Gettysburg, 1st Day: Heth engages Buford's cavalry

Buford holds off Heth's first attacks, waiting for general Reynold's 1st Corps to arrive on the field.
From the movie Gettysburg.

[@valjean76]

I love the dynamic between Gamble and Buford. Its so funny and real to me the way he annoys Buford yet Buford knows he is correctly assessing everything. He's that coworker who gets under your skin but you know is good at his job and you work well together.

[@juandavidson9111]

that's a damn good assessment😅

[@rahulbond3m]

Buford is unsung hero of Gettysburg

[@j.m.youngquist419]

And let us not forget Chamberlain.

[@lindagoad2163]

​@j.m.youngquist419 with a medal of honour and basically half the whole film about him I don't think anyone's forgotten him.

[@nathanlandolt5505]

Im pretty the Minnesota 1st are the bravest and most forgotten heroes of the battle

[@regularguyprepper2993]

They essentially jumped on a grenade. But Buford taking the position he did affected the battle because unlike stonewall, ewell was overly cautious "if practicable".

[@nathanlandolt5505]

@@regularguyprepper2993 That's true. But Buford at least is immortalized in the Gettysburg movie being portrayed by Sam freaking Elliot with an impressive monologue(The High Ground!). As far as i know the sacrifices of the 1st Minnesota are mostly unknown by the general public

[@vlotom]

"I've got the best damn ground around, and they're hitting me with one brigade. Lovely....LOVELY. Sam Elliot was born for this part.

[@HTHMTV]

This is one of my favorite movies of all time! Martin Sheen and Jeff Daniels performances were absolutely genius! Memorizing!

[@jamielancaster01]

FUN FACT: Ulysses S Grant married General Longstreet’s cousin & Longstreet was one of his groomsman.

[@maxspaugh3666]

Mesmerizing

[@williampaz2092]

@@kenbattor6350And that was unfair scapegoating. I respectfully submit that Braxton Bragg deserves much of the blame for the Confederate Defeat, his actions during Yankee General William S. Rosecrans “Tullahoma Campaign” were confused, hesitant and uncertain. Rosecrans virtually maneuvered Bragg out of Tennessee without a single battle thus unlocking and opening the door to Atlanta. I place the rest of the blame on Confederate General John Bell Hood who managed to get the Confederate Army of Tennessee mauled during the Atlanta Campaign and then destroyed the remainder of the Confederate Army of Tennessee outside of Nashville. IMHO….

[@JonnyBobby]

1:05 - I have always found it to be extremely badass that an entire band is in this scene for the sole purpose of playing a song to accompany/announce Longstreet's entrance. Not even Darth Vader had that!

[@petermonteleone8153]

I appreciate your comment and love that part of the scene, but cmon...in Empire Stikes Back, Vader has Imperial March playing as all the star destroyers help introduce Vader's new flag ship, the super star destroyer LOL

[@AnvilMAn603]

@@petermonteleone8153 yes but darth didnt have a band right there

[@snappy452]

This might be one of the most beautiful movies every shot. Its clear to see that every man in this movie took their role seriously. They appreciated the magnitude of what they were portraying. Probably their best works every, for each and every man.

[@jamielancaster01]

FUN FACT: Ulysses S Grant married General Longstreet’s cousin Julia Dent & Longstreet was one of his groomsman. Julia Dent was the sister of Fred Dent - Grants roommate at West Point.

[@daviddougan6961]

Julia was not Longstreet's cousin but he did stand in the wedding and he and Grant remained friends through thick and thin

[@jamielancaster01]

@@daviddougan6961 Julia Dent is was Fred Dent’s sister. Fred was roommates with Grant at West Point). BUT Julia & Fred were also Longstreet’s cousin (reference: US National Endowment for the Humanities: article: ‘The Odyssey of Ulysses S. Grant’ written by Meredith Hindley. HUMANITIES, May/June 2014, Volume 35, Number 3). Fred Dent is General Frederick Tracy Dent who during the Civil War was the aide-de-camp to General Grant.

