The Third Day at Gettysburg: Climax (July 3, 1863)

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In 1948, the Southern novelist, William Faulkner, wrote in Intruder in the Dust, ”For every Southern boy fourteen years old, not once but whenever he wants it, there is the instant when it’s still not yet two o’clock on that July afternoon in 1863, the brigades are in position behind the rail fence, the guns are laid and ready in the woods and the furled flags are already loosened to break out and Pickett himself with his long oiled ringlets and his hat in one hand probably and his sword in the other looking up the hill waiting for Longstreet to give the word…”
Such was the weight and power of events that unfolded on Friday afternoon, July 3rd, 1863. This is how it came to pass.
#gettysburg #civilwarhistory
Narrated by Fred Kiger
Produced by Dan Irving
Published by Third Wheel Media
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Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode:
James Longstreet
George E. Pickett
Lewis Addison Armistead
Joseph R. Davis
Isaac R. Trimble
John M. Brockenbrough
Abner Doubleday
Recommended reading on Gettysburg:
George R. Stewart, Pickett's Charge, 1991 - www.amazon.com...
Allen C. Guelzo, Gettysburg: The Last Invasion, 2014 - www.amazon.com...
Stephen W. Sears, Gettysburg, 2004 - www.amazon.com...

[@EricRush]

One of the very best history channels.

[@fredvaladez3542]

One of the finest videos and narrations I have ever heard. Congratulations. I sat mesmerized through the whole thing. The researth that went into this video is outstanding.

[@SeaDawgJR]

Been checking daily the past week for this third installment on Gettysburg. Have enjoyed all your videos but this series is tops! You do such a great job on all the history you do. Thank you so much... JR

[@neoneyes3913]

Unbelievable. I’ve heard this story so many times and been to the field where it all happened. I still get chills hearing it all told again.

[@sigibson3917]

As a British student of this battle, this account of pickets charge is one of the most compelling in terms of the human stories of notable commanders surrounding the ill fated charge, excellent

[@michaelgriffin740]

If this doesn't get you teary-eyed, then nothing will. The courage on both sides is unmatched knowing you are facing certain death.

[@totallynotalpharius2283]

Everyone needs to visit Gettysburg and make the walk at least once. It changes you

[@otrnam1]

I don’t get teary-eyed for the confederate side, never happen. Can’t get teary-eyed for people that fought for a terrible cause on the wrong side of history. It’s like feeling teary eyed for the Nazi’s.

[@thiccanimegirl76]

@@otrnam1 yeah because every single confederate soldier definitely fought for slavery lol. most, if not all, were poor famers who never owned slaves and worked the fields themselves. both sides had very good and very bad men, any loss of life is horrid does not matter who they were.

[@dougellis7917]

Every American needs watch your Gettysburg videos. We should never forget that sad chapter in American history. Thank you Sir.

[@effieborchert985]

These 3 episodes are my favorite to listen to, so excited to watch it this round!

[@bomiller9005]

Best narration on youtube, by far!

[@brianaskey3164]

Excellent narration. Thank you!!

[@philipdestito4781]

Well done Sir. Another tremendous video. The last 3 have been must listen too Thank you

[@jeremybouteller7143]

Thank you for this incredible video. Very well done

[@gregmonks]

This story is no more important than at the present time. EVERYONE should be listening to this.

[@jedrzejlehman3987]

Outstanding piece of work! Thanks for all of these epic stories. Greetings from Poland :)

[@chadpyett6441]

To you sir I have found my favorite channel well done it really does take one back to the time. A merry Christmas to you all the best in the new year.

[@RailfanDownunder]

Superb work yet again😊 Well Done to all concerned!

[@disco07]

If I may be allowed to speak, this was indeed, some very fine storytelling and narration, second to none. As I am awakened by the description of Pickett's charge and the resultant loss; the names, statistics and emotional fervor, I can only comment. It was almost like being there. A cinema-graphic motion picture locked in my imagination. Indeed, If the battle had been won, it would have been called Lee's Charge. But alas, Poor Pickett would be cast with a second blow, Pickett's Charge. Very well-done Gentleman.

[@mike6206]

This video presentation, IMHO, is the best one ever.

[@kevinberry9981]

Thanks!

[@ThreadsfromtheNationalTapestry]

Thanks Kevin!

