Pickett's Charge | In their footsteps | Battle of Gettysburg | Gettysburg Battlefield Tour

[@ProjectPast1565]

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[@tankc6474]

Respect from Ireland 🇮🇪 👏

[@peterscheer445]

I live near Gettysburg and was just there last week.. showing guests the copse of trees and the angle and the high water mark are impressive sights to see... great on the ground perspective!!

[@ProjectPast1565]

It was a surreal experience walking the grounds. It sheds a small amount of light on that event.

[@stevenrettke5484]

Your Gettysburg videos are addictive, similar to the other excellent videos produced by the American Battlefield Trust & Walking History. The Project Past videos provide outstanding historical lessons in their own unique way. Well done.

[@ProjectPast1565]

I really appreciate the kind words. I’m happy to hear you enjoy the videos! Thanks for watching

[@DavidAndCelinaGeisler]

We just binged all your Gettysburg videos. We have been there many times and are heading there next week. Each one of your videos has taught us something new. Thank you so much.

[@ProjectPast1565]

I’m so happy to hear that! Gettysburg is an amazing place. I’ll be back in mid October. Thanks for watching

[@kzeich]

Great job I enjoyed the video!

[@ProjectPast1565]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@GhostofSicklesleg]

October 19, 2024 getting ready to walk Picketts Charge (I know it’s a bunch of units) Never walked it before, and will be listening to your narrative as I walk! Love your content

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks ghost! I’m in town and attending the get out of the car tour!

[@TribeTaz]

What an amazing series on Gettysburg. These videos, along with the ones JD made, should be shown in schools. You did an amazing job catching the unknown parts of the battle and units. Thank you for sharing this series

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thank you for the high praise. Your support is greatly appreciated.

[@davemartin4183]

What a fantastic episode! I really enjoyed your perspective and information on the charge. The step by step explanation on the events were great

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for watching Dave. I’m glad it was easy to follow. I am by no means an expert so I try to simplify things so I can understand them a little better.

[@HistorySavior1941]

I have watched this video three times since you uploaded it and my only regret from my visit in Gettysburg is that I did not have time to do this. I have wanted to make this walk since I was a kid. Pretty cool that you got to make this trek. It certainly makes you think and examine the battle in your head.

[@ProjectPast1565]

It was a great experience. I’m glad I did it. I wasn’t expecting the terrain to change as much as it did. That field is hauntingly beautiful.

[@HistorySavior1941]

I completely agree. Culp’s Hill and Little Round Top are both very neat as well. I don’t think there a portion of Gettysburg that isn’t beautiful. It’s weird to think how that beauty was not as beautiful that July.

[@ProjectPast1565]

I haven’t been to Little Round Top yet. It’s been closed. But, I will be going to Culp’s Hill this summer. Can’t wait!

[@beyondthepale9071]

Well done! Excellent delivery.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks! Appreciate you watching!

[@Flagrum3]

Awesome video... What I'm about to say may get pulverized, but it must be said. The total incompetence of Gen Lee and other commanders with Picket's charge is atrocious. Who in their right mind would even contemplate sending their men across almost a mile of open field with no coverage, no artillery cover? Total suicide. Lee spent hours before the charge bombarding the Union positions which did very little to nothing, when they should have been bombarding the positions during the charge as cover.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Appreciate you watching. I think Lee was definitely pressing in hopes to get a victory on Union soil. In return, he deviated from what has worked for him. I also think he was acting off of what intelligence he did have available which we obviously know wasn’t very good. But it’s interesting seeing this choice compared to some of his other choices in the war.

[@Commander99ash]

General Longstreet told Lee that the direct charge would not work and he still ordered it. With Sherman taking Atlanta (All of Georgia) and Grant taking Vicksburg shortly, the Confederacy was about to be lost anyway. Let's say he retreats back into Virginia with 20,000 Men or so (he actually did do this with less able-bodied men), He would have to defend his Northern flank, Southern Flank and the Peninsula Flank again. No re-supply or reinforcementa are coming at all. Maybe his guys are able to hold out in Richmond or Fredericksburg or something for a few more months, but the seige on all sides would be on. They would starve into the next winter and then surrender. The Civil War would still End the same. He knew this. He had nowhere to go. He got desperate panicked.