[@nealonperkins1604]

Of course.That's true it's a civil war

[@bartsanders1553]

Longstreet was also with Grant as part of the honor guard at a funeral for Julia's pet bird.

[@jayherd1034]

Many years later, their great grandsons would storm the beaches of Normandy....together.

[@lauriemoore7220]

+Jay Herd Omaha, Utah and Point Du Hoc, specifically. Pardon me for being pedantic, but I do agree with the spirit of your words. Peace.

[@patrickmccrann991]

​@lauriemoore7220 He is correct. Omaha Beach was assaulted by the 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division "Big Red One" and the 116th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division "Blue and Grey". The 116th could trace its lineage back to the 5th Virginia Voluteer Infantry of the "Stonewall Brigade", ANV. Another regiment of the 29th ID was the 175th, it could trace its lineage back to the 118th Pennsylvania Reserves, Army of the Potomac. Both fought on opposite sides during the Battle of Gettysburg.

[@dragonstalk86]

and many years after they wished they hadn't at all

[@davecrupel2817]

Did they seriously?

[@Bucky1836]

lead by Theodore Roosevelt Jr

[@AEsir2023]

This is such an underrated movie

[@grindlbebe]

One of the finest movies ever made, and I for one liked Martin Sheen as Robert E. Lee.

[@carlriding6087]

Longstreet getting his own serenade upon arrival… what a legend 😂

[@tracywilkinson1820]

I really like how they say names of who they are against. not units, names of commanders. They all knew each other personally and knew strengths and weaknesses, the professional officer corps on both sides had known each other for decades.

[@SantomPh]

that's because the Confederates organized themselves according to who commanded the unit, rather than the Union's style of numbers and regiments at least until the Corps level. So Archer had a brigade under Hill's (third) Corps, Pickett's Brigades were under Longstreet (first) Corps and Early with Rhodes under Ewell (second). Hancock in the movies says he spotted Lou Armistead's flag when in fact he had no idea where Armistead was posted.

[@haynes1776]

@edavismookie25 Buford was a commander who did his homework in calvary tactics he saw and made notes of the ground at Gettysburg and knew where the army of the Potomac can make its stand: The fishook defensive positon From Culp's hill, Cemetery hill and ridge and the Round tops. His tactic called "covering force action" was a delaying action designed to slow down an advancing foe and protect better ground to the rear so that reinforcements can take up position and meet their foe on their terms.

[@Bellinghamspence]

Not sure why this movie is not shown on TNT on a monthly basis. A great tv movie.

[@Bellinghamspence]

***** Or Bones. I just saw something on the History channel about Gettysburg and the early battle with Lt Col Dawes fighting at the railroad cut.

[@Gregoryt700]

Fairly realistically done, you notice the Union troops place percussion caps before firing their Sharps carbines. Though the delaying action slowly retreated over three ridges, not one as is suggested here. Buford, from Kentucky, was quite the hero, though that was not initially obvious to all.

[@jamessweet5341]

Buford's brigade allowed Meade to choose the high ground for his defense, an inestimable advantage that Union generals rarely had.

[@crum2345]

Wish they would make The Last Full Measure... I think that is the best of the series.

[@trajan231]

Absolutely. Buford deserves his credit because he was the one who chose to fight at Gettysburg.

[@Shafeone]

Buford knew he had to force Heth to deploy from march column to battle line so he planned a defense in depth with 500 skirmishers on Herr's Ridge and the main line behind on McPhersons. (Heth though he could disperse the "militia" with a skirmish line and a few cannon shots. First contact was made at 7:30am but it took Heth until 9:00 to deploy Archer and Davis' brigades over 1/2-mile line. A crucial 1.5 hours had been bought by Buford's first lone on Herr's Ridge. Buford knew his stuff.

[@Hnil96]

There should be a seperate Oscar category for "Movies where Martin Sheen narrates his character's thoughts." Seems like there are a ton of them.

