Ambrose Wright's Georgians on July 2 - Gettysburg Battle Walk with Ranger Matt Atkinson

Ranger Matt Atkinson leads a battle walk covering General Ambrose R. Wright's brigade on July 2, 1863, and their attack on Cemetery Ridge.
Ranger Atkinson and the NPS hold the rights to the notes and lecture.
My hand is visible in some of the video. There was a good breeze that day and I was trying to shield the mic from wind noise.

[@amandatuscano3493]

Thank you for these videos Stuff Writer. Matt is charming, funny and makes history come alive. He should have his own KZbin channel!

[@bruceschmidt3404]

All these Rangers are fantastic, well informed knowledgeable historians. Matt is all that that a natural entertainer too. Makes it all the more fun to watch! Keep up the good work Matt!

[@stevenmay2937]

ranger matt is the best ranger at gettysburg... hands down !!! love him

[@tberkoff]

Must have been Bike Week in Gettysburg that weekend. It is absolutely awful for visitors who actually care about history and want to visit the battlefield.

[@chadtheartist3424]

Park Ranger Matt, is the person I wish I was. We need more Matt's in our life.

[@Sheilamarie2]

Park Ranger Matt is the best, it's best to sprinkle History lessons with humor, and Matt is a natural. I hope he realizes he cannot transfer, nor retire anytime soon.... : )

[@ftffighter]

Matt is so amazing to watch! He is prime KZbin material, I bet you anything if Matt created his own channel about the Civil War that people would freak and it'd be amazing!

[@fatheremmons85]

This was excellent! I was 8 yrd old when Gettysburg came out and I watched it with my dad. I didnt understand much obviously, but the music in the movie really got to me and kept me focused on the characters and names. I never forgot them. Still strange to me that I could hold onto those things at such a young age about something i didnt understand. I've recently been diving deeper into the battle and trying to really understand the movements of men. Where they were exactly and where they were heading. So fascinating just to watch and learn. I truly hope to visit the battlefield someday. Thank's so much to Ranger Matt and the camera guy! Great lesson!

[@jupite1888]

Thanks Again Mysterious Camera Guy, Best Way you Can get Educated. Thanks From Australia and thanks to Ranger Matt

[@williamhager1872]

Yet another awesome presentation by Matt!

[@LeesTexan]

Outstanding tour, learned so much I never knew. You realize that had Longstreet had Pickett's division on the attack on Day 2, they very well would have broke the Union line in enough strength to send the Union Army into flight !!!! In the movie when Lee is talking to Longstreet and saying they were so close on day two and that for a while he could see Confederate flags on the heights, now can understand why he would have felt that way, it was Wright's Brigade !! I wonder if Wright's men were the High Water Mark of the Confederacy and went deeper into the Union line than the attack on day 3??? PS, love these tours as my State has us in a Stay at Home lock down. These videos get your mind out of the house and onto the Gettysburg Battlefield helping me at least, to keep my sanity :) Also, would like to see Camera man switching camera view to what Matt is pointing too more. He will point to something, but the Camera man maintains Camera on Matt. Or get two Cameramen and edit the videos. But appreciate who ever is putting these videos together. They are so informative!! Keep it up with my compliments !!

[@mikesuggs1642]

What if Lee had found it within himself to curb his aggressiveness, and after Day 1 he decides to wait on Pickett's division and Stuart to arrive. And Longstreet is told to hold tight and form up his men in a defensive posture until Pickett could join him. Meade of course stays on the heights and does not even attempt to take the aggressive just thankful he has managed to find good ground after the disaster of day 1. So the Day of July 2nd passes with both Armies wearily staring at each other over a 50 mile front each in control of commanding ground. On the night of July 2nd, Pickett arrives and so does Lees long lost Cavalry and Lee and Longstreet go into July 3rd at full strength. July 3rd becomes What we know as July 2nd. It appears had Lee waited he would have crushed Meade's Army but his combativeness and aggressiveness was again his undoing as it was in the Seven Days campaign.

[@henryrichards1542]

AP Hill's presence, or lack thereof at Gettysburg has mystified me for years! SO glad to hear Matt's thoughts on it all - would love to have that pamphlet!

[@marymoriarity2555]

I can imagine him as a teacher enthralling the students with his stories. He’s a natural tor guide able to deliver information and hold interest of groups. I thought he had a master degree in history

[@lesliemotter6133]

He does have a masters in history.

[@mikedesil23]

My favorite Brigade Commander at Gettysburg.

[@raymondhummel5211]

A very informative video done with much detail and humor too!

[@robmclaughlin4595]

I love these and its 100% my fault I only have a phone to watch on but really hard to hear at times. Thanks for your efforts!

