty much obligated to approach Washington in an oblique manner.

[@ehjaybee85]

Great perspective, one question though, I understand that most weren't slave owner but almost every farmer at least rented slaves during harvest season and I don't think this is any better...

[@smizdeazy]

Harper Sanchez they were so poor and illiterate that they couldn't even read or write. That is of course if you ignore the thousands and thousands of letters home, journals and diaries the men wrote, much of which has been published. These are some of the richest sources of insight into why men on both sides fought. Thank God they wrote or else we would have to rely on Gettysburg and people like you romanticizing the war and guessing what people's motivations were without reading anything from the period itself. A "non-biased" approach is exactly what is wrong with so much. People pass off memories of the war as history, the two are different.

[@steveg3843]

Jeff Daniels went from Gettysburg to Dumb and Dumber in one year. He deserves an Oscar.

[@nowthisnamestaken]

Fighting for the slavers was dumb and dumber

[@moomyung9231]

I saw Gettysburg first, so I was very surprised watching Dumb and Dumber.

[@WhiteCamry]

@@nowthisnamestaken SMH!

[@nowthisnamestaken]

@Gayle Elizabeth Oh yeah I do. I get the feeling that Jeff Daniels isn't the man in the little picture wearing all that rebel gear... oops

[@nowthisnamestaken]

@@WhiteCamry FTA

[@Rory_Herbert]

My wife's relative, George Crawford Platt, was awarded the Medal of Honor after Gettysburg for, after fierce hand-to-hand combat, he prevented the Union Flag from falling into the hands of the enemy. He has a bridge named after him in Philadelphia which stands to this day.

[@samuelalzate8573]

Awesome history in your family. You should be proud and never forget it.

[@thomasbrennan6303]

I would be pretty proud of that.

[@kingdingaling2469]

That’s So Dope.

[@jjquinn2004]

Wow, that's something; I know that bridge in Philly.

[@warrenedye8853]

@@samuelalzate8573 00000⁰000

[@jocko774]

I've watched this film almost every year since it was released and one tiny cool detail I'd like to point out is when Pickett says the line " I have no Division" Look at the Character....Pickett has no hat on, he has no horse, and he doesn't have his saber.....and of course no Division. The General truly was stripped of everything.

[@ArgieGrit]

"We can't run away. If we stay we can't shoot, so let's fix bayonets" What a Chad

[@saheliumd7182]

Chadberlian

[@taurusreborn2571]

He ended up winning the Medal of Honor for the charge at Little Round Top, and became the governor of Maine shortly after the war

[@Marsproject11]

@@taurusreborn2571 Pretty sure he was also the president of the college he worked at at some point as well.

[@sharpsvilleBill]

@@Marsproject11 Bowdoin College

[@bf1255]

I’m sorry, I should probably know because I’m only 30 but what’s a “Chad”

[@Sweatymilkshake]

My dad and I are both Civil War resonators, and my dad is actually in this movie, I wasn't born yet. Hes got pictures of him and his artillery unit on set hanging on our wall. I hope i have the chance to do something like that someday. And yes, we still have the cannon.

[@nicolas44991]

damn now i'm jealous, must be awesome to say that you own a cannon from that era

[@IronClad292]

Awesome !! Wish I could have been in the movie as a extra.

[@bobclover4634]

Is that meant to say reenactor or is a resonator something else?

[@matthewjones12181]

Cpt Napkin that's cool! No farb right?

[@cv4809]

Cpt Napkin Is it a real XIX century cannon?

[@hughjass5156]

The fake beard budget for this movie must have been immense.

[@plkrtn]

And yet still not enough, looking at how fake they look.

[@springyslinky2190]

to be fair the facial hair from that time looked impossible to begin with, like I have no idea how those men ate without smearing food everywhere

[@misanthropicservitorofmars2116]

@@springyslinky2190 with class good sir!

[@Zamolxes77]

@@springyslinky2190 As a fellow bearded and moustache fellow, I concur ! I believe the clean shaven look only gained prominence after ww1, when soldiers had to shave their facial hair in order for their gas masks to make proper seal with their faces.

[@StealthySpace7]

Longstreet’s never fails to get a chuckle out of me

[@DanielG1095]

Despite what people say about the fake beards, it’s actually pretty cool that the directors of the movie made the actors look almost exactly as the real people.

[@Hubert_Cumberdale_]

Picket's charge is a foreshadowing of what's to come in WW1

[@solinvictus39]

I think the siege of Vicksburg is a better example of the trench warfare you see in WWI.

[@roileybauer]

Longstreet believed that a defensive, digging-in method of warfare was a better choice. Almost everyone else around him thought it was a horrible idea, so he pretty much pretty much predicted how war would change 50 years later.

[@Hubert_Cumberdale_]

@@solinvictus39 I'm gonna have to look up the siege of vicksburg now. Edit: I agree with you, the siege of Vicksburg is very much like WW1.

[@helavor]

Dan Carlin ftw

[@danielortman2534]

Hubert Cumberdale that was what the Civil War was

[@Shadowgunner785]

I'm not gonna lie, to hear that the entire cast were war reenactors who volunteered their time and even brought their uniforms, guns, and even cannons just to make this film a success, it literally brought tears to my eyes.

[@peacemaker1985]

No it didn’t stfu

[@peacemaker1985]

You’re the reason our generation sucks

[@poppyonline4034]

I know. That was just amazing to hear.

[@nbenefiel]

We were in Gettysburg on the 3 and 4 of July. The place was full of reenactors , their tents, their gear and their shops. It was almost like being there in 1863.

[@nbenefiel]

@@TheDogGoesWoof69 Yeah, the freedom to own other human beings

[@jwiking62]

"It's useless confederates, we have the high ground!"

[@ccody-long6915]

"You Underestimate our power!"

[@jwiking62]

Charlie Theanteater WE HATE YOU!

[@KitteridgeStudios]

I AM the confederacy!

[@jwiking62]

P.S. May the constitution be with you.

[@Charok1]

This is a historical channel. The high ground is not a joke.

[@troutwarrior6735]

It always amazes and horrifies me that you can already see here, in 1863, the factors that made ww1 so devastating. And to think that the world had 50 years to improve weaponry . . . really gives you a perspective on how horrific the Great War was.

[@haynes1776]

General Pickett: General Lee, "I have no division". Hearing this makes your blood chill.

[@corndog5227]

Jay Barker that isn’t actually true, casualties are different from death. 9 thousand(probably MANY more after due to wounds) died at Gettysburg while 50k something around that died at nam

[@power966]

It made me laugh.

[@jacobsanders8079]

God bless those boys, confederate and yankee alike. Too many lives lost.

[@michaelholt1480]

@Brad Watson 😑you high cause he didn't even come close to what you said

[@michaelholt1480]

@@power966 I'm sure you did😐

[@littoww]

I love how that brit just came to the battle to watch it like a movie, with a bucket of popcorn and a beer

[@tobyoneil1969]

Pelpington I believe in the movie he actually did walk around with a cup of tea just watching stuff.

[@RamonRodriguez-hq7vn]

@@tobyoneil1969 During my cadet years, one of my peers/friend did a report on the 'Killer Angels'.

[@annieoakley2925]

People did that. They'd go out for a carriage ride with a picnic lunch and stop on a bluff above the battle site and just watched.

[@misanthropicservitorofmars2116]

@@annieoakley2925 in the beginning of it. Things got more tense as the war progressed

[@goodatmoincroft9856]

@@misanthropicservitorofmars2116 wouldn't have known if you didn't say.

[@matthewsnow6004]

Can we talk about how this movie was based off the Pulitzer Prize winner book: "The Killer Angles" and it's in fact pretty much word for word? Seriously, I swear it's the most direct translation from page to screen I ever seen

[@jjclark1313]

Yes! I just finished "The Killer Angels" a couple of days ago. Incredible book. It's pretty clear that the History Buff hasn't read the book from his comments regarding the slave. If he had, he would have realized that that scene was about Chamberlain's reaction to the slave rather than about slavery itself.

[@SantomPh]

one hell of a geometry book, that Killer Angles.

[@canaanclb]

I had seen the movie countless times, so when I finally read the book, I was suprised at how faithfully they adapted it.

