Three Days At Gettysburg

July 1, 2, 3, 1863

"The Turning Point Of The Civil War

And The Rebirth Of A Nation"

Updated March 30, 2001

 

 

ABRAHAM LINCOLN - GETTYSBURG ADDRESS (1863)

"Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion --that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth."

The Battle of Gettysburg

	Federal	Confederate
Engaged	85-88,000	70-75,000
Killed	3,155	3,903
Wounded, and Mortally Wounded	14,529	18,735
Missing	5,365	5,425
Total Losses	23,049	28,063

The above information was taken from the book, "A Strange and Blighted Land", Gettysburg: The Aftermath of a Battle--written by Gregory A. Coco.

Table of Contents

The Oak Ridge - McPherson Ridge Area	Battle of Gettysburg Images
Little Round Top, The Wheatfield, and The Peach Orchard	Battle of Gettysburg Diaries and Essays
Pickett's Charge and Stuart's Cavalry	Page Dedication
Aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg	E-Mail

 

 

Day 1

The Oak Ridge - McPherson Ridge Area

• The Oak Ridge - McPherson Ridge Area--The action started at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, on the ground shown on this map. The Confederate Third Corps under Gen. A. P. Hill swept in from the west (the left side of the map) and pushed the Union First Corps off McPherson and Seminary Ridges (the low hills running north to south on the right half of the map) and then through Gettysburg.
• The First Day--The armies of Lee and Meade had been maneuvering around each other in Pennsylvania and met by chance in Gettysburg. On July 1 Lee sent one of Hill's divisions toward Gettysburg. It clashed with Union cavalry and infantry at Willoughby Run.
• Action on McPherson Ridge, July 1, 1863--This is a detail of the National Park Service map of Gettysburg National Military Park.
• Heth's Division vs. Wadsworth's Division along McPherson's Ridge--The first Confederate troops to enter the vicinity of Gettysburg were Brig. Gen. James Archer's and Brig. Gen. Joseph Davis' (the nephew of Confederate President Jefferson Davis) Brigades of Maj. Gen. Heth's Division (General A.P. Hill's Corps). At approximately 8 AM, Heth reached the crest of Herr Ridge and surveyed the approach to Gettysburg. Observing minimal resistance, Heth ordered his two Brigades (Archer and Davis) to march southeast along Chambersburg Pike and occupy Gettysburg. Heth decided to deploy Archer to the south and Davis to the north of the pike. But, unknown to Heth, Union Brig. Gen. John Buford's cavalry held the town with two Brigades and was deployed along McPherson Ridge (Col William Gamble was deployed along Willoughby Run and Col Thomas Devin north of the Pike - supported by Lt. John Calef's horse artillery). Gamble's dismounted skirmishers (who were armed with breech-loading carbines) were attacked by Archer's Infantry Brigade, but managed to hold off the Confederate advance for over an hour. Eventually, Gamble was gradually forced to begin a retreat.
• Heth attacks Reynolds (I Corps) on McPherson Ridge - again--At about 2:30 PM, General Lee arrived from the northwest in time to see Ewell's assault. He immediately gave A.P. Hill permission to join the attack. A.P. Hill sent BG James Johnston Pettigrew's brigade (over 2,550 men) to attack Meredith's brigade who had positioned along McPherson Ridge.
