Posted on Jul 8, 2017
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The largest military conflict in North American history begins this day when Union and Confederate forces collide at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The epic battle lasted three days and resulted in a retreat to Virginia by Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.
Two months prior to Gettysburg, Lee had dealt a stunning defeat to the Army of the Potomac at Chancellorsville, Virginia. He then made plans for a Northern invasion in order to relieve pressure on war-weary Virginia and to seize the initiative from the Yankees. His army, numbering about 80,000, began moving on June 3. The Army of the Potomac, commanded by Joseph Hooker and numbering just under 100,000, began moving shortly thereafter, staying between Lee and Washington, D.C. But on June 28, frustrated by the Lincoln administration’s restrictions on his autonomy as commander, Hooker resigned and was replaced by George G. Meade.
Meade took command of the Army of the Potomac as Lee’s army moved into Pennsylvania. On the morning of July 1, advance units of the forces came into contact with one another just outside of Gettysburg. The sound of battle attracted other units, and by noon the conflict was raging. During the first hours of battle, Union General John Reynolds was killed, and the Yankees found that they were outnumbered. The battle lines ran around the northwestern rim of Gettysburg. The Confederates applied pressure all along the Union front, and they slowly drove the Yankees through the town.
By evening, the Federal troops rallied on high ground on the southeastern edge of Gettysburg. As more troops arrived, Meade’s army formed a three-mile long, fishhook-shaped line running from Culp’s Hill on the right flank, along Cemetery Hill and Cemetery Ridge, to the base of Little Round Top. The Confederates held Gettysburg, and stretched along a six-mile arc around the Union position. Lee’s forces would continue to batter each end of the Union position, before launching the infamous Pickett’s Charge against the Union center on July 3.
Two months prior to Gettysburg, Lee had dealt a stunning defeat to the Army of the Potomac at Chancellorsville, Virginia. He then made plans for a Northern invasion in order to relieve pressure on war-weary Virginia and to seize the initiative from the Yankees. His army, numbering about 80,000, began moving on June 3. The Army of the Potomac, commanded by Joseph Hooker and numbering just under 100,000, began moving shortly thereafter, staying between Lee and Washington, D.C. But on June 28, frustrated by the Lincoln administration’s restrictions on his autonomy as commander, Hooker resigned and was replaced by George G. Meade.
Meade took command of the Army of the Potomac as Lee’s army moved into Pennsylvania. On the morning of July 1, advance units of the forces came into contact with one another just outside of Gettysburg. The sound of battle attracted other units, and by noon the conflict was raging. During the first hours of battle, Union General John Reynolds was killed, and the Yankees found that they were outnumbered. The battle lines ran around the northwestern rim of Gettysburg. The Confederates applied pressure all along the Union front, and they slowly drove the Yankees through the town.
By evening, the Federal troops rallied on high ground on the southeastern edge of Gettysburg. As more troops arrived, Meade’s army formed a three-mile long, fishhook-shaped line running from Culp’s Hill on the right flank, along Cemetery Hill and Cemetery Ridge, to the base of Little Round Top. The Confederates held Gettysburg, and stretched along a six-mile arc around the Union position. Lee’s forces would continue to batter each end of the Union position, before launching the infamous Pickett’s Charge against the Union center on July 3.
The Battle of Gettysburg begins - Jul 01, 1863 - HISTORY.com
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Posted >1 y ago
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Thanks for reminding us TSgt Joe C. that on July 1, 1863 Union and Confederate forces collide at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Names like Little Round Top, Devils Den, Pickett's Charge, the cornfield, the Dunker Church and so many other names became part of the historical memory of the Civil War.
Snce a picture can easily tell 1,000 words here are some map images of significant actions that i1st day at Gettysburg
Images: 1863-07-01 overview map; 1863-07-01 Gettysburg Day 1a Heth's tentative opening attacks on Buford's cavalry on the ridges west of Gettysburg; 1863-07-01 Gettysburg Day 1b Ewell's troops come down from the north and northeast; 1863-07-01 Gettysburg Day 1c The Federals attempt to re-deploy on Cemetery Hill
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown CPT Gabe Snell 1stSgt Eugene Harless SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Robert Ruck SP5 Mark Kuzinski SrA Christopher Wright SGT Robert George CPL Eric Escasio SPC (Join to see) MSG Andrew White SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley
Snce a picture can easily tell 1,000 words here are some map images of significant actions that i1st day at Gettysburg
Images: 1863-07-01 overview map; 1863-07-01 Gettysburg Day 1a Heth's tentative opening attacks on Buford's cavalry on the ridges west of Gettysburg; 1863-07-01 Gettysburg Day 1b Ewell's troops come down from the north and northeast; 1863-07-01 Gettysburg Day 1c The Federals attempt to re-deploy on Cemetery Hill
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown CPT Gabe Snell 1stSgt Eugene Harless SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Robert Ruck SP5 Mark Kuzinski SrA Christopher Wright SGT Robert George CPL Eric Escasio SPC (Join to see) MSG Andrew White SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley
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SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley
Here is a little info on what we have been doing. July 1st 2017 https://www.facebook.com/groups/ [login to see] 15901/permalink/ [login to see] 26393/
Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.
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LTC Stephen F.
SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley - What are the Virginia Militia Minutemen? I need to be careful which groups I join because I am retired military.
I am a social conservative first and a fiscal conservative second.
I am a social conservative first and a fiscal conservative second.
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1stSgt Eugene Harless
SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley - I see its a closed face book group. I have the same questions. Being that you posted it on a Civil War History thread it could be reenactors.
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SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley
1stSgt Eugene Harless - The photos I posted were of the Militia units from 6 or more states. Our unit was invited by local Gettysburg LEO to assist in patrolling and reporting possible trouble spots. We do not provoke, antagonize, threaten or physically approach any group. Our job was to patrol and report. Only if physically threatened can we respond if we cannot extricate ourselves from harm. We were to protect citizens and property. It seemed our presence was enough to deter major problems. Virginia Minutemen Militia team leader.
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Gen. Pickett's ill fated charge which resulted in 20,000 Confederate casualties including a 3 star general came close to breaking Gen. Lee's army which only escaped by fording the Potomac River and dashing back into Virginia.
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