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

[@bigdant1291]

Many criticize Longstreet, but I believe he was a very strong and mindful man who had suffered greatly in personal life which in my mind transferred to his command of his men. He honestly cared about his brave men. God rest him

[@marknace1736]

There is a book called "Longstreet at Gettysburg: A Critical Reassessment" that is worth reading.

[@roblocksley4586]

I walked that exact field and distance. It was hard fighting back the tears. My father and I said nothing after reaching the federal lines. I don't believe we could if we wanted to. God speed to those men on both sides!

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel.

[@3m5r56]

I went to gettysburg and you see the positions of th Armies,the distance between the armies. You have to wonder what did Lee not see.

[@bluuper321]

I completely understand what you said. I cannot even describe the feelings/emotions I was feeling walking those steps. Never mind you be southern or northern, bravery and honor is bravery and honor!

[@BalonKai]

I did as well Rob. It was quite sobering.

[@bobcrone6151]

I used to work summers at a camp near Gettysburg when I was in college in NC. I’d go over to the battlefield and jog up and down Emmitsburg Road very late in the afternoon when it had cooled off a bit. Would stop and stare across that void and ponder every time. I’m not a believer in ghosts, but that field is mesmerizing to say the least. Would bring chill bumps on a 90 degree dusk.

[@gegalvezge]

Such Bravery from real simple men. Lee ordering Picketts charge Gen Longstreet knowing in his mind the order was a death sentence , can only give Gen Pickett a head movement because he knows that order is the end. You couldnt write a better story. God Bless every Northern and Southern soldier who died in the Civil War.🙏

[@BrettonFerguson]

Longstreet wanted all defensive battles when possible. Make the enemy charge your lines. In the days when soldiers had to reload their rifles after every shot, this strategy was best. It is hard to run toward enemy lines and reload a musket at the same time, plus you are exposed. Defenders can hide behind trees, fences, walls, or whatever is there to reload. Lee taking the army into Pennsylvania would have been fine, as long as when they ran into the Union Army, they would have backed up, found a good position, dug in, and let the Union attack them.

[@ctafrance]

I believe it is not completely accurate to ay that Longstreet wanted only defensive battle when possible. It would be more accurate to state he wished to avoid direct offensive attacks against an entrenched enemy position. At Gettysburg, if I understand it well, both Longstreet and Hood recommended to Lee to attack the Union forces by outflanking them to the right and rear of Little Round Top, but for some reason Lee refused the outflanking option, although Confederate forces were practically renowned for repeatedly outflanking Union forces prior to this battle. In any event, if Longstreet was recommending an ATTACK around the flank, then he clearly was not opposed to any offensive, only to the kind of direct attack on entrenched positions which had decimated Union forces attacking entrenched southern forces on repeated occasions, most notably at Fredricksburg...

[@AZ2FL2AK]

That is not true about Longstreet. Longstreet moved his division forward when he was ordered to the west at the battle of Chickamauga. Longstreet advocated to move towards Washginton t Gettysburg, because he knew the Union had the defensive advantage. They were entrenched and they had the high ground. It was Lee's first and only poor judgement to attack at Gettysburg, but he had hoped to get the north to end the end the war with a victory. Lee's focus was on ending the war and not the battle itself.

[@mrweisu]

Joseph Hooker agreed with you!

[@herberthinton1499]

@@ctafrance Some of Longstreet's best performances in battle were on the offensive. Chickamauga, his entrance into the Wilderness battle, to name a couple. His corps fought admirably on July 2 and very nearly broke the Federal lines at Gettysburg. So yes, I would agree with you. He fought well on the offensive, but was more calculated and methodical than Jackson.

[@andypagano6545]

I was just reading today that the Confederates didn't fire any shots on Pickett's Charge. They marched to their deaths on the double quick. It's easy to play Monday morning quarterback, but I just don't get what Lee was thinking, and I never will.

[@epiczeus945]

Gettysburg was lost 2 months before at Chancellorsville when Lee lost Jackson and when he defeated an army twice his number by splitting his much smaller force thus reinforcing his belief in the invincibility of the southern soldier and the righteousness of the southern cause. Many people will blame Stuart; however, Stuart had left 3 brigades of cavalry with the main force. Lee's choice not to use them for anything more than provosts was his mistake. Longstreet, who's own troops had occupied the Sunken Road at Fredericksburg knew full well what would happen to troops in an open assault on a prepared position with no cover.

[@bleedingkansai9961]

I'm not too sure about that. Lee's previous attempt at a strategic offensive was at Antietam, and Jackson was with him, and they still weren't successful.

[@epiczeus945]

@@bleedingkansai9961 the union also found Lee's Orders prior to Antietam so they knew Lee's forces were spread thin.

[@jaydee3730]

100% agreed...the day Stonewall died, the South lost the war. Johnson held no special council with Lee, and his VERY sound advice during the Gettysburg campaign was summarily dismissed. "The enemy is there, so we will fight them there" are some of the most asinine and irresponsible words ever spoken by a General, of ANY army. I truly believe Lee had lost the will to win after Stonewall's death. I wouldnt go as far to say that he wanted to lose Gettysburg, but he certainly followed the "How to lose at Gettysburg" playbook word for word...

[@alexbernhard5936]

Well said!

[@snuffedtorch3683]

Jackson is overrated

[@brunothepug8807]

To me Armistead was the most tragic loss that day. He felt the pending doom and yet bravely went to his end after briefly penetrating the Union line.

[@anthonyhargis6855]

Longstreet was much maligned, just because he wasn't a "yes man." He did what a General is supposed to do: He pointed out the flaws he saw to the Commanding General. Lee ignored Longstreet's objections and ordered the attack. Though he didn't like it, Longstreet obeyed and sent his men in. Longstreet was right, Lee was wrong. And those who thought Lee was the Second Coming hated Longstreet for that. Longstreet was the best that Lee had.

[@rocistone6570]

There is a bit more to it than that. The reason that Longstreet's name has been dragged thru the mud is that many connected his name and behavior with what came to be known as "The Lost Cause." (All of which was complete nonsense) Longstreet's longstanding friendship with US Grant (from the Mexican War) was not looked upon kindly by many Southerners who were looking for "reasons" why the "Old South" lost a battle and in fact a War they never ought to have started in the first place.

[@anthonyhargis6855]

@@rocistone6570 That's the reasoning they ascribed to Longstreet's "hesitation" to send Picket forward. Fueled by the fact that the people of that time thought that Lee was the "Second Coming" and could do no wrong; a.k.a. make no mistake. Oops!

[@rocistone6570]

@@anthonyhargis6855 Lee suffered what many believe to be a Heart attack in the spring-summer of 1863. I have come to believe that Lee was debilitated from sheer exhaustion about the time of Gettysburg. This does not entirely excuse his poor command decisions and his choice not to heed his senior commanders when they doubted his plans at and before the time of Pickett's Charge. Lee himself wrote (afterward) to Jefferson Davis that "He (Lee) had asked more of men than ought to be asked of them." Longstreet (rightly) did the same thing, and he has been pilloried unjustly ever after.

[@anthonyhargis6855]

@@rocistone6570 Any excuse works in a storm.