[@TorianTammas]

The problem of the charge was not the amount of artillery fire poured into it, not the amount of rifle fire poured into it. Even if they would have succeeded they would have been isolated 1 mile from any friendly with a limited supply of ammunition. They were surrounded on 3 sides by union troops. The fresh reserves of the union from one side and then two more to flank them. So this plan was a death march as there were no troops to support them in numbers.

[@michaelseiger2966]

Because of the ass kicking he had given the union for two years at least in the east, he was over confident along with the soldiers. Nor did he know the union center was reinforced. Lee incompetent though? Yeah I don’t think so.

[@donmarlon5924]

Exellent and very informative presentation. Thank you for posting this.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for watching!

[@claycochran9462]

I haven’t watched all of your videos yet. But this is my favorite I’ve watched so far!

[@ProjectPast1565]

I’m so glad to hear that. I really enjoyed filming this one. Some of my earlier videos are rough. These are much better lol

[@NegiTaiMetal011]

I'm always fascinated by Gettysburg. I would really love to go there.

[@ProjectPast1565]

It’s an amazing place that’s beautifully preserved. So much to learn there.

[@JC-qn3ws]

Great job and excellent presentation! Learned a lot here. Thank you!

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for watching and I’m glad to hear you enjoyed this one!

[@lucasgolden2115]

Great episode. Reading Meade at Gettysburg right now and always love mixing in visuals with text.

[@ProjectPast1565]

I’m the same way. I need to see it to help me understand it. Thanks for watching

[@DustinWiseM1]

Great video!! Have to say it’s one of your best. The quality and content keep getting better. I agree it is hard to fathom the carnage that took place. I like how you were able to show the perspectives from both sides along your wall. Great job !!!

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks as always Dustin. It’s my goal to get a little better each episode. Such a humbling place to visit. Going early was key. Not a whole lot of people out so I took my time on this one.

[@kanderson2145]

I always enjoy your presentations. Well done.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thank you! Appreciate you watching

[@nonamesplease6288]

The Boy Scout trail that included Pickett's charge used to have the scouts line up where Pickett's troops started. We were then instructed to move over the same ground toward the Union lines. It was a chilling experience.

[@ProjectPast1565]

It definitely is. Hard to fathom the carnage

[@andrewc2491]

Been studying Gettysburg Battle for about 30 years. Naturally through the years, I've come to consider even the smallest details. One day, it occurred to me that as the Confederates were making this charge...in addition to the canister, grape shot, musket fire, heat, exhaustion, death, screaming, noise, explosions, pleading, suffering, weight, bayonets, etc....you gotta believe... SOMEONE STEPPED ON A RATTLESNAKE.

[@ProjectPast1565]

It’s certainly possible! Just think of the ticks in that area and not having modern day bug spray to repel then.

[@andrewc2491]

Oh man. Thanks for this post. I just got back about 2 months ago, walked the charge (again-I come about every 10 years). Finally got to meet Matt Atkinson, he came down from his office just to spend (45 minutes!) with little ole me from L.A.. Hey, keep up the good stuff, I’m always watching…

[@ProjectPast1565]

I got to met him at the 160th anniversary. Very personable and he truly loves his job. Great guy. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelhoffman5348]

Great job again - next time you are there, make sure you visit further down to the left towards the Bryan House and Barn to discover another Confederate monument. The 11th MS actually lays claim to advancing the farthest in Longstreet's Assault. Their advance monument is right up against the stone wall as it reaches the Bryan Barn. It is distinctive with it's bronze plaque on one side showing their Rebel Battle Flag.. It is further West than both Armistead's and thw 26th NC markers.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for the info! I’ll be sure to look for that one. I learn something new with every video. I appreciate the feedback and I look forward to learning more in the future.