• Ewell attacks Howard (XI Corps) north of Gettysburg--After Heth's failed attack, Rodes' division approached Gettyburg from the northeast along Harrisburg Road. Early's division shortly followed behind Rodes. Upon nearing Gettysburg, Rodes headed southwest towards Oak Ridge where he observed Cutler's brigade preparing for an attack from Heth. Approaching unhindered, Rodes placed 16 guns of LtC Thomas Carter's artillery battalion upon Oak Hill and commenced to shell Cutler's startled troops.
• The Area North of Gettysburg--While the Union First Corps was holding off Hill's Confederates west of Gettysburg, the Yankee Eleventh Corps was deploying north of town to hold off the Gen. Richard Ewell's Confederate Second Corps, who were approaching from the north and northeast.
• Culp's and Cemetery Hills--By 4 pm on July 1, 1863, the Union First and Eleventh Corps had been chased from west and north of Gettysburg, and were now in exhausted disarray on the heights of Cemetery Hill (the open rise shown on this map immediately south of Gettysburg). Cemetery Hill was at that hour protected by only one fresh Union reserve brigade. There were still nearly four hours of daylight left.
• Battle of Gettysburg, Day 1--On the warm morning of July 1st, 1863, a small Union calvary briagade encountered 2 brigades of advancing confederate troops. With breech loading carbines, the Union troops were capable of getting off eight shots per mintue to the Confederate's three. Despite samller numbers, the Union's technology held the Confederates at bay. Quickly both sides called for reinforcements, and the Battle picked up.
• The Iverson Pits--In the far corner of the field, Iverson's Rebels could see Union troops in the woods and angled straight for them. They did not know that two Union brigades, "with rifles cocked and fingers on the triggers " were crouched behind a stone wall alongside the field through which they moved. "When we were in point blank range," wrote a Rebel surviver, "the dense line of the enemy rose from its protected lair and poured into us a withering fire." The butched Rebels fell as they marched, the dead lying in line "as straight as a dress parade."
• Fighting Ceases and Union Reinforcements arrive--General Meade's headquarters throughout the first day's battle was nine miles to the south of Gettysburg at Taneytown, Maryland. While there, he had received word from Hancock that Gettysburg would be the location to make a stand against the ANV. XII Corps arrived shortly after the fighting ended, in addition to the two corps (I Corps and XI Corps) that were already on the field. III Corps shortly followed later that evening, while II Corps was closeby. The larger VI Corps was over 30 miles away and would not arrived until later next afternoon. General Meade arrived at Cemetery Hill at about 23:30 on July 1 and began positioning his corps into defensive positions.
• Did 'Baldy' Ewell Lose Gettysburg?--After disobeying Robert E. Lee's orders to avoid a general engagement at Gettysburg, Lt. Gen. Richard Ewell received an order to 'press those people.' His failure to do so created a controversy that survives to this day.