[@MMorbid]

It's a great book. Michael Shaara was a literature professor i think, and his goal was to write a history similar to what Shakespeare did with his history plays. It is a fantastic book.

[@BrianKAngus]

I was a reenactor in this movie in 1992. They gave us T-shirts that read "The Killer Angels" which I still have. They changed the title because they thought fewer people would watch the movie with the original title.

[@basilmoncrief9583]

I'm a hard-core Civil War buff and a National Park Service volunteer. I must say this was a great review of a great movie. Well done, Nick!

[@TheKira699]

A friend of mine was a Confederate Reenactor Casualty in Gettysburg. He played the same 'dead' role in Gods and Generals.

[@izzimichaels2892]

safe to say his movie career is dead?

[@chrissinclair4442]

At Gettysburg I think the tour guides were talking about how correct some of the stuff in the movie was, but how incorrect Gods and Generals was.

[@izzimichaels2892]

@@chrissinclair4442 theres scene in "Gettysburg" where a white van passes by in the background (its been edited out since but it was in the original release)

[@chrissinclair4442]

@@izzimichaels2892 life happens.

[@razzledcroaker3678]

@@chrissinclair4442 Gettysburg is a fantastic movie, but Gods and Generals is essentially neo-Confederate propaganda without a lick of truthfulness in its delivery.

[@zorken123]

I love how this series is basically tricking us into learning history. And it's doing a really good job at it.

[@theherbman2101]

Fun fact about this movie: they didn't fall at random intervals during the battles, in their cartridge pouch each time they took a shot they were to look for a marked cartridge, if it was marked they would fall after they shot it. Another fact: during the picketts charge scene (and subsequent artillery scenes), it took ~19 days to film it (from what I can remember), and the amount of cannons firing caused to rain heavily turning the fields into swamps and making conditions miserable and somewhat accurate of the conditions (Thanks to my old history teacher who was actually a volunteer in said movie for sharing his experiences and stories)

[@skunkape2]

Thant's really cool as I always wondered how they decided who died and who didn't.

[@Dock284]

Nice. Unlike other movies they actually has a system. In other movies like Waterloo they do just have random ppl fall at random intervals.

[@flaviomonteiro1414]

I'm curious how cannon fire can cause rain?

[@theherbman2101]

@@flaviomonteiro1414 it's due to the chemicals in gunpowder, similar to a process called cloud seeding

[@angriff69]

Thank you (and that teacher of yours) for sharing, amazing!

[@FattoCattoGo]

20th Maine Charge: When bringing a knife to a gunfight is the best move you can make.

[@phantomJK]

I saw a comment years ago that went something like this: "that face when you realize bayonets were invented to bring a knife to a gun fight". Now i know that's not actually true, but it still makes me laugh.

[@sgtn00dle]

Legend has it the Confederate Army was ultimately defeated because of an utterly confusing command structure due to Lee calling everyone else “Sir” all the time

[@erikwilson2682]

Seems unlikely.... longstreet was a very capable general, stonewall would have gotten to both round tops and had the yanks in full retreat...a.p.hill beast... Forrest,mosbey,jeb stewart.... the south was stacked with great leadership... that confederate dollar wasn't worth dogshit....the north was scared to death.....beauragard should have attacked washington Early.... lincoln wanted Peace...at any cost

[@Byerly2k20]

@@erikwilson2682 Wooosh

[@aperson325]

@@erikwilson2682 why......do people type.....like this....

[@SirNarax]

@@Byerly2k20 That went so far over you need a plane to shoot it down.

[@erikwilson2682]

@@aperson325 it creates more of a space between,than a single period. sorry to annoy you with that...I'll work on it...........

[@Keyring7031]

Your videos are honestly some of the best KZbin has to offer, keep up the great work!

[@iPodbunny]

he deserves more subscribers! what a fuckin gem of a channel!

[@tommytompkins4564]

WhenyouyouReinawarmendieitneedstostop

[@tommytompkins4564]

@@iPodbunny youneedyourownchannel itcalledtrsshmouth

[@tommytompkins4564]

Mychannelissomewtrirehatefulstuff

[@tommytompkins4564]

Toallwhothanksleewasenfgoodhewasgod

[@JoelJames2]

"Sir! We're out of ammunition! We have to surrender!" "Great! Perfect time to get our cardio in! Fix bayonets boys, we move in 5!" My headcanon of what happened ^

[@GhostBear3067]

Alternatively... "Sir, we are out of ammunition, we must surrender!" "What do you think your bayonet is for, you idiot?! FIX BAYONETS!! CHARGE!!!"

[@Nocturnal85]

Makes me proud to be a Mainer and see how brave my fellow Mainers were.

[@kingjonstarkgeryan8573]

Would also be perfect for the Imperial Guard in 40K, though add a blam for the guy who suggested surrender.

[@charliewardgames8678]

JoelJames2 😂😂😂

[@CRob172]

@@Nocturnal85 yeah as a michigander our role at Little Round Top is pretty bad, the 16th Michigan (in the same Brigade as the 20th Maine) would become confused and 2/3rds of the regiment fell back and Colonel Strong Vincent the Brigade commander had to rally the regiment and loss his life as a result. At least we have the 24th Michigan basically almost sacrificing itself to cover the rest of the Army of the Potomac during the 1st day and Custer leading his Michigan Brigade against Stuart during the Cavalry battle the third day.

[@Comicsluvr]

This film was SO well done! Even the final day, when Pickett was asking General Longstreet if they should attack, who couldn't even speak and simply nodded.

[@ethanramos4441]

Hey Nick, interesting fact after the Charge Pickett never forgave Lee. He said this 8 years later about Lee after the battle was “That old man had my division slaughtered”

[@jeffburnham6611]

@Ethan Ramos he never spoke of ill of President Lincoln as well. It was Lincoln that secured Pickett's appointment to West Point.

[@BadWebDiver]

And apparently his wife was his biggest supporter in history, which is why it became known a "Pickett's Charge"; despite there actually being three commanders involved in it, under Longstreet.

[@LinksBetweenDrinks]

So, not every southerner adored Lee.

[@alabamaal225]

Picket said that to John S. Mosby, who is said to have replied, "But he [Lee] made you immortal."

[@ethanramos4441]

Alabama Al even so Pickett still hasn’t forgave Lee for what he did

[@otlayr3030]

20th Maine Officer: "Sir, we've got no ammunitiom, we're outnumbered, and the enemy is charging again!" Chamberlain: *snickers* "...Those poor bastards."

[@normdunbar2943]

@Covert Puppytwo Fix Bayonets, FIX!

[@Dana-nv4ej]

They’ve got us right where we want them

[@johnhughes5109]

I'm so glad you used the real confederate flag, the stars and bars, and not the dixie flag people seem to think is the confederate flag.

[@ralphdougherty1844]

John Hughes The dixie flag was the national flag as of 1863...It's both

[@Hopeofmen]

John Hughes Agreed. Most people think that the Dixie flag was the flag of the CSA, which always grinded my gears.

[@thefrenchkiwi9435]

Thank you CGP gray.

[@16montana24kobe]

Corentin Bellanger CGP Grey said it was pretty much the flag in everything but name

[@dublinjake]

*the original confederate flag. The latter was adopted shortly before the Battle of Gettysburg. At least that's what Wikipedia tells me.

[@georgeherod4252]

Bravo Nick, this is one of my favorite movies because of it's strong historical value. I visited Gettysburg in 2005 and stood in that copse of trees looking out at the field that the Confederates crossed. I had such a huge lump in my throat. I was almost in tears.

[@JecFilms15]

Im watchimg Gettysburg at Gettysburg while watching this video about Gettysburg.

[@littleluke2005]

Gettyseption?

[@chasemurraychristopherdola7108]

Wait are you watching the movie Gettysburg because it’s my favorite movie of all time

[@rowmagnvs]

Did you also insert a Gettysburg up and in your Gettysburg?

[@Peaceful_Gojira]

Were you born in Gettysburg at the Gettysburg Hospital, by a Gettysburg born-bred Nurse/Doctor?

