E. P. Alexander on Pickett's Charge Part 2 | Eyewitness Account/Official Report

Edward Porter Alexander was a young but experienced man in combat. He commanded the Artillery Barrage that preceded Pickett's Charge and in this video, you get to hear his account of what happened.
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[@user-ki2ip6rf5h]

It's remarkable how eloquent and sophisticated are the writings of Civil War officers on both sides. as is evident from their after-action reports, and many after the war books.

[@commontater8630]

This is the clearest account I have yet encountered of what went into the final decision to proceed with Pickett's charge.

[@ITILII]

"I have never known General Lee to bollocks a battle so badly!" - Col. Alexander's reaction to the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg. As Commanding General, Lee deserved the credit for victory and blame for defeat. Years later, General Pickett was asked why the Confederates lost ...he replied "I've always thought the Union Army had something to do with it"

[@voiceofreason2674]

He wrote that well after everyone else was dead and to sell books. Or perhaps to cover his own azz. They should not have put him in charge of the artillery for such an important battle

[@midnitemike]

I am in the process of reading his books. Your reading it with your accent was perfect.

[@milesteg3972]

Great video. Thanks for publishing.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching. Please check out my other videos and consider subscribing if you have not done so already.

[@jonrettich-ff4gj]

I read both of Alexander’s books they are military classics as was his recognized capabilities by his contemporaries. I feel that based on past Federal performance and the political overview Lee’s decision was reasonable. The rather surprising Confederate cavalry reverse and difficult Federal success against Ewell had they been otherwise might have well contributed to a Confederate victory. Meade who I consider superlative managed an army filled with cliques and animosities incredibly well against notable interior resistance to himself and subsequent endless vituperation. Your presentations are consistently interesting and valuable as an historical resource. Thanks

[@leonidaslantz5249]

Dang,that was wonderful! Alexander`s descriptiveness illuminates the scene in the minds eye most clearly.

[@randallbates9020]

History has shown that on this day General Longstreet was correct. I can't imagine the pain of knowing that it would fail but the overriding duty of obeying ones orders. Wow.

[@xisotopex]

Longstreet, it seems to me, was correct on all three days. His judgment was correct, and he had superior situational awareness.

[@davidtuttle7556]

@@xisotopexperhaps, but he also sandbagged his commander with his orders to Pickett to slow march. Also, without attacking the Federals first, how does Lee disegage and not leave his corps widely separated.?

[@mustardseedoffaith7481]

General Longstreet is by far my favorite General. I hate to say it but shame on General Lee for ordering that slaughter. General Longstreet knew all along it was suicide. General Longstreet was a great man.

[@rc59191]

Makes me angry seeing people treat Longstreet like crap and calling him insubordinate. I wish him and his senior staff would of stood up to Lee and said we're not making this charge.

[@mustardseedoffaith7481]

@@rc59191 Totally agree

[@bamnguyen7903]

Whenever I think of Longstreet. I think of Jake Taylor.

[@jackcoleman5955]

Well done, great narration! I love learning history from vivid first person source documents.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you. The best way to understand the battles is through these first hand accounts.

[@rocistone6570]

To hear voices like Alexander's place us in the midst of the events is nothing short of spectacular. Those who were there left to history a rich collection of books, letters, and other documents. Hearing them read brings the events to life as nothing else can. The people of today, it seems, would rather fall down several flights of stairs than to write or to read anything longer than a grocery list. How many of our own present-day events will be lost to our future generations because they will not be recorded and therefore preserved, in the same way? The Civil War lives in memory today because the people who were there took the time to write and record their impressions of major events. Can or will today's people do as much for the people of tomorrow?

[@johnmonroe7378]

Roci Stone No. They will be staring at their cell phones

[@xisotopex]

Even worse, all the parallels of past history, will be unknown, and the same mistakes will be made again.

[@dukeman7595]

Outstanding, I enjoyed this video very much, well done sir.