[@chokin78]

As much as I like Lee as a tactician, I have to say I completely agree with this comment. Good old Pete saw the writing on the wall much ahead of his commander, and his planned move of relocating the AoNV between dc and the AoP was, IMHO, strategically sound and more fitting to the situation at hand.

[@robertcosentino7684]

I’m convinced that Gen.Longstreet had a feeling of Deja Vu when he saw the similarities between the union position and the one his troops held on Marye’s Heights.Knowing the results of that battle he could only foresee disaster.

[@russharbaugh2028]

he watched a similar effort undertaken at Malvern Hill, where D.H. Hill described the action as " murder, not war. " Old Pete accurately envisioned the outcome. Longstreet had faults, bloodletting for no gain was not among them.

[@frankmiller95]

Are you sure it wasn't a feeling of "Deja vu all over again?"

[@Tomatohater64]

I liked Longstreet regardless of his strengths or weaknesses, but this advance was doomed to fail, and Longstreet predicted 2/3 of his men would be lost. He knew what he was talking about. Apparently two of his staff officers overheard him say he'd need at least 30,000 men to have a chance at taking the hill.

[@keith2092]

@@frankmiller95 yogi berra fans are supposed to register at the gate.

[@paulwilfridhunt]

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

[@hoponpop3330]

The battle was over the evening of the second day when the South failed to take little round top on the right flank or Culp’s hill on their left . The third day was insanity.

[@jameshood1928]

I agree.

[@jx14aby]

I'm just learning about this planning a trip in October. Fascinating stuff. If only things had gone a little differently, imagine.

[@bka8851]

Some of this is probably Destiny in the way it was supposed to be But had Jackson been alive and taken culp's Hill and Hood had flanked the little round top it would have been a whole different outcome

[@joepalooka2145]

It's a really profound experience to drive through that beautiful, green, peaceful Pennsylvania countryside and come to that battlefield. I remember my first time exploring all those famous sites that I had read about all my life. Standing in that spot in the trees from where Lee watched Pickett's charge, and trying to visualize such a monumental moment in history---- it's beyond our comprehension to understand the scale of such enormous violence and death. Walking along those breastworks, to the Round Tops, Devil's Den, the ground where Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address---- all these years later I still can recall my feelings of being humbled and awed and surrounded by ghosts.

[@justingoldman5018]

I was in the movie Gettysburg, I was killed in Picketts charge as a confederate . I love your content keep up the good work. And I LOVE how you keep it historical, not political

[@henrikgustafsson6385]

Describe the feeling, attacking! (though theatrically) the drums rattling, canon boom etc.

[@kenwbrenner]

Nicely done, thanks for sharing. Longstreet was many years ahead of his time. The charge on the third day was doomed to failure, very sad.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

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

[@kenwbrenner]

@@HistoryGoneWilder Hi. I will subscribe and look at your list. Thanks...

[@rayward3630]

General Lee was right when he said it was all his fault. He should have listened to his subordinates.

[@jx14aby]

"I keep to Napoleon's view that two thirds of the decision making process is based on analysis and information, and one third is always a leap in the dark." Pervez Musharraf

[@kennethhamby9811]

Lee blundered because JEB Stewart was not on the field to reconnoiter the area. He had no intelligence on enemy strength. Blame the poppycot Stewart for not being present.

[@BELCAN57]

Years ago a comrade and I got to sleep out on the battlefield behind the (then) "Cyclorama" building on the Union side. I'll never forget it.

[@scottsimmons7897]

Bottomline. The Pickett's Charge was a slaughter. Big mistake.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

If you like this video, you may like this one that explains Lee's decision. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqukda2CoM-Znqc

[@johncronin9540]

scott simmons I also recommend “The Myth of the Lost Cause” by Edward Bonekemper III. Lee just didn’t understand that the limited manpower available to the rebels was much more limited than manpower available to the Union. Essentially, Longstreet understood the strategy needed - one that was defensive, with entrenchments, which would result in far fewer casualties. All the Rebels had to do to win was to continue to exist. Washington understood this in the Revolutionary War, and rarely executed an all out charge against a larger adversary. After all, to win, the British had to destroy Washington’s army, and conquer the territory. But Washington was a master at retreating and keeping his army intact, not an easy maneuver, but he understood the strategic necessity. The burden of offense was on the Union. To win, they had to conquer the rebel territory. And in that war, due to the technology of the weapons being far ahead of the tactics, the rebels could force Union forces to take heavy casualties on the offense. Lee only seemed to grasp this when it was too late.

[@markb3806]

@@johncronin9540 That (a defensive strategy) is exactly what Lee did during Grant's assault on Virginia in 64-65. A purely defensive strategy worked against inept Union generals from 61-63 who retreated every time a battle went against them. They were married to the ideal of a decisive victory. Grant entered into a war of attrition and a defensive strategy became a losing strategy once the Union truly brought it's number to bear against the south. Lee actually knew Lincoln would eventually find a competent commander and that's why he was willing to take long chances at Gettysburg. He knew he could fight a couple of Chancellorsville's per summer and he would still lose the war. Even his greatest defensive victories were Pyrrhic victories.

[@johncronin9540]

Mark B After 1863, Lee had no choice but to stay on the defensive, because he simply didn’t have the numbers to go on the offensive, tactically, or strategically. And the huge losses at Gettysburg was the main reason why this was the case. Even the Confederate losses at Chancellorsville were too high, caused by Lee’s offensive mindset, or as Longstreet might have put it “when Lee gets his blood up.” The rebels should have been on the strategic defensive from the very beginning. Such as at Fredericksburg. Granted, a competent Union general would not have sent wave after wave of soldiers forward to be slaughtered by a solid, entrenched defensive force, which sustained very few casualties. Longstreet KNEW that a repetition of one Fredericksburg after another was what the Army of Northern Virginia should have engaged in. Had the rebels had the manpower they had before Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, the defeat of the rebellion might have been prevented, despite the Union’s numerical advantage. How? By simply dragging out the stalemates outside of Petersburg and Atlanta, until after the 1864 Election, an election Lincoln thought he would lose, to of all people, McClellan, who was the Democratic nominee, running on a peace platform. As it was, Lee’s going on the defensive caused massive casualties among Grant’s forces. Shocking losses even for that war. But Grant knew very well that the Union HAD to have an offensive strategy to win the war, because the Union essentially had to militarily had to conquer the secessionist states. The Confederacy didn’t ever face that same situation. All they had to do was to survive, keep their various armies in existence, and last long enough for either Lincoln to be defeated, or Europe to intervene. Despite this burden on the Union, generals such as Joe Johnston, who was holding Sherman at bay outside of Atlanta, using defensive tactics, and Longstreet, understood this. Sherman was delighted when Johnston was replaced by John Bell Hood, because Sherman knew that Hood was impatient being on the defensive, and would come out from his entrenchments and thus give Sherman the opportunity to inflict massive casualties on Hood’s forces, and capture Atlanta. And that is exactly what happened. With the fall of Atlanta, Lincoln felt much more hopeful of his chances of re-election, which is exactly what happened. Lee’s other glaring error was his incapability to view overall strategy of the Confederacy. He was so focused on the Army of Northern Virginia, that he tended not to look at the needs of other theater’s of the war, such as the West. Instead of remaining entrenched, and sending part of his army to Mississippi, and threaten Grant’s rear as he was laying siege to Vicksburg, and thus peel away some of Grant’s forces, Lee’s solution was to keep his army intact, and invade the North. This led to the double disaster of defeat at Gettysburg, and the fall of Vicksburg the day after Pickett’s Charge, on the 4th of July. Grant and Sherman both had a much better sense of the overall strategy, as did subordinates like Phil Sheridan, who razed the crops in the Shenandoah, the “bread basket” for the South. They realized that to defeat an enemy, you need to take away the bases of their supplies. As it was, European generals fifty years later were still making the same tactical mistakes in one futile offensive after another along the Western Front during WWI. Again, you really should read Bonekemper’s “Myth of the Lost Cause”. And there is also the lesson of what Washington did to keep his army intact, by skillful retreat, and taking chances against small portions of the enemy’s forces. Another example of a weaker army defeating a more powerful foe was the Vietnam War, where first the French, and then the Americans were defeated. They did so by outlasting the will of the French and American public, who grew more and more opposed to the war. But the Union’s victory was far from inevitable.