[@davide9658]

Thank you for this excellent presentation. As a Virginian, I still find myself hoping for a different outcome of this fateful charge, but of course, that is not to be. Despite the remarkable courage displayed by those brave men it was not a good day for the South.

[@michaelnaretto3409]

Pickett never forgave Lee for what he had done to his division.

[@adamschraw1835]

Great series!

[@davidspencer6384]

I've been looking forward to listening to this

[@derekmanthey8811]

Great Work. Pickets Charge is best described as The Forlorn Hope.

[@harryjulien-el5lg]

excellent documentary that got me to join your channel👍👍👍

[@James-hd4ms]

Hey you Southerners! These three days will forever keep Lee from being considered a good general.

[@irockuroll60]

Excellent! Love all your videos. Just a thought…if you ever run out of topics-the retreat from Gettysburg is so very interesting to me. 68,000 men with thousands of wounded, wagon trains, etc. I can’t imagine the logistics of all of that…especially back then.

[@peterjensen2483]

Half way in - wonderfull presentation so far.

[@johnstaton6470]

So beautiful, thank you

[@GeraldWalker-pg3vr]

Men blasting each apart at close range .....men alone and corps changing outcomes.....thats why i listen to these videos.... somehow im affected down through the separation of decades and time and place a tanner who died in pieces on a civil war battle field....a blacksmith who died in his ranks....by him im free...!!!!😢

[@lanemeyer9350]

The Confederates that made it all the way to the angle had cast iron balls. I cannot imagine the scenes of gore they had to literally step over along the way.

[@michaelvaughn8864]

Neither can I, Mr. Meyer😕 That must've been a gruesome sight to behold, sir

[@michaelvaughn8864]

It was no small feat of courage any of them guys made it that far under all that firepower hell to be able to breach enemy lines at all💯😒

[@johncashrocks221]

Franklin, Tennessee still saw a far larger and more violent infantry charge

[@James-hd4ms]

Who’s Franklin?

[@nickroberts-xf7oq]

​@@James-hd4ms You misspelled "where's" 😉

[@tomricketts7821]

Great series

[@matthewdurkee2070]

Thank you

[@fred-ts9pb]

My 2 great grandfather David Stombock took a bullet in the elbow on the 3 day of Gettysburg trying to take Culps Hill. He was a Corporal. He left with the bullet in his arm and walked back to Luray VA, never to return to battle. I have his war records and a copy of a document where someone was to be sent to Luray to make sure he didn't desert. He was in Company H 33 Virginia infantry. Lived to be 94 and died in 1928 from kitchen burns. He was also wounded at 2nd manassas or Bull Run. Nothing to do with Pickets charge.

[@davidspencer6384]

A very good account of the charge on the centre. I guess Culp’s Hill would need a separate episode to cover properly.

[@MaryAnnAngros-fq9yy]

Pickett's charge was stupid and suicidal

[@colindebourg9012]

Along with the ultimate stupidity of sending over 13000 men over coverless ground, uphill, to attack established defences including artillery, just idiotic, bloodsoaked lunacy.

[@Big_Shiesty75]

Damn, 17 miles long? Crazy!

[@James-hd4ms]

Fun to picture them crossing the Rappahannic in pontoon boats.

[@johnzeetee6747]

The bravery that day on both sides is unimaginable….

[@michaelvaughn8864]

No doubt about it, sir👍💯 There was bravery in abundance on both sides of the battle there in G-burg in all nooks

[@smartbomb7202]

more like idiocracy wrapped around bravery

[@jon9021]

@@smartbomb7202from the politicians maybe…not the men who did the fighting.

[@skyedog24]

Agreed 💯 ​@@jon9021

[@StevenBrewer-cz5iw]

Really? Were born to die, who has rooom for fear?

[@CharlesMcgowen]

Can you imagine the terror of marching headlong into cannister? Neither can I.

[@twoquickii1330]

This channel is so fantastic. I wonder, do you guys have any plans on speaking at Universities or other venues? This presentation would be great for anniversaries of battles, or for Biographies of the people who fought.

[@waynelayton8568]

Not arranged for battle,he said arrayed for battle. LONGSTREET

[@michaelvaughn8864]

I didn't know until watching a Civil War episode about Gettysburg on The History Channel years back there was a Day#3 renewed morning attack on Culp's Hill by Confederate forces

[@trevorthompson8252]

Well I know what I’m doing for the next hour.