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

At least 3 of my ancestors made that march across the open field toward the Union line north of the Angle with the 52nd North Carolina of Pettigrew's Brigade. For 2 of them, it was there last fight. One was captured and wounded ultimately losing his right arm while another was captured and exchanged only to die in a Petersburg hospital of dysentery. They suffered more casualties in this attack than in any other they participated in.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for watching and for sharing your family’s story. Couldn’t imagine what they went through.

[@michaelbruce6190]

It's hard to believe that Lee learned nothing from the Union attack on Marye's Heights at Fredericksburg just 7 months earlier. Longstreet saw it plain as day, yet Lee still ordered the charge.....those 13,000 Confederate infantrymen were doomed before they even advanced out of the cover of the woods.

[@Commander99ash]

Exactly

[@stevetye81]

It's not quite that simple. Lee had two flank attacks the day before that he probably thought weakened that position. Also one has to understand that the July 3rd assault was not his original intent, he had intended the July 3rd attack to be a continuation of the July 2nd right flank attack. The casualty numbers from that action and the federal reinforcements prevented that from being an option. Pickett's charge became a poorly chosen option with insufficient coordination. In the end, even if successful, there were still federal troops that had not yet been engaged that could have been employed to halt any exploitation of carrying that position.

[@donaldswankie4081]

The field of Picketts charge about 50 yrs later, became a WWI tank training field lead by a D. Eisenhower. So some of these undulations were flattened out for that purpose. So in 1963 there were more places to hide from fire but, but more difficult that today to cross. President Eisenhower bought the property about a 7-10 minute walk across the street of W. Confederate Ave another 40 yrs later. And for $40,000 for 189 acres. (then Mamie took over the budget however)

[@donaldswankie4081]

… 1863 not 1963 of course, )

[@ProjectPast1565]

It was called camp colt correct? I didn’t even consider that they would change the terrain for their training. That’s interesting.

[@donaldswankie4081]

Camp Colt is correct. Even in 1910 it’s surprising the Army used the field for tank maneuvers.Fascinating as well Pres Eisenhower would retire just a 10 minute walk from the Virginia monument.

[@kzeich]

The portraits of Pettigrew and Trimble are labeled incorrectly, or swapped. Pettigrew is on the left and Trimble is on the right. At 3:33

[@ProjectPast1565]

Yeah, unfortunately I didn’t catch that until it was already uploaded. A very silly mistake on my part.

[@2104dogface]

Great video, could feel every step with you. I walked this back in 2018 on July 3rd just before 1 pm surprisingly during that i only ran into 1 other guy coming from the other direction. we starting talking about what it was like and how weird the energy was on that field, he took a picture for me and i of him then we went on are way. it's a HOT walk, but the energy you could feel it in the air their was no sound or bugs no breeze for most of that walk but yet there were cold spots. Walking this field is a must do when visiting , just make sure your good to go to do it esp in the summer, also have someone waiting to pick you at the other end.

[@ProjectPast1565]

That was my goal. I wanted it to feel like you’re with me. It was a very weird feeling. Eerily quiet. I appreciate you sharing your experience and for watching.

[@jondickinson1142]

You did a fantastic job...great video...

[@ProjectPast1565]

Appreciate that. Thanks for watching

[@2104dogface]

Just booked our room for the 160th, deff want to get that done soon if you're planning on going.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Awesome. I actually did as well!

[@jimpomac]

Pickett's charge and the Charge of the Light Brigade have to rank as two of the worst military blunders in history. The only difference being that the Light brigade disaster was caused by a failure to communicate, whereas Pickett's charge was a deliberate maneuver. One wonders at the hubris of R.E.Lee in thinking his army could march through a storm of artillery and musketry unscathed ? Respect for the brave men on both sides of this terrible war.

[@flintlockhomestead460]

The 26th North Carolina was a large regiment on July 1st, 1863. They engaged the Iron Brigade along Willoughby Run and Herr Ridge and lost approximately 588 out of 840 engaged including 14 color bearers, the Col. and Lt. Col. of the regiment. On July third they were only able to muster about 250 men.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Hard to imagine what the went through during this battle. The numbers are frightening. This war was terrible.

[@richforrest6983]

Very good video of that awful charge thanks for the up close viewing

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for watching! It was a great learning experience for me.