[@TheStimpy60]

@@johncronin9540 you would enjoy a new book ' Longstreet at Gettysburg, a critical reassessment " by Corey M. Pfarr. Well written detail and debunks all the Lost Cause nonsense

[@brianfoley4328]

Great narration...Longstreet's account comes to life....great video

[@AtunSheiFilms]

Great video man. We should do a collaboration.

[@farmall51]

I love the personal touch your channel has. Reading the first hand accounts makes it so much better.

[@michaelpeffer8517]

I am staying at General Longstreet HQ on the night of the 4th....What a place!!! Best place to stay here in Gettysburg.

[@tnt-hv6qw]

Michael Peffer that’s frigin awesome

[@skiprocker5751]

You lucky dog. I'm heading up there at the end of July!! :)

[@michaelpeffer8517]

Skip Rocker I do living histories at The Black Horse Tavern Farm over the re-enactment weekend.

[@nickroberts6984]

I was there too ! I stayed at The Inn at Cemetery Hill. The morning fog was awesome ! And the fireworks sounded like cannon ! I can hardly wait to go back !

[@josephcockburn1402]

Lee ordered Longstreet to attack on the morning of the second day. And he did not get engaged till about 4 Pm. The loss at Gettysburg is on Longstreet.

[@tbd5041]

Just recently found your channel. Absolutely wonderful content. Thank you for hard work in the videos you have produced, and the for the ones yet to come.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel. I truly appreciate the views.

[@manilajohn0182]

Pickett's charge proved to be a mistake- but it's important to remember the prevailing mood in the AoNV in July of 1863. Multiple sources reference the aura of confidence in the army, both in the officer and enlisted ranks. Furthermore, the fact is that the AoNV had achieved a minor victory 1 July, and had been nearly so on the 2nd. Far more importantly however, is the fact that Lee was all but out of options by the 3rd. Longstreet's alternative of a maneuver (almost certainly tactical) around the Union left would take time to execute which Lee no longer had available. Under the prevailing circumstances on the 3rd such a maneuver was unlikely to result in success for the Confederates. The simple fact is that the entire campaign had too many objectives, too small a force to accomplish them, and not enough time to do any of them. This is because the Confederacy was losing the war by July of 1863- a fact long obscured by the myth that Lee went north to win the war.

[@michaelfrichard]

McClellan would’ve defeated Lincoln and made peace were it not for this great victory and it’s downwind effects. The idea the South was doomed to defeat is the product of romantic southern historians - they would’ve likely won the war if Lee had delivered a resounding blow to the AofP during the campaign.

[@manilajohn0182]

@ponianyoutube8071 If Lee's only consideration was the AoNV, you'd have a good point. The strategic objective of the campaign, however, was to achieve a great enough success to remove pressure from the Confederate defenders at Vicksburg- and on the morning of 2 July, Lee had so far done nothing to further that objective. The situation at Vicksburg had been a problem of increasing significance for the Confederate political leadership since the beginning of 1863. A number of ideas had been suggested as to how to aid the defenders there- all of which involved the transfer of divisions from Lee's army out west to remove pressure from Vicksburg. Lee argued against the transfer of any of his forces west and told the Secretary of War in April that the surest method of bringing relief to Johnston (the department commander for the Vicksburg area) was for the AoNV to cross into Maryland. In mid- May after the battle of Chancellorsville, President Davis and his cabinet decided to allow Lee to retain those divisions and authorized Lee's movement north on this basis. Moreover, the operational objective of Lee's invasion was to forage off of enemy territory and restock the AoNV's supply train. Because the AoNV was foraging and had no line of supply, it could not remain in any one place for more than 3- 5 days. Lee said himself in his after- action report that he had not intended to fight a battle so far from his base unless attacked, so it's clear enough that he had envisioned a strategically offensive but tactically defensive campaign (as Longstreet stated in his memoirs) to maneuver the AotP into attacking the AoNV. The unexpected meeting engagement of 1 July ruined this plan of campaign because Lee assumed the tactical offensive to that victory. With the two recent defeats at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, with the defeat of 1 July, and with a new commanding general at the helm, there was now all but no chance that the AotP would go over to the attack. This is why Lee attacked on both 2 and 3 July. Vicksburg had been placed under siege before Lee's campaign even got underway, the AoNV had taken an excessive amount of time moving north because of the necessity to forage, and the tactical initiative (something which he had not wanted) was his. Lee had to either attack or abandon the campaign in failure having done nothing to further the strategic objective of it. Longstreet's suggestion of a maneuver around the Union left was no longer viable by 2 July- because the AoNV hadn't foraged since Lee's concentration order of 29 June, because the clock was ticking at Vicksburg, and because such a maneuver was unlikely in the extreme to result in an attack by the AotP.

[@squiremuldoon5462]

What a senseless battle, Longstreet knew he was sending those men to their deaths, walking out in the open under musket and cannon fire only to converge at a clump of trees?

[@pwb0511]

Although there are clearly arguably many differences between the charge of the light brigade, Pickets Charge and the battle of the Somme, clearly they are similar in this aspect. Poor recon of the enemy’s strength, in effective artillery, primitive lined up slow moving targets attacking fortified positions. Insane

[@jameshood1928]

The men bravely executed a flawed plan of battle. Lee's worst day.

[@GLH5MHIL]

I would argue that the poor recon excuse might have been plausible on Day 1, it was not on Day 3. Longstreet was very much aware of the strength at the Union Center and the overall capability of Union artillery to strike at anything moving out on that open ground. He was especially talented at defensive warfare and could easily see the difficulties any charge would have on that ground. I have been to Gettysburg. I've not walked the charge yet, but I've been to the Angle and to the ridge line where the 15,000 Confederates stepped off from. I've looked upon that vast open ground and looked at the places where Union artillery were placed as oriented towards the charge. It is as humbling and as awestriking an experience as I've ever encountered. Reconnaissance wasn't the issue on the 3rd day...Lee surely could see what even my poor untrained eyes could plainly see. It is a remarkable feat for the charge to even make it to the objective, let alone contend for it briefly. Longstreet didn't think the attack would last much beyond Emmitsburg Road.....what strong men it took to get to The Angle...how few there were left when they got there, and no support to exploit the initial success these few had when they managed to push over the wall and for a brief moment broke the Union line. The Federals had no such problems with support, and slammed the door shut on the Confederates. Courage was the main thing on Day 3...each side did their duty knowing the butchery that would occur...its such a sad thing to stand at the copse of trees and consider the price that was paid there....