[@mrvulture8981]

@@chasemurraychristopherdola7108 i own the DVD its damn amazing. My favorite historical movie ever

[@LordyT34]

"Let's fix bayonets" I wonder how they managed to run with balls that big

[@hivicar]

A good primer was any previous battles they'd been in which were mostly gory. An extra boldness comes when thinking of what the Rebels could do to them, like at Fredericksburg.

[@Meme-zc4cw]

I generally have to make a wide stride myself.

[@lexevo]

It helped that they were going down hill.

[@yinmaungthant4872]

I'm no expert, but I assume gravity may have helped considering the direction they were running in.

[@andrewleah1983]

Carefully

[@Nekulturny]

I love the way Martin Sheen delivers lines. Hes such a wonderful actor.

[@mako88sb]

Yes. First time I watched this I didn’t have a very favourable opinion of him portraying Lee. Just wasn’t someone that came to mind to play that role. He did such a good job that I actually now think his performance is better than Robert Duvall’s in Gods & Generals. Strange as Duvall was one that did come to mind who I thought should of been in Gettysburg.

[@Ken-fh4jc]

I don’t like the dumb southern accent he used. It sounds almost cartoonish.

[@jamesalexander5623]

@@Ken-fh4jc Lee was from an Aristocratic Virginia Family and a soft spoken Gentleman!

[@ChubbyAmadeusFan]

Thank you for another great video. I've visited Gettysburg at least 3 times and I'm humbled and awed by this great memorial. No graffiti or desecration on any monuments. It has been preserved well. I hope it stays that way.

[@macqnj107]

An EXCELLENT review. I was the bugler riding with Buford (Sam Elliott). Making the movie was a life-time experience; I’ll never forget it. My father, a bugler in the US Cavalry when they still had horses, taught me to play as a pre-schooler and at the time of the filming I firmly believe that I was the only one in the country that could play a bugle at the gallop. I’m especially proud of the “Officer’s Call” I played while the courier is riding up to see Buford. Maxwell like my playing so much that they asked me back near the end of filming to make an open-air sound track of calls to be dubbed in during other scenes. He asked me to play “Charge” like you hear at football games; I refused because it hadn’t been written yet. BTW, the weekend they called me back was when they were filming the 20th Maine/Round Top sequences; the fife-and-drum kids also came back to make similar recordings likewise to be dubbed in. I have maybe 100+ photos I took on the set - some scenes that didn’t make to the final cut.

[@toddbarkalow905]

Awesome!

[@donhaywood6542]

Lucky you!

[@jbotkin47]

I would love to see someone do an "Oral History of the Making of Gettysburg" and draw heavily (maybe exclusively) from the reenactors who were there, bringing this kind of experience and family history with them.

[@mikegillettify]

@@jbotkin47 agreed to this! And if I am not mistaken, isn’t this summer the 30th anniversary of the movie’s release?

[@mikegillettify]

@Duncan MacQueen! Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@danielphipps415]

I am now convinced, that for the first time in the war, General George Meade, being slow and thinking clear, he outsmarted Gen. Lee, and won the battle of Getttysburg. I was at PA in 2019 with the wife, and saw the entire town and battlefield. I was moved to tears many times too. I strongly tell all, go see the battlefield for yourselves. You will be glad you went.

[@JahBronee]

I was there and it has an eerie presence to it.

[@4Mr.Crowley2]

Yes, it is a stunningly beautiful place, and it does have an extremely eerie quality to it (I know it’s been considered for quite a long time the “most haunted” of battlefields, even more so than say the Somme or more contained battlefields like Culloden with its devastating losses and tragic effects for an entire culture). There is also an almost uncanny silence - even when lots of tourists are visiting and the sounds of the modern world drift by in general. I will never forget it.

[@cl5470]

Joshua Chamberlain's bravery is what saved the day.

[@007ndc]

@@cl5470 and Gen. Warren realizing that Little Round Top must be occupied and held

[@Dana-nv4ej]

Well, when you think about it, when Grant traveled with the army of the Potomac, when he became General of all armies, he left mead in charge of the army although overtime, Meade became almost a figurehead

[@warrenlehmkuhleii8472]

Waterloo: I am the best historical movie ever. Gettysburg: Hold my beard.

[@mrvulture8981]

I have not watched waterloo because i cant find it anywhere but Gettysburg is damn awesome

[@rogu658]

@@mrvulture8981 Its on youtube

[@mrvulture8981]

@@rogu658 waterloo is not in youtube

[@mrvulture8981]

@@rogu658 oh never mind. I thought you mean as like you can buy it. Well thanks for telling now i know what i Will be watching today

[@rogu658]

@@mrvulture8981 Np. I hope it was the correct version. Its been ages since i watched it

[@JEFFREYcjones-xg2cy]

I was a CIVIL WAR re-enactor in this movie.... mostly in the Picketts charge scenes...I spent a week portraying both UNION and CONFEDERATE soldiers...it was hot July as I recall... it was great fun to see the special effects. We used all our own uniforms and equipment....We were fed like kings.

[@Bedwyr777]

Do you remember when all the cannon fire caused the camera drone to crash? I had several pards from the Holmes' Brigade that went over to G Burg from Iowa and Missouri

[@JEFFREYcjones-xg2cy]

@@Bedwyr777 No...I guess I missed that...I do remember all the hundreds of us reenactors lined up for the Pickets charge scenes...never seen that many of us all together like that since...it was glorious.

[@raptorpatton9970]

One thing I like about Sheen's performance of General Lee was how he accentuated and enunciated everything he says. Lee was a proper, competent, focused man who spoke like he was reciting poetry or the Bible all the time. When you spoke to him, no matter who you were, you had his entire attention. This was a man in complete control of his own mind.

[@raptorpatton9970]

@@Reiman33 And yes, he became over confident and made some really, really glaring mistakes. Even someone with one of the only impeccable records from West Point can fall into such traps. He was a brilliant commander, but the mistakes he made lost the war.

[@solinvictus39]

Alot of history buffs don't like Sheen's portrayal because of Sheen's off-screen persona, but I think Sheen did a better job than Robert Duval (who I like better as a person) did in Gods and Generals.

[@Redbird-dh7mu]

The Free Speech Zealot to be fair, Lee was given a bad hand from the start, Lee’s only hope for a victory would be to take the capital and gain as much Union ground as possible in the process. The South had only one advantage in the war, experienced and talented generals, the commanders of the Union were not quite as good and this left the Union in trouble for a while, hence why Lee had such an easy time in the beginning. However, the Union held every other advantage, they had more factories, they had more guns, they could replace lost equipment much faster then the South. Simply put, Lee’s only hope was taking a Hail Mary, the South only had one hope for a quick and easy war (which is the only war the South was in a position to win), which would be for Lee to not mess up once because recovery would be unlikely. Even though it may seem like the confederates were winning for a while, the truth is that they were never in a good position to win in the first place.

[@maggiesmith2600]

Lee was from Virginia so I imagine his accent was similar to Randolph Scott's. Nothing exaggerated , just a soft slur. So Sheen is likely doing it correctly.

[@82mccord]

Redbird7311 I think it was Shelby Foote who described the union as fighting with one hand behind its back. It was only a matter of time. I really think the only change of a confederate victory would have been Lincoln losing to McClellen and then agreeing to a negotiated peace. The chances of which were very high.

[@OfficialRedTeamReview]

I love Martin Sheen, the guy is without a doubt an amazing actor.

[@chrisbanion]

While I do admit that Martin Sheen is a fine actor I think it is obvious that he was miscast in this movie. Gettysburg is one of my favorite films, the directing, writing and acting was fantastic... except for Martin Sheen. Lee had a commanding and imposing presence as recorded by everyone who talked about him; both by stature and by strength of character. Martin Sheen is only 5' 7" while Lee was about 6' 2"... quite tall for that age. Lee also carried himself with a straight back while in the presence of other officers and didn't slouch or mope about.

[@thearchivist7824]

My one gripe is that his Southern gentlemen's accent sounds like a fucking cartoon.