[@DaveL188]

Started to walk Pickett's charge with my family by the time I finish had 5 other family with me , something I will never forget

[@ProjectPast1565]

@@DaveL188 sounds like a very special moment. Thanks for watching.

[@annettemalaski1967]

Buford knew just where to protect and hold the ground for the Union! It made the final difference!

[@ProjectPast1565]

The Union position was very formidable. Thanks for watching!

[@Grunt802VT]

13th VT flanking marker is awesome

[@paul-we2gf]

This was the CSAs equivalent of the attack on Maryes Hights. Or many WW 1 attacks

[@brianmacadam4793]

I walked the "charge route" in August, JUST the very idea of attempting this charge is/was MADNESS ! What was Lee thinking ?

[@ProjectPast1565]

It’s such a humbling and powerful place.

[@michaelvaughn8864]

I've walked the nearly mile long distance between Seminary to Cemetery Ridges, sir. It was quite the journey for The Confederate troops while under long range Union cannons' artillery fire. That was just the initial leg of Pickett's Charge before canister rounds and musketry fire once they passed over The Emmitsburg Road fences

[@ProjectPast1565]

Hard to imagine what they faced that day.

[@michaelvaughn8864]

@@ProjectPast1565 I couldn't begin to imagine myself personally, sir. I heard Union artillery was causing gaps in Confederate lines at almost each cannon blast

[@michaelvaughn8864]

@@ProjectPast1565 I used to work with a guy whose now ex brother-in-law played a Confederate cannoneer in Gettysburg the movie. He has a brief scene at the #3 artillery piece near Col. Porter Alexander

[@ProjectPast1565]

@@michaelvaughn8864 I believe it. Those formations made easy targets.

[@NDB469]

Really odd feeling walking the charge, right where they stepped off at and making it to the stone wall at the high water mark. They covered a long piece of open ground.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Indeed. The bravery they displayed is hard to fathom.

[@Snowboarder16]

The Confederates didnt wear their packs into battle. Also the fences were there but they were stacked fences not post and rail

[@Snowboarder16]

Lee should have listened to Longstreet he was right to oppose this entire attack

[@Infected_Axe_Wound]

“Run ole hare. If I was ole hare, I would run too”.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Absolutely

[@JamesKroen]

What in the world was General Lee thinking! 13,000 men in an open field... Lee should had been decommissioned.

[@michaelvaughn8864]

It was a real Hell on Earth ordeal for them guys😔💯

[@jeffp6013]

Hate to burst your bubble but the 11th MS is the high water mark at the Bryan Barn. Next time walk the whole area where the charge took place you might learn something

[@ProjectPast1565]

No bubble to burst. It’s funny how it’s conveniently placed just a few feet closer to the stone wall than the 26th’s. Other reports state the 55th NC made it the farthest. Perhaps we will never know who did for certain.

[@melvynobrien6193]

Let's not forget that the Union center was held by the Irish Brigade.

[@lonnietoth5765]

What field packs ? They did carry their field packs into battle , they were left behind in camp !

[@ProjectPast1565]

In some instances yes. But in other instances, soldiers carried their packs into battle for fear of not being reunited with them afterwards.

[@littleo353]

I've done five tours of Gettsyburg - with guides. Here's my conclusion. General Lee must have been smokin' something. I often wonder how Stonewall Jackson would have commented on the absurdity of that plan of attack. As we all know, at Chancellorsville, Jackson went miles on an end-around to the left - in the forest to get to the right flank of the Union. At Gettysburg they went straight at the enemy, across a mile of open land (heavily grassed at the time) and UPHILL. Insanity. And the union had some ability to have barriers in front of them but the Confederates had NONE. Lee assumed the prior day's bombardment had "softened the center." As though the Union could not re-enforce it through the night. And he declined the opportunity to have soldiers - who had gotten to the right and slightly behind of the union line and within about 200 yards of the Union supply chain. He did not allow an attack on that supply line - something having to do with "needing every soldier" (in front of the UNion). Imagine if those Confederate forces had attacked the supply line behind the Union. IT would have been pandemonium. I think they would have immediately concluded it was a repeat, but on the left, of Chancellorsville. In my mind R E Lee became, in effect, a traitor at Gettysburg. It is part of history that as soldiers from the Charge came back to the starting point, Lee was there saying "This was all my fault." We should not argue with that assessment. Dumb. Whose side was R. E. Lee on that day? Did he "take a dive"?

