Winfield Scott Hancock on July 3 - Gettysburg Battle Walk with Ranger Matt Atkinson

[@andrewc2491]

Was at Gettysburg exactly 7 months ago, as one of my many pilgrimages to the place. Went to the Visitor Center on the off chance that Matt might be working. He was. And so when the attending Ranger (I think John Hoptak was actually up front at the time) called his office to see if he could come down to "meet a fan from California"...he stopped his work, came down, spent 45 minutes of one-on-one time with me, took pictures, and discussed one of our favorite and mutually agreed upon subjects--which--if you know him--is, of course... CLASSIC ROCK AND ROLL TRIVIA. lol. Matt...#YOU are truly the biggest rock star of them all. Thank you!.

[@MGSSAB]

The world needs more people like Ranger Matt. I am addicted to his tours

[@lespangen]

Agreed

[@joshualincoln7191]

Same. I would love to meet him

[@barrycarroll1776]

..Agree..!

[@georgeherod4252]

I wish our schools could make history as vibrant as Matt makes it. Our kids would remember it and we would not be in the mess we are

[@lespangen]

Matt is fabulous 😬👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@vangieenriquez9687]

It’s not the schools it’s the teachers innate ability to teach and inform in ways that capture the students interests. Schools are merely the venue for learning. Lastly, students must possess some level of desire or need to learn the subject matter.

[@kevinwilson9317]

It's absolutely the system. The whole curriculum is dictated to educators, in some districts even scripted. Students learn to hate learning at a very young age. Trying to swim upstream against the politicians, the think tanks, and the administrators is exhausting and potentially career ending. Take it from someone who walked the plank for speaking out about things.

[@Baseballnfj]

They are definitely not interested in teaching US history. Even if they were.... you probably wouldn't want them to because Lincoln is going to become black sooner or later you watch lol

[@Wes-dr3hx]

Love all of Matt’s tours. He’s one of my favorite and I love how he gets the crowd involved

[@trevornewman2147]

He is a 5 star ranger

[@marymoriarity2555]

The secret is getting crowd involved

[@tonyperone3242]

He loves what he does,and it shows.

[@seanbenak8316]

I went to Gettysburg last summer and had the opportunity to experience two of his programs in person and talk with him for about 15 minutes afterwards. Great guy who really loves sharing his knowledge.

[@springfield03sniper]

Jim Watts schedule is posted on line

[@stevestringer7351]

All the guides are great. But, Matt is the man! I always appreciate the walks and talks where he is the guide.

[@billbrenneman334]

Love to rewatch and still like it great job Matt

[@infinitejest9855]

Thanks for sharing one of Matt Atkinson he’s my favorite I think it’s the southern accent he does a superb job always

[@cwb0051]

Matt is one of Thee Best Rangers, No Doubt..

[@matthewkristovich9536]

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[@texasjoe557]

Many Thanks to Ranger Atkinson & NPS for getting me through Gettysburg during the pandemic. I’ve watched them all, and it surely is the next best thing.

[@Vort317545]

There is something really cool about Matt a pure Southerner with accent giving these tours. Matt truly beings the battles to life. I'm so glad the Union held and Matt is apart of the United States of America. I've made it a point to see all of his tours and lectures here on youtube.

[@Abandonsoyciety]

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[@JamesBray-qm8gr-q3w]

Hancock is my favorite Army of the Potomac General. He had SO MANY pivotal roles in battles. He finally had to retire during Grant's Richmond campaign because of ALL the wounds he had received throughout the war. He did so many things to deserve the Congressional Medal of Honor ! What he did at the Battle of Williamsburg, leading his men in the Battle for the Cornfield in Antietam, charging the heights at Fredericksburg, what he did at Gettysburg, also played key role in saving Grant's Army at the Battle of the Wilderness! On and ON! No General in the Army of the Potomac demonstrated any where NEAR his bravery, leadership and gallantry! All combined, General Hancock should be awarded the MOH !