[@OfficialRedTeamReview]

The Abyssal Archivist Lol I know. its hilarious

[@Dudemon-1]

The portrayal of Lee was the most inaccurate thing about the film. He was made to look like a loon, instead of a brilliant man who might very well have been right on Day 2. Longstreet pouted and delayed moving, and then got lost..and even so, nearly took Little Round Top. If Lee's orders had been properly carried out, the day would have been theirs.

[@TigerRifle1]

And yet Lee approves all of his delays.

[@elphaba4674]

Imagine being one of those reenactment guys! You get to say for the rest of your lives that you were in Gettysburg! You got to be in a Hollywood film doing what you love! 👌

[@moomyung9231]

Acting out on the real ground must've been awesome. When I went there we kind of jokingly reenacted the Little Round Top part and even that was awesome.

[@elorfs300]

A co-worker of mine was there on set, but his companies' scenes were cut. He said it was still an awesome experience, though.

[@jaredfoogle2298]

The reenactment group i was part of was in it! (wayyyy before i joined) There's a shot somewhere that my own dad was in. It still gives me goosebumps seeing it.

[@MMorbid]

I've met a few of them over the years at reenactments. One guy said he made it all the way to the stone wall in Pickett's charge. He said they randomly handed out papers telling them how far they would make it/where they would fall.

[@AndrewAMartin]

@@MMorbid The son of a friend of my Dad was a reenactor and one of Buford's cavalry -- he got paid IIRC $400 a day, because he had a horse and all his tack, etc. He said Sam Elliott was perfect as Buford and was very fun to hang out with on set...

[@zacharywilbur3459]

As a young lad I loved this movie for its large scale battles and would watch them over and over again. As an adult I can’t believe how much this movie does justice to history while being entertaining

[@misanthropicservitorofmars2116]

Every regiment who fought in that battle, from both sides, has a monument dedicated to them in the rough position they were on the line. Walking that battlefield today is special. It’s beyond amazing. History is kept alive in that town. The cannon balls and bullet holes in the buildings are preserved to this day. The fighting from the first day in Gettysburg, the holes are still there in the buildings. The lines are still manned by the regiments, with stone monuments in place of hundreds of men. You can walk Pickett’s charge. Walking from the confederate lines to the union lines on cemetery ridge. Maybe since I’m American I haven’t seen many historical battlefields, but I have been to Gettysburg. Maybe it is special, it feels special when you’re there. That’s all I can attest to.

[@fdzaviation]

I'm betting it is one of those places where time stays still. Kinkda like the Grassy Knoll, 9-11 memorial, the 1985 Mexico City Earthquake, Stalingrad (volgograd) and many others. I definetly have to make this a bucket list item.

[@Redmonsterracing]

It is truly a moving place to visit. I am from Vicksburg, MS and grew up visiting the park there, but as it was a completely different kind of battle, it doesn't convey the scope of the armies and the epic nature of the fight. Everywhere you go you can see the actual terrain and put yourself into the fight on both sides. I've been to several other fields and none are preserved like this. Antietam is also a moving visit, but it lacks the terrain that is so much of the story of the Gettysburg battle.

[@acousticshadow4032]

Indeed. Gettysburg is a special place that everyone should see at least once. I can't get enough of it.

[@neanderthalsnavel7411]

I made the trip for the first time. The town is amazingly cool. Many civil war era buildings that are in use today. The battlefields are shocking. They look larger than I expected in some places and smaller in others. I could feel a great somber sadness there. And a living testament to what the Federal Gov't will do to you when given the opportunity. The museum is propaganda filled. Put on headphones and look at the artifacts. They tell the story all by themselves.

[@celadoncylon4169]

Having also been, I concur. The battlefield has an eerie stillness and the air feels heavy. Almost as if the war never ended on that field. I went in 2007 and there were a lot of people there, but the whole field was silent. We visiting Pennsylvania and went to Gettysburg because I love history and wanted to see it. I was so excited to get there, but it was nothing like anyone would expect. The colors of the grass and the trees and the rocks were visible but dull and dingy. There was no wind. There were no bird calls nor the buzzing of flies, bees, and wasps. The temperature was in the mid 80s in the middle of June but you didn't feel hot. There was no joy nor smiles. It was cold and somber. Walking the field along Pickett's charge and walking up to the hills and both the Confederate and Union encampments you could almost feel the fear and the anxiety. It truly is a moving site. Every American needs to go see it and try and catch a glimpse at what it was like for these boys and what it's like for our current men and women in the military and veterans dealing with PTSD.

[@Mike420Mayhem]

My great great grandfather was a first lieutenant in the army of the Potomac. I have his letters to the family from the front in Washington DC. This is beautifully done! Very nice!

[@treyb387]

What Robert E. Lee ACTUALLY said when he found out that George Meade was the newly appointed commander of the Army of the Potomac was..."I know George Meade, and that man will not make a mistake"

[@andersonbowes7065]

What Lee knew of Meade was accurate. Meade was unproven and this was his first major skirmish in command of the Army of the Potomac. Per Lee's strategic style, he typically fought where he knew he had the advantage, or he didn't engage. He also typically didn't sit back and wait for the fight to come to him, he exploited the Union weakness. What Lee did know of Meade is that he was the opposite and thus far had proven to be timid. Buford truly was the hero of Gettysburg and had given Meade the high ground, allowing him to dictate the terms of the battle.

[@refuge42]

Meade was known for his bookishness,...and I seem to remember he was called a damned google eyed snapping turtle. Mitch McConnells grandfather I could say.

[@eugeneflynn7435]

Jim Fuge General Meade is no doubt spinning at his comparison in any manner to Moscow Mitch.

[@navindavoodi6065]

Jim Fuge “Mitch McConnell’s grandfather” LMAO

[@rleroygordon]

Trey Baker Lee had already told his officers that he was afraid that one day the Union would field a general he couldn’t beat.

[@trynnallen]

I was attending grad school at a local college about 2 years after the movie was made. When commencement came my roommate introduced me to his godmother - a nun at the Seminary- She took us up to the cupola of the Seminary and told us about being on the phone with a gentleman out of California. She recalled this was about the 1st or 2nd day of shooting and musket fire could be heard through the open window. The gentleman asked what was going on and she responded that they were filming on the battlefield for a movie. He asked if they needed reenactors and she said yes and read off the number from the flyers that had been plastered on the campus and elsewhere. He pardoned himself, hung up, called her back 20minutes later and asked if they could resume their call in person, as he and his gun crew were going drive across the country with their cannon, limber, and did they know where know where they could rent four horses? They ended up driving clear across the country to take part in the film. And yes they were able to rent horses from the film crew once they should that they could care for the animals. It took them 35hrs of near constant driving.

[@alexlaws5086]

Chamberlain: "Fix bayonets." His subordinates: o_o

[@MarvinT0606]

Confederate soldiers: "O_O"

[@liamroarke7991]

Subordinates: "waitwut"

[@SnakeHiggins]

My dad was a huge history buff, and me as well since he made it a point to sit me down with this kind of stuff, so we watched documentaries and movies about various American wars from early on. I've seen this movie at least a half dozen times and everytime with my dad over the years, the next time I watch it will be without him since he passed last August but I feel like this movie is one of the most important to me because he loved it so much and it's always like he's there with me when I watch something like this.

[@maximumaut712]

Im really sorry for your loss

[@robinkohjus7173]

Me too

[@Thespian821]

Great job, Nick! Even though I’m a Gunslinger, I also have a great admiration for Civil War history and movies. Mainly because my ancestor was a sergeant in the Union Cavalry during the Civil War. Sergeant Peter Reising & the 14th Illinois Cavalry saw action in seven battles (including the Battle of the Cumberland Gap, and the Raid of Macon, Georgia). While in Georgia, his regiment was ambushed by Confederate guerillas and he was personally injured, captured, and spent 7-9 months as a POW in Andersonville, Georgia. It wouldn’t be until August of 1865, when he was rescued, mustered out of the army, and lived out the rest of his life as a quiet farmer in Illinois. Had he died either in battle or in Andersonville, It would've corrupted my entire family tree; preventing even my own birth. Kind of a scary thought when you think about it.