[@thomasblea1676]

@Greg Hampton Brother, that was so aptly described that no further words are necessary. It vividly points to the fact that, no matter how brilliant a commander, that commander is going to eventually have a "bad day" that is going to cause the people under him to pay the butcher's bill. Such is one sad reality of war. I've witnessed this myself during the Iraqi Civil War in '06 and '07. Lee got prideful and stubborn, and it caused a tragic miscalculation, which finally led to the slaughter on that third day. I'm absolutely certain that the night before, during Lee's Officer's briefing, that after everyone was dismissed, General Longstreet did everything possible, within the bounds of genuine loyalty towards his commander, and gentlemanly comportment, to get General Lee to change his mind on the assault on the Union middle. Unfortunately, Lee was convinced that the Union middle was sufficiently denuded to reinforce against the Confederate flank attacks on the previous day. It was, unfortunately, a bad and costly miscalculation for his men. We can only speculate until the cows come home, so to say, if Longstreet's additional private objections would have been heeded, had Longstreet's objections been backed-up by observations from General Stuart's cavalry probes. Hmmm...another interesting dimension. The blaming of General Longstreet for Lee's "miscalculation" is hardly warranted despite General Lee's near deification. Furthermore, Longstreet's failure of the previous day's flanking attack hardly earnes him the scorn heaped upon him due to the fact that; he was attacking an entrenched enemy atop hills, by men who were already exhausted and I'll equipped; many without even shoes to protect their feet on that rocky, uphill soil. But despite those deficits, they very nearly carried the day nevertheless. Oh well, to reiterate, anyone can second guess anything after the fact when they aren't facing the stresses "of the moment." Plus, no matter how good you are at whatever you're doing, YOU ARE EVENTUALLY GOING TO HAVE YOUR BAD DAY(S) with resulting MISCALCULATIONS! Brother, you are so correct! Even 150 years after that battle, every time I see a detailed presentation of it, I get a knot in my stomach and my throat. You can't honor the memory of those brave men in blue and grey enough for their supernatural courage to charge into that kind of a maelstrom of hot lead, exploding iron shards, and iron canister shot! God rest their souls!

[@amain325]

@@GLH5MHIL I used to think I might be crazy, that I was the only person who, when standing on those grounds at Antietam, Gettysburg and other battlefields, felt that the ghosts of those men were around me, their pain and sorrow constricting my breath and tearing my heart from my chest. But now I know I am far from alone in this, having read your thoughts and many other such testimonies. None of us can define it, but we can feel it. I've felt it at the Alamo, and on the roads in and around Sharpsburg without even being on the actual battleground. I do not believe it's just all in my mind.

[@Pb-ij4ip]

I’ve only recently discovered your channel but am enjoying it very much. In particular I’m enjoying that you let the participants speak.

[@jameshood1928]

Lee's biggest mistake. Failed to heed Longstreet's sound advice. A truly stalwart effort by Pickett's boys was doomed from the start. Having walked the charge twice myself, I don't see any way it could have succeeded. The ANV should have packed up and gone back to Virginia that morning.

[@jasonwhitaker4883]

James Hood from an military stand point yes! From an political stand point they couldn’t! Lee had to attack under political pressure!

[@jameshood1928]

@@jasonwhitaker4883 I think it would have been better for Lee to have remained in Virginia and set his battle line at the Rapidan north of Richmond. He could have made a strong case for a more defensive posture. However, military events occurring in the west did force his hand to an extent. And he underestimated the Union army after their poor showing at Chancellorsville. He took a chance on an invasion and lost. Longstreet would been more conservative.

[@jameshood1928]

@@jasonwhitaker4883 A fateful decision to go north. Lee and Davis discussed it, considered possible outcomes. Had Longstreet been in command he would have resisted. Hindsight I know makes for easy second guessing. Politically, you want to avoid any chance of giving Lincoln a big victory. So stay home where you are undefeated.

[@jasonwhitaker4883]

James Hood like you said though there were many debates such as splitting the army of North Virgina to relieve the siege of Vicksburg I believe. Davis knew he was losing the war at that point. Most of the Mississippi was going to be under union control. They would have been eventually been starved out if they stayed defensive. Even though the same could be said about Lincoln as well that political pressure to end the war was just as great on the union side. Lincoln’s frustration with the army of the Potomac was also well known. We could always speculate especially after the failed attempt of the invasion and battle of Antietam the previous year! But when you bring politics in to war it’s never an good thing.

[@jameshood1928]

@@jasonwhitaker4883 There are a number reasons I never favored this invasion. Unfamiliar terrain, extended supply lines, and the loss of Jackson. I think you draw strong defensive positions in Virginia and Tennessee and then negotiate a settlement with Lincoln. No easy way out of that conflict.

[@georgeherod4252]

Sir, I absolutely love history and civil war is about the top. Especially Gettysburg. Back in 2005 we were going to fly to Pennsylvania to visit her dad. My wife surprised me with passes to Gettysburg and it was the 4th of July which is a big deal at Gettysburg. I was like a kid with a new bike. I loved it. I would like to know how it felt to stand under the grove of trees. For me, I have no words, it was almost overwhelming looking across the killing field where thousands of men were cut down. Sir you are an amazing orator. I could close my eyes and almost see the rows of men marching into the field. God bless you

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for the compliment. I have a video entitled "Another moment the movie Gettysburg should have included" that gives the perspective of Union soldiers at the grove of trees. Please check it out and I appreciate the follow.

[@kimberleyannedemong5621]

I loved this video. For reasons I'm not sure i can articulate General Longstreet owns a special place in my heart.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel. Longstreet is special character in Civil War History for me too.

[@totallynotalpharius2283]

Ok for me at least , Tom Beringers performance in Gettysburg def helped . Also he wooped ass at Chickamauga which I can see from my house

[@teambridgebsc691]

I do appreciate readings from history far more than the opinions of persons far far removed. The closest facsimile of the truth that can be determined emerges from the disparate viewpoints of those who were there. Love this channel.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel. I truly appreciate it.

[@kyolusrex8711]

Here’s an idea on Gettysburg - The story of Lt Col Rufus Dawes and the 6th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment of “The Iron Brigade” at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1st at the Railroad Cut

[@occasionalbuddha8649]

www.bigbytebooks.com/an-officer-in-the-iron-brigade/

[@josephvalvano829]

Kyle, Dawes was a veritable “Rambo” an amazing man with a reservoir of courage that is astounding.

[@frankfanuzzi8395]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqeUg2pviMelqNE

[@ronalddesiderio7625]

Frontal attacks are always costly with casualties. Even if they succeed. You always take a beating

[@BillCody931]

I am writing a Theis on General Longstreet and how he has been milliner in history. Your redo is a great source for help, Thank for all you do.

[@Thepourdeuxchanson]

I never knew Longstreet was a milliner. He certainly never seems to have worn any fancy hats.