[@dannyrampey8300]

Just completed my first tour of Gettysburg. Never been on one of Matts walking tours, but as i watch them on pod cast and youtube feel as though im in each explanation of each battle ! Thanks Matt.

[@jonrettich4579]

Not only does Hancock make the final recommendation but Meade confirms it which should end any speculation about Gettysburg and Meade’s decision. Meade is my great hero. Meade, Hancock, Reynolds, Humphreys and others were all Pennsylvanians of significant rank serving at Gettysburg. As always thank you for a fine presentation

[@melodymakermark]

Matt does such a wonderful job, right there. I hope to get a guided tour from him some day, right there.

[@sleeperawake9818]

My favorite ranger by far. Glad another tour appeared

[@ronaldruneric4804]

He's a good man, but for best Ranger, I'd go with Jean Ratelle or Rod Gilbert.

[@jpkjpk11]

very enjoyable and informative. Matt is a very good tour guide.

[@michaellittler7036]

Really love watching Matt's tours. Hope to see him conduct a tour in person one day.

[@marshja56]

I have been to a couple of Matt's tours. He is just like this in real life! On a summer weekend expect his tours to draw a lot of people - 100 or more.

[@aimeebrito1565]

Dear Matt and StuffWriter - I would give anything if I could come out to the GNP and see one 😅f you tours!!! I’ve been there when my kids were teens and I’m happy to report I produced not only people who are “deep in the weeds” history buffs, but one went in to earn a degree in history. Unfortunately, I am terminally I’ll with Multiple Sclerosis now and have been confined to bed for over two years now. Due to my condition, I’m unable to even ride in a vehicle or wheelchair so I’ve been confined also to my bedroom and my only adventures are via channels like yours on KZbin. I love Gettysburg because it makes me feel closer to my over 150 ancestors who fought there - mostly for 50th Ga. & the 52nd Ga, Bennings Brigade and Semmes/McLaws. We also had a few fighting in the Florida regiment underLane, and with my late husband being from Illinois, the kids had relatives on both sides! We have several ancestors who died there - including one who was wounded on July 2 and lay dying on the 3rd beside the Rose farm barn. We always used to include stops at historic sites - and particularly battlefields. Few rise to the level of impact that Gettysburg does as far as a total experience. Part of this is the battlefield itself, which preserves things so much more closely to those terrible three days, but NPS staff and townspeople also seem to take more pride than any other battlefield area we’ve been and it seems as if what happened there is a part of the fabric of your community. But what I wanted to say most in answer to Matt’s admonishment by us not to just rely on the videos of his walks - if not for you’re channel combined with what regimental histories we’ve been able to locate, we would never have known what those fellas went through. It would be impossible in just one or two days most people have to see the battlefield and town. But for people like me - you have become party of my studies and window on the world I seek out on KZbin daily to continue to challenge my mind and fulfill the only way I can a sense of adventure that doesn’t seem to recognize the limitations now dictated by my failing body. Please don’t stop your battlewalks and I hope you will add more because I’ve watched some probably 20 times, not only by Matt, but but all the other guides. I hope you will add more if you can about the 50th Georgia and those who fought under Semmes. Thank you for all your thoyghtful program😮by and tell the “Answering Gettysburg” people I also watch their podcasts!

[@timromecki1248]

Sometimes I lie awake in the middle of the dark night, wondering if Matt Akinson remembers "Hancock Tee-shirt Man"

[@frankmummolo7727]

Learned so much about this under appreciated hero thank to you, sir! Today’s youth could take character lessons from this guy!

[@chuckcubbison7391]

I met Matt a few weeks ago at the Visitor's Center and he helped me and some friends to get some information on the Monterey Pass battlefield and the other aspects of the retreat route which we were preparing to follow. He's one the NPS' finest, great guy!

