The Wheatfield: Gettysburg's Whirlpool of Death | History Traveler Episode 131
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- Опубліковано 25 чер 2024
- Part 6 of the Gettysburg series.
When you are talking about the Battle of Gettysburg, acre for acre, there is no one spot on the battlefield that saw more violence and death than The Wheatfield. The fighting that takes place here on day 2 of the battle is something beyond human comprehension and is still somewhat of a mystery to historians to this day. In this episode, we're exploring this site with licensed battlefield guide and co-host of The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast Eric Lindblade to gain a little better understanding of what happened here on July 2, 1863.
Check out The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!
Map animations courtesy of the American Battlefield Trust (battlefields.org). Check out their UA-cam page here: / americanbattlefieldtrust
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Other episodes that you might enjoy:
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- Religion & Death at Gettysburg (EP 127): • Religion & Death at Ge...
- Urban Combat in Gettysburg (EP 129): • Urban Combat in Gettys...
- Dan Sickles & The Peach Orchard (EP 130): • Dan Sickles & The Peac...
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Instead of guys looking at motorcycles and buying oil cans History Chanel needs more of this
Ha! Thanks.
“I’ m just a monkey with a camera”is one of the most understated comments I have heard in my lifetime. You have brought us to a depth of knowledge in your videos that we could have only imagined. tThanks a million for all of your hard work.
Ha! Thanks. I appreciate that.
I totall agree Robert. I was there many years ago and these videos are filled with many details that I did not hear.
JD references the Battlefield Trust, there is a phenomenal amount of information on their UA-cam videos.
As a armchair and wheelchair military history buff I will, unfortunately, never be able to go to the United States 🇺🇸 and go to all the amazing and emotive places and battlefields that you are bringing to life for me, it’s as though you are doing all these amazing videos for me, the depth of knowledge that you impart is perfect and your narration is straight forward but with feeling, I don’t think that any other people who try to document the American 🇺🇸 Civil war don’t do anything like as good as your videos, so thank you very very much for sharing your knowledge and insight, a massive thumbs up 👍 from England 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍/10 😀🇬🇧🏴
@@allandavis8201 I'm a wheelchair user in the states and I feel the same way!! Hes gone to that side of the pond on many occasions, I always appreciate these videos!! We must never forget these historical events and tragedies! Once we forget, we repeat our mistakes.. God bless and good health to you and yours my friend!
As a lover of American History and Civil War Reenactor, this series has been AMAZING! Great job!
Thanks! If you know of anyone who might benefit from it, feel free to share. The more people that we can get learning our history, the better 🙂
Love What ya do.
God Bless
Kyle
"Walk from one end of the battlefield to the other on the backs of the dead without ever stepping on the ground."
That really opened the eyes as to the scale of the slaughter.
Can't even imagine. That's why Eric said that acre for acre, the Wheatfield is the bloodiest spot on the battlefield.
@@TheHistoryUnderground The story of the Wheat Field is similar to that of the carnage in the Cornfield at Antietam.
😢
@@TheHistoryUnderground Is there any visual record of the battlefield after it ended, I know it sounds morbid but I would like to see it for myself, I think 💭 that maybe it was an exaggeration, anyone who has served, and many that haven’t, will tell you that military personnel are the third ranked group of exaggerators behind, in second place the media and numero uno are politicians, but seriously I do have trouble envisaging the number of bodies it would have needed to be totally accurate, I obviously don’t mind being proven wrong in my opinion, although if I am right it would mean that the carnage and death toll wouldn’t have been as great as reported, still horrendous by any standards. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴🇺🇦🇺🇸
These stories are just incredible. What those men went through is just unbelievable. Your editing and music score is also incredibly to the point.
Thanks! I really do appreciate that. :)
And to this they will not teach this is school anymore.. if we forget our past we will repeat it one day again.. I can’t imagine the heart racing scared but still pushing forward and fighting just incredible to think about
5 ads on a 17 min video is incredible....
They weren't MEN, most of them were nearly boys.... 😢
The music reminds me of Eno.
The thing about Gettysburg is that in the midst of glories of the battle you have the Wheatfield to remind people of the carnage. To understand how brutal the Civil War in particular was. The Wheatfield is a must-stop.
The casualties are so horrid because they were using Napoleonic tactics with the most modern weapons.
@@billd.iniowa2263 You must remember that the only way to mass their firepower was to to be in formation shoulder to shoulder, those tactics did not change a whole lot until automatic weapons came along.
@@jeffsmith2022 I will agree with that. However cannon ammo had come quite a way since then. More advanced fuses meant greater lethality. Also the repeating rifle had to have had a huge impact where ever it was used. Even in it's limited numbers. I have a question: Did Napoleon's troops ever use buck-and-ball? That would give massed formations a very real dose of lead! I wonder how common that was on the Civil War battlefields.