[@moonlightmistandmemories9623]

One has to wonder what an experienced commander as General Longstreet was thinking in those moments leading up to this tragic event , I'm certain this weighed so heavily upon him , I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness grip me in listening to this account , so many young souls lost , simply heartbreaking …

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Especially from Alexander's account, Longstreet was suffering when forced to make the decision to order Pickett forward.

[@jancal9285]

I can’t quote him precisely but Longstreet said afterwards it was the saddest day of his life - which, given that he had lost two children only months before to Yellow Fever, speaks volumes about his anguish.

[@dukeman7595]

@@HistoryGoneWilder He called it with certainty the charge would fail. I think it was meant to fail, had it not, we could have ended up with two separate Countries. I believe it was Gods will.

[@drmartin5062]

I dunno, seems like Longstreet brought some of this on due to the slows.

[@xisotopex]

@@drmartin5062 no.

[@mineown1861]

It was strange that Longstreet would tell his subordinate , Alexander, to advise Pickett not to make the charge , meanwhile when Pickett directly questioned him on the matter , Longstreet just turned away . While he knew in his heart this attacked was doomed to fail , he would not countermand Lee's order , but that was exactly the action he was trying to place on his subordinate's shoulders . Was he trying to diffuse the blame if the attack was indeed cancelled , or was he just passing the buck , since he wouldn't do it just letting someone else countermand Lee . Lost in the fog of war and mists of time , only conjecture is left.

[@amadeusamwater]

You can tell how well educated Alexander was by how complete his accounts are. He finished the war as a Brigadier General.

[@johnemrick4458]

Alexander was an extremely talented engineer and artillerist. A man who was not afraid to get his hands dirty and a problem solver. He managed to get his artillery in place without being observed by the Union Signal Corps on Little Round Top on July 2nd by studying the terrain and using defilade. Meanwhile, Longstreet had to waste 2 hours on a countermarch to get Lafyette McLaws into position. Also, Alexander had 9 Howitzers he had set aside that he was going to run forward of Pickett to soften the Union on Cemetery Ridge. However, Gen. Wm Pendleton sent them to the rear during the Union cannonade and made them unavailable to Alexander at the moment he needed them.

[@jameshood1928]

Great video and narration. Porter Alexander was an excellent officer who had the explicit trust of Longstreet. Problems with fuses limited his effectiveness at Gettysburg. Also, the artillery chief under Lee made some curious decisions on the 3rd day. Ewells assault at Culps hill was not coordinated with Pickett, nor was there any supporting artillery fire given to Alexander as he points out. I have long been surprised st the overall lack of competence in the ANV on this day and the responsibility rests squarely with Lee, and to a lesser degree with Longstreet, though the latter was certainly correct in his overall assessment of the situation.

[@benh9164]

Very interesting. Have never heard the observation that not enfilading the Union line from the north was an oversight. Makes sense

[@chicken2jail545]

General Lee: General Pickett you must look to your division. General Pickett: Sir, I have no division.

[@francisebbecke2727]

In the post war years Pickett was frequently asked as to the cause of the failure of Pickett's charge. His reply was, " I always suspected the Yankees had something to do with it."

[@bcwest56]

That quote is from a movie, not what is true.

[@corvanna4438]

@@bcwest56 Pickett did frequently blame Lee, saying "that man destroyed my division."

[@lics01]

@@bcwest56 Though the wording may not be exact this conversation did take place and was noted by observers after the war. I believe Alexander was one of them.

[@tnt-hv6qw]

so glad you got patreon. hope everyone supports you. i’m going on today and sign up. cancelling my pandora crap. i truly don’t know anyone more deserving of support on you tube. this vid. is one of my top five fave. now. excellent work. you nailed it to when u said you like getting the generals account of the battle. gettysburg is really truly starting to make real world sense now cause of u. keep it up virginian. wish u all the best. i’ll campaign for ya hard.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

This is one of my top five favorites too. Thank you for all the support. Any help is much appreciated and I appreciate the campaigning.

