LIVE The Logistics of War, Behind the Lines: 159th Anniversary of Gettysburg

Kris White and Doug Douds dive into the madness that is trying to organize and utilize and army in a battle the magnitude of Gettysburg. #GettysburgTour
This piece is part of our coverage of the 159th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. You can find all of the videos here: • 159th Anniversary of G...
The American Battlefield Trust preserves America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters. We permanently protect these battlefields for future generations as a lasting and tangible memorial to the brave soldiers who fought in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.

[@robertgallagher2484]

Doug Douds is really special when it comes to explaining how the military works. Thanks so much.

[@navy7633]

Colonel Doug Douds, outstanding presentation and information. God bless you Brother Marine! USMC '76 to '82. Navy is my college, the Marine Corps is my profession. Semper Fi!

[@TroyMastern]

Wow, you guys are just smashing it this year!

[@charliet1535]

Two of my life's passions, the civil war and logistics. Thanks

[@williamiselin3977]

A topic often ignored in history. Thanks for covering it!

[@Sheilamarie2]

Another great video! Thanks for so many educational videos again, this year...

[@donaldvandergriff2196]

Thank you guys and gals for a great video on logistics.

[@michaeldouglas1243]

Wow! The logistics and statistics if the cannon ammo is amazing considering the communications and technology at that time. Excellent presentation Doug. Love it

[@michaeldouglas1243]

Also this year you fellas and gals have knocked it out of the ballpark for real. Could not be any better. Great

[@Ugly_German_Truths]

When they had the time to prepare it (and the enemy did not sabotage it, which was one of the tasks of cavalry cruising around), they DID use telegraph for communication, which would have cut out most of the problems even a campaign two decades earlier would have experienced. At Gettysburg though the lines were IIRC cut, so the army was on its own. And obviously things like the Peninsula Campaign had no direct connection or places like the Wilderness wouldn't allow you to pull telegraph lines as fast and erratic as the troops were moving...

[@charlesgerhart6532]

Some great leadership lessons here! Fantastic job gentlemen!

[@jorgemartinpaez4376]

The reason for the rapid rush is the operational mobility of the AOP is a result of the USA Army engineers Gen, Gk Warren, a hero of the roundtop, the medical department was ready to fight another large battle by next week at Frederick MD, materials and wagons have resupplied the Army of the Potomac! fantastic COL CLOUDS!

[@beister21]

I’d love to know how they loaded that stuff on trains and how they offloaded to get to the troops

[@forkintherode8236]

After my visit to Gettysburg explaining the complexity of this battle ( as a novice)to friends was challenging. Listening to this series is incredibly helpful to understanding it better. Acquaintances are stunned to realize the sheer enormity of the battlefield. The logistics can be arm-chair-quarterbacked all day long, but the fluidity of how this fight transitioned impresses me to think how quickly leaders had to respond- a massive,massive chess game of life or death. Well done with your knowledge and ability to relate it to us.

[@leonidaslantz5249]

This is an absolutely outstanding video. Thank you!!

[@steveclifton278]

This is why we give our dollars to the American Battlefield Trust . It is a good investment with many great returns. Thankyou.

[@josephbourque1032]

Well done. Glad to be a member of this worthy organization.

[@TermiteUSA]

Same here.

[@artrogue4150]

fantastic work ! thanks all

[@bradh7941]

Nice. Showing the personal side of the battle brings that added and needed dimension.

[@alphacat6881]

Thank you for sharing the humane account of Barksdale's last hours from the state of Mississippi.

[@mamikasos811]

.

[@catherineetter6477]

​@@mamikasos811🎉out

[@matthewbissonnette2658]

Kristopher and Col. Douds .. may be more reserved, a touch less energetic than Gary.. but their knowledge and passion for the past comes through! Another great video, loaded with information and stories. Thank you ABT for all you do!

[@VengeanceReaper]

Excellent content on a topic I’ve had many questions about… such as: how did they control the wagon trains? How was food and especially water moved? How did engineer scouting occur when enemy is in the vicinity? How do the ambulance wagons get organized and moved, especially during Lee’s retreat? How long did it take to set up a camp, a headquarters, etc, and how long to break it down, get it in formation, and get it moving? How did they communicate across an army that is so long it takes days to pass through? Please do more content on the logistics during the Civil War!

[@blukeblue1235]

I cant pick a favorite presenter you are all so dang good! I wish you could put out a video every day!.

[@chrislynch8128]

Such an important and interesting topic. What a massive effort it must have been to coordinate all the “behind the scenes” aspects of a battle of this scale. Also I’d love to just sit with Col. Douds over a beer and shoot the **** about all of this. Great presentation!

[@wendeln92]

Col. Douds - c. 11:53 - Most Union soldiers had some variation of the US M1855 Double-bag Knapsack which was made of black oilcloth (not leather) w/ leather straps. They were also usually issued a variation of the US M1851 Haversack, also made of oil cloth, some other state issued haversacks were made of untreated cotton or linen drill. Most accounts I read where soldiers were issued 3 days rations, depending on the situation, especially on campaign, they would cook al the meat, eat as much as possible and save what hopefully would not spoil. The haversack was the main food receptacle, the knapsack would probably be bypassed as you would not want to soil you clothing, etc with grease, blood, etc.

[@catatonic9216]

Outstanding job as always , am a big logistics nerd

[@jonrettich4579]

This was superb. Major question; I read Herman Haupt was very critical of Meade and I would very much appreciate clarification. I also read that at some point over 100 trains were going back and forth to the Gettysberg area. Phil Sheridan was sent to observe the Franco Prussian war and said there was nothing new there, makes sense. Thank you for this and all your other good efforts

[@douglashayden329]

Good job! Hopefully you will visit all battlefields and give them the same amount of attention.

[@johnmcclish2735]

Awesome video! A new look / a so uncovered subject

[@dustyolliff4387]

Great job. Loved it

[@Majorme2]

I really enjoy the human element….thats often overlooked by the larger picture

[@warrenwood8101]

It has been said that "Generals fight with logistics."

[@tomwolf8721]

Excellent! Thank you.

[@iconoclastic12007]

Great video!

[@bradleycred99]

Firstus with the mostus! I believe I heard that quote from the late Shelby Foote. Semper Fi, Colonel and Shelby!

[@douglashayden329]

Good job. Can't wait for ABT to spend plenty of time on other Battlefields

[@spankthatdonkey]

Who was in charge of finding water when a battle was to commence?

[@beerye9331]

10:44 KA-BOOM Perfect.

[@superdavem5104]

Good Stuff

[@andrewsilverstein6186]

Well done

[@jaxtracrat1775]

In war the amateurs talk tactics, the professionals talk logistics. - unknown

[@gilllawson2214]

I come off the couch 3 inches when that cannon fired

[@LeeHoFooks]

I love the videos but you got to get these fast talkers to slow down a little.

[@mamikasos811]

Ok