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

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

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Жыл бұрын

On July 3rd, 1863, Confederate General Robert E. Lee ordered an all out assault on the Union center. Pickett's Charge also known as the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge, was a frontal assault towards the center of Union lines, ultimately being repulsed with heavy casualties. Suffering from a lack of preparation and problems from the onset, the attack was a costly mistake that decisively ended Lee's invasion of the north and forced a retreat back to Virginia.
In this episode we will walk in the footsteps of this famed charge and see what these soldiers saw that day.
Quick clarification- At 18:43, I state the 26th NC monument was the high water mark, this indeed was the farthest point a Confederate regiment reached on July 3rd 1863. The high water mark monument is over by the copse of trees.
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@ProjectPast1565 Жыл бұрын

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@tankc6474 8 ай бұрын

Respect from Ireland 🇮🇪 👏

@Flagrum3 11 ай бұрын

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 11 ай бұрын

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.

@CMMDRAsh 8 ай бұрын

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 10 күн бұрын

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.

@peterscheer445 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

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

@andrewc2491 11 ай бұрын

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 11 ай бұрын

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

@andrewc2491 11 ай бұрын

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 11 ай бұрын

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

@stevenrettke5484 8 ай бұрын

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 8 ай бұрын

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

@MarkWYoung-ky4uc 21 күн бұрын

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 21 күн бұрын

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

@kzeich 11 ай бұрын

Great job I enjoyed the video!

@ProjectPast1565 11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

@davemartin4183 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

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.

@NegiTaiMetal011 Жыл бұрын

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

@ProjectPast1565 Жыл бұрын

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

@HistorySavior1941 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

Well done! Excellent delivery.

@ProjectPast1565 Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Appreciate you watching!

@DustinWiseM1 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

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.

@claycochran9462 Жыл бұрын

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

@ProjectPast1565 Жыл бұрын

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

@JC-qn3ws Жыл бұрын

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

@ProjectPast1565 Жыл бұрын

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

@nonamesplease6288 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

It definitely is. Hard to fathom the carnage

@kanderson2145 Жыл бұрын

I always enjoy your presentations. Well done.

@ProjectPast1565 Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Appreciate you watching

@lucasgolden2115 Жыл бұрын

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

@ProjectPast1565 Жыл бұрын

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

@richforrest6983 9 ай бұрын

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

@ProjectPast1565 9 ай бұрын

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

@jondickinson1142 Ай бұрын

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

@ProjectPast1565 Ай бұрын

Appreciate that. Thanks for watching

@michaelhoffman5348 10 ай бұрын

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 10 ай бұрын

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.

@annettemalaski1967 11 ай бұрын

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

@ProjectPast1565 11 ай бұрын

The Union position was very formidable. Thanks for watching!

@donaldswankie4081 10 ай бұрын

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 10 ай бұрын

… 1863 not 1963 of course, )

@ProjectPast1565 10 ай бұрын

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

@donaldswankie4081 10 ай бұрын

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.

@paul-we2gf 11 ай бұрын

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

@brianmacadam4793 3 ай бұрын

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

@ProjectPast1565 3 ай бұрын

It’s such a humbling and powerful place.

@2104dogface Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

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.

@michaelvaughn8864 4 ай бұрын

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 4 ай бұрын

Hard to imagine what they faced that day.

@michaelvaughn8864 4 ай бұрын

@@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 4 ай бұрын

@@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 4 ай бұрын

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

@kzeich 11 ай бұрын

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 11 ай бұрын

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

@2104dogface Жыл бұрын

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

@ProjectPast1565 Жыл бұрын

Awesome. I actually did as well!

@michaelvaughn8864 4 ай бұрын

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

@NickyB0718 Ай бұрын

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 Ай бұрын

Indeed. The bravery they displayed is hard to fathom.

@michaelbruce6190 9 ай бұрын

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.

@CMMDRAsh 8 ай бұрын

Exactly

@stevetye81 Күн бұрын

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.

@greenriverviews6819 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

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

@marknewton6984 4 ай бұрын

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

@michaelvaughn8864 3 ай бұрын

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

@TorianTammas 10 күн бұрын

@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 6 күн бұрын

It was suicide what was Lee thinking?

@Infected_Axe_Wound Ай бұрын

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

@ProjectPast1565 Ай бұрын

Absolutely

@Snowboarder16 2 ай бұрын

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

@Snowboarder16 2 ай бұрын

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

@lonnietoth5765 6 ай бұрын

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

@ProjectPast1565 6 ай бұрын

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

@jeffp6013 4 ай бұрын

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 4 ай бұрын

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.

@jeffmilroy9345 9 ай бұрын

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 10 күн бұрын

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 8 күн бұрын

@@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 8 күн бұрын

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

@DonaldKDever 2 ай бұрын

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 2 ай бұрын

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 10 күн бұрын

You mean they were bordering on starvation.

@littleo353 9 ай бұрын

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 Ай бұрын

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

@TorianTammas 10 күн бұрын

"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.