[@1i1HrnPrpPplEater]

I have read several books by generals of both sides of the war, EP Alexander's is the best i have read so far.

[@tantoismailgoldstein6279]

I agree one of the best and I put US Grants autobiography a close second.

[@normanbraslow7902]

BillEarnhardtKnappin, better than Grant? His is outstanding.

[@1i1HrnPrpPplEater]

@@normanbraslow7902 As far as the details of the battles that Alexander was involved in, i don't think there is much of a comparison. It's been awhile since i read Grant's, but from what i recall of it, did Grant ever admit he ever did anything wrong in a battle? I remember him saying his superiors looked at him like he was crazy from one of his suggestions he made early in the war when out west. Then he said the fact that Lee's army beat him to the next location when he was trying to flank them around Richmond was just pure luck on Lee's part, until of course when he finally did get to Petersburg first which then sealed the fate of the war, that was all pure skill on Grant's part, at least according to him.

[@parkestanley2436]

Another well done video, thanks!!

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you. Stay tuned for more.

[@FlexBeanbag]

kzbin.infoBmc9NFfhx74?feature=share

[@model-man7802]

1988 there was a group of guys that did a union hospital that was complete with a Vietnam vet minus a leg to a land mine.These guys made muscles out of Crest toothpaste and surgeons gloves.A cow bone,real chicken(on ice) and this stuff used in Hollywood that's looks like real skin.They did an amputation using Caro syrup and raspberry koolaid and Damn it looked real.I had to keep reminding myself it wasnt real.The park service at Gettysburg was very very impressed.They could do it once a day and did it 7 times for the week we were there.I asked the Vietnam vet how he could do it over and over again and he told me what he suffered was nothing compared to what they suffered during the civil war so it was easy for him to do.Combined with a love of history and the civil war he said it was an honor to remember both sides not just one side but all in the battle.I was stunned and felt so small.Ive never forgot this...Wow!

Thank you. That was excellent.

[@ArmenianBishop]

Nearly 5 months later (November, 1863), Longstreet would order his men to storm Burnside's defenses at Fort Sanders, in the Knoxville Campaign. At the cost of 13 casualties Burnside repulsed the attacks, and Longstreet's casualties amounted to 813. Seems like people either forget that, or don't know.

[@johndonlin7210]

Plenty of blame to go around with the Confederate leadership. However, listen again to Lonstreet’s instructions to Pendleton. He sets s condition for the artillery to achieve, not time based. But due to munitions constraints, there was obviously a limit to time and rate of fire to achieve the desired conditions. Great lesson for current leaders on setting conditions for a breach.

[@josephchase3240]

Well the souther boys were tough not enoigh of them lee had a good 4 year run

[@stevepowsinger733]

Still hard to imagine how Lee could have ordered that charge following the Union debacle at Fredericksburg. There is some idea that Alexander’s artillery fuses were not up to snuff. The Confederates often had to make do with second-rate equipment and supplies.,

[@Odessa-y5p]

Very nice accounts of the attack it was interesting to hear that Alexander thought the initial points of the attack shall be the cemetery Hill

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

I think the second part was so powerful. He was truly confused about Longstreet wanting him to make the order.

[@jackcoleman5955]

Abundantly clear Longstreet was hunting for ANY subordinate to give him a reason for delay or halt.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Exactly. He absolutely did not want to order the attack. The battle of Gettysburg takes on a whole new dimension when you hear Alexander's words. But if you listen to Hood and then listen to Alexander, it is a bit confusing. Hood portrays a Longstreet unwilling to listen to subordinates and supports Lee's decision totally. Alexander portrays Longstreet as reluctant. Maybe the second day unnerved him.

[@jnjtiger]

Alexander is 28 at Gettysburg, yet in charge of all Confederate artillery.