• Second Day July 2, 1863--The fighting on the second day opened with a Confederate Artillery barrage.  an hour later Hood rebel divison swept in around the Union left flank, overan Devils Den and began the climb up the undefened Little Round Top. Little Round Top dominates the entire Federal potion. Warren sends troopd to the crest and repule Hood's troops after a bitter struggle.
• The Second Day--On July 2, the battle lines were drawn up in two sweeping arcs. The main portions of both armies were nearly a mile apart on two parallel ridges; Union forces on Cemetery Ridge in the famous "fish hook" or "U" formation, facing Confederate forces on Seminary Ridge to the west. General Lee ordered an attack against both Union flanks.
• Gordon Meade--A few days before the Battle of Gettysburg, Meade was given command of the Army of the Potomac. Despite the impromptu nature of the battle, Meade pitched a good fight, and displayed good skills as a commander. The only questionable fall back in his command at Gettysburg,was the act of letting Lee's army to escape.
• George Gordon Meade--Letter Describing the Battle of Gettysburg General Meade's letter to Colonel G. G. Benedict describing the Battle of Gettysburg, March 16, 1870. The letter was published posthumously in the Philadelphia Weekly Press, August 11, 1886.
• Colonel Edward E. Cross-- On the sultry afternoon of July 2, 1863, a wheatfield would become the center of a swirling and confused whirlpool of fighting and death.
• The Battle on Little Round Top at Gettysburg--Excerpts from "Through Blood and Fire at Gettysburg"
• LEE'S ECHELON ATTACK--The Union lines were positioned on high ground in the form of a fishhook, allowing quick repositioning of troops from one place to another. The Confederate forces were posted along Seminary Ridge, in Gettysburg, and north of Culp's Hill, forming a large semicircle.
• Longstreet maneuvers, Sickles advances, July 2, 1863, Early Morning - Mid Evening--General Lee awoke early July 2nd and surveyed the Union line from Seminary Ridge. He observed that the Union line, anchored at Cemetery Hill, did not extend very far south along Cemetery Ridge. Seizing upon the opportunity, Lee ordered General Longstreet (who was just arriving on the field) to move on the left flank of the Union line. Lee's suspicions were confirmed when Captain Johnston returned from a recon and reported that the Little Round Top and Big Round Top along with a sizable southern stretch of Cemetery Ridge were unoccupied (there is actually considerable debate as to whether Johnston actually reached these heights).
• A Virtual Tour of Little Round Top--Here is a view of Little Round Top taken from the Devil's Den shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg. This image is an addressable map. Click at different places on the map to learn more about the battle on 2 July 1863.
• The Round Tops and Devil's Den, July 2, 1863--Hood came upon the Union's southern flank only to find Sickles' III Corps in force along Emmitsburg Road. The Union's southern flank had been anchored in Devil's Den - this left the two Round Tops unoccupied. Hood sent word to Longstreet to press a change of orders and swing around further to the south. Instead, Longstreet replied that Lee's orders were clear and called for Hood to attack up Emmitsburg Road. Twice again Hood asked Longstreet to reconsider the situation - the , third time officially protesting the order (something he had never done in his career), but every time he was denied. Given to common sense, but in complete disregard of orders, Hood ignored Longstreet and marched eastward to attack Devil's Den and up the Big Round Top.
• Report of Lieut. Gen. James Longstreet, C. S. Army, commanding First Army Corps.--Fearing that my force was too weak to venture to make an attack, I delayed until General Law's brigade joined its division. As soon after his arrival as we could make our preparations, the movement was begun. Engineers, sent out by the commanding general and myself, guided us by a road which would have completely disclosed the move. Some delay ensued in seeking a more concealed route. McLaws' division got into position opposite the enemy's left about 4 p. m. Hood's division was moved on farther to our right, and got into position, partially enveloping the enemy's left.