[@matthewpoplawski8740]

Me either. I never he sold hats. It took TOO MANY YEARS to put up a monument to James Longstreet. When I visited Gettysburg in 2013, I was able to see it,but, if there hadn't been signs pointing to where it is, no one could find it. I thought (and STILL DO THINK) it was placed in a very obscure spot on the battlefield. 🤔🤔🤔🤨🤨🤨✌✌✌✌

[@marknace1736]

Lee made many mistakes on the Gettysburg campaign, but his top lieutenants failed him the worst. Jeb Stuart failed to be the eyes of the army and left Lee blind in Pennsylvania, Richard Ewell failed to take an undefended Culp's Hill on July 1st which would have made the union line untenable. Lee failed to take Longstreet's advice to move to the right and establish a defensive position like he had at Fredericksburg. Lee insisted on the flanking echelon attack on July 2nd when Hood wanted to move around the rear of the Round Tops and attack the union rear not to mention the colossal disaster of Pickett's charge on July 3rd, losing a large portion of the attacking troops.

[@catmandu1957]

Mark Nace I always ponder if the death of Stonewall Jackson some 6? Weeks earlier was not the major contributing factor to this issue. Having lost one of his two disciplinary leaders, Lee tried and failed to assume Stonewalls place and did not have the control over freelancing generals that Jackson had exhibited before. The command structure of Lee commanding while Jackson and Longstreet pushed troops was not present at Gettysburg as it had been in earlier battles.

[@leroyaiken4199]

The Federals remembered Fredrickburg, Lee should have too!

[@georgesetzer5283]

mark Nace....I keep trying to correct this myth about Stuart and very few people listen. There were 5 brigades of cavalry in The ANV. Stuart had 3 of those brigades. There were 2 Brigades under the command of Beverly Robertson still with the army and Lee had them in the wrong position. Instead of being in front of the army at Cashtown with Hills corps they were 20 miles to the west and out of position. Lee had cavalry for recon work but he did not use what he had properly.

[@3m5r56]

@@catmandu1957 Longstreet had no desire to attack little round top. He knew from experience, from Antietam.

[@johnshields9110]

With the taking of Culp's Hill, or either of the Round Tops, Lee could have had cannon cross fire directly on the Union lines. Lee lost all reason in thinking that troops marching across that mile wide field would have enough left (men or energy) to take the ridge the Union held. It was men marching to their own slaughter.

[@herberthinton1499]

It took a brave soul to advance against the Federal position across that open ground. Unspeakable courage and valor on both sides.

[@frankfrazierjr.3216]

You did a great job of telling that story.

[@dperry913MusicTracks]

Actually, my bad on another comment i made on one of your videos---I suggested doing Longstreet on Gettysburg, I forgot you already did this one and I did watch it, lol.

[@ColinH1973]

bob

[@dianadupont7909]

I love the way you read, i can just close my eyes and see exactly what your saying

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much.

[@craigclemens986]

You’re, not your.

[@OW...]

Great reading....your voice gives it authenticity....

[@fundamentos3439]

" It's all my fault " : General Lee's words after the failed charge.

[@kw19193]

And it was. Lee is the last commander that I, for one, would want planning and leading any offensive operation. Lee's offensives were pathetic in their planning (I use that term loosely) and execution. Had he faced anyone other than the mediocre and easily intimidated commanders of the AoP that he did the war would have ended earlier. Cheers!

[@frankmiller95]

@@kw19193 Exactly. Most likely on September 17, 1862. Had almost anyone other than that pompous, timid, little turd, McClellan been in command of The Army of The Potomac on that day, the war would have probably been over within weeks. No Army of NV, no more Confederacy.

[@jameshood1928]

He later softened his position.

[@JackOstinato]

Another high quality post. There are those who believe that Gen Longstreet was the ablest and most competent Corps commander on either side during the entirety of the war. Admirers of Gen Sherman might disagree, but there can be no doubt as to Longstreet's power, effectiveness, and reliability as a commander.

[@amain325]

I would submit that Union general Winfield S Hancock was an equally able and competent corps commander

[@BoroXXX6]

No, he was not criticized "since the war ended", he became a victim of military-inept Early only when Lee passed away...

[@alanaadams7440]

The strategy had changed during the civil war. No longer was it prudent to attack head on in the open field. Longstreet disagreed with Lee and history proved him to be correct

[@stevenroland7472]

I have always taken Longstreet's Account of the Battle of Gettysburg with some skepticism. He is obviously trying to distance himself from the loss of the battle. He makes himself sound like a powerless observer rather than a Corp Commander. In particular his characterization of Lee as acting out of emotion is counter to every other battle Lee commanded. He ordered Pickett's Charge because after the first two days he believed that the Union would weaken the middle to protect the flanks. And the Confederates made it to the Breastworks, but the Union forces were much stronger than Confederate intelligence had calculated.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

I've got numerous videos about Pickett's charge. To see another aspect of Longstreet at Gettysburg, listen to my video on E. P. Alexander.

[@3m5r56]

Come on! If you have ever been to Gettysburg. The distance between the armies. The fact conferates had to attack uphill. Longstreet should have thrown a bucket of water on Lee and reminded him of Antietam.

[@Superfangelo]

"Run, old hare. If I was an old hare, I'd run too." ~ unknown southern soldier just prior to Pickett's charge

[@thenarrowroad7908]

Civil War battle tactics were suicidal. Maybe they should of taken a page out of Washington's strategy of fighting the British.

[@roselongstreet8484]

He is my great great great great great great grandfather

[@sarddok]

Mine was Napo....

[@univac7677]

Rose that is neat. Any family stories to share? I think he was ahead of his time both militarily and more progressive than many others in the Confederate cause.

[@richardertter4651]

Cool, Ms. Longstreet, what an awesome family heritage you have. I am related by marriage to the Lincoln family. I have a great deal of respect for General Lee and your great, great, great grandfather due to their faith in the Almighty God.

[@willo7734]

Cool. My great great grandfather was in the army of Northern Virginia. He was in one of the units that went through Pickett’s Charge but a few days before got a minor wound that put him out of action for a few days. Lucky for me. Thanks for stumping your toe so I could be born gr gr granddad.

[@DrewSohl]

Rose Longstreet / A great man.My favorite general.

[@tnt-hv6qw]

as always excellent video. been waiting with anticipation top down awesome perspective. never heard longstreets account. hope you have a wonderful fourth and i cannot express enough how much i appreciate your time doing all this. luv every video hero thank you.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for the support. I truly appreciate you and all the people who watch this channel. It makes me so happy to hear that you all enjoy my stuff.

[@andrewdeehan6292]

Yes. Definitely another dimension of the the day. Very well done. Thank you for the insight, Mr. HHWT!

[@SnapSuplexSeanVA]

Thanks for posting my man. Love it.

[@1spitfirepilot]

The waste of brave men in an unjust cause.