[@almorrow9345]

EP Alexander is essentially Longstreet's corps artillery operations chief starting in July or August '61, though is NOT Longstreet's artillery chief whom is Pembleton (sp?). Pembleton plays an essential role in keeping Longstreet's artillery in good supply during the Civil War. Not stated during this reading is that though Alexander started the cannonading for Pickett's charge, Ewell's artillery added it fires onto the Union Center, with Alexander noting its effectiveness (as Ewell's fires came across the entire Union Center, versus Alexander's fires though being more of higher volume, were not effective [by overshooting at the point of attack) prior to smoke engulfing the entire ridge. Alexander also employed 'flying artillery' which was meant to support a lodgment that Pickett created in the Union Center, though was instead used to cover the retreat of Pickett's infantry.

[@johnmonroe7378]

Very well done sir, as always.

[@MichaelWhite-lg7xz]

Last cut off. 2). Lee, being aware of this dissent, did not show any sign whatsoever of heeding said advice, nor did he assume tactical control over the most important attack of his career, with everything of great importance pending on it's outcome, when by all articles of war he most definitely should have. Did not in fact oversee the all important deployment of the support line that he referred to later as expected but did not materialize. Did not render any on the sight orders to help facilitate the coordination and more rapid employment if support when it would have been painfully obvious only half way through the charge that the expected support lines were no where near ready to be employed

[@johnzajac9849]

At a National Park, a discussion arose about the reliability and accuracy of rebel artillery fire. When we offered that E. Porter Alexander, a noted rebel artillerist, wrote about the reliable and accurate fire of rebel artillery at Gettysburg, a park ranger called him.....wait for it...a liar.

[@JohnnyRebKy]

My next audio book is going to be Alexander’s. To bad you aren’t the narrator though. You do a great job

[@kevinkranz9156]

LEE FAILED TO TAKE THE HIGH GROUND MEADES TROOPS WERE WELL HIDDEN IN THE TREES LEE SHOULD HAVE WITHDRAWN TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY

[@martindriver6026]

Real sad. These brave men and loyalty to the cause. So sad.

[@carolbell8008]

We agree with Longstreet, he knew nothing could be accomplished by ordering the men into their horrible deaths. 🌺

[@bcask61]

It was a desperate gamble made by a man who knew that his only chance to win the war was to win a major battle in the North. He knew this was his only chance, and it was a slim one at best. Lee knew better than anyone that if the war continued into 1864 the South had no chance.

[@jeffdarnell7942]

If ANYBODY questions his abilities..I'm quite sure he was running the US Army Artillery Corps in the mid to later 1870's, and the 1880's for sure.

[@margiagilesvanderveur2583]

IT'S A CRIME THE WAY THEY FOUGHT THIS BATTLE!!!! MAY GOD BLESS THEIR SOULS!!!!

[@edstein5642]

If you plan on visiting the Gettysburg military park you best make a weekend of it. It is vast & packed with sites & features you’ll want to linger at… while avoiding folks who allow their kids to run & scream at these hallowed places. Walk the field of Pickett’s Charge at sunrise & see if the hairs on your arms stand up as mine did.

[@stevestringer7351]

Alexander was an amazing officer. He was truly an asset to his army. I believe that later he was critical of some other officers' actions at Gettysburg. Is this correct?

[@robertnielsen2461]

Yeah!I didn't think of that.I think also General Lee was over confident .When I stood where Union Forces were dug in on cemetery ridge looking out over that wide open field I thought to myself,Lee what were you thinking"?

[@jpavlvs]

The only Guns that were carried were Alonzo Cushing's. Even then they weren't kept but for a two maybe 3 minutes.