• "Go plug that hole over there" - Gettysburg--"In the very deepest of the struggle...I saw through a sudden rift in the thick smoke our colors standing alone... The cross-fire had cut keenly; the center had been almost shot away; only two of the color guard had been left, and they fighting to fill the whole space... I then called my young brother, Tom, the adjutant, and sent him forward to close that gap somehow; if no men could be drawn from neighboring companies, to draw back the salient angle and contract our center.
• Maine's Greatest Hero--It was the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. After smashing Maj. Gen. Daniel Sickles' III Corps in the Peach Orchard, pushing the Yankees back through the Wheat Field and Devil's Den, General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was on its way to turning the left flank of Maj. Gen. George G. Meade's Army of the Potomac.
• Gettysburg - Battle of "The Devil's Den", "Slaughter Pen", and Little Round Top--This battlefield reconstruction is exhaustively based on photography recorded just after the battle at Gettysburg, which ended July 3, 1863. Every attempt has been made to put every discernible mullein plant and granite boulder (as well as its moss and lichen) in its historically proper place. Comparisons of modern and historical photography shows that little has changed in the Gettysburg battle area. Trees and shrubs come and go but granite stays.
• MAJOR GENERAL JOHN BELL HOOD--To adjust to the new situation, Longstreet sent Hood and his men further south, into Biesecker's Woods, and changed the attack plan. Hood's division would now attack first up the Emmitsburg Road, drive in the Yankee left, and assist McLaws's men when they attacked later.
• The Wheatfield, July 2, 1863--Starting at 16:30, after Hood's Brigades took over Devil's Den, Kershaw and Anderson attacked along Rose's Woods and the Wheatfield. The Union III Corps supported by the V Corps defended the Peach Orchard and along Emmitsburg Road. Anderson, Kershaw, and Semmes Divisions attacked along the Peach Orchard and the Wheat Field. The V Corps, realizing that they were being outflanked, withdrew to the Wheatfield Road. At this point, Capt. George Winslow's NY Battery held off the Confederate advance for several minutes. The fighting was fierce and three brigade commanders, Col. Edward E. Cross and BG Samuel K. Zook of Caldwell's Division, and BG Paul Semmes of McLaw's Division were killed in the fighting.
• The Peach Orchard, July 2, 1863--At about 17:00, Kershaw's SC Brigade attacked the Stony Hill (located between the Peach Orchard and the Wheatfield). Thirty cannons of the Union III Corps and the Artillery Reserve were tasked with holding this section and were positioned along Wheatfield Road. Barnes' Division had set itself on the Stony Hill facing westward. As Kershaw's Brigade neared the line and while taking heavy fire, someone erroneously ordered the Brigade to parallel the Union position - exposing its flanks to the Union line.
• "COURAGE AGAINST THE TRENCHES"--In any event, the Twelfth Corps was soon busy constructing solid works. The pioneers were not on hand to assist, so the troops improvised with the tools at their disposal; bayonets, tin pans, and drinking cups. Remembering the recent debacle at Chancellorsville, the Yankee's were determined to build a strong barricade of stones, branches, felled trees, and dirt. In some places a head log was blocked atop the works,allowing a rifle- musket to be fired though the opening beneath. As always, the men complained that such efforts were wasted, but being good soldiers, did as they were told. After two to three hours of strenuous labor, the project was finished. Steuart's men listened to the sounds of construction in their front, the woods on Culp's Hill concealing evidence of what lay in store for them.

