The battle of Gettysburg began 158 years ago today.

[Gore1FL]

Last edited Thu Jul 1, 2021, 11:53 PM - Edit history (1)

On July 1, 1863, Heth's Division of AP Hill's Confederate Corp met Buford's Federal Cavalry at the crossroads of Gettysburg to begin the most consequential battle of the American Civil War.

[WarGamer]

1. Indeed...

And the Union had a hell of a bloody first Day.

Had Jackson been in command, the CSA would have held the heights that day.

[Gore1FL]

2. They would have at least tried!

A lot of tired troops attacking uphill against somewhat entrenched positions is a big ask! The Army of Norther Virginia certainly had it's share of beating the odd's, though. I suspect Meade would have fallen back to Pipe Creek would they succeed.

In any case, it would be quite the change of events!

[WarGamer]

3. Yup!!

And I know that around here, Newt Ginfrich is also known as the Devil... but I read his 3 part alternate History books starting with the Civil War and indeed, he wrote about Meade standing on Pipe Creek!!

EDIT:

Or was it Lee standing on Pipe Creek in a defensive posture after swinging around the Union Left...

Guess I need to re-read the book!

[WarGamer]

4. I think the day #2 action around Devil's Den and Little Round Top...

may have been the most decisive and important single battle within a battle in US History.

[jpak]

5. 20th Maine whooped some southern ass

Yup

[TygrBright]

6. Four score and seven years ago...

our fathers brought forth upon 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 can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not 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.

Fear must never be allowed the victory.

adamantly,
Bright

[Sneederbunk]

7. Heth's Division.

[Gore1FL]

8. Thank you! I corrected the original post! nt

[czarjak]

9. Not that civil of a war if you ask me.