[@bigwoody4704]

Very good presentation ! Shelby Foote said Gettysburg was the price the South paid for having Robert E Lee.Longstreet saw the similiarity between it and Fredricksburg only the roles were reversed.Evidently many historians believe Lee was experiencing severe health/heart problems at the time.Those frontal assaults were a fools errand.Fredricksburg,Gettysburg,Cold Harbor,Franklin - all horrific failures .You think officers on both sides would have learned long before such slaughter kept reacurring

[@ThePercolators2014]

Franklin in particular baffles me. Hood pleaded with Longstreet to let him go around and flank the Union at the Round Tops and he lost a ton of his men assaulting those hills. He first-hand experienced the disaster it was to cross open ground against enfilade fire from an entrenched enemy. Yet, at Franklin he did the exact same thing except with more troops and an open field that was almost twice the distance of Pickett's assault. Circumstances were certainly different, he had no option in Franklin to flank but he had to have clearly seen the folly of repeating Lee's mistake at Gettysburg. Even his top General's told him it was suicide and for that he lost 7 of them in one battle.

[@brianfoley4328]

Great video......

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you. Stay tuned for more.

[@bcwest56]

Longstreet knew it was a mistake from the beginning, any fool could see it, but Lee couldn't. Why, because he didn't have intelligence to tell him and he thought that maybe he could pull it off. But God does not suffer a fool, and Lee was soundly defeated. I still would like to know, why its called Pickett's charge when Armistead actually led it. and died for it. While Pickett actually was released from the Confederate Army, when he had his "Shad Bake", while his troops were killed before Appomattox.

[@Agent-kb3zb]

Alexander had the benefit of hindsight and used that extensively.

[@joncheskin]

War is hell, especially when you lose. The confederates gave a great effort, but had no chance.

[@greg_4201]

Such a sad and subtextually charged moment this exchange between Alexander and Longstreet... both in terms of historical significance with hindsight and their own apparent thoughts at the time. It's always emotional no matter how many times I read/hear it. KZbin autoplay brings me back to this video sometimes and it gets me every time. But it's not just sadness... The accounts and portrayals of these moments still convey a strong sense of hope as they play out despite the negative outcome being a 156 year old fact. Keep it alive... you never know what the future holds.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel. Please share the videos to get the word out about these powerful moments.

[@greg_4201]

@@HistoryGoneWilder sure thing. thank you for your excellent presentations.

[@disgustedvet]

Gettysburg was General Lee's biggest mistake.

[@JohnP538]

He made very few, but Gettysburg day three was the worst.

[@tantoismailgoldstein6279]

Um no , leaving the Union was his biggest mistake.

[@tantoismailgoldstein6279]

@Gary Daniel it won't happen even if by force of arms. It will just be a repeat with the same outcome.

[@robertnielsen2461]

After Gettysburg the South began the long war of attrition until Appamatox.

[@JEAARCHITX]

General Meade and his Union forces won Gettysburg...

[@jwhite146]

I heard that Lee said that Alexander was very good, to which Longstreet replied: "that Hunt up there and there are none better."

[@ThePercolators2014]

Can you interpret this? I'm not sure I understand what he was saying...I'm fascinated because I've never heard this but I don't know what he meant...

[@jwhite146]

@@ThePercolators2014 Henry Jackson Hunt was the commander of the Union artillery and considered by his contemporaries the greatest artillery tactician and strategist of the war, he was a master of the science of gunnery and rewrote the manual on the organization and use of artillery in early modern armies.

[@ThePercolators2014]

@@jwhite146 Thanks, I get it now. With all the talk of of Porter I am not familiar with Hunt. I'm going to do some research on him...

[@zach7193]

Well done.

[@swhip897]

Pickets charge epitomizes the European disdain towards our civil war generals.

[@MichaelWhite-lg7xz]

I like to steer away from probable outcomes of different tactics employed. I prefer in a hindsight evaluation to start as a foundation, only such facts that are indisputably true. 1). Longstreet, as his privilege as well as his duty as a core commander, did in fact, in no uncertain terms profess to the commanding general his grave concerns about expecting fruitful to come of such a tactical effort

[@jeffdarnell7942]

I've NEVER been a supporter of Ewell, but granted, Longstreet waited how MUCH longer in the day, than he SHOULD have?? He followed nothing Lee commanded him to do..correctly. I always supported Longstreet, in they should have moved east, picked ground of THEIR choosing, then had the Battle. But, he never followed Lee's commands. I've ALWAYS said, if TJ had still been alive, Lee would had NEVER had told HIM to take Culps hill...he'd done it before Lee even arrived, and Gettysburg would had never happened. At least NOT as or WHERE we remember it to have happened. It's truly AMAZING...one MAN, could make such a difference..