• Plans and Preparations--Lee's plan first called for an artillery barrage by Confederate artillery along Seminary Ridge and east of town. It was hoped that the barrage would reduce the Union Batteries and inflict heavy damage to the surrounding infantry. After the barrage, nearly 12,000 men, including 3 brigades under the command of MG George E. Pickett, would attack the Union center. Once the assault reached the Union line, reinforcements would arrive to exploit the breakthrough. In support, Lee ordered General Stuart's cavalry to head east and strike southward in hopes of reaching the Union's rear.
• The Third Day--In spite of this lack of success, Lee decided to lauch a massive attack again the next day. Late in the day of July 2nd J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry had rejoined Lee. The Union forces had continued to build their strength along Cemetery Ridge. General Lee ordered Longstreet to throw Pickett's division at the center of the fishhook's shank and to support the drive with other units from his corps and from A.P. Hill's unit. Lee decided to press the attack to the Union center on Cemetery Ridge.
• Union General George Stannard--The third day of the Battle of Gettysburg was hot and humid. The battlefield, littered with thousands of dead and dying, bore grim testimony to the fierce fighting of the previous two days. The smell of decomposing corpses and gunpowder lingered in the air as the heaviest artillery bombardment of the Civil War ended. Then, in three lines of battle, 10,500 Confederates marched across the battlefield and surged up the gentle slope of Cemetery Ridge toward the waiting Federal troops.
• "A Field made Glorious"--Cemetery Hill: From Battleground to Sacred Ground--In the history of Cemetery Hill there were three major events that occurred upon this important elevation: its role during and its effect upon the final outcome of the battle, being chosen as a sacred burial ground for American war veterans, and as the site of the most momentous speech in American history.
• Day 3... The deciding moment--Lee, realizing the strategic importance for the south of capturing Little Round Top (as it would have allowed southern artilliary fire to hit every section of the Union army) ordered a massive attack at the center of the Union army.
• The High Water Mark of the Confederacy--Lee decided that since the enemy was there, on Cemetery Ridge, the Confederates would attack him there. Gen. Longstreet argued that a maneuver to the south of the Union left flank would be a better idea, and might place the Rebel army between the Yankees and Washington, a situation in which General Meade might be forced to attack in unfavorable terrain.
• Pickett's Charge--It was at one o'clock that two Confederate signal guns were fired, and at once there opened such an artillery combat as the armies had never before seen. Taken from the book "General Meade" by Isaac R. Pennypacker published 1901
• Pickett's Charge--Who can describe such a conflict as is raging around us? To say that it was like a summer storm, with the crash of thunder, the glare of lightning, the shrieking of the wind, and the clatter of hailstones, would be weak.
• PICKETT'S CHARGE AT GETTYSBURG--AUTHOR: La Salle Corbell (Mrs. George E.) Pickett--One hundred Federal guns now concentrated their whole fury of shot and shell upon the advancing line. Every inch of air seemed to be filled with some death-dealing missile. The men and officers were fast being slaughtered. Kemper went down, mangled and bleeding, never again to lead his valiant Virginians in battle..
• "24th Virginia Infantry's Action at Gettysburg."--This is a small excerpt of an article writtin by Colonel Joseph Mayo,for the Richmond Times Dispatch Dec.13,1914. He was a survior of that dreaded day at Gettysburg.
• Nothing But Glory Gained--"General," said Longstreet, "I have been a soldier all my life. I have been with soldiers engaged in fights by couples, by squads, companies, regiments, divisions, and armies, and should know as well as anyone what soldiers can do. It is my opinion that no 15,000 men ever arrayed for battle can take that position." Unconvinced Lee told him to summon Pickett.
• Union General George Stannard at Gettysburg--On the left of the Federal line on the ridge, Brig. Gen. George Jerrison Stannard and three weary regiments of his inexperienced 2nd Vermont Brigade anxiously awaited the Confederate assault. The Rebels struck farther up the line, directly to the right of the Vermonters. Stannard, seeing this, wheeled two of his regiments around the Confederates' exposed flank. From their forward position, the nearly 1,500 men of the 13th and 16th Vermont regiments poured devastating point-blank fire into the enemy ranks. Inflicting terrible casualties and ravaging the Confederate flank, the Vermonters helped turn the tide of the battle and of the war itself. Stannard's performance that day was the high point of his distinguished career.
• Stuart's Cavalry encounters Gregg Farnsworth attacks near Little Round Top--The two cavalry forces met three miles east of Gettysburg near the Rummel farm about noon on July the 3rd. Stuart deployed his brigades (about 6,300 men) in the woods on Cress Ridge to the north. Gregg's Division, along with George Custer's Brigade (totalling about 4,500 men) was situated along Hanover road to the south.
• The Cavalry Field--On July 3, Stuart had his chance at redemption on the field shown on this map, several miles to the east of Gettysburg. The general idea was for him to fight his way through the Yankee cavalry and lead his division into the rear of the Union army while Generals Pickett and Longstreet attacked from in front.
• East Cavalry Field--In Gen. Custer's own words: "Upon arriving at the point designated, I immediately placed my command in a position facing toward Gettysburg. At the same time I caused reconnaissances to be made on my front, right, and rear, but failed to discover any considerable force of the enemy . . . The 5th Michigan was dismounted and ordered to take position in front of my center and left . . . I ordered 50 men of the 6th Michigan to be sent out the Low Dutch Road.
• Brig. Gen. "Jeb" Stuart, Confederate Army--In the Gettysburg campaign Stuart, taking advantage of ambiguous orders, embarked on a controversial raid around the Federal army. As a result, he was absent when Lee most needed him to gather intelligence about the enemy, arriving only after the battle was already lost.