[@thatonecanadian86]

I love the one scene that shows how much General Longstreet didn’t want his men to die. He couldn’t bring himself to commence the attack because he knew it was suicidal

[@jackmessick2869]

and it actually went that way. Longstreet just nodded his head and couldn't bring himself to give the foolhardy order directly. The nice parallel in this film is how Buford in the beginning explains the futility of some military operations where he could already see the outcome, put had to participate ("make it fail" he says). But this time, it is Longstreet who must do that; he sees the folly but must participate. The other great performance is how Stephen Lang as Pickett goes from jolly gentlemen's club bon vivant, all up for the glory of war, to devasted commander who learns the grim reality. War is all hell, and there is no reforming it.

[@007ndc]

He knew that it was going to be the Rebel version of Fredericksburg slaughter

[@anthonywyrobek9712]

I was a reenactor at the 150th anniversary of Gettysburg. We were able to reenact the Scale of Pickett’s charge almost man for man. It was truly an awe inspiring thing to see.

[@robbercopgamer]

Thank you for keeping history alive, fellow reenactor!

[@RobertEWaters]

Actually, Washington itself was strongly defended. It's doubtful whether Lee could have taken it if he had won at Gettysburg ,especially given the losses he took there.

[@gae_wead_dad_6914]

Question is: would have he won if he decided to flank the enemy instead, and go for washington instead of fighting in Gettysburg?

[@k1productions87]

As well-defended as Washington itself may have been, how long could those defenses have held to a constant siege or war of attrition, should supply lines have been cut off or routed. If the Confederate Army entrenched around Washington and received consistent resupply convoys (likely requiring another force to intercept any convoys bound for Washington) could they have held out, even if strongly defended?

[@Apis4]

The answer is NO. Nothing would have changed. Washington was the Capital, as it is today, which made it important....what is more in important is that when the US attacked Canada and kicked of a war with them and Britain, the Canadians DID get to Washington, and burned the Whitehouse down. Ultimately, the US can be considered to have lost that one. Canada was not brought in the Union, and Washington was sacked. It would beggar belief if the Union left Washington, the Capital, which had suffered once before in War, undefended save their Eastern army.....it would be thoroughly unbelievable in the extreme in fact. We do not, however, have to believe it.... because Lee and his army seemed to be the only ones who DID... as it was NOT THE CASE. Had they fallen back and redeployed to Washington, they'd have found formidable force. Obviously the Union Army at Gettysburg would indeed chase them, and then the Confederates would have nowhere to go, and no hope of anything but immediate surrender, or destruction. They'd have Union forces in front of them, in Washington, and they'd have Union forces behind them, chasing from Gettysburg. The advice to redeploy was based on the same belief that caused Lee to stay and fight.... that the Union had no other forces, this was it, Washington was undefended. Thus, one could argue, on one hand, stay, fight, break the Union Army, and the path to Washington is open, and on the other, withdraw, redeploy, and circumvent Gettysburg, march on Washington, and ambush the chasing Union. When Washington is actually heavily defended, and there is significant Union presence in the city, that plan fails. You force the Union Army at Gettysburg to chase you, in the hopes of getting far enough ahead, you can entrench and ambush as they ride in to your trap.....your back is exposed to the Union forces in Washington, who march out and slaughter you from behind. You forget the Union forces at Gettysburg, march on Washington and find it not so undefended and lay siege, the Union Army at Gettysburg is now at your back and they roll on you from behind and slaughter you. The whole thing fails. In actuality, there was really nothing Lee could have hoped for in that sense to win. Even had he won Gettysburg, his army would have been savaged and depleted. It would be an army which might, MIGHT, be able to take a relatively undefended Washington DC......but it would be in no position to fight another Gettysburg on the outskirts of the city due to it being actually far more heavily defended than he anticipated. Had he NOT fought Gettysburg, the above pincer would happen. No need to say had he fought Gettysburg he'd lose, for fought it he did, and indeed de he lose. Even retreating would have spelt doom, as what Grant was doing in the West, the Union could use this Army to do in the East, and in this case, the whole Confederacy would essentially be in a giant Union pincer. For this campaign by Lee to have saved the Confederacy, either Grant would have had to be losing, and the Mississippi not at risk of falling to Union Control, allowing much greater planning, and much greater presence of Confederate forces, including materiale and reserves, OR Washington be truly undefended, and he circumvent Gettysburg. With those things not being so, and this being a last roll of the dice move, put together as desperate gamble, in a sense, there is not much which could have changed the outcome.

[@k1productions87]

@Paul Thomas Well... to be fair to Hannibal, he was denied reinforcements. Also the rules of war a the time demanded that after so many decisive defeats, Rome should have surrendered. But they didn't. Hannibal didn't anticipate such and occurrence, nor Carthage abandoning him.

[@Ulfcytel]

@@k1productions87 Lee would have found himself pinned between Washington's defences and Meade's larger army in his rear. Disaster. Longstreet's plan was actually to sidestep towards Washington then fight a tactically advantageous defensive battle on ground of their choosing in order to defeat Meade. However, not sure the latter would have taken the bait, even then. He just had to keep his force in being and Lee would be forced either to commit to battle (as he did) or, eventually, retreat. The biggest danger for the Union would then be political pressure forcing Meade to fight at a time and place he didn't want to.

[@MrKrk221988]

I love the soundtrack to this film.

[@Swarm509]

I regularly put it on at work when I need that push to get something done. Really gets you going.

[@cgross82]

Kevin King, interestingly enough, it was all recorded electronically without a live orchestra, which is pretty scary for professional musicians. But I do like the score, too!

[@lawrencedockery9032]

+Kevin King It's so good. It was composed by Randy Edelman who also did the music for Angels in the Outfield.

[@ehrldawg]

No kidding !!

[@rangers94ism]

I completely agree. Holy cow

[@alistairbain6149]

The order was “ ... if practicable” not “practical”. Similar meaning but with crucially different nuances,

[@Swoosh_015]

Practicable is like “possible” right?

[@Sephazon]

@@Swoosh_015 Indeed. Practical would be "is it useful to take" and practicable is "is it possible to take."

[@robbercopgamer]

That makes much more sense, thank you.

[@Dana-nv4ej]

Yes, I agree with that, but still by Jackson’s reputation, he would’ve taken that hill, no matter what the cost no matter what the pronunciation

[@adonisparts1343]

Imagine being the ghost of a soldier who died in Gettysburg just chilling there in peace and suddenly the battle starts all over again...

[@JeffreyDeCristofaro]

"I have TOLD you, there is no time for that - THERE IS NO TIME!" Great burst of energy from Martin Sheen as General Lee.

[@BrianKAngus]

I was big into reenacting for a long time and was a "background actor" in this film. It was originally titled "The Killer Angels" after the pulitzer prize winning novel. Had a great time doing it and memories that still linger.

[@waynecoulter6761]

I know two people who were a part of the movie. One, a soldier that I served with at Fort Polk named Nichols was a rebel soldier. The other, Bob Marsh, who played the band director leading the band in the scene were Chamberlain's brother gives Chamberlain the news about the deserters voting to pick up the rifle, was my Battalion Intelligence Officer in the Ohio National Guard

[@crispycritterz]

"General Lee.... I have no division..." That brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it.

[@antoniusbritannia8217]

Pickett never forgave Lee.

[@thatonefordf-1502]

Same here bud

[@MaxxCoyote]

Tears of joy are always the best.

[@ogami1972]

It should, and Lee should have been charged with war crimes. Am 4th generation Texan, for the record.

[@BlackMonolithEntertainment12]

@@ogami1972 what war crime did he commit? all he did was lose a battle and made a mistake with wrong intel and the belief the union's forces weren't as strong as he thought and it would have been an easy fight. generals with wrong intel are responsible for mistakes. it would not be the first time a leader didn't listen to his advisers on a battle.

[@b0ydey044]

Nick I take my hat of to you, you always deliver great quality videos. You continue to intrigue me with the information that you can find, I am only 13 and you have made me pick history for GCSE. Thank you

[@ocadioan]

If you like it, I would recommend Extra Credits' Extra History videos as well. They are quite good at taking lesser known subjects and showing how incredible they really were and how much of the world history that we know is because of those moments.