[@hvymettle]

Longstreet wanted to make a strategic turning movement around the Union left, to get to some unknown ground in between Meade and DC, which Meade would have no choice but to attack. To achieve that turning movement, the Army of Northern Virginia would have had to disengage on the left and center and march around to the Fairfield Road while Longstreet held the Emittsburg Road and acted as a rear guard for the other two corps. And all this across the AoP's active front. If Meade didn't attack while they were moving off, they would be heading south on an exterior line to get between Meade and DC who had the interior and thus shorter lines. The best Lee could hope to do is to get to Frederick and occupy the line of the Monocacy. Meade would not be compelled to attack because he would be between Lee and DC. The question is how long Lee could subsist with no supply line. So a strategic turning movement sounds great until you look at a map and see that it won't end up well for the AoNV. A tactical turning movement around Big Round Top makes little sense either, as they had no intelligence of what was back there. Rock Creek and the Round Tops form a corridor that any military movement must pass through. At most there is room for 6-8 regiments abreast, so the troops are going to be stacked up with little room to maneuver. The Fifth Corps had been perfectly posted where Rock Creek crosses the Baltimore Pike to create a blocking position that would put the attacking Confederates in a cul-de-sac. The VI Corps was arriving up the Baltimore Pike which would have put them on Longstreet's right flank, and Sickles could have attacked his left flank. If Longstreet had sent Hood's Division around the right it would have never come back. I know it sounds good to say that Longstreet was right, but when you reason through it, it was not feasible. Lee had every reason to believe that if his orders were carried out they could drive off the enemy. This battle proved that the price of victory at Chancellorsville was defeat at Gettysburg. There had been so much attrition in the Confederate high command that Lee was unable to get the army to perform cohesively. If Longstreet actually suggested to Lee that the AoNV move off to the right in the face of the enemy with it's thirty miles of men, wagons, and animals in tow, Lee would have dismissed the idea as being unmilitary.

[@3m5r56]

Just as MacArthur used his island hopping tactics in the Pacific. Longstreets long flacking plans sound pretty good. Lees Army was in the North and confederates could attack anywhere. What a wonderful target 30 miles of narrow roads filled with Union troops and supplies was..

[@hvymettle]

@@3m5r56 Island hopping? I didn't know Lee had an air force and navy with him. What's flacking? Did you mean flanking? Sure, as wonderful a target as 30 miles of narrow roads filled with Confederates. Longstreet's flanking plan may sound good, but it is a pure flight of fancy.

[@3m5r56]

@@hvymettle Lee was totally defeated at Gettysburg. He had to retreat back to Virginia. After the first 2 days of battle. The only thing produced were heavy casualties and a tired army. Longstreet had slaughtered Union soldiers at the stonewall at Antietam. He knew frontal assaults against well defended positions were a waste. If he had argued forcifully in front of other officers in Lees presence for his long flanking march. Or if he had threatened to resign,because he knew the frontal assualt uphill against the Union was going to be a disaster. His plan would not be a historical might have been. If I made any spelling errors. Too bad.

[@hvymettle]

@@3m5r56 Not only does your spelling need improvement but your grammar is terrible too. The stone wall was at Fredericksburg, not Antietam. If you can't express yourself in coherent English sentences or get basic facts correct then your opinions can't be taken seriously.

[@farginbastage805]

A confederate soldier said of the battle," the Yankees seemed to shoot straighter when they're in the North."

[@johnchetcuti9960]

Thank you for this video. keep them coming.

[@boblawblaw1354]

I believe Lee felt immense pressure to have a decisive victory in the North due to what was happening in Vicksburg and also, they could not keep up with war production of the North or even adequately feed their army. This caused him to make decisions that he normally would not have made. Their only hope was to have the North sue for peace after a major Confederate victory on Union soil. Lee's army was never the same after this battle due to the high number of officers they lost.

[@richpontone1]

I understand this. The Confederate Artillery bombared the Union positions for a couple of hours, with the sound so intense that it could be heard a hundred miles away. The Commander of the Union Artillery ordered his gunners not to fire. The Confederates thought that they had destroyed the Union Artillery as the normal enemy response would be to fire back. The Union Artillery Commander ordered his gunners to wait until Pickett's men were halfway from their starting position and the Union battle lines before firing their cannons. First, the Union gunners used cannon balls which literally bowled down dozens of Confederates per cannon shot and then they used Canister shot with dozens of Minie balls, acting like shotgun shells. Pickett was not at fault as Robert E. Lee confessed that it was totally his own fault. Unfortunately, Marsh Lee did not have accurate information as to the Union Army disposition and so, he guessed. He guessed wrong.

[@douglascasey3486]

Never attack a very strong enemy in their own land. Lee should have stayed defending his land.

[@Jed-i8d]

A war that should never have been Christian’s fighting against Christian’s so to speak we should all take heed and turn to and live for Jesus the son of god

[@johnmonroe7378]

Great job, as always, Thomas.

[@georgelindsey7370]

Thank you and i did enjoy. Your reading of his accounting held passion and a presence of mind in being there.

[@charlescrowell4981]

Lee made the worst mistake a general could make, he let his heart overrule his mind.

[@bcask61]

Charles Crowell I don’t think that is the case. I believe that Lee knew the only chance the South had was to end the war in 1863. That belief led to the taking of the desperate gamble. Lee knew that if the war dragged on, the South was doomed.

[@dbstewart7521]

I believe both are true statements.

[@charlescrowell4981]

Gen. Washinton's army was always on the move, they never let the british catch them. Lee's army was run to ground by Grant who never let up the pressure." I will fight on this line all summer."

[@reccesixty6322]

@@bcask61 Totally agree with your remark. Lee saw the writing on the wall. As did the Germans in 1918 ( Operation Michael) and 1944 (The Battle of the Bulge)

[@ColinH1973]

Excellent presentation.

[@johnzajac9849]

At 4:29, the narrator correctly says that Armistead fell 'near the wheels of the enemy battery'. However, the NPS memorial to Armistead is incorrectly placed tens of yards away from that correct site.

[@dukeman7595]

I believe General Longstreet deserves a lot better than what he received. Had Lee taken his advice, I think we would have a divided Country. Gods will that we remain the U.S.A...

[@tnt-hv6qw]

i’m a devout rebel from mississippi. it pains me to say this but as you get older you do see the bigger picture. i’m now glad we didn’t win. i’m sad they suffered so much for the cause but if we had won we would have no doubt ripped ourselves to pieces and it would have been so much worse. lincoln knew it. sad to say but true. we would still be embroiled in guerrilla fighting. it had to be settled with blood but why we didn’t have a wide spread guerrilla war after was because everyone knew it had been settled and that’s that.

[@dukeman7595]

@@tnt-hv6qw Nothing happens by chance, it was meant to be. True many died, much American blood was spilled and many suffered terribly, especially the South, during and after the War. We were meant to remain the United States of America. Gods will. Amen.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

I believe Longstreet deserves better too. I hope that eventually, people will see him for who he truly is, a strong and capable commander.

[@dukeman7595]

@@HistoryGoneWilder Yes sir, however, he who writes the history is usually the victor. Seems everyone really liked Gen. Lee and he received the credit, not that he didn't deserve it, however, in this case Gen. Longstreet's plan to re-group between the Union forces and Washington D.C. may have changed the outcome. Gods Will

[@jimclark6256]

@@dukeman7595 god's will, please, really, you think your god causes all of the deaths and suffering? You are welcome to you evil god.

[@joncheskin]

It was a desperation toss by Lee, a Hail Mary from a guy who was generally pretty calculated. I guess he figured he was never going to make it back to Pennsylvania, and he was right.