• Gettysburg Aftermath--When the armies marched away from Gettysburg they left behind a community in shambles and more than 51,000 killed, wounded and missing soldiers. Wounded and dying were crowded into nearly every building. Most of the dead lay in hasty and inadequate graves; some had not been buried at all. The situation so distressed Pennsylvania's Gov. Andrew Curtin that he commissioned a local attorney, David Wills, to purchase land for a proper burial ground for the Union dead. Within four months of the battle, re-interment began on 17 acres that became Gettysburg National Cemetery.
• A letter from a young Michigan cavalryman gives a vivid--if ungrammatical--account of Gettysburg and its aftermath.
• The Gettysburg Address--Delivered Nov 19, 1863 by Abraham Lincoln
• Medicine and the Battle of Gettysburg--"After that bloody 1st of July, 1863, at Gettysburg, the little town (population of 2,400) was rapidly filled to its utmost capacity with shattered and shot-torn men. All the churches, school buildings, warehouses, halls and public edifices were crowded with the wounded who lay in rows on the floor or on trestles hastily constructed with boards from adjacent lumber yards.
• The Return of Confederate Dead from Gettysburg to Richmond--Following the Battle of Gettysburg, the Confederate dead were buried along the roads, shoved into trenches, or consigned to common graves. The Southerners were seen as traitorous invaders and their bodies were not accorded the respect afforded the men in blue. One newspaper reporter wrote: "The poor Confederate dead were left in the fields as outcasts and criminals that did not merit decent sepulture." President Lincoln's immortal words were not spoken over their unattended, and unmarked, graves.
• KEY TO A MYSTERY--Of all the fallen heroes of the epic, three-day Civil War Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, this Union soldier was unique. He had not led a charge, nor captured an enemy flag, nor rescued a comrade under fire. Instead, his fame rested on his dying act of devotion and love; his death pose made his story special.
• Williamsport, Hagerstown, Falling Waters Maryland--During the night of July 4-5, Lee's battered army began its retreat from Gettysburg, moving southwest on the Fairfield Road toward Hagerstown and Williamsport, screened by Stuart's cavalry. The Union infantry followed cautiously the next day, converging on Middletown, Maryland. On July 7, Imboden (CS) stopped Buford's Union cavalry from occupying Williamsport and destroying Confederate trains.
• Williamsport--Description: During the night of July 4-5, Lee's battered army began its retreat from Gettysburg, moving southwest on the Fairfield Road toward Hagerstown and Williamsport, screened by Stuart's cavalry. The Union infantry followed cautiously the next day, converging on Middletown, Maryland. On July 7, Imboden (CS) stopped Buford's Union cavalry from occupying Williamsport and destroying Confederate trains.