[@BoomyNation]

Matt is a national treasure!

[@BilgePump]

Don’t get me wrong Matt is A#1 in my book. The star of the show. Ther is a gentleman on you tube with his own channel, Jeffery the librarian. The NPS needs to recruit that mofo, he’s outstanding. I think Matt would be the first to agree.

[@johnfanning9185]

It would be more informative if the camera operator would focus on what Matt is pointing at rather than at Matt pointing

[@y00h0011]

Exactly! .. not Matt's legs, etc.

[@RunOfTheHind]

"The fool looks at the finger that points to the sky".

[@Worthrhetime]

So well done Thanks

[@panzerdeal8727]

21.43. Score one for Ol'Dan Sickles. Disrupted Longstreet from the start JUST by being on the road, and in The Devil's Den.

[@markbruder7972]

How about those motorcycles near the Codori house? Must’ve been bike week.

[@honestabe2726]

Matt reminds me of Barney Fife/Gomer. Great vid as usual.

[@flamike217]

I wish Matt would do one on Perry/Lang brigade. I live around where the 2nd Florida was mustered. During the Gettysburg campaign the Floridians took more casualties than any other brigade at Gettysburg.

[@jimburton2005]

Matt reminds me of Buster Scruggs

[@andrewdehart6191]

I like the Luckenbach Texas reference lol

[@franciscurran2515]

Very good video as usual for Matt. I think the bikers were following him around don’t you?

[@edwinschneider1247]

cool guide😊

[@martindonohoe7452]

Excellent appraisil

[@kellyzimmerman8850]

Thank you so much StuffWriter for these videos. Will you be making more in summer 2019?

[@StuffWriter]

Team Testing Glad you like them. Not sure yet if I’ll be around this year. If I am, I’ll try to film some walks

[@Alex-ej4wm]

Does anyone know if you can request this particular guide when you visit the battlefield or is it just whoever is in line?

[@kjfrederici]

He's one of the park rangers doing a scheduled Battlewalk, not one of the licensed guides. You can check the upcoming schedule of Battlewalks at: www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/battlewalks-campfires.htm

[@lesliemotter6133]

They have a rotation of talks. The schedule is on the Park's website, listing what talks are offered when and which ranger is the host. They also give shorter programs. The schedule is on line but not which ranger.

[@samcolt1079]

YES YOU CAN.

[@jamesstevens1995]

When Matt points out in the field can you show us. Please.

[@irockuroll60]

He shows Matt pointing

[@fireman19841]

As usual, great video...had to laugh at all the bikes going by. Was it bike week?

[@StuffWriter]

There was a motorcycle convention/rally in town, yes.

[@pitbullruss5636]

Matt is awesome

[@james6495]

Isn't Matt the best?!

[@sylviataylor9451]

How many soldiers died from heat stroke at Gettysburg?

[@danmathers141]

Camera operator keeps covering the lense.

[@AlGreenLightThroughGlass]

The Confederate blame game post event is nearly as interesting as the battle.

[@bouncypickle7621]

I read a book called a Small but Spartan Band. It focused on the FL brigade from secession to Appomattox. According to it, Lang's Floridians advanced will Wilcox's Brigade all the way past that road, (even farther than wrights brigade) until Wilcox, on Lang's right, got out flanked and retreated, so Lang also retreated. Wright wasn't even leading the attack that day, he was sick.(I think from the Cherries) Once Wright basically called them cowards, a representative from the Florida brigade confronted him, and told he to redact it, which he did. Obviously, not soon enough though, bc here we are lol.

[@haroldwright4100]

@flamlike217 I don’t think so, flam!!! Especially if the commanding general allows his brigade to continuously get outflanked & retreats in the face of the enemy!!!❤😮😊

[@jarrettfoust1610]

Not one person here mentions the Metallica reference. Sad.

[@smuledude5054]

But true

[@johnswanson4266]

I believe,if an accurate account,that Longstreet suggested to Lee to disengage and move to a more advantageous position,Lee should have done so since his calvary was not accounted for and Lee never understood neither the force nor position of the Union army.

[@johnswanson4266]

Don2615 totally agree! Longstreet was the main hindrance to Lee. But the absence of his Calvary left him blind as to the Union position and strength. Longstreet was way too slow in engaging his forces when asked to do so.

[@SantomPh]

@Don2615 Longstreet was Lee's right hand man and was in a position to advise Lee. There is no insubordination when you do your job! Lee also did something uncharacteristic of him by attacking a fortified enemy and not making fortifications of his own. Longstreet knew how effective the Battle of Fredericksburg was and advised Lee to try a similar tactic. You are calling him an asshole? I am calling you an armchair idiot.