[@gen_robert_lee]

Every scene is just fantastic, gives you shivers

[@spitfire4sergi]

Almost word for word with the book!! Man, I'm completely immersed right now it's awesome. I have battle maps up on my iPad while I read, as well as google maps for Gettysburg itself, and I'm going to the actual battlefield this summer!! Can't wait.

[@user-qz1sj1ru3d]

The thing i like about this scene is that from Lee's perspective, any artillery going off without his prior knowledge in any way is a major problem. That sounds like the enemy.

[@salinagrrrl69]

That wool... That hot July heat...

[@boxtruckbandit3837]

Mead saved the left flank of the hook by directly leading his reserves into the broken Union line in such saving the Union supply depot and the union retreat route.

[@CynicallyObnoxious]

Cody Maranto yea Dan Sickles royally almost fucked everyone

[@bradschaeffer5736]

+CynicallyObnoxious Well yes and no. Agreed he did leave his flanks (and the left of II Corps) dangerously exposed and his position was a salient that invited being smashed on two sides. But in his defense one can see why he looked out to the higher ground 900 some yards out and thought it a better position. III Corps was really no longer on any ridge of any sort but flat ground. He shouldn't have moved and Meade told him as much angrily but his repositioning did have the effect of greatly upsetting Lee's flank attack plan. McLaws and Hood expected to roll up the exposed Union led flank ala Chancellorsville. Instead, as McLaws wrote: "The view astonished me as the enemy was massed in my front and extended to my right and left as far as the eye could see." So a flank attack became a brutal echelon frontal assault...Hood's men forced to move farther right and thus face Devil's Den and the broken ground all around. Meade's quick thinking saved the day as III Corps was nearly annihilated. But in a way, Sickles upset Lee's plans as much as Meade's.

[@Setebos]

@OldVoice --- that opening scene, where Elliott is making his speech about "the high ground", is perhaps my favorite in the film.

[@Nanjing03]

@eyederrick, thank you and greetings from South Carolina. Martin Sheen performed splendidly. Not being a Southerner, the roll must have been difficult, yet his rendition of that great general was convincing even though Lee was taller, and broad shouldered. In historical photos, Lee appeared sharp and alert until the summer of 1863. In 1864/65, he began to look more haggard and tired of the war he tried to avoid.

[@gloriawilson3241]

A really good actor can act so why would it be difficult for him to plat the role of Lee? Remember John Wayne played Confederate and Union roles.

[@annettemalaski1967]

1864/64 time frame Gen. Lee started to have heart problems. It took its toll on his stamina! But he would not resign!

[@j.m.youngquist419]

Truly, the high ground was the key.

[@markconner3234]

Always is

[@briankiernansmith2433]

john buford along with chamberlain at the round top, heroes of gettysburg.

[@TheWaveofbabies]

Don't forget about Col. David Ireland, who did what Chamberlain did only he held Culp's Hill on the far right of the Union line against a superior force and with less men than Chamberlain. He ordered two bayonet charges to keep the rebels from folding the Union right. You don't hear about him because he didn't survive the war and get to be governor of Maine.

[@briankiernansmith2433]

TheWaveofbabies good stuff.

[@stevecochrane3491]

TheWaveofbabies Don't forget the First Minnesota.

[@Shafeone]

Brian Kiernan Smith Buford definitely. But Chamberlain though he fought like a demon, wasn't the true hero of Little Round Top. That title should go to his superior, brigade commander Col. Strong Vincent who ordered his brigade up to LRT straight away by-passing the normal command protocols to get them up there asap. He stationed the 20th Maine, the 44th New York, the 83rd Pennsylvania and the 16th Michigan Infantry Regiments on the hill and it was all of these regiments who withstood the rebel assault. Vincent was killed so, unlike Chamberlain, he never got to write his memoirs. he who writes the story writes the history.

[@Mathview]

We learned about the civil war in 7th grade by reading books in our school library. My circle of friends and classmates played strategic games published by Avalon Hill. The Avalon Hill game "Gettysburg" was played on a map board and the Union and Confederate units arrived following the historic hour by hour schedule, force composition, and route of approach. In one game I scored a quick win by flanking Heath's division using Gamble and Devon.