[@heynowls3058]

Matt is my favorite. Great storyteller. Fun too

[@TheDaimzer]

Would luv to see this tour. Fascinated by Civil war. Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪🇺🇸

[@haroldhardrada7449]

I attended a Matt tour two years ago (which is also on KZbin). Somehow I doubt if we will ever see these kind of (politically incorrect) tours again.

[@terryeustice5399]

Thank you Mr. Smith. Going to be great!

[@indy_go_blue6048]

IIRC, Gen. Simon Buckner, grandson of Grant's friend Simon Bolivar Buckner, was the last US general commanding an army killed in combat when a mortar shell caught him during the late phases of the Okinawa campaign. Also Hancock ordered the barn burned because the rebels were using it as a sharpshooters post and were killing his men. Edit: There were two US brigadier generals killed in Korea, but none of a higher rank since LGen. Buckner. I was informed that a US general was killed in Vietnam, but I can't recall the name.

[@scottriley1913]

It’s sad and heartbreaking that General Armistead did not get to see General Handcock one last time.

[@cbhbklyn]

Sensational. Haven't had opportunity to do a tour with Matt, but this September my wife and I had an offbeat and interesting chat with him about Buddhism while he was manning the visitor's desk at Gettysburg. I also enjoy watching his talks on the Emerging Civil War lecture series on C-Span. Stay tuned, he has a book about the Vicksburg campaign on the horizon.

[@pilotmacklroy]

Hoping to visit Gettysburg next year. I hope Matt is there. Such a great storyteller

[@marshja56]

I appreciate you making this available but had to skip parts of it due to wind noise on the microphone.

[@sqike001ton]

its funny i live in gettysburgh and i walk the park frequently but i never take these tours but i do in the off months like watching them

[@sharingtimeagain]

The interaction here is top notch. Very much like soldiers used to give each other teasing in the war among the ranks and side to side.

[@jupite1888]

Thanks for another Great ranger Matt Presentation

[@TermiteUSA]

Way back about 1967 our all-time favorite History teacher, Mr Fox, organized a huge 5 bus trip to Gettysburg, it was epic. When we left the Cyclorama to walk down the Union Line positions as we passed this little building, the Ranger with us casually pointed at the wood siding and said, "Some of these holes are knot holes". The phrase reverberated down the line of high school kids until they were spelling k n o t and n o t back and forth and the teacher last in line was stopped in her tracks trying to figure out how the verbal exchange got started. "KNOT" "N O T" "NOT" "K N O T" U HAD TO BE THERE

[@markwilson9100]

Really do enjoy Matt's tours and his stories..... at the beginning he said if you only had one side, you wouldn't have a battle. I think most people know someone who will pick a fight with their own shadow or reflection..... I guess times don't change much...

[@stefanburns3797]

Thanks for the upload! Love me some Matt lol

[@Gene-kl1br]

When can I next do a tour with Matt A . All tours I can of Custer family ? Who is the Tour Ranger of these ? Can I reserve ?

[@marymoriarity2555]

I watch all Matt’s tours several times. Don’t worry about rowdy school groups it’s not your job to control ignorant teens that’s the teachers jobs. If they’re too ignorant to listen that’s their loss. I hate being a part of tours with kids.

[@JamesBray-qm8gr-q3w]

Love most of his tours. He is better when he has the tour down and does not need notes. Loved his Peach Orchard, Devil's Den, and Little Round top tours. But he did point out that this was only his second time doing this particular tour.

[@garybezant2413]

I have really enjoyed watching all of Matts battlefield tours. That is with the exception of this one, no fault of Matts, KZbin put adverts about three minutes apart completely ruining this video for me.

[@indy_go_blue6048]

Adblocker Plus for your OS. Quick and easy installation, blocks 99% of ads, and it's free. I've used it for years.

[@nickroberts-xf7oq]

When this happens, forward to about the last minute and let it play out. Then replay the video. ✔️

[@fireriverrat]

Thank you Ranger Matt.

[@jamestownvirginia8463]

Great stuff 👍, I'm from fredicksburg Virginia and know the field well.