[@James-hd4ms]

Think how good this series would be with some nice maps.

[@rogerallen6644]

Well told. Not since Shelby Foote has a historian captured the feel of the time.

[@greggutierrez6997]

Excellent

[@HVSJR-n5q]

Day Four was impressive also though you never hear about the retreat.

[@Cometkazie]

Would someone explain to me why the secessionists' bombardment of the Federal line prior to Pickett's charge was so woefully off-target (high) that it has little effect besides killing a lot of horses in the lee of the ridge? Was the smoke from the bombardment so thick that the Artillery brass couldn't see the fall of the shot and make adjustments? The smoke didn't bother the unionists' artillery when they decimated Pickett's subsequent charge. The secessionists also used up all of the arty ammo in their bombardment. One of Lee's options after the failure of the charge was to set up defensive positions in the areas where the charges originated and bait Meade to attack them there. They would have been deficient in any arty ammo to defend these positions while the unionists were receiving supplies via railroads. Lee demurred and went back to Virginia. This episode IMHO is one of the best on the topic. Keep up the good work.

[@allenfowler1794]

I will try to shed some light on this for you. First let me say I am a Virginian. My wife and I visited Gettysburg earlier this year and plan to go back. From what we learned from our visit there was so much smoke from the cannon it hampered the vision of the gunner's...on both sides. The Union were in essence shooting downhill with the trees of Seminary Ridge behind the Confederate's..sort of a backdrop in a manner of speaking. Whereas the Confederate's were shooting uphill with only the ridgeline of Cemetery Ridge for a backdrop. Also keep in mind the Union had cannon high on both flanks, Cemetery Hil and Little Round Top, as well as those on Cemetery Ridge itself shooting into the flanks of the southern army causing even more destruction and death. I hope this has helped you. Believe me when I say, it is a lot to take in when viewing that battlefield.

[@Cometkazie]

@@allenfowler1794 Makes sense to me, Allen. Thanks for your observations, which I appreciate and will give me something to think about. I stood at the point where the big charge took off from and was totally humbled. It amazes me as a former Artilleryman (ROTC LT in the early '60s.) that those cannons could shoot that far. An advantage we Federals had was that our Arty did not need to shoot as far, which also made the targeting somewhat easier. Thanks again for your cogent comments. I will never forget my visit to the battlefield and this was an excellent series. All the best.

[@longrider42]

Also, cannon has to be reset after each shot. Since there was no such thing as a recoil system on cannons at that time.And firing uphill is very difficult. But yes the smoke really did cause problems.

[@dwightcrapson135]

@allenfowler1794 With so much firing going on it was surely almost impossible for the crew of each cannon to see where their shots were landing. Thus they were unable to adjust their aim.

[@gggaryjon67]

Should have been called Lee's charge. It was a complete disaster.

[@MarcoSchaper-n4z]

Great as always, thank you for that. I'm reading about the civil war many books, there is one question always coming. How could Lee Order that attack on July 3rd? I can't find an answer until now

[@rjbonacolta]

Love the videos but maybe a few maps as you describe the lines

[@johnsamuels6021]

Many of the quotes in this video seem to have come directly from the movie Gettysburg and/or Ken Burns’ videos of the Civil War

[@abrahammorrison6374]

Abner Doubleday is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Yes, there are baseballs in front of his tombstone.

[@anavalls7491]

What about Henry Jackson Hunt. He wrote the manual on Field Artillery

[@allenfowler1794]

I stand corrected but I believe Kemper was only temporarily captured. I seem to recall he was rescued by his men.

[@charliebratcher3106]

George Pickett actually wasn’t recommended by Lincoln but one of Lincoln’s Law Partners.

[@charliebratcher3106]

It was John Stuart Lincoln’s Law Partner.

[@James-hd4ms]

Now you’re going to tell me they didn’t cross in pontoon boats.

[@jamesmccrea4871]

Why was there no image of Garnett? I'm sure one exists.

[@PeteChurch-tz7bk]

How the hell could these guys walk that entire way...knowing balls of metal would be heading right at them !

[@Tugnut-i5j]

Longstreet was defeated before he started… Shameful…

[@BBQ1953]

You refer to “field officers” from time to time in these documentaries. Are you referring to field grade officers (maj, ltcol, col) or officers capable of command on the field of battle? I found no references to the use of that term in any of the resources I currently have available.

