150 years ago today: Day three Gettysburg. For the first time recorded in history intelligence gathered from captured confederate soldiers was used determine the plans of the opposing army. Union officers realized none of the men captured were a part of Pickett’s brigade. They determined that Pickett’s men had not been used in the battle of 2 July and would most likely be the principle force for the fighting on 3 July. Knowing the approximate location of Pickett and his men, the Union was able to draw up a defensive plan. On July 3rd the battle began with a three hour confederate artillery barrage. Unfortunately, for the south, the smoke from the cannons masked the artillerymen’s view so they could not see they were overshooting their target. On the Union side, realizing what was happening; the Union officers ordered their guns to stop firing, one at a time, giving the impression that the union guns were being destroyed by the confederate barrage. At the end of the barrage the confederate troops amassed in a skirmish line more than a mile long along seminary ridge. Side by side they started the 1200 yard march toward the Union forces on cemetery ridge. When they reached the half way mark, 600 yards, Union artillery opened up on them. Using a method similar to skimming stones, the union artillery would fire their rounds in such a way to bounce them off of the ground and into the approaching army. The cannon balls would mow down the confederate troops like a bowling ball. The confederates, having nothing to respond with, could only continue to march in the face of union fire. When the confederates reach the 100 yard mark they could unlimber their guns and begin returning fire. And onward they marched. They would close the gap and engage the union forces in fierce hand to hand combat; man against man, brother against brother. The south would briefly gain control of cemetery ridge, only to have to fall back in the face of the Union’s superior numbers. As Lee’s men fell back to seminary ridge Lee would meet them telling them it was his fault and they had done their best. The largest battle ever fought on North American soil was over. Lee would return to Virginia and continue to lead the Army of Northern V Virginia. President Lincoln, furious with Gen. Meade because he failed to pursue Lee and destroy him, removed him from command, and appointed Gen. Ulysses S Grant as commander of the Army of the Potomac. Grant would begin his plan of attrition, a series of battles aimed at reducing Lee’s army as an effective fighting force. Following a series of battles, in conjunction with Sherman’s march to the sea, Lee would surrender at Appomattox Court House effectively ending the War Between the States. 150 years ago today: Day three Gettysburg. For the first time recorded in history intelligence gathered from captured confederate soldiers was used determine the plans of the opposing army. Union officers realized none of the men captured were a part of Pickett’s brigade. They determined that Pickett’s men had not been used in the battle of 2 July and would most likely be the principle force for the fighting on 3 July. Knowing the approximate location of Pickett and his men, the Union was able to draw up a defensive plan. On July 3rd the battle began with a three hour confederate artillery barrage. Unfortunately, for the south, the smoke from the cannons masked the artillerymen’s view so they could not see they were overshooting their target. On the Union side, realizing what was happening; the Union officers ordered their guns to stop firing, one at a time, giving the impression that the union guns were being destroyed by the confederate barrage. At the end of the barrage the confederate troops amassed in a skirmish line more than a mile long along seminary ridge. Side by side they started the 1200 yard march toward the Union forces on cemetery ridge. When they reached the half way mark, 600 yards, Union artillery opened up on them. Using a method similar to skimming stones, the union artillery would fire their rounds in such a way to bounce them off of the ground and into the approaching army. The cannon balls would mow down the confederate troops like a bowling ball. The confederates, having nothing to respond with, could only continue to march in the face of union fire. When the confederates reach the 100 yard mark they could unlimber their guns and begin returning fire. And onward they marched. They would close the gap and engage the union forces in fierce hand to hand combat; man against man, brother against brother. The south would briefly gain control of cemetery ridge, only to have to fall back in the face of the Union’s superior numbers. As Lee’s men fell back to seminary ridge Lee would meet them telling them it was his fault and they had done their best. The largest battle ever fought on North American soil was over. Lee would return to Virginia and continue to lead the Army of Northern V Virginia. President Lincoln, furious with Gen. Meade because he failed to pursue Lee and destroy him, removed him from command, and appointed Gen. Ulysses S Grant as commander of the Army of the Potomac. Grant would begin his plan of attrition, a series of battles aimed at reducing Lee’s army as an effective fighting force. Following a series of battles, in conjunction with Sherman’s march to the sea, Lee would surrender at Appomattox Court House effectively ending the War Between the States.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Jul 2013 10:51:08 +0000
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