[@57Carlibra]

Terrific tour but a wind sock for the microphone would really improve this video.

[@jimastro67]

thanks for sharing this!

[@unappreciatedtreehouse821]

Did Hancock t-shirt man say something about Ken Burns? What was the conversation at 1:11:18 ? Anyone.

[@jeanhutchinson6198]

@Unappreciated Treehouse He's talking about the scene in Gettysburg where the soldier runs up to Gen. Hancock (who is mounted on his horse) and tells him to please get down "we cannot afford to lose you." The soldier was played by Ken Burns. It's his cameo in the movie.

[@tberkoff]

According to accounts, Armistead did not get farther than Cushing's two cannons that were positioned at the stone wall. Armistead was wounded while he tried to rally his men around Cushing's two guns at the wall. The monument is incorrectly placed, like many monuments placed on the battlefield decades after the war.

[@evelynbreza8439]

What an exciting guy, it's not a pretty story but I liked the way he examined, explored, and reenactment his reporting "The history of Civil War"

[@Spaceman1968]

Love his Iron Maiden reference.

[@tomthorn2887]

Were they doing a special somewhere on thr battlefield with artillery while he was talking?

[@TheDozin1]

phantom cannon noises and gun shots are the norm at Gettysburg. A special place indeed.

[@COMPNOR]

@@TheDozin1no. Just no. Please stop. Cannon and reenactor demonstrations are not uncommon during the summer and fall in Gettysburg. These are not ghosts or echoes of apparitions.

[@tomjones5650]

Ol Winnie Boy from Norristown Pa.

[@harborgurl]

thank you, Ranger Matt!

[@navy7633]

That's right. Norristown, Pennsylvania is the birthplace of Winfield Scott Hancock. My birthplace too.

[@crazycarlsju]

I think "Matt Atkinson" must be in some foreign language the phrase for "The Boss."

[@antares4s]

Matt you made one major mistake. Henry Hunt is the Army Chief at all artillery. The man in charge of the Artillery Reserve was Brig Gen. Robert O. Tyler. Hunt's authority superseded Hancock's by Meade's direct order.

[@indy_go_blue6048]

Gen. Hunt has three articles on Gettysburg in "Battles & Leaders", one for each day. He makes it clear that Hancock had overall command of the II Corp area, including artillery, and had every right to order the guns to fire. He also makes it clear that he felt the decision was wrong, as his batteries were out of long range ammo when the rebel infantry approached, that this allowed his lines to be broken, and that the disorganization in his area prevented the possibility of a counterattack, had Meade wished to order one. So no, Hunt's authority didn't supercede Hancock's in that particular area.

[@mymneisadj]

what is the white house in the background in the very beginning

[@StuffWriter]

dj johnson The Brian barn in the background, the Brian house in the right midground.

[@mymneisadj]

directly behind the guide but I would like to know both

[@mymneisadj]

thank u I didn't carefully read your reply I was thinking it may have been meade's hq I was there a few years ago and missed his and lee's hq's somehow

[@willoutlaw4971]

The Brian House is a home owned by a free African American who lived in Gettysburg. There were numerous free African Americans who lived in Pennsylvania at the time of Lee's incursion in June and July of 1863 who wete kidnapped and sent into slavery in the South. Fact.

[@carywest9256]

@@willoutlaw4971 Why do you try to distort history? You are only showing your own intelligence,which is a an imbecile at best!!! Go read some library books and something boy.

[@johnwayneeverett6263]

team work .......i got a go and meet this guy wow...

[@kevinpiacente3456]

I really wish the sounds was better

[@whitespider8523]

I was looking forward to this but spoilt by poor audio.

[@lawrencekirwin9665]

Outstanding!

[@douglasedwards6504]

Love the Matt tours

[@chucku.farley3927]

it's amazing how calm the people are during the earthquakes.

[@chrishastings2665]

I know a bunch of the 8th reenactors. I just confirmed the 8th OVI story lol. Except it was their Col.