@@billd.iniowa2263 Buck and ball was only used in the 69 caliber smoothbore muskets so I believe that many oh the units armed with those at Gettysburg were firing that ammunition. However most units on both sides were armed with rifled weapons. That would be interesting to research.
@@billd.iniowa2263 - Buck and ball was common in Napoleonic wars and the American Revolution with smooth barrel muskets...not so common in the civil war...it was the Irish Brigade at Gettysburg that used buck and ball, so typically they would charge to get to close range, 100 yards or less
Thank you for this series!! The history of this area is incredible. Sometimes it seems that the Civil War is romantized and we forget about the carnage and tremendous loss of life involved You are reminding us of the fact that this so we can remember.
On a beautiful May, 2010 morning I was in Gettysburg with my wife...dropped her off at Boyd's Bears and traveled back to the battlefield. Stopped at the Wheatfield and walked it. Went down the hill, across the run, to the Rose house - back up to the Stony Hill...back to the western part of the field, down to the Rose woods tree line and the small stone wall. I was completely ALONE during the entire experience. It was like I was in a personal theater... just for me. I'll never forget it! One of the most incredible experiences of my life. Thanks for your videos - I enjoy them.
My dad first introduced me to Gettysburg when I was 6. At that visit, my dad, older brother and I were walking the battlefield when I stopped quickly. Tears just ran down my face as I could hear many men moaning and crying.
My brother thought it was funny that I was upset over grass, but it's what I felt and heard that upset me terribly and I told my dad about it.
To this day, 65 years later I can remember that visit more than all the others we took over the years being as we live only 4 hours away.
Such a well done series. Editing. Music. Expert commentary. Everything. You've really knocked it out of the park with this one.
Thanks a ton! I appreciate that.
You continue to do great work. Absolutely love watching all of your videos. Can’t wait to see your take on the 20th Maine.
Yes, really fun to watch. For two years at college in Westminster went there countless times,(1970's) walking, reading, probably even napping:). It's good to see the place well cared for.
I actually cried watching this. So many lives lost, just think of all their families. Some families lost entire bloodlines in this war. Thank you again for another great video. I get very emotional watching these videos.
Thanks for watching and sharing that. Hope that people are getting something out of these and sharing with others :)
@Andrea, I know it’s a year since you posted your comment so I can only hope you do read this. As a military veteran of 24 years service I can tell you without fear of contradiction that anyone who says that they are not moved by the events of the American Civil War are either emotionless fools or liars, it doesn’t matter where, when or how people die in war, the mere fact that they died fighting for themselves, the men to either side of them, their beliefs and their country is the most selfless acts anyone can carry out. Your feelings just prove that you are a humanitarian and feeling person, two qualities we all should admire and strive to emulate. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴🇺🇸🇺🇦
It's so very hard to fathom just how tough these men were, both sides, just incredible. Great episode
The courage that the soldiers on both sides possessed really is unimaginable...
OMG . I never have been to Gettysburg until this video. Information I never learned before. I do not remember being taught this in all my years of school. The actual photos are so amazing. Thank goodness this sacred land has been protected and preserved. Thank you.
When i did civil war reenactments i learned more of what was the truth schools didn’t teach us about other than the hateful side of it in slavery... it would blow your mind knowing the real truth that not all Blacks were slaves in the south and fought for the south on thier own recognizances and will to do so. They were given land and these who were slaves were given their freedom by the confederacy. They sure didn’t teach us that in school and i wonder why? ... and if I didn’t know any better id say the government wanted us to fuel the fire for hate of slavery and kept the truth from us. Im not saying slavery didn’t happen I’m just saying it didn’t happen to every black person who was in the south. Black folk have just as much military pride in their confederate ancestors than anyone but they just don’t know
@@needmorecowbell6460 it is really a shame that ALL the facts are not known to all Americans. But, I think there are many stories untold in American history,
Brilliant video as usual... I'm from England... but I love to learn about American and world history... and it's boots on the ground videos like this that gives us this chance ... thank you 👌
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I am same.Discovered only recently that England supported the South and built war ships for them.
I can't imagine the PTSD that the soldiers must have had, who were simply wounded in the Wheatfield, and had the spend the night there. I think in the audio tour book you can buy it tells a similar story about a Union Lieutenant who was wounded and had to spend the whole night fending off the pigs with his saber.
I've only been able to find one book written about ptsd among Civil War soldiers. The hell they endured never went away. I can't remember who wrote it but it was an eye opening read for sure. My dad fought at Tarawa and was wounded but survived. He recovered and was wounded elsewhere a second time. He killed at least 14 Japanese in hand to hand combat. It never left him. I can only imagine what the Civil War soldiers lived with. War is definitely hell and it not only takes lives it takes minds as well.