[@alexwilliams9744]

Thank God for Lee's incompetence

[@laurencehirst7814]

I actually had to study Gettysburg, and draw conclusions!..And they were all in plain sight! Alexanders artillery was only partly effective due to obvious overshooting and inability to observe the target! Whatever possessed Robert Lee to attempt this i left up to the psychologists, because it made no sense at all! Longstreet saw the inevitable disaster coming, and wanted no part of it! Asking men to march, in close order over a mile of open ground can only be seen as suicide! The men marching would know it..But they still did it..Meade would have full view of it coming, the defence was arranged to cause maximum casualtys! Only Hood at Franklin was a bigger disaster! But you'd expect it from Hood..Not Robert Lee! Picket never forgave him! I see people constantly trying to justify what Lee did! They still believe Lee could do no wrong...Even in the face of the obvious!..Robert Lee bungled it horribly!

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

I think you may like the video I did entitled "Lee's decision at Gettysburg Explained". Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel.

[@laurencehirst7814]

@@HistoryGoneWilder You do good historical work here! I relied on maps, topography and dispositions rather that peoples opinion! (No reflection on you!)..There are so many conflicting opinions on what actually happened, you have to go on the known evidence! I also had to study Waterloo..That was even more difficult to draw conclusions on!..This is what we did in the Australian army training to become an officer!..No wonder i'm Wombat mad!..I found the American civil war fascinating, and still do to this day..The politics, even the stupidity behind it I will look at your vid. because iv'e never been able to logically explain Lee's disasterous decision!

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

@@laurencehirst7814 please check out my entire channel and feel free if you want to subscribe to the channel. I would appreciate it. Thank you for your service. I hope to do a video on Waterloo in the near future.

[@halwarner3326]

Robert e. Lee?

[@tantoismailgoldstein6279]

I've read EPA's book a few times and he was always good to lay blame on others. From the beginning of his book he blames the other young boy that the childhood fight broke out,even though it was EPA who tried to fire the pistol but it miss fired. It is like how Haskell, even though a well written account I feel it leaves alot out of their own responsibility. Blame lays on almost every Confederate commander those three days. Most important was the supporting columns that were to follow up on the attacking forces heels. From what I could find that another ten brigades were to follow up and it would have been a much different outcome. But after all said I'm glad the south lost that day.

[@bka8851]

Had Jackson been alive culp's Hill would have been taking the first day and none of this would have happened. Also had Hood been allowed to go around to the right at Little Round Top none of this would have happened. Frontal charges by both sides were a bad idea with rifled muskets and all

[@bobbrowning653]

Alexander was with out a doubt a very good artillery commander second to none. Some of the ammunition the guns used , had little effect because not timing the fuses properly.if all had been well Picketts charge could have turned out guite differently.

[@bobgolfs4432]

As I understand it, the factory of the original fuse manufacturer had been destroyed and the job was given to another who had a different quality or specs. As a result, the artillery men cutting the fuses did so based on the traditional manufacture and had no idea they were making them too long.

[@miguelservetus9534]

Could have, maybe. Would have, unlikely. Only if the Union army broke. And even if the center broke, Meade held the high ground of Little Round Top to the south and Culp’s Hill to the north. Plus he had reserves uncommitted. Lee did not have the manpower to hold any ground he gained. In disclosure, my GG grandfather, as part of Company E PA 69th, held the angle. I live near Gettysburg and am overwhelmed when I stand on this sacred ground. His daughter, Sarah was born in 1866, my GGrandmother.

[@thescarletandgrey2505]

Gen Lee: do that Gen Longstreet: maybe don’t do it? Lee: no, do it Longstreet: don’t do it? Lee: shut up an do it

[@donaldahern9930]

Longstreet was prophetic, I also think John Bell Hood had a grasp of the situation as well.Lee botched it

[@mikekemper9566]

Good that kemper lived.