• Unofficial Visitors Guide to Gettysburg--This site provides the viewer with a pictorial view of the battlefield.
• THE MONUMENTS & POINTS OF INTEREST--that represent where and how the battles and the Civil War happened, is what Gettysburg is all about.
• GETTYSBURG, PA--Scroll down the page and click on the monument name to view the monument.
• Artist sketches--Artist sketches from this era depict various battle scenes.
• Photographs of Gettysburg--Taken just after the Battle
• The Gettysburg Battle Archive-- picture archive, Click on a Thumbnail Picture to view a larger Pic. This site contains many pictures taken after the battle.
• TIMELINE--This site contains 23 images of the Gettysburg Battlefield taken shortly after the battle. Scroll down to number 10 to begin.
• Gettysburg Today--A photographic tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield, Historical Buildings, and Monuments.
• Gettysburg National Military Park Virtual Tour--Gettysburg National Military Park was established by Federal Law on February 11, 1895. The park was administered by a specially appointed commission of Civil War veterans under the United States War Department.

• Elizabeth Thorn's Battle Narrative--At the time of the Battle of Gettysburg Elizabeth was caretaker of Evergreen Cemetery, the job normally performed by her husband Peter who was serving with the 138th Pennsylvania which was at Harpers Ferry and Washington, D.C. during the Gettysburg Campaign. She had her parents, Catherine and John Masser age 63, and her three sons; Fred age 7, George age 5, and John age 2, all living with her in the cemetery gatehouse. Elizabeth was also six months pregnant. This is her personal account of her experience at the Battle of Gettysburg.
• Battle Diary of Lida Welsh Bender--I was a 16 year old girl when the quiet little town of Gettysburg had greatness thrust upon it with a roar and clash that made the encircling hills tremble. We dwellers in Waynesboro, another small town, little more than a score of miles distant knew nothing of the terrible three days' conflict until it was over. The intervening Blue Ridge Mountains intercepted the sound and, being within the enemy's lines, we were cut off from all outside communication, but we had known many of war's alarms, and we were to witness for many days the tragic aftertmath of the battle.
• Battle Diary of Rachel Cormany--It is frightful how those poor wounded rebels are left to suffer. they are taken in large 4 horse waggons--wounds undressed--nothing to eat.
• Diary of Samuel Cormany--Early we took up the march for Chambersburg[46]--Crossing the battlefield--Cemitary Hill--The Great Wheat Field Farm, Seminary ridge--and other places where dead men, horses, smashed artillery, were strewn in utter confusion, the Blue and The Grey mixed--Their bodies so bloated--distorted--discolored on account of decomposition having set in--that they were utterly unrecognizable, save by clothing, or things in their pockets--The scene simply beggars description.
• Battle of Gettysburg Essay--Gettysburg is arguably the Army of the Potomac's (AOP) only great victory on the battlefield. Antietam, certainly a strategic victory, showed Robert E. Lee's unstoppable killing machine was indeed stoppable.
• John Burns Hero of Gettysburg--In the town of Gettysburg live an old couple by the name of Burns. The old man was in the War of 1812, and is now nearly seventy years of age; yet the frosts of many winters have not chilled his patriotism, nor diminished his love for the old flag under which he fought in his early days. When the rebels invaded the beautiful Cumberland Valley, and were marching on Gettysburg, old Burns concluded that it was time for every loyal man, young or old, to be up and doing all in his power to beat back the rebel foe. and, if give them a quiet resting-place beneath the sod they were polluting with their unhallowed feet.
• Diary of William Heyser --(For Gettysburg information skip to JUly2,1863)--Cloudy and very hot. The Rebels are leaving Chambersburg for Gettysburg. About 3 this morning, I was awakened by the rumbling of heavy wagons. There were about 60 of them, followed by a large body of troops, requiring about two hours to pass. They were quite jubilant in their passage thru town, pulling my bell at the door and hooting at me.
• GRAPHIC ACCOUNT (A firsthand account of the 3 days)--The Battle of Gettysburg will be one of the longest remembered of all the battles of this war. It was sanguinary and desperate. Both armies had good positions and what is most anomalous in war both occupied such advantageous ground that neither could drive the other away. At different times during the battle each commanding general contemplated a retreat.
• The Battle of Gettysburg, 1863-- Memories of a teenage girl. Tillie Pierce was born in 1848 and when the battle began, had lived all her life in the village of Gettysburg. Her father made his living as a butcher and the family lived above his shop in the heart of town. Tillie witnessed the entire battle and published her observations twenty-six years after the event.
• Pettigrew's Brigade --On July 1, 1863, Heth's Division marched east towards Gettysburg, with only Pettigrew and his brigade expecting, and prepared to do battle. Gen. Archer's Brigade was surprised, routed, and Archer, himself, captured.
• INHUMANITY AND POLTROONERY OF THE REBEL SURGEONS--The infamy and cowardice of the Rebel surgeons in deserting the men of their army wounded at the battle of Gettysburg is without parallel in the war. In every battle in which fortune has been adverse to our arms and our wounded have been temporarily left within the Rebel lines, the brave and self denying surgeons of the regiments have either remained with the fallen or have immediately applied for peace within the Rebel lines, that they might be cared for.
• Battles of Gettysburg--The loss in killed and wounded on both sides has been fearful, the rebel loss being considerably in excess of ours, owing to the fact that on Thursday and Friday they fought against the advantages of naturally strong positions. The aggregate loss is estimated at 40,000.
• The Battle of Gettysburg--Scroll down the page to read the official records of many of the Union and Confederate commanders' reports on the Battle of Gettysburg.
• The Soldiers National Cemetery--To properly bury the Union soldiers who died at Gettysburg, a "Soldiers Cemetery" was established on thebattleground near the center of the Union line. Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin supported the proposal with state funds to purchase the cemetery grounds and pay for the reinterment of Union dead from inadequate grave sites that covered the battlefield.