I remember that story from the audio your very well also, could not imagine being wounded having to fend off pigs from eating you alive essentially.
The former psychiatric hospital in Willard, NY has a separate graveyard for war veterans. There were soldiers that had (PTSD) soldiers heart. The families couldn't handle them at home or as they aged they got worse.
The Veterans cemetery at Sampson includes these soldiers at Christmas Wreaths across America and flags for Memorial Day.
The county historian has written a book that covers their history. Civil War, Spanish American War and World War I.
@@conniewaldby5524Thank you Connie. Many nasty things said about New York while Revoltionary war battles were fought there and as you stated other wars New York vets fought in such as WWI and II. Respect ALL vets no matter what state they're from.
Willard's veterans cemetery is now overseen by Sampson National Cemetery and services and honors are rewarded on the National Holidays as well.
Very poignant stories that remind us that battles have individuals involved. Well told with great camera work, beautiful if hauntingly appropriate music, and superb editing. We can't thank you enough for all the time and effort you put into these videos. I am loving this entire series on Gettysburg.
Well said.
I love your Gettysburg videos, please keep them coming. You are right about walking the terrain. Driving the battlefield doesn't give you a good perspective as to how difficult it was was. I realized this about 15 years ago when I walked Pickett's Charge for the first time.
Exactly. Thanks!
Just can't imagine the look of that field after the day of fighting was over. So amazing that you are doing what you do. You sir and the battlefield trust are doing a great job.
Thanks! Appreciate that.
My wife and I walked those very steps you did. I got goosebumps and cold chills like I was actually there as the battle raged!
I hear you.
Thank you for this series! The history of these sites is incredible. Sometimes it seems that the Civil War is romantized and we forget about the carnage and the tremendous loss of life involved.
Agreed. Thanks!
ive actually been to gettysburg back when i was in middle school..now im 31 years old. and i would love to go back now that im older and i can understand more about it.but glad im watching your videos because it help me alot
Good deal! Thanks! Hope that it's serving to do some good for everyone :)
Hired one of the battlefield guides. My husband had so many questions and the guide tailored our time to what were our interests plus showed us so much more. It was definitely worth the money. The U.S. Park Rangers our so knowledgeable on the park they work in. Thank you for the Wheatfield tour.
👍🏻
Wow, the story about the hogs is just chilling!!
Cannot wait until June!!!
Yeah, the hog story really got me.
The loss of Americans on both sides , is why, your channel, monuments and statues, are so important! We must learn, to never be divided again. Together we are strong! 🇺🇸Anything that reminds us of this time, must be preserved! Thank you for all that you do. I’m sure, these Americans, were doing the best they could, having been through so much, to this point.
The music for this episode was macabre. Perfect for the Wheatfield.
Thank you for making these man.
Got to see it last fall.
It's all really breathe taking.
Had a ancestor, a great uncle in the 145th Penn. That fought here. Rose woods*
He's buried in Andersonville.
History occasionally leaves me sad & speechless 😶 Thank You for sharing 🇺🇸
I did the bus tour, the personal guide tour, and the self guided tour. Highly recommend that if anyone does the self guided tour, they should download the phone app for Gettysburg. It has you stand in a particular spot and point your camera in a certain direction and then a guide or park ranger tells the story of that area. I went in 2012, so I can only imagine it’s gotten better since then. Another great video, gives a glimpse of the capacity of humans for both violence and endurance.
Thanks!
I went through a couple week period where I would listen to various Gettysburg park rangers give their tours around the battlefield it’s incredible how articulate those guys are they all could seriously be college professors on the subject.....interesting stuff and always a great listen if your ready for a nap 😁
JD. So compelling. I took more than one tour. They were fantastic. Great job and exceptional photography. You deserve a tv show.
JD deserves a “Real” History Channel .
Ha! I don't know about a tv show. I have a face that's perfect for radio though. Thanks!
As a Southerner who had several family members fight there I really enjoy your series. I know there's been a lot of coulda, woulda, shoulda talk about the battle but from the writings of those of my family that survived the battle it's clear to me even if we'd won there it wouldn't have really changed much. Antietam and Lincoln's assassination were the two major factors leading to the South's destruction. But history is just that. No amount of wishful prayer will undo what man has done. But I thank you for doing what you're doing. In many of the unmarked Confederate graves on the battlefield rest many who weren't slave owners nor traitors. They were just normal men who took up a cause they believed just and died for it. No different than those who took up arms after 9/11 in our own era.