[@SantomPh]

@@johnswanson4266 Longstreet was hamstrung by Lee's orders to attack in one way and one place ,using Hood and McLaws' tired men. Flanking or failing to flank often leads to disaster for an attacking army.

[@johnswanson4266]

SantomPh there is a great video on KZbin by the army war college on how Stuart wound up in Carlisle,pa. Instead of scouting the Union movements. On how personal feuds between officers within the confederate army led to disaster at Gettysburg.The title is : Hoe J.E.B. Stuart wound up in Carlisle.

[@markcarey06]

Do you mean Cavalry? Or are you talking about Lee’s spiritual beliefs?

[@greg_4201]

who the hell hits the dislike button on a video like this? can't understand it...

[@melissahenderson8669]

An Unpatriotic Asshole who is probably Unknown in their pier circles as fluent in English ,history ,and just what was the causes that were being fought for ,and they are also not aware of the many reasons many soldiers were fighting for on both sides and I have always known that history repeats itself when we forget why these All Matter,all reasons that brought about our claim to being the 1 war where we killed family and countrymen in this we are solo killers of more of our own than any war since and all wars after have a total death toll that is never been surpassed before or after

[@greg_4201]

@@melissahenderson8669 yep. history only repeats itself because people are ignorant of it. and when politicians aren't military men, well versed in history, they send real men to fight when there is no reason other than greed and fail to fight when it is necessary... and their irresponsible example spreads.

[@bamaretiredgruntscottb.6533]

Snowflakes bitches like Will Outlaw

[@samcolt1079]

@@greg_4201 WAR IS STUPID

[@jamesstevens1995]

​@samcolt1079 The Civil War already happened and you can't erase it.

[@kingsethos5108]

40:50 Cameraman gets sleepy.

[@SweeturKraut]

Biscuits N' Porn is from a little gas station in Nags Head NC. They have really good breakfast biscuits in the mornings.

[@beidlgsicht]

lmao so what about the porn part?

[@JoeNicks389]

The camera man needs to have one finger removed so as not to block part of the video. I use to have this problem, but I'm now called, "4 fingers" and do not have this problem. lol

[@Rogijimbex]

Always interesting and well done by Matt Atkinson. Video guy needs to learn how to keep his fingers off the lens. Also shooting up in the air at the Codori house allows no view of the terrain - just Matt's head and trees. Terrible framing. Love the content though

[@rhett4027]

wow! put a windsock on the microphone, rooky

[@marymoriarity2555]

Motorcycle sound is awful

[@Darkelfin1]

Is Ranger Matt a Waylon Jennings fan, he quoted "Good hearted woman" I think ? Just asking

[@simpilot8508]

Why is there so much bickering in the comments.....the whole comment section is a civil war.

[@BigMrFirebird]

The sound of all those bikes is irritating and you can see it on Matt's face. They're damn loud and remind me of South Park's response when a swarm of loud bikes ride into their town. This is hallowed ground, not Sturgis or Daytona. "Right turn, Clyde" comes to mind.

[@boogerpresley6081]

Well said!!! 👍

[@BilgePump]

Unfortunately the park sponsors to whatever degree that means and it’s probably through a agreement with the town for Bike Week. Not a appropriate.

[@billhowes5871]

~SHARP SHOOTERS~ of The Civil War have a "Hilarious" sense of humor. In my research, there's this one account written by a sharpshooter. It goes as follows., "I took aim as the enemy soldier was relieving himself behind a tree 100 yards away. Pulled the trigger and shot off the head of his dick. I laughed heartily as he reeled in pain". -You can't make this stuff up folks. -Historian, Bill Howes.

[@Alex-ej4wm]

Do you think the guy was all pissed off about the situation?

[@billhowes5871]

@@Alex-ej4wm Lol! That's "Painfully" funny.

[@Rogijimbex]

Stuffwriter - if you are the cameraman most of Matt's videos - give the job to someone else. You're abysmal!

[@rhett4027]

It goes very slow if watching it on a video. I'm talkin' slooooooooooooow that leaves too much frustration for knowing how the battle flows. and why in the world are loud harley davidsons running around. Of course harley riders will say the loud mufflers make it safer for them but that is all malarky...they just like noise pure and simple

[@theroclastnamehere9167]

I could do better with a super 8...

[@theroclastnamehere9167]

These are great videos. However your camera man should be fired Worst ever... or maybe you ment to have his finger in half the shots??

[@fatheremmons85]

In the description, he lets you know it was breezy that day and he was trying to block some wind so that we may hear.

[@theroclastnamehere9167]

Yeah Had to stop watching worst videography ever

[@jackhays1194]

that stopped you? 😂