[@trident6547]

Avalon Hill´s games along with a few others were very historically accurate

[@boynamedblue]

they were both good. i like the relaxed dignity of martin sheen, that's always the way i imagined Lee.

[@exposingproxystalkingorgan4164]

This movie is very good. 😮

[@snappy452]

god damn the acting is amazing in this scene.

[@marcwilliams2504]

John Buford played by Sam Elliot. perfect casting.

[@trident6547]

Martin Sheen as General Lee and Tom Berenger as General Longstreet too. They gave their rolefigures a lot of human empathy too.

[@DivineSimply]

Watching Martin Sheen come out of that tent as Robert E. Lee transported me back to his opening scene and 1st words in "Apocalypse Now." With that in mind, and returning now to "Gettysburg," how wonderful it would have been therefore to see Sheen/Lee emerge from the tent, look around, and say "Gettysburg . . . shit!"

[@grindlbebe]

Going to see the new Visitor Center, and the battlefield and cemetery (again) May 8. I am a history "purist," but I will hear this magnificent music again as I make my way through Gettysburg.

[@yankeedogg2212]

I like Longstreet’s hat and I wish I had the build to pull off wearing one like he does….

[@patrickf.garrett5201]

Love this movie!

[@Jmsimer]

Sam Eliot is the MAN in every movie he's in.

[@grindlbebe]

I agree with those on the Visitor Center; went there yesterday. But don't miss Monocacy. Went there today. The experience was spectacular.

[@mikeflynn2926]

I'm currently reading (actually listening to recorded book) "Killer Angels," by Michael Shaara, from which much of the dialogue in this movie segment appears to have been taken or paraprahased directly. According to this well-researched book, Buford had equipped his troopers with Sharps repeating rifles, and also had them discard the traditional cavalry sabres.

[@jameshepburn4631]

Buford was a true professional, not a political appointed wanna be.

[@Raptor747]

Not to mention that it makes reloading in general vastly easier--no having to dig out a long rod, fit it into the end of the barrel with your arm extended--in the middle of combat--ram it down the barrel and then place the rod back wherever it was, fire, then repeat.

[@tededuncan2306]

The Killer Angels. Killer book!

[@haynes1776]

Lee depended on Gen Stuart cavalry to keep his flanks clear of enemy activity. Communications of those days were slow and since it was impossible for commanders to see everything, Lee set up his command style, which allowed his commanders a great deal of discreation, trusting in their skill and good judgement

[@josephstevens9888]

Stuart was out of touch with Lee for several days. Instead of being the eyes and ears of the Army of Northern Virginia, Stuart decided it was worth his while to go on one of his famous rides behind enemy lines, bagging prisoners and collecting horses and other need goods. In doing so, Stuart left Lee and the rest of army with little idea where the Army of the Potomac was.

[@haynes1776]

​@josephstevens9888 I'm sure Stuart had a lot to explain on why he failed in his mission to scout ahead for any movement of the Union army. Without calvary, the main army was blind, with no b knowledge and of where the enemy was and what their intentions are. Only a spy named Harrison, an actor from Mississippi, gave the ANV their solid information that the Army of the Potomac was in Pennsylvania and nearby and so the two armies were on a collision course. The point of impact: Gettysburg. 🇺🇲

[@haynes1776]

If it weren't for Gen Buford's calvary, it would had been a different outcome at Gettysburg. Buford's studies in Calvary tactics had paid off. He was a calvary commander that I would gladly trust and rely on

[@josephstevens9888]

You are absolutely correct... by not being in daily touch with Lee, Jeb Stuart left the Army of Northern Virginia blind and deaf. Lee ripped into Stuart (one of the very times when Lee lost his temper in front of others) when Stuart showed up on the evening of July 1. Stuarts wide-ranging raid of plunder and prisoners was one of the major tactical errors of the Army of Northern Virginia during their second invasion of the north.