[@James-hd4ms]

I think he said feeled officers.

[@geraldcalderone5228-x2p]

I believe that you are correct

[@JayMuzquiz]

“You want us to march F@cking where…..? and do F@cking what! “ said every Civil War soldier

[@nickroberts-xf7oq]

..... said no civil war soldier....ever. 😉

[@matthewdelaney1422]

Good thing Longstreet wasnt the Confederate General

[@Al-Rudigor]

Right, the war would have lasted longer. The confederate army should have been fighting a defensive war only.

[@ChuckG92]

Narration reminds me of Ed Bearrs speaking style.

[@DavidKnisley-sj9xi]

Listening to this it is really quite hard 2 admit that we do not deserve how much what we have today people have no clue what sacrifice is they have long forgotten the 600 pulse thousand people who gave there lives to end slavery 😢 in our country marches around today acting like a bunch of victims shame on us Shame I pray the Lord reminds us that freedom is not free sure we will lose people but our country is dead thus making these mens sacrifices all for not 😢 listening to this and seeing where we are at today I am truly ashamed to be an American and i mean that with all my heart n soul

[@dwightcrapson135]

11:46 This implies Pettigrew was not fluent in English. It says he was fluent in 4 languages, and they name 4, but English is not one of them. Can anyone clarify if his English wasn't very good?

[@geraldcalderone5228-x2p]

Are you serious

[@dwightcrapson135]

@@geraldcalderone5228-x2p Yes, serious question, because it seems unlikely that Pettigrew would not be fluent in English, but that is what the video seems to say. Why would you think my question is not serious?

[@geraldcalderone5228-x2p]

@ his native tongue was English. I have never heard anyone question this fundamental truth.

[@dwightcrapson135]

@@geraldcalderone5228-x2p That makes sense. I will remind you that it was author of the video, not I, who was seeming to dispute that "fundamental truth". I think the author of this video was just sloppy with his words, when he said fluent in 4 languages, and then named 4 languages, excluding English. Thank you for clarifying, and I will ignore your attempt at an insult.

[@geraldcalderone5228-x2p]

@ Sir, not an insult. America at that time was rather provincial and everyone, with the exception of immigrants, spoke English. If you were born here, your first, and for all but a few, your only language. The name Pettigrew, is, I believe, of English origin. I believe that The four languages presupposes English as a native tongue.

[@Al-Rudigor]

Watching these brave men, and get a commercial from a coward with "bad feet". 😢

[@Gary-k2g]

The Moon was a little past full. An odd description i must note here.

[@margaretpocock2249]

CRAZY plus ça change plus c'est le même chose 😏

[@jhosk]

Longstreet should have been in charge of the army

[@dwightcrapson135]

@@jhosk with hindsight, the rest of us may have to agree with you, as things did not go well under Lee. However Longstreet's idea was to intrench and await the attack. Lee knew that they could not remain idle in Northern territory.

[@manilajohn0182]

Lee had no alternative to the attack known as Pickett's Charge, other than abandonment of the campaign. Lee had been late getting into Pennsylvania, his plan of campaign had been completely ruined, and he had so far done nothing toward accomplishing the strategic objective of the campaign. Moreover, he was all but out of time.

[@georgefox7338]

Such suffering

[@jamesswainston826]

When you refer to cavalry as "calvary," you lose credibility. This is the equivalent of using "nuke-you-ler" in place of nuclear.

[@EricRush]

1:08 "Revalent"?

[@JoJo-ez3pv]

Its possible Lee would have listened to Jackson, if Jackson were alive. Jackson would have opposed this plan and suggested a wide flanking maneuver that threatened Washington.

[@waynelayton8568]

I was going to join,but when you said the word Loyalist you lost me

[@nickroberts-xf7oq]

Byeeeeeere 👋

[@timmylee41]

She a mess

[@JamesQuirk-g1k]

The high mark of Confederacy

[@dwightcrapson135]

@@JamesQuirk-g1k I tend to agree with Bruce Catton, that their high water mark was the previous year, when Lee was almost as far North, and the army of Tennessee was in Tennessee, and also Kentucky, if I remember correctly.

[@nickroberts-xf7oq]

That was Chancellorsville. 😉

[@michaelgriffin740]

Thanks!

[@ThreadsfromtheNationalTapestry]

Thanks Michael!

[@terrycampbell500]

Thanks!