[@kubanpanzer]

Matt covering the Union? Gimme Gimme!

[@Arathor82]

Is High Pitch Eric on this tour ?

[@danmorris8594]

Arathor82 who's high pitch? This is kelly Clarkson

[@teddysalad8227]

At 46:35 someone asks a question. It's either a Sesame Street character or it's your man Eric.

[@davidwolf2562]

the ranger does a great job really ...

[@briangilmartin4654]

Who is the person with the weird vi Voice and what question

[@sofly7634]

Hancock one of my favorite civil war heroes

[@markfeasel9431]

Would love to meet this man and chew the fat about the civil war. My great grandfather fought in the war.

[@decimated550]

3:41 lol someone has a question, and the person's voice is so cute and high pitched, is it an old lady?

[@marymoriarity2555]

decimated550 the same person with that voice is in different tour videos. Can’t be an older person because there seems to be a lot of walking involved.

[@tonys8243]

Loved it😀

[@danieltorresdeluna4844]

😀 Eres un chico muy feliz☺

[@danieltorresdeluna4844]

👕✌

[@BigMrFirebird]

42:00 If I'd been at that Minnesota reunion I would've replied to Hancock, you should've led by example and led us in that charge, though.

[@johnwayneeverett6263]

NO ONE WILL TAKE OUR HISTORY FROM US OUR YOUNG NATION LEARNED THUR THE YEARS HOW TO GET IT RIGHT ,, THUR THE BLOOD ON THAT BATTLE FIELD MORE THAN ANY GOD BLESS ALL THAT GO THERE TO LEARN OUR HISTORY WE ARE THEM AND THEY US ....WE THE PEOPLE ....

[@rmking4895]

I love Matt's talks, but the high frequency of adverts makes the videos by stuffwriter almost intolerable

[@normbehr7599]

Matt has IT.

[@nickroberts-xf7oq]

Is it contagious ?!? 😂 Kidding....Matt is awesome ! 🏆

[@peetyw8851]

I agree completely. A lot of asides and showing off.

[@jfomgo73]

The amazing Hancock Teeshirt Man at 1:11:28, now thats funny!

[@JoeNicks389]

Great talk, great presentation, poor video and audio. Could not hear at the 1:30 mark due to wind noise. Video showed too much of the sky and not the ranger.

[@tylerjerabek5204]

Joe Nicks it’s not a professional video, be glad he does these and posts them for your viewing pleasure

[@cindy-followerofjesuschris6572]

I'm GLAD you are not a Mason, Matt! Stay pure!

[@itsnodawayitustabe5654]

This dude is wholesome af he reminds me of one the side characters from JP1

[@kubanpanzer]

On the commentary about the statue of lee. Places like Gettysburg are the only place where a statue of General Lee actually belongs. It belongs there because it honors the memory of the battle and the history of it all. No one is trying to delete history. Just properly assign honor where it belongs. Benedict Arnold has a monument to his foot.. which he lost fighting for the United States.. not the rest of him that fought against it.

[@decimated550]

2:22 that kid chewing the heck out of his bottle, i feel sorry for his mom when he was a baby! lol

[@euphenegiafarrerahah8182]

Matt reminds me of Gomer Pyle... mannerisms and voice! We could use a tour of Maybury, with a stop at Wally's Fillin' Station~🤣

[@nickroberts-xf7oq]

"Mayberry" ✔️

[@LifeAdventuresTV]

When Matt asked if anyone was from the Hancock society you can hear canon fire

[@timmadden5004]

Matt rocks

[@josiahquincy2744]

He is really good

[@williamblanton5861]

I love this guy, he reminds me of Barney Phiffe.

[@nickroberts-xf7oq]

"Fife" ✔️

[@scottriley1913]

This guy earns his paycheck, wish I could one of his tours.

[@jeffcurrey8765]

There's not a better work about Hancock on KZbin.