[@johnbarber3764]

Jonathan C I have heard that Lee had suffered a minor stoke in the days before the battle. He fell off his horse and hurt his wrists somewhere on the March North( anyone know exactly where?) He sent very few written orders from his observation position during the battle and compared to his control exhibited at Antietam and Fredericksburg, I think there is a possibility that he was medically impaired.

[@milesteg3972]

You have done a wonderful job of showing that these men were complex multi-dimensional people. It is easy to judge people and easier to only look at one or two character flaws, or at one mistake. It is unbelievable the decisions these generals had to make. Keep up the good work.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much. That is my intention with many of my videos

[@brianjett5718]

Love this channel, man. Happy Independence Day.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for the support. It means the world to me that people follow this channel.

[@OldSchool-px1xk]

Much has been said and written about that failed attack. But let's get that straight: What options did Lee really have? If he was not totally out of his mind he already knew since the Union held its lines on day 2, the battle was lost and there was nothing for him he could do anymore in Pennsylvania. Meade was not like Hooker or McClellan, he realized, finally the Union had some able commanders. What is more, it should not have been lost on him, what was going on at the same time at Vicksburg. Though Gettysburg always had all the attentiion, to my point of view the loss of Vicksburg was the real turning point of the war. Not a conicidence, it saw the inevitable rise of Grant, the only general in the Union who could defeat Lee. If Meade had lost or rather retreated, what would have happened? Lincoln had send in another 100,000 men with another General. There was no 'winning" for Lee. But for the Confederates, losing the last bridge to the western part on the Mississippi, the South essentially was reduced to the states from Virgina to Georgia. Bearing that in mind, all what Lee could achieve was to start creating an image of the South, not defeated by the enemy, but the 'lost cause'. That is why he ordered that suicidal attack, sacifying his best men. It already was all politics. Longstreet, an old warhorse and typical field commander, never realized that. But given his opinion on session and slavery in general, I never understood why he fought on the Rebel side at all. Had Lincoln had someone like him in command right from the beginning, the war had been over in 1862.

[@Loccutus28]

Fine job. Would love to know the source you are reading from. Again, you did well and I am a University Professor of History here in the Midwest.

[@dammardedinamarca1017]

James Moeller Mr university professor...the correct English is..from WHICH you are reading...the dangling participle is unnecessary

[@JEARP]

It is so dreadfully sad to hear of such bravery for the cause of Americans killing each other. How your real enemies must gloat to watch brother turned against brother today.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

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

[@tabs9213]

The CSA situation often meant that Lee had to take long odds to prevail. Part of that is that all CSA military forces were adhoc affairs which luckily for the CSA had a large number of professional officers. As the Rebellion continued the pool of those officers dwindled. Lee was odds on the best tactical field officer the US has ever produced given what he had to work with. .An outnumbered rag tag army that was continually short of everything. Lee was also an accute observer of the strengths and weaknesses of his opposite numbers. Chancellorsville must have truly atounded Lee as to what he and the army of NV was able to pull off. This led to an air of over confidence in estimating the capabilities of his army. Strategically Lee knew he had to take the risk of going onthe offense in PA..but tactically forgot that he had to husband his forces by picking and choosing advantageous ground. Lee did not make that mistake again.

[@williamfindspeople4341]

After the war was over General Longstreet was criticized for collaborating with the Union to make his life successfully, he went on to become a ambassador to Turkey. In my opinion he was a survivor.

[@donb1183]

He had been best man at US Grant's wedding and after the war accepted the loss and the need for reconstruction. A Confederate who deserves a statue.

[@christopherkahn6522]

Pickett's charge was the greatest and most fearful charge in American history. If the Civil War could be boiled down to a single moment, this is it. Longstreet was right. They should have flanked the Union army and marched on Washington D.C. instead, cutting off their line of supply.

[@mrweisu]

Why isn't Lee's reputation damaged as much as Grant's after Wilderness and Cold Harbor?

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

A lot of it is because he took on demi-god status after the war. Rightfully so, Lee should be hurt in reputation for battles like Seven Days.

[@jasonkane6156]

@@HistoryGoneWilder Lee gets off real easy altogether. When US History is finally adjusted. Lee's reputation is going to tke a major hit. Thank you for your program. Subscribed

[@seospider]

And the reason he took on demi-god status was Southerners could not psychologically handle how much they had lost and suffered with nothing gained. Thus they created an alternative history/reality called "The Lost Cause." The story needed a hero and since no one liked Jefferson Davis, Lee was the next best choice. The shocking thing is the South and the Lost Cause narrative succeeded for over a hundred years. The old saying was the North won the war and the South won the peace. Reconstruction collapses in 1876 and Jim Crow will last until the 1960's. White Americans basically decided to ignore the plight of black Americans for the sake of national unity. This is best represented when Woodrow Wilson addressed the veterans at the 1913 50th Anniversary of Gettysburg and talks about the glory and honor of the veterans of both sides and never mentions the cause of slavery once in his speech. Of course Wilson himself was a racist and had resegregated the federal government that progressive Teddy Roosevelt had just desegregated years earlier. Finally just now Americans are re-evaluating and unpacking all the myths spun by the creators of The Lost Cause narrative and we are seeing the monuments to southern Generals fall and the rehabilitation of reputations of figures like Grant and Longstreet who had for so long been derided by purveyors of The Lost Cause.

[@imyourdaddy5822]

@@seospider James Longstreet is a criminally underrated figure in US history, not only was he one of the best generals in the Civil War, after the war Longstreet lead the New Orleans police and a mostly black militia unit to battle against the White League who had taken over New Orleans and rescued the city from them, and advocated for Reconstruction and political cooperation with Black Americans, if any Confederate deserves a statue it's James Longstreet.

[@Dav1Gv]

Very interesting video. I feel the attack can be summed up by the following: "There was a death torn mile of broken ground to cross With a low stone wall at the end, and behind that wall the men of the Second Corps And behind them another force, fress troops who had not yet fought. They began to cross the ground. The guns began to tear at them." from Stephen Vincent Benet - John Brown's Body On the other hand Frank Haskell's account of the attack makes one realise it didn't seem as one sided as, with hindsight, we now think it to have been.

[@SamhainBe]

Such a waste of good men...

[@douglaswells8470]

War always a waste of good men...and much else. But,always a waste.

[@dalegribble4308]

Yeah and the confederates died too

[@BrooklynAvenue]

A conversation between Lee and Longstreet is a conversation between the best of the 18th century with a man who would have felt at home in the 20th. This is why they had no hope of a mutual understanding.

[@amain325]

You have stated something I have thought, subconciously, for a long time. I've often thought how I would like to pull someone from the past into our time, tell them the history of the 20th century and show them the technology they could not have dreamed of in their time. That person has always been General Longstreet.

[@johnnowakowski4062]

Thanks for the great work!

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching. Please check out my other videos.

[@jackcoleman5955]

These scenes are recreated shot for shot in the 1993 movie. Looks like this was their source document. Longstreet nodding, Lo stocking his hat on his sword, etc.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

I believe so too. Take a listen to my video about Hood's explanation of Gettysburg and it appears Hood's account was also source material.