[@haynes1776]

@josephstevens9888 No doubt Lee gave Stuart a stern lecture and oh course there was no one else to replace Stuart. But he somehow redeemed himself. He met his end at Yellow Tavern in 1864. But earlier in the war, his experience as a calvary officer, including engagements against native Americans he use to train his first command the first Virginia calvary and he taught them well. He taught them how important calvary was to scout ahead and report back any enemy movements to the main body. Reconisance was the key. During the Peninsula campaign, as McClellan's army of the Potomac advance up the Virginia Peninsula towards Richmond, and after the battle of 7 pines or Fair oaks, after General Johnson was wounded and out of action, Stuart answered to Robert E Lee, Johnson's replacement and so the ANV was born. Stuart began his famous rides around the army of the Potomac with a Reconisance to scout the union army's position and got back with the information Lee needed, losing only one trooper under his command. But it was Stuart's calvary that dominated their union rivals, resulting in seizure of union supplies, pows, just making Federal calvary look completely foolish. I read that during the 2nd Manassas/Bull Run campaign, his calvary raided Union General John Pope's headquarters, seizing a box full of currency, Pope's dress uniform, and his dispatch book, which contained the disposition of Pope's forces, which Lee used to his advantage and resulting in a high victory for the ANV at 2nd Manassas, making Pope and the whole union army look stupid. Stuart also did well at Chancellorsville, when Stonwall Jackson was wounded, Stuart temporary took command of his corps and did well. But it was at Brandy Station were the Union calvary finnally were able to be more than a match for Stuart veteran horsemen.🇺🇲

[@grindlbebe]

Thanks for your comment. Monocacy is now a wonderful place to spend a day, and do the auto tour. It has finally gotten its due. Hooray for Lew Wallace.

[@johndates9827]

Say what some will. But these were Americans who were forced to fight each other. What resulted was a stronger nation in myOP.

[@hagamapama]

+john dates Mrs. Lincoln, Grant and Sherman had a great deal to do with that. Immediately after their enemies surrendered they called for magnanimity and generosity. Grant and Sherman both immedoately opened the Union commisariat to their surrendering foes and Lincoln immediately rushed food south into the former Confederacy after the surrender. During the surrender at Appomatox Grant asked Lee what his situation was for food and Lee relayed the desperation of the situation of the surviving ANV men, so on the spot he posted General Lee 25,000 rations to get his men through the night. Sherman did a similar thing when General Johnston surrendered later in the year. Also farmers were allowed to keep whatever horses they still had in order to make sure Southern agriculture got back on its feet as soon as possibe. Grant also famously forbade his soldiers to cheer the departing Lee saying "They are our countrymen again." General Chamberlain gets a nod too for ordering his soldiers to salute General Gordon's men when they accepted the Confederate surrender.

[@BramGroeneveld225]

What a sweet man. His beard makes him very kindly. And I like his accent.

[@arailway8809]

I never thought Martin Sheen was quite bristly enough to be General Lee, but he did a purty fair job of it in this clip. Of course, Sam Elliot was about as good as it gets.

[@rodolfog2459]

My ONLY gripe about this scene is that Buford’s cavalry DID NOT HAVE MUZZLE LOADERS! They could engage at twice the distance with over 10 times the rate of fire! The breech-loading carbines were nothing without Buford’s genius, though.

[@Nanjing03]

I think it compares very well. Most of the same actors play the same parts. Robert E. Lee is played by Martin Sheen who worked really hard to get it right. Robert Duval was already committed elsewhere and the two did collaborate. The cast is really impressive.

[@Shafeone]

I've actually climbed over that Emmitsburg Road fence. You are a perfect target, totally exposed. The cannons look like they're right in your face. I think I'd have called "no ma" by the time I got to that last few hundred yards too.

[@24michiganironbrigad]

there was a makeshift barrier in front of the seminary but that wasn't setup until the 2nd division 1st corps arrived. Paul's brigade was stationed there and set it up, then when the Iron Brigade fell back they used it to slaughter the Carolinians in their front.