[@b0ydey044]

ocadioan I really enjoy extra credit too

[@b0ydey044]

Robert walpole You were a very smart man I must admit, but screwed over our economy even to today.

[@lawrencedockery9032]

I love this movie. So many good performances. Such a great soundtrack. Excellent battle sequences. I've been to Gettysburg twice and it's so amazing. I've walked from Seminary Ridge to Cemetery Ridge and it's mind blowing that Pickett's troops made it all the way to the stone wall.

[@Rusty35]

Lawrence Dockery p

[@stephendoe7594]

Made that walk myself, must have been a hell of a thing to do while taking fire. Only thing I've seen that may have been worse is the Union approach to the sunken railroad at Second Manassas/Bull Run.

[@lawrencedockery9032]

+Stephen Doe Been to that one too. It's all mostly overgrown now (or it was when I saw in 2011) but you could still stand there and read and just imagine how it was.

[@stephendoe7594]

Lawrence Dockery Can't remeber exactly when I went, but trees had grown up on the left side of the Union advance which weren't there at the time. There was a trail cleared across the field that gave you a sense of what it was like, you just had to imagine the absence of trees and a clear line of sight from a confederate artillery battery on the left.

[@nealwilkins1367]

I visited the National Park when I was 10 in 1963 on the 3 days of July on the 100th anniversary as a birthday present from my dad. I went back again in 1999 and one of my American friends (I'm English) commented that he admired a Brit who took an interest in American history - I replied it isn't just American history but one of the turning points of world history and the sacrifice during those 3 days overshadowed any battle until that time (IMO) including Waterloo. A very humble experience especially the 2nd time - the 1st time I was just giddy for being there in a boyhood dream.

[@saxonjf]

What was not mentioned, and probably should have been was that "Gettysburg" was not just a representation of the Battle of Gettysburg, but also a adaption of a novel called "The Killer Angels," by Michael Shaara. The scene with the black man was taken right from the book, and was probably also put in as a human representation of the fight over human slavery. In the book, the slave was only recently taken off the boat, and did not speak English well at all, so the directors probably thought keeping him silent, under the notion of extreme exhaust and thirst would be more respectful than an African Creole. In the book, there was a laugh at the expense of the slave and even a joke about selling him off. That was just not going to work, coming from a union soldier, especially in the story the movie was trying to tell. Seeing Ted Turner get shot and killed off though, was pretty funny.

[@brianjaeger9565]

This is a cheap plug for a compelling, but ultimately misleading movie, Gettysburg, and the "Great Courses" show the depth of their shallow populist view of history by simply restating someone else's story. Try doing serious academic research before claiming to be an educational platform. I live a hour south of Gettysburg and have visited the battlefield a half dozen times, walked the grounds, as well as spoken with several reenactors and park staff. While "Killer Angels" was a good book and generated much needed interest, it ultimately misrepresented the importance of significance of LTC Chamberlain's 20th Maine regiment on Little Round Top. While important, this was not the critical battle it was made out to be for the movie. Read about the efforts of BG Gouverneur K. Warren, , COL Strong Vincent, MAJ Homer R. Stoughton’s sharpshooters, and COL Patrick O’Rorke before giving Chamberlain all the credit. He who writes his own accounts often overstates his own significance. Little Round Top was an important event, yes, but Pickett's charge and actions at The Angle, back and forth fighting atop Culp's Hill, and superior use of defendable terrain by GEN Meade and his subordinate leaders, save maybe some decisions of MG Sickles, were far more important and where the insightful reader should set more of their gaze. Watch the movies and try to see them for what they are, entertaining, profit driven, interest pieces, like Pearl Harbor. Yes fun to watch, but history is far more complex than a sappy love story. Read more broadly and actually spend a weekend or two at Gettysburg before making your historical assessment, you may find it leave portrayals such as this one lacking in both intrigue and insight.

[@ryanjapan3113]

Matt Latsha why was it funny?

[@Statalyzer]

"In the book, the slave was only recently taken off the boat, and did not speak English well at all, so the directors probably thought keeping him silent, under the notion of extreme exhaust and thirst would be more respectful than an African Creole." Also, it was a good subtle representation of how racism pervaded the entire country, even "free" areas, and even staunch abolitionists (which most of even the North wasn't, but Chamberlain was). He talks a big talk about how he believes in equality, and he truly does believe it, but he still won't even address a black man directly and kind of acts like he's beneath him.

[@phillipjohnstone7093]

yes buster said in the movie god must be a killer angel

[@martink1671]

@@brianjaeger9565 Wow, You know your history! Still personally, it was impressive that a Non-West-Pointer, an academic of all things (Prof. Chamberlain) entered the War and got promoted to the Rank of Brevet MAJ GEN by the end. He was also the recipient of the Medal of Honor defending Little Round Top: That's a story worthy to be told.

[@thusspoke08]

The Confederates would have won if they had not run out of S'more Schnapps

[@Thespian821]

Sound of Sleep, not just that. They didn’t have Eric Cartman leading them.

[@kaylew108]

Sound of Sleep LMFAO. "Sincerely, General Cartman Lee"

[@Matthew_Calmert]

"I hate you guys. I hate you guys.... so very, very much"

[@Jorendo]

I thought you were gonna say "The confederats would have won, were it not for the medling kids and their darn dog!"

[@George-Hawthorne]

Dear Union Generals Words cannot express how much I hate you guys. As we fight our way northward into the great unknown, only that one thing remains certain: that I hate you guys with every tired muscle in my Confederate body. We have taken Chancellorsville, and now I must lolly the men over to Pennsylvania. Because I will not stop until we have won it all, and you guys are my slaves. Because, I hate you guys. I hate you guys so very very much. Yours, General Robert E. Lee.

[@michaelwoolley5958]

You should do the 1989 civil war film "Glory"

[@viperblitz11]

I really like Glory, it's one of my favorite war movies. I would have preferred if it were a little less biased, but I can accept that wasn't first on its list of priorities in a story about literally fighting for the respect of others. And the Confederate soldiers screeching like animals didn't really damage that message.

[@michaelholt1480]

It's ok

[@lesliefranklin1870]

@@viperblitz11: There is no modern consensus of how the "Rebel yell" sounded. To some Yanks, it seemed like they were "screeching like animals." Clearly, it was designed to strike fear in the enemy.

[@Gravelgratious]

@@viperblitz11 list of priorities? It was the story of the 54th Massachusetts and the realities of the War that people like to avoid. You've romanticized the war and cant handle it's truth. You rather believe a lie then accept the reality, a dangerous mindset to have.

[@viperblitz11]

@@Gravelgratious I think you've misunderstood what I meant, mostly because i wasn't very clear. The bias I referred to was the fact that the Confederates were treated like shrieking mooks instead of soldiers. Despite the scream sounding authentic, something about the extras reminded me of the Frenchmen from Monty Python. But, like you said, the story is about the 54th Massachusetts. It's not the story of the Confederates that's being told, so it doesn't bother me very much if more effort was put into the cast and antagonists among the Union over the side that's shooting at them.

[@christopherelsworth9559]

Fantastic work, sir. I thoroughly enjoyed it. My father and I used to metal detect on old supply lines for years and speak for hours about the history of the war. You made me feel close to it again. SUBSCRIBED

[@johnpaulsylvester3727]

As a proud Southerner, I was greatly moved by this video. Though I am no Confederate apologist, I still needed to emotionally divest myself and remember that the South lost the war, and no amount of humanization can right the wrongs of my ancestors. In the collective subconscious of the Deep South, the narrative of “Lost Cause” still clings. Thank you, Nick Hodges- I’ve finally subscribed. -JP

[@ianbailey4213]

I know what you mean. I'm of Irish descent but I have no problem saying that plenty of Irishmen were overt racists and lynched the shit out of black people, when they really should have been joining forces since they were both discriminated.

[@user-qd6jt9sd3h]

Though historically from east tennessee, my family fought for the union so I dodged a bullet on that one, east TN was surprisingly pro union as it turns out

[@alt-monarchist]

You are a traitor to the South. Filthy yankee sympathizer.