[@jr-xs9tf]

That sword's in the museum of the Confederacy in Richmond.

[@WilliamCurry-bh3dk]

lee SHOULD HAVE listened

[@timsindt5245]

Longstreet was blamed after the war because Lee died so soon After, ever perfect. Longstreet was blamed for Gettysburg, when it was Lee who sent them to their death

[@outdoorlife5396]

It was mistake to attack, attack like Lee did. He got into a fight with everybody mostly on the way. Sturat had not reported on the position of the Union army. Lee had no idea how big the force was in front of him. Longstreet was right, do attack or the results will be like Maverln Hill or Fredericksburg for the Union. By this time the frontal assault was probably the most deadly things a officer could order. The fire power was to strong and tactics needed to be changed.

[@agentmulder1019]

Lee did perhaps the WORST thing he could do which was to attack the FEDERAL center.

[@michaelfuller2153]

I heard somewhere that Stuart was sent around behind the Federal position but was stopped...have you heard this? It would make sense to hit from two sides, but do not know if it is correct. Thanks for the video.

[@Bygre]

Stuart was stopped by Custer.

[@Korkzorz]

Something I've been wondering.. when Pickett ordered the retreat and the soldiers began withdrawing from the attack and walking across the field towards Seminary Ridge.. did the Union soldiers continue to fire at them? Did the muskets stop and/or the cannons? I would guess it might be considered unworthy to shoot at retreating men but here you would have had thousands to still wreck havoc upon as they retreated. Does anyone know what happened?

[@jontownsend7441]

They shouted Fredericksburg Fredericksburg

[@Korkzorz]

@@jontownsend7441 so.. no firing?

[@Assdfgresa]

Thanks once again for a great video!

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for the support.

[@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935]

Early was the earliest back stabber.

[@midgebarker4022]

The South had opportunities here I can pinpoint is on day 1 if they would have took possession of high ground to start day 2 in excellent position for day 2 assault. On day 2, NOT delay attack until 5 p.m. and withdrawel South to fight on betterTerrain favorable to a defensive Stradegy.

[@vm.999]

Team longstreet. A true general

[@ltrain4479]

General Longstreets memoirs are a really good read. His gives plenty of evidence that disproves allegations against him. There are letters where General Lee said to other people that he should of listened to Longstreet.

[@frankmiller95]

*have

[@kimberleyannedemong5621]

I read them. They were enlightening

[@rickfanta4323]

The death and waste of war always brings sorrow, but there was nothing noble in the cause of the South. It was slavery, and little more.

[@bka8851]

Had Jackson been alive they would have taken culp's Hill on the first day that would have changed the entire battle. And had Hood been allowed to go around the right as he requested and flanked the enemy that would have changed the entire battle as well. Lee had full confidence in his army after Chancellorsville but a full-frontal assault on an entrenched enemy is bound to fail. Remember Fredericksburg

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Check out my video on if Jackson had survived and my gettysburg episode for Winfield Scott Hancock to see my thoughts on if Jackson had been there.

[@lanemeyer9350]

Lee was aggressive and he needed end this war QUICKLY. Making bold moves had served him well many times before. He gambled and he lost with Pickett’s Charge. It was very much like him to try though…

[@kurtsherrick2066]

Lee was asked who was the best Soldier he ever had under his command. Lee replied although I have not met the man it was Forrest. I don't think Lee hated Longstreet. Longstreet did as ordered because it's Discipline than wins the day as Thomas Jackson said. When that breaks down you don't have a Army. They understood without sacrifice there can be no Victory.

[@krobson2013]

Was the charge a diversion for JEB Stuart, he had yet to be defeated by the Northern calvary. He was supposed to sweep the field, from the rear, but didn't.

[@haviersmith9683]

May I ask when are you going to give the Union Generals account of Gettysburg??

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

I have a few Union accounts, Hancock and Meade specifically. I will be doing more in the future.

[@user-ki2ip6rf5h]

Longstreet could not convince Lee to call off Picket's Charge. The Confederates (approximately 12,500 soldiers) suffered more than 50% casualties. The shortest distance (over open fields) between the Confederates starting point and the High-Water Mark is 1,172 yards (0.67 mile). Picket's distance averaged 61 yards farther. Lee ordered that Picket's after-action report be destroyed; no copy has been found. Lee's after-action report is cursory.

[@cbigb1000]

Brilliant! Thank you, once again.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you for watching. I can't express how much it means to me that you follow my channel.

[@DrewSohl]

Longstreet unfairly gets blamed for Pickets Charge.That was Lee's responsibility.If Jackson was alive, Gettysburg would have been a totally different battle.My opinion of course.

[@nora22000]

Unfortunately, the entire war was a confederate mistake. Win or lose, Gettysburg could not give back Vicksburg; Davis should have surrendered with honor. Britain had abandoned them after the Emancipation Proclamation a year before. Going into Pennsylvania at all was incredibly impulsive and ill-advised.

[@michaelgebauer5235]

Indeed, with General Jackson still alive to that time, cemetery hill would have been taken the first day.

[@nora22000]

@@michaelgebauer5235 Not really. Jackson was aggressive, but he couldn't have cobbled troops out of thin air; the confederates had won the day but were pretty beaten up by days' end. Here is the blow-by-blow of the first day. www.historynet.com/did-lt-gen-richard-ewell-lose-the-battle-of-gettysburg.htm. Lee didn't send his fresh brigades up to Cemetery Hill at the end of Day 1 at Gettysburg. Are you saying he would have given those fresh troops to Jackson for deployment up the hill, but was content to let it go because Jackson was dead? I don't get that at all.

[@DrewSohl]

Michael Gebauer /Yes.Too bad Jeb Stuart wasn't around on the first day.

[@nora22000]

@@DrewSohl He'd have just been accidentally shot by his own men in Pennsylvania instead.

[@vivalasvegas2090]

Picketts charge was equivalent to throwing a baby kitten at a 60lbs.Pit Bull

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you for commenting. Please check out my other videos.

[@eNosArmory]

15,000 men assaulting a position held by 6,500 men is hardly a kitten vs a Pit Bull. Lee destroyed 4 Union Corp over 2 days of fighting... he thought his men could destroy one more. The attack was a failure, sure... but no need for the Lost Cause Myth BS.....

[@joeswampdawghenry]

@@HistoryGoneWilder lee shouldv listened an formed another strategy with curly

[@3m5r56]

@@eNosArmory He may have destroyed 4 union corps,but he did not drive them from the field. He was driven out of city of Gettysburg on second day. After 2 days of heavy fighting,his men were tired. His generals did not have the guts, would not or could not tell him the charge was doomed. Maybe Nathan bedford Forrest would have told him. He shot some other confederate who disagreed with him. There was another Conferate general who shot another Gerneral for not fighting hard enough. I believe it was at Shiloh.

[@jasonkane6156]

@@eNosArmory thats just numbers and takes no account of charging across open ground, then uphill and into an entrenched. Surprised any survived.

[@davidrasch3082]

What I appreciate is the generals' view of the big picture. They are trained to more than a private. After all, combat is a 'giant s--t sandwich and everyone gets to take a bite.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

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

[@cacyc90]

He didn't wanna do it he knew what was going to happen.

[@wneighbors1]

Thank you for this.