[@annettemalaski1967]

And that Col. Devlin did hold the north section!

[@cripplehawk]

In my view what saved the Union was that General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson died almost 2 months earlier. Has he lived things would have ended up differently. Plus J.E.B. Stuart and his Calvary being missing did not help either.

[@Trea2030]

I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!

[@JPOGers]

0:48 “Good morning sir” “Good morning Major Taylor” *salutes a Major*

[@MichaelOnines]

Returns a salute to the major. Unlikely the general's aide-de-camp would not render a salute their first contact in the morning.

[@JPOGers]

@@MichaelOnines They just could’ve been more precise on that scene. He could’ve saluted when he said good morning, then it would’ve been an accurate scene

[@MichaelOnines]

@@JPOGers agreed. They probably didn't like any of the reverse angle shots with the salute or left it for time.

[@sasquatch7234]

One of the things I noticed is General Longstreet saluting with a cigar in hand. I'm pretty sure that was considered disrespectful. Especially back then.

[@walterpittman9694]

Buford doing what calvary is supposed to do. In Stark contrast to Stuart

[@Shafeone]

That is an irrelevant "if" though because the Union fire made sure that all 11,500 would never make it to the angle. And yes, the VI Corps, with 1/5th of thw Army of the Potomac's infiantry would have stopped any break-through. When asked why his charge failed, George Pickett had the most astute and obvious answer: "I think the Union Army had something to do with it."

[@dbergerac]

Longstreet: "Can't lead from behind" LOL

[@colepeterson994]

I would disagree with Longstreet most officers die because of ignorance to lead in the front

[@colepeterson994]

Cole Peterson at least until the more modern day battle fronts

[@redpriest1985]

Cole Peterson Only real officers lead from the front.

[@colepeterson994]

I beag to differ

[@redpriest1985]

Cole Peterson You simply cannot command troops from the back.

[@donaldcooper3374]

Lee’s failure was the first day of Gettysburg. They concentrated on capturing the town and failed to capture the high ground. A brigade and union artillery held up the entire Reb army.

[@Reamigullas]

I was born when this movie was released in 1993 yet I REALLY LOVE THIS MOVIE because of its historical significance although I'm not an american...and the actors are good especially sam elliott nga gwapo kaayo XD

[@Steve17010]

Sam Elliot is superb as General Buford.

[@54321Rambler]

Proud to relate John Buford was of English descent. Just thought I'd mention it.

[@DaLatinKnight]

Love this movie. Remember seeing it randomly on the shelf of a store as kid and buying it.

[@1horseman]

When I participated in the 145th re-enactment with the 2nd Cavalry .. that will live with me always.

[@jamielancaster01]

FUN FACT: General Buford I’d engage General AP Hills 3rd Corp. Buford & Hill we’re classmates & friends at West Point.

[@haynes1776]

Buford did hold his postion despite the fact that he had two confederate corps converging on him. From the west: Gen A.P. Hill's corps at Cashtown,Pa and Gen Richard Ewell's corps advancing from the north at Carlile,Pa His troopers deserve credit for fighting like the devil till supports arrive.

[@johndeerishere]

Also, many of the victorys of the AVN was do to a suprise flank attack like in Second Mansass and Chancellorville or when the Union attacked them in a forified postion like in Fredericksburg

[@Shafeone]

@Kibbles747 Yes. A.P. Hill was back in his tent "very unwell" in Cashtown. Thus did he leave the opening moves a major "reconiassance in force" to his least experienced division commander, Heth whose brigades had the point. When Heth saw that this was indeed the Army Of The Potomac (Buford) and not militia-the artillery was enough clue-he should have returned to Cashtown to report his findings or stayed put on Herr's RIdge and send back for further orders. Instead he tried to take the town.

[@trajan231]

General Buford is probably the greatest of the unsung Civil War heroes.