[@pache2112]

Whatever! If the artillery barrage had landed on target then who knows!!

[@TorianTammas]

"Behind" the union lines was a whole Corp waiting to shred any flanking rebels to pieces. Running was the only option Lee had. The union was well supplied in US territory. In Washington a whole army was waiting. Lee never stood s chance with his plan.

[@jeffmilroy9345]

Lee was an engineer so why not use his brain more? He should have formed up and begun the charge an hour before dawn and fired the artillery barrage at first light. What the reb troops needed was massive overhead shell bursts raining shrapnel down on the targeted area of the defensive line just before the rebs began crossing the wooden fence by the road. Not a mid day broad daylight artillery barrage that would bring in even more reinforcements from Meade's internal lines. Okay, granted you might land the occasional short round and incur some friendly fire but if I was in the attackers shoes - it sure would cheer me up some to charge when temps were likely 20 degrees cooler; see fewer defenders overall; and, see the stone wall defenders thinned out considerable before I tried to scramble over the fence. And why not have a gun or two brought up with the troops? Timely double canister loads delivered at short range are a two way street.

[@TorianTammas]

The answer is it takes NCO, officers, training, a plan and the right tools. Not to mention Lee lacked easily 20.000 men for this plan. After a mile march away from Rebel lines they could hold out only for as long as their limited ammunition would allow them. So Pickett's charge was a failure as there were no 20.000 men following to keep the line intact.

[@jeffmilroy9345]

​@@TorianTammas Maybe - but Grant did a pre-dawn attack with 14,000 men at the breakthrough at Petersburg. Lee surrendered 10 days later. I am guessing you can't effectively shoot an enemy you can not see?

[@TorianTammas]

@@jeffmilroy9345 When you do insane things and it works then you are a hero.

[@miketaylorID1]

You were waling in a "Swale"

[@stevenmarquardt3900]

Pickett wasn’t to smart on that charge

[@ProjectPast1565]

To be fair, he and the other two divisions were following orders from their superiors.

[@Xocolatben]

Rejoice! Traitor lovers ...

[@ProjectPast1565]

You do know it’s possible to learn from a certain side, event or cause and not support the Confederacy right?

[@Linda-w2d2o]

Are you REALLY that silly? This war has been over for years. Are you trying to start trouble again?

[@DonaldKDever]

They weren't as heavy as you. They were very lean men from marching with very little food. Average weight was 135 pounds at an average of 5' 8".

[@ProjectPast1565]

They were still human. Exposed to the elements for months at a time after years of fighting. Safe to say they got tired as well even though they didn’t weigh as much.

[@TorianTammas]

You mean they were bordering on starvation.

[@greenriverviews6819]

Canister shot caused almost all Confederate casualties in that attack. These 5000-7000 casualties happened in the 15 minutes it took them to get from Emmitsburg road to the federal line. Confederates managed to bring nearly 10,000 men within 200 yards of the Federal line, so this was clearly a close run thing. The presence of massed Federal artillery was the decisive factor. Federal accounts describe the gruesome scene and sounds of about 200 guns opening up point blank on the Rebs.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Couldn’t begin to imagine the sights and sounds of the guns firing double canister.

[@marknewton6984]

Lee was in a hurry. Meade was mediocre. Stonewall would have made a difference. Maybe Forrest.😮

[@michaelvaughn8864]

​@@marknewton6984Unfortunately, Mr. Newton, we'll never know🙁 Possibly so, sir

[@TorianTammas]

​@marknewton6984 Not running away from any engagement was a mistake. Foraging was a weird plan, but meeting the US on US ground with support pulling in every day and a second army larger then Lee's troops. It was a strategic failure from day one. The outcome was clear a destruction of the army of Virginia.

[@alanaadams7440]

It was suicide what was Lee thinking?