[@Ghost-S1337]

Uh northerners were racist too, and the war was over taxation on British goods not slavery

[@numerical25]

@@Ghost-S1337 Yeah that Explains why after the South was Defeated Abraham Lincoln Immediately created the Emancipation Proclamation. Not to Mention Lincoln lost two elections running off of the complete eradication of Slavery. For his third time to win off of simply the expansion. Whatever parents tell you. It was because of slavery. It was even indoctrinated into the Confederates Constitution. Stop trying to change History.

[@corvus1374]

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain is one of the greatest heroes in US history. I've been at Gettysburg. I stood at the point where Pickett's Charge began, and from there to the Union lines, was nothing but flat, open fields. Those Confederate soldiers had to charge forward in the teeth of artillery with nowhere to hide. My favorite part of this movie involves General Lewis Armistead, who had good friends on both sides, and whose death at Gettysburg devastated all of those friends.

[@brucetucker4847]

You have to be careful looking at battlefields, even on the ones that are national parks the vegetation is often very different than it was in the 1860s. I believe that part of Gettysburg is the same but the wheat field and peach orchard are both gone - there's no farming because it's a park.

[@SlyBlu7]

I live 45mins from Gettysburg, and used to live even closer to Antietam. I went on a school trip to Gettysburg in early August and we hiked the route of the charge. It was awful - it was hot, the ground is rough, and it's a long way. Nobody was shooting cannons or muskets at us, and we weren't in cotton uniforms in July heat. Our guide put us in a line and gave us cards with little symbols like swords and hats and muskets, and as we went across he would tell us what it would have been like. He'd say things like, "And here, they begin firing explosive shells from the cannons. If your card has a hat on it, your are dead or wounded" and those people would step backwards and walk behind the line. By the time our class (of 20-something students) made it to the statue that marks where the charge was stopped, there were only maybe 4 of us still up front. It was sobering.

[@nickmitsialis]

Speaking of Chamberlain, a few years back my family and I were at the Oakland Zoo & a fellow walked by with a T-Shirt featuring a representation of Jeff Daniels as Chamberlain standing in front of his Maine men, holding his saber aloft & one word: "BAYONETS!" . All my wife & I could think was--I WANT one of those!

[@itrthho]

An excellent teaching method!

[@grindstone4910]

The topography also changes over time. Hills get smaller.

[@js500y9]

Fun fact: Sam Elliot is the only person in the movie with a properly aged uniform. He thought it wouldn't make sense for his to look clean and new so he asked some professionals how to give it authentic wear and tear and did the process in the sink of his hotel room

[@phantomwriter05]

Yeah that's the one thing that always bothers me about Civil War movies. The Confederates should always look ragged and barefoot. Most personal accounts of Northern citizens during Lee's invasions always state how ragged, mismatched, and poor the Rebel soldiers looked and they found it inconceivable that these were the same men that kept beating the Union armies who were always polished and well supplied.

[@63DW89A]

+JS500Y Proves what a great thorough actor Sam Elliot is! Also demonstrates that Sam Elliot has the intelligence and empathy to want to "get it right". I've heard that Sam Elliot is quite a down to earth guy; I can imagine him sitting at the campfires of the reenactors, talking with them, rather than staying around his hotel, listening to more boring Hollywood stories from paid actors, during the filming of GETTYSBURG!

[@thomasbaagaard]

Most of it myths. Only during the Maryland campaign in 1862 did the CSA have serious issues with clothing and shoes. (and the quotes you are thinking off is most likely from that campaign) By summer of 1863 the CSA supply system in Virginia was generally keeping their soldiers well supplied with uniforms and shoes. And did so for the rest of the war. If you look in the official records no CSA officer complain about the lack of shoes(for men) before the battle... but there are a number of union units with this problem. (Lee's army where resupplied before the invasion. Some Union units had not been for month. because their time was not up. So the heavy marching on stone roads was very hard on the shoes) After the battle it was an issue for both sides. But the situation made resupply impossible.

[@ltrain4479]

Thomas Aagaard Well they sure as hell needed boots. There are only one set of pictures taken of dead union soldiers that were killed and ended up dead behind enemy lines. These were taken at Gettysburg, the harvest of death pictures. Every single union soldier is missing his shoes and their pockets are all inside out. The numerous pics of dead confederates shows most of them with their boots still on. The south was not well supplied.

[@thomasbaagaard]

the photographs from Gettysburg was taken days after the battle., And the photographers had no moral issue with moving weapons and equipment, or dead soldiers, or reusing dead soldiers and using their assistants as "props" if they needed... In short you can't trust the pictures... because their main priority was to take pictures that would shock the public... they had no issue with using dead soldiers as their props. And a few pictures are simply not a sufficiently large number of examples for us to use it as evidence of anything anyway. did soldier on both sides take shoes from dead soldiers? sure... but it was the operational situation that made resupply impossible for both sides when on active campaigns. The marching on the brick turnpikes of Pennsylvanian was very hard on the shoes... compared to marching on the dirt roads that was most common in northern Virginia. And this was an issue for both sides... the situation and high wear... Not a lack of shoes. (when we are talking shoes for men that is... the south had a clear lack of horse shoes before the campaign, and even before arriving at Gettysburg, the 3rd corp was loosing artillery horses to this issue... again the turnpikes with their stone roads resulted in much higher wear on the horseshoes.... something that again show up in our Primary sources. The official records.)

[@jonesinator47]

Joshua L. Chamberlin remains to this day my absolute favorite Civil War Officer

[@jackpurcell5431]

I agree

[@nickroberts6984]

He most likely saved our nation from ruin on July 2, 1863. 🇺🇸💥 Can you imagine what would have happened if he hadn't held the left flank ? Unthinkable !

[@HaiLHaiLHaiLo]

He was a badass. Highly educated and courageous.

[@richardyoung4616]

He suffered from that wound the rest of his life but still carried on, a true hero!

[@peris_arts_film9699]

Blackstar agreed he was indeed a brilliant officer. But my vote goes to Stonewall Jackson. If we think about it. The Union kinda dodged a bullet with the death of Gen. Jackson. Jackson’s tactics were swift and hard hitting. If Jackson were at Gettysburg lee would have gave him the same orders but with very different results.

[@callmedave1280]

"We fitein fo are rats" "Your what?" "Are rats"

[@frankielancaster7133]

Doesn't matter how hard or how much fun . or how many speech lessons you have, no one can fake a southern accent.

[@richhartnell6233]

@@frankielancaster7133 If you spend enough time in the south you get one for real

[@ink3539]

@@richhartnell6233 Some accents can really take you by surprise in that peculiar way, you'd be stating "I haven't got an accent !"... with that precise accent

[@tonyt2588]

A little TOO stereotypic. Nobody anywhere says rats for rights. The "a" is must softer, and sounds like the ice cream "i" instead of the phony rats sound. Ice cream rights instead of yankee rats.

[@javilorenzana]

Ar rats te ewn dem slevs!

[@croweman6515]

I have ancestors who fought on both sides of the war, my mother's side of the family has always lived in the south from Texas to Alabama, and my father's side of the family has always lived in the north, from Minnesota to Pennsylvania. May all who fought and died in that terrible war Rest In Peace, weather they were Union or Confederate.

[@rollo216]

Theodicist Eddie Traitors? Losing side perhaps, but fighting for your state can never make you a traitor. As Lee says: “There was always a higher duty to Virginia.”

[@jtmumo]

Theodicist Eddie my guy, USS Grant freed his slaves the day of the 13 Amendment coming into action. Lee freed his own slaves before the war started. Both sides had slaves. Miss me w that bull

[@AverageJoe___]

@@triggerme6144 Plus, US Congress passed a measure called the War Aims Resolution that stated the war was not about slavery, but to preserve the Union.

[@lionofthecherubim4486]

@@jtmumo The every non disputed union state had abolished slavery on a state level. Every Confederate declaration of secession named the preservation slavery as the main issue

[@lionofthecherubim4486]

@@rollo216 Fighting for your state, who is fighting for slavery, makes one a demented slaver. The confederacy is forfeit, as is the effort of all confederate soldiers .