[@rekke41]

@pilzperson No, I believe they didn't have spencer's yet. Rather I'm almost positive they were using breech loading carbines, still single shot but provided a much better volume of fire.

[@doyle1876]

Hmmm - intelligent response. Buford set his defenses deep, away from the ground he wished to hold so the only "positions" that Buford was driven off was flat, useless ground. He held the best defensive ground in the area and the Union army won the battle as a result.

[@Mathview]

As I recall from 7th grade history class, General Buford's brigade commanders were Gamble and Devon, having rank of Colonel, if I'm not mistaken. It always struck me as strange that we pronounce the word Colonel as kernel. Anyway, it's historically accurate that General Lee had no cavalry support leading up to this day, the 'official kickoff' of the battle of Gettysburg.

[@anthonylegore1517]

Not technically true. He had Imboden's Calvary corp, whom he did not trust as much as Stuart. Thus he kept them in reserve as guard for their supply and artillery train.

[@Shugotenshi47]

Get on line means form a battle line. Even today infantry would form a firing line and back in 1863 entire brigades would get on line shoulder to shoulder and that took time

[@WHOOOOOOOOCARES]

Dang… that breakfast sounds soooo good haha

[@sasquatch7234]

The Confederates probably didn't get to eat like that often.

[@WHOOOOOOOOCARES]

@@sasquatch7234 they barely ate

[@DavidBroadley-tw7ks]

They looted the food

[@haynes1776]

If you ever get a chance to go to Gettysburg, go to where Gen Buford's calvary made their stand on the Chamberburg pike near the Seminary west of the town. Thats were the first day of battle started. Buford mission was to fight for time: to hold off the confederate advance of Gen heth's division, A.P. Hill's corps, ANV, long enought for the main body of the army of the potomac to arrive. He held for over two hrs:

[@sekytwo]

i cant believe general longstreak is barnes from Platoon lol awesome!

[@Shafeone]

@rebel2276 Had the bombarment worked...but anyone could tell you that it was not going to. Pendelton was an incompetent grandpa (hence Alexander's respinsibilities well above his rank). A good commander knows how reliable his charges and fuses are. He knows that it was very humid that would make visibility through thick smoke impossible. And that he was not firing down the length of a line (which was mid-19th century artillery's best approach given its inexact aiming) but the width. "If"

[@doyle1876]

Most definitely - Brandy Station, Upperville, Gettysburg, Boonsboro. He was the finest cavalry commander of the war, North or South

[@johndeerishere]

I agree with some of the comments that Longstreet was'nt as aggressive or effective sometimes on the attack. However I think his general idea of defensive offense was sound. He realized that it did'nt make sense to attack a well forified enemy out in the open. You should try to entice an enemy to attack YOU on forified ground. .

[@Shafeone]

Ah the old Special Orders 191 thing. It certainly helped, but the AOP began reaching the field on Sept. 15th and didn't attack until the 17th...giving Jackson enough time to reunite on the 16th and enough for all the Harper's Ferry garrisons to get to field throughout the battle. A good general (that darned Ulysses again!) would have shattered Lee. Remeber too, 191 did NOT give Mc what he needed most...troop count. Hence his hesitation at South Mountain.

[@Axgoodofdunemaul]

Martin Sheen is so good in this I think I'm really seeing Lee.

[@cbalien14]

(ran out of characters) 2)cnt'd Because of Buford's plan his men had to be able to fall back quickly. He had small battlelines on several ridges along the Chambersburg Pike. Each time Heth's men encountered a line and take time to deploy, Buford's men would run to their horses and fall back to the next ridge, thus forcing Heth to reform all over again. It slowed Heth's advance by two hours. So one guy would hold four horses so when it came time to fall back, the horses were ready to go

[@glennkrzywicki4954]

Buford gets major credit in Guelzo's book and in the book "Willoughby Run" written by ???!

[@pliskin555]

Easy to suggest without considering the logistics. Part of the raiding expeditions in Pennsylvania were designed to obtain shoes for the soldiers who had none. If you were considering any move of your men back then, it would be what was to the army's best interests... and marching rapidly without shoes was not one of Lee's.