[@davidrasch3082]

Sometimes I wonder if the union army had been less experienced, especially on the first day.

[@clintfulful]

ONCE A VIRGINIAN ALWAYS A VIRGINIAN EVEN NOW THAT I HAVED LIVED IN FLORIDA OVER A HALF A CENTURY

[@FredDrury-r4t]

To conclude. I'd choose to be to where I could here Lee n longstreets talks from leaving Virginia thru Maryland into Penn. I'm certain longstreet had to be against this entire campaign. Paticurly going into Penn. Without stewart.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

@@FredDrury-r4t watch my video entitled where was JEB Stuart. It explains Longstreet’s role in Stuart's ride.

[@bigblue6917]

Interesting that though they would follow Lee many of the senior officers had little or no faith in his judgement on that day. Lee's actions during this battle show a man who had decided on a plan of action in some vain hope of success but which others could see failure.

[@leonidaslantz5249]

Patreon ✔

[@QED_]

So this was not only a poorly planned assault . . . but poorly executed. Stonewall Jackson turning over in his grave . . .

[@JohnP538]

We can play "what if's" all day when talking about Gettysburg. If Hancock didn't sacrifice the 1st Minnesota Volunteers on day two, Wilcox would have split the Union center, and Gettysburg would have been a totally different battle. As Hancock said later, "Colonel Colvill and those eight companies of the First Minnesota are entitled to rank as the saviors of their country."

[@QED_]

@JohnP538: Sure. But there are larger and smaller scales of that principle. (1) LARGER: If they hadn't gone to Gettysburg in the first place, then soldier X wouldn't have sprained his ankle at Gettysburg. (2) SMALLER: if soldier X hadn't been fooling around, he wouldn't have sprained his ankle at Gettysburg. Those are 2 different scales of cause and effect . . . and we evaluate them differently.

[@ThePercolators2014]

@@JohnP538 And don't forget, the CSA came within a hair of breaking Chamberlain's position at LRT. If they had know how low on ammunition the Feds were they may have staged another attack which would have certainly broke the line and then there would have been an open path to the Union depot and the back of the Union lines, flanking achieved as Hood wanted. That may have been a history defining moment which could have gone either way but for some split-second decisions made in the heat of battle. So it goes.

[@patwest1815]

It's really a shame it's called Pickett's Charge when in reality it should be called Lee's Charge.

[@joehayward2631]

My great great and few more grand father my moms side was wounded at Gettysburg, he was shit in the side of his neck, family say that’s why he grew his beard and curved the hair that side but he was a POW dam Yankees

[@ThePercolators2014]

Who shit on him?

[@drindroldog]

Sad!

[@franklinarchambault-ik5xg]

I would have fought for the south they are better Americans than the north east democants

[@michaeltalley51]

"Gettysburg is the price the South paid for RE Lee." -- Shelby Foote

[@corvanna4438]

Without Lee the War would have ended in 1862.

[@francisebbecke2727]

It was the hairiest conflict in US history.

[@cheaplaughkennedy2318]

Ya lost Lee , should have gave it up before the charge ,all he actually ended up doing was getting hundreds of men slaughtered . Longstreet was right , it must have been painful for him to imagine the death toll that was about to be .

[@robertschultz6922]

I really don't understand why the Confederate artillery was so bad at their aim. Sounds like almost all the shells over flew the intended target. Perhaps it might have been better to aim for hookers headquarters farm early on and take out the entire federal armies top command! I'm sure it was not consistent appropriate to do so during the US civil war

[@voiceofreason2674]

That's exactly what Alexander's commanding officer Burge Walton warned, but Walton got overruled and they put Alexander in charge. The Confederates didn't have enough well trained artillerymen to maintain this massive bombardment so quickly. When the confederate artillery operated slowly it was much more effective