[@Benita59856]

I have always loved Gettysburg especially because my dad met Martin Sheen when the movie when it was in theaters which only fuels my intellect even more. This truly is a movie that history buffs hold deer

[@DamoBloggs]

Yay! Hate the wait, but it's always worth it ;)

[@jk5496]

"Why you fighting?" "Free the slaves, preserve the union" "I fat for my rats"

[@nulle.k]

Someone else wrote this.

[@jk5496]

@@nulle.k 1. learn to spell 2. how would i have known this when i havent even seen the comments

[@nulle.k]

@@jk5496 1. I already know how to spell and don't know what just happened there but I fixed it. 2. You aren't supposed to know, that's why I'm telling you.

[@jk5496]

@@nulle.k well i dont think that person 1. Cares and 2. Knows because this has 3 likes and there probaly has hundreds

[@calvincameron354]

Lmao

[@markmorose]

“Lead by brigadier general Sam Elliot... er... John Buford.”

[@kelleybryant5947]

Mark Morose “The high ground!”

[@dwightwaldvogel6148]

“ there’ll be the devil to pay ! “

[@michaelshopf7732]

Charge valiantly butchered valiantly

[@thalivenom4972]

frankly, id follow sam into a war zone.

[@tomjones5650]

If you want to find the fat man follow the cigar smoke. Me? I would want weed!!!

[@gabegood8989]

Sam Elliott's voice is like butter.. it makes everything better

[@tootsla1252]

Sexiest man alive at any age. And nobody sits a horse like that man.

[@Bottlekiller]

"The by now mandatory call for the old intro to be reinstated"-post

[@traceytaggart1740]

Bottlekiller yes, bring back Escala’s “Palladio”! They probably wanted a little licensing money, but I think you can afford it now.

[@Captainkebbles1392]

Oh HB you spoiled us this time. Cool fact you might enjoy. The scene where the Confederates troops cheer "Lee!" was actually the extras shouting "Sheen!" but was edited, this was done as Martin Sheen was not the first choice for the role and was a last minute cast choice. The cast and crew were very thankful and when there was down time they rushed and cheered him (so they of course added some tracking shots but the first scene where they rush him is improvised)

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

kevin texter The way I read it, the director and the camera crew were taking a break, saw what was happening, and scrambled to get it on film. One of my favorite improvised scenes.

[@AnvilMAn603]

the confused look was martin sheen having no idea what to make of the situation lol

[@richeaton7436]

Martin Sheen should have at least learned to ride. 22:17. lol

[@SantomPh]

the reeenactors cheered Sheen as they would Lee.

[@Wysiwyg43]

Thank you for the review, Nick. I love this movie! I thought both sides were represented equally. That battle was heard all the way in Philadelphia, over 150 miles away! This is only one of the useless trivial notes I have about Gettysburg. I'm very happy that I had the chance to walk around the national park as a tourist before I became disabled.

[@StephySon]

wysiwyg43 I'm sorry to hear that. I wouldn't mind visiting the park one day. It sounds historic

[@logicaredux5205]

wysiwyg43 - I am sorry to hear of your disability! I live in Gettysburg, Pa. and I hope you will come and visit us again. There are some excellent tours of the battlefield that are by driving rather than walking.

[@63DW89A]

Hundreds of cannons firing almost simultaneously can be heard over great distances. People of that day described the sound as "distant thunder".

[@stevek8829]

Philadelphia might be 125 but not quite 150 miles away. Imagine then it must have been even louder in Washington at only half the distance.

[@kaniac5768]

I always loved Lee remarking on how Meade was a Pennsylvania man first for a brief second he remembers him as the man and maybe friend before snapping back into general mode

[@candicabaniss2560]

I recommend to any American who can, go to Gettysburg. See where they fought. I was there a few years ago. I lost it in the museum at a copy of a slave auction. I could not stop crying. I was at round top and saw the view. and saw the ground of Pickett's charge.

[@bgrant64]

I was there last August, Covered every inch of the battlefield. There is a "presence" there that is overwhelming. I walked out from the Virginia Memorial to a bench out in the field and sat down and just started getting overwhelmed emotionaly. One for the fact that no more than 400 yards behind me was a place my Great Great Grandfather was held in reserve as a member of the 1st South Carolina Rifles, but you could feel an energy there , the whole place resonated with it and overwhelmed me. Later when I was over at the "Angle" the same feeling was there as well, there were times you could almost hear the battle, feel it swirling around you. I got to stand on Little Roundtop and see where the 20th Maine stood and charged. The energy were deafening, it did not take long to feel and almost hear it. The Battlefield is an amazing place and I hope to make a few more trips back. I try to visit as many of the Civil War Battlefields and it gives me a perspective of both sides and the men that fought and died on them.

[@candicabaniss2560]

We decided this summer to do Civil War battlefields. Travel by car and see America. We've done Gettysburg and may again; Shiloh, Antietam and our nearby Vicksburg.

[@TheLoachman]

I recommend that ANYONE who can, regardless of nationality, go to Gettysburg. After watching this spectacular film. I first became interested in the American Civil War as a child in England in the early 1960s. I visited Gettysburg in December 1980, while driving from Gagetown New Brunswick to Moose Jaw Saskatchewan for my Basic Pilot Course. Military experience, I think - I'd been in the Canadian Armed Forces for seven years by that point, and grew up surrounded by Second World War and Korean veterans - gives one a greater appreciation for the fear, pain, bravery, and determination of all who fought there, and the tragedy and loss of so many good men. It was a cool, sunny morning with a slight haze when I arrived, and there were very few other people around. By the time that I left the museum, it was foggy. Seeing cannon and monuments appear out of the mist as I wandered around was a bit spooky - and perfect. The fog soon dissipated, allowing me a clear view of everything. Pickett's Charge - I agree, perhaps the most moving area on the whole site. I will never know how those men kept going that whole distance. My respect is enormous. It is indeed hallowed ground, which I intend to revisit some day. The ghosts, I am sure, will still be there, as they were thirty-seven (and a bit) years ago.

[@kennethfharkin]

That must have been the new museum because I do not recall a slave auction in 2000. Then again I have heard the new museum is much more PC and SJW and much less history about the battle.

[@cameronstewart6016]

I’ve been to Gettysburg on 3 different occasions. It’s truly well preserved and much as it was like in the summer of 1863. The last time I was there I drove from Gettysburg to Harper’s Ferry Virginia (sight of John Brown’s ill-fated raid and a place that turned hand numerous times in the war) where I spent the night. The day after I went 30 minutes to Antietam, which is another amazingly preserved battlefield. They are very close to each other, you could probably make it in an hour, maybe less. I did an archaeological field school in New England and after that with a friend, made the drive from Connecticut all the way down to North Carolina. So much history along the way! We passed by West Point, then that’s when we stopped in Gettysburg and spent the night in Harper’s Ferry, then did Antietam, and drove through the Shenandoah Valley. Which is beautiful. But if you get a chance to go to any or all of those sites, do!

[@okaydookay8556]

(Private who was under Chamberlain's command, without ammo yet holding some Confederates prisoner:) Sir, I don't have any ammunition.... (Chamberlain:) Well don't let them know that!

[@james-97209]

And if they do learn that use your bayonet or the butt of your rifle or both

[@penelopecopperpot7840]

Stephen Lang should have won an Oscar simply for "General Lee, I have no division." I've never heard a single line in a movie that tears my heart out like this one.

[@tonyt2588]

Stephen Lang was more of an inspiration for us between scenes than when he was filming. I have never seen a more energetic person whipping up background artists then he. He had more fun pretending to fight in the Civil War than we did.

[@Dana-nv4ej]

After talking with another person about the different roles Stephen Lang is portrayed in the excellence he does in each of them he should get an Academy award for excellence in acting just for the way he acts

[@nbenefiel]

We went to Gettysburg on July 3&4. The city was full of reenactors. It was phenomenal.

[@pathutchison7688]

History Butfs is simply the best channel on KZbin. Thanks for all your hard work Nick.

[@oldmoviemusic]

Indeed, I like History Buffs, but History Butfs is just so much better!

[@jakedunbar4063]

It has often saddened me how under appreciated and underrated this film is. I commend you for such a great commentary on it.

[@bvansenu]

It's really not for a general audience, like at all. Just too long. But for us Civil War guys it's such a treat.