[@carywest9256]

I will say this,that Mississippi stumpjumper knows his stuff about The War Between the States history.

[@guavaburst]

Idk how true it is or isn't but I read somewhere that Armistead's distress call was "my Aunt is a widow."

[@D1TemplarKnight]

Not true.

[@nickroberts-xf7oq]

"Is there any help for the widow's son ?" is a masonic distress call.

[@scottriley1913]

It’s hard to eulogize a yankee but Hancock deserves every recognition.

[@wolfgangbraun1604]

way to much "Hancock".... but thumbs up for a great tour guide

[@defiantliberty2771]

Awesome Job by Matt. The woman/child from Tennessee voice kills me. Nails on a chalk board.

[@crimony3054]

"Ranger Atkinson and the NPS hold the rights to the notes and lecture." --Works by the government and its employees are not copyrightable.

[@JohnnyRebKy]

I would love to go but I need a friend to go with. My wife and daughter would be miserable and drive me nuts the whole time. Zero interest in it.

[@CJ_esc.artist]

omg, please shut the ads off.

[@owryan1]

Problem with watching these videos is that, I'm currently reading "Gettysburg, the last invasion" and I keep reading all the Confederate quotes in Matt's style and accent

[@DrRockter5150]

Will no one help the widow's son? The Masonic call of distress. ... Any time a Freemason hears this (possibly combined with an arm gesture) they are obliged to assist the Mason in trouble, if it is more likely that they would save him than that they would die.

[@D1TemplarKnight]

That isn't correct. You better continue Googling it to get closer.

[@nickroberts-xf7oq]

Read "The Deadly Deception"

[@tomservo5347]

While Hunt and Hancock argued over the use of artillery, Hancock did compromise on a clever tactic Hunt employed: he ordered his batteries to gradually cease firing, giving the Confederates the false impression that they were knocking out batteries and it lured them out to attack. Hunt reportedly leaped for joy upon seeing massed infantry coming towards him-as massed infantry moving across open, flat ground is an artillery general's dream come true as they were impossible to miss.

[@willoutlaw4971]

Fact of the matter is the confederates were already set to charge the Union positions. This was the plan of their inept General Robert E. Lee. They may have thought the Union batteries were knocked but that is doubtful. Lee had binoculars and could readily see, from his posution in the woods of Seminary Ridge, that the Union batteries were not all knocked out by the inept confederate in charge of their artillery.

[@marosenmd294]

@@willoutlaw4971 I take it that you are referring to Gen. Pendleton and not Col. E. Porter Alexander. Pendleton had the artillery train that carried extra ammunition, and parked within a reasonable distance, that Pendleton expected batteries in his gun line, to replenish their quickly emptying limber chests from, had been ordered moved to a safer location, during the night of July 2nd, with out informing Col. Alexander. Pendleton was totally inept and unqualified for command, who should have stuck to the Ministry for which he was trained and his non-military vocation. Alexander was brilliant, but alas only a Col. (a bright and talented West Point Grad.) stuck between Gen. Longstreet, his immediate boss & corps commander and Gen. Lee, Alexander had the unenviable task of commanding the the massed 120 piece gun line and its preparatory bombardment of the union front on Cemetery Ridge. And, most unfortunately, Gen. Pendleton, Lee's appointed Chief of Artillery, Army of N.Va. contributed nothing to Alexander, except to order the redeployment of the Artillery Train, and the spare ammunition that Alexander depended upon to partially replenish his batteries, in support of the planned infantry assault on the Union center immediately following Alexander's order to cease fire. Therefore, by my long winded reply, do I correctly assume that Gen Pendleton, CSA, the ultimate embodiment of ineptitude for all humankind, is the person to whom you were referring as "the inept confederate in charge"?

[@thomasandrew4881]

Why are kids even at these tours? They are obviously not interested

[@markholbrook3949]

I didn't know Mickey Mouse was a Civil War buff?

[@marymoriarity2555]

mark holbrook that person is frequently in these tours