[@Tanakun09]

If it wasn't for Buford's Cavalry holding down the fort till reinforcement arrived? The city and the hills would been occupied by the Confederate.

[@geraldarmstrong5646]

The town was occupied by the confederates, they were lucky that Lee was too aggressive

[@Tanakun09]

Gerald Armstrong Yeah and if Lee and had said Take Those Hills at all Cost to General Ewell. The Confederate would been able to mount cannons on those hills and the Union would need buckets to catch the lead.

[@crusadercrusader8764]

Tony Moua Confederate troops have entered the town, was some street fighting, but the confederates were pushed back immedialtey.

[@Tanakun09]

yeah, cause reinforcements for the Union came in.

[@hagamapama]

+Great Khan24 No he said "if practicable" to Ewell, and Ewell felt his corps was too disorganized to move for the hills safelt and it would take too long to get them organized.

[@pdogone1]

yes monocacy a little known or remember fight/ general wallace did great service that day even though he had been forced to retire..bought just enough time for the veterans of the vi corps to arrive from grant in va.

[@Nanjing03]

@blueray1969, yes, that is noticeable to those of us who are veterans. The truth is that there were no detailed regulations concerning salutes in the American armies, Union or Confederate. Many of these officers had observed foreign officers in the British and European armies before the war and simply adapted. It should be remembered too that salutes were regarded as sincere greetings and respect between warriors, not formal obligations. That thinking seems to be returning.

[@Shafeone]

@rebel2276 Archer and Davis COLLIDED with the 1st cirps. In fact, Archer's men got the first volley in against the Iron Brgd and took a lot out (possibly Reynolds too in that volley.). Heth ordered Archer to ATTACK McPherson's woods against Archer's caution that he didn't know what was there nor was there enough support immediately available. Lee inflicted more casulties but he outnmbered the 1st and 11th Corps almost 2:1. And he had excellent field position...by accident.

[@Reamigullas]

Boom! taray niya teh

[@greganwortman]

At Fredericksburg they finally learned to lay down. A tactic the U.S. Army kept in it's inventory after that.

[@theofficerfactory2625]

Think there was an upload issue as in the video; the sound of arty is silent.

[@JDBW]

No doubt, no doubt

[@ladypilliwick8179]

this is true. when asked to move this division. by Lee. Pickett said. " Sir. I have no division "

[@Shafeone]

I view May 1 (even perhaps) April 30 as the first day of Chancellorsville...where Lee was caught completely by surprise and successfully outflanked by Hooker. Even EP Alexander felt Hooker's strategy the best employed against them during the war. May 2 came the rout of the 11th corps. May 3 came the bloodbath that was the link-up. Had Hooker not been concussed (or been killed by that shell) either he or next in command would have exploited the gap between the two wings and overwhelmed them.

[@Shafeone]

@rebel2276 But Grant at Spotsylvania was fighting a different war. His was attrition. If his attack failed, the Union cause was not doomed. He just pulled up more men and Lee was that much weaker. Yes, Lee was fixated on the center because of what he thought was progress. But even as the rebs who attacked there on July 2 warned the men in Pickett's Charge: "Be careful up there [cemetery ridge] boys. It's a hot place! We were there yesterday!"

[@oneputtsteven]

@RevBillyRayCollins So true!

[@Nanjing03]

@blueray1969, much of it was tradition passed down over the years and gleaned by the writers and directors of such motion pictures as Gettysburg, Gods and Generals, April Morning, The Patriot, and Lonesome Dove. Even certain mannerisms and slang words were carefully researched from past writings. We just don't see too much of that attention to detail in most movies which are choked out of Hollywood on rigid time and budget constraints, but there are a few.

[@Reamigullas]

Bow down to these people! :D

[@Reamigullas]

:3 Nyan~ I miss watching this one :3

[@johndeerishere]

Sorry again , I meant to say victories of ANV and comments below, lol.