As a lifelong resident of Gettysburg and history buff, I appreciate seeing the landscape from a different perspective (and camera angle). We recently followed the battle lines using the flank markers. You can visualize how violent the battle was by how close the soldiers were. Thanks for the amazing camera work!!
This video, of the ones of yours which I’ve viewed so far, is the best. The music is spot on and lends to the haunting aire of places like Gettysburg, where so much carnage occurs. I’ve visited 3 x and spent several hours each time but still missed so much. Tremendous work by all on this.
Wow, thank you!
Thank you for sharing the wheat field. My tour guide took us thru it. I’ll never forget that trip. Reliving it again. Has been awesome! Thank you for sharing!
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Great video, want to visit there some day. My ancestor (one of 10 who served in the Civil War, 5 on each side) served in the 11th Georgia as either a Corporal or Sergeant at the time. His regiment was at the forefront of the Confederate attack on the Wheatfield. In roughly a 2 hour period fighting at the Wheatfield his regiment saw about 65% casualties. Simply incomprehensible. He did survive to eventually die almost a year later at the Battle of Cold Harbor. Ironically surviving one of the bloodiest Confederate defeats to die at one of the bloodiest Union defeats.
Oh my gosh. The things that he must have seen…..
My great great uncle Bathurst was involved with the Battles of the Wheat field and survived. A Sargent with the 148th PVI. He survived it with a fleas wound to the leg.
I listen to history traveler while I’m going from job to job I’m a salesman for Home Depot for windows and exterior doors I listen to your show it’s very interesting the things that you bring out I love the music that you play in the background it’s very well thought out too I really enjoyed the Mount Rushmore and crazy horse memorials my folks and taking me there when I was a boy I haven’t seen them since I’d like to go again thank you for what you do you have a great Program
Thanks!
So happy to see the 81st PVI in here... as a PA native, I actually looked into the regiments that recruited in my county (Carbon) and found the 81st to be one of them..... so when I went to Gettysburg, I wanted to stand, in that exact spot... and picture what it would’ve been like. What those men endured and went through in that place was humbling, sobering.Thank you for the amazing content... top notch as always 🇺🇸
a very impressive report of a place on earth where so much has been suffered. With great respect for the people who lost their lives there! Regards from Austria and thank you for making these vids, Paul
Great video I hope to go there one day, these are horrible stories it's a sad but fascinating part of our history
You really should! I went there once, and did the vehicle audio tour with stops. If they haven’t changed it in the past 10 years, you go at your own pace and can take as much time as you want at each stopping point. You can really feel the history there. I plan on going again some day.
I've been to Gettysburg four times and plan to return once again. It never fails to astound. My wife and I even spent part of our honeymoon there (at *her* suggestion).
David Acheson from the PV 140th Washington PA was shot and killed in the Wheatfield. He was the Captain of his Regiment and his men buried him at a rock there. The stone is marked DA PV 140 which you can see to this day. Later, His family had his body moved back to Washington to be bury in their families' plot. I can't remember exactly when speaking to a tour guide and mentioning David's fate or reading it that some look at the marked DA stone as the first monument of Gettsburg.
Yes, you should go if you can. Definitely worth the trip if you have any interest in the American Civil War and military history in general. Took me decades to finally get to Gettysburg and I only live 6 hours away. I myself need to get back there, because even my 5 day visit was not enough to soak it all in.
Rode through this on horseback last year. Just unbelievable how much more you can see and imagine being off of a paved road. I HIGHLY encourage everyone to take a horse through The Wheat field and the orchard.
This series is my favorite by far. Thank you for preserving our history.
You are the most humble and informative... devoted person ever. I truly love Gettysburg... I have spent alot of time there learning and seeing everything I can. I truly appreciate and respect what you do and I thank you for pointing out the hiden place I have missed and/or drove by or through! I will be giving you a little $ through your link... This is my appreciation to you and hopefully it'll help with your mission to help others like me see and learn just a little bit more about what and the men and women who made us who we are today! I thank you VERY much!!
talk about hallowed grounds. Great episode.
Thanks!
I love the work you do to bring these stories to life. I lived in PA most of my life and not to far from Gettysburg. Been there a bunch of times but have not spent as much time there as I would like.
It's quite the place. Thanks!
Two of my favorite places at Gettysburg the wheat field and Rose farm. Thank you!
Mine too!
Eric!! He was a tour guide last month! Fantastic to see him on here as well! Shows his dedication to this place of history!
For me, the amazing thing about this war was the preservation of the space and monuments over time. Truly incredible this is a national treasure.....
If only battlefields could talk, what stories of bravery, heroism, determination, and dedication to their cause would they tell, but most of all they could tell of the horrors, pain, sorrow, compassion and worst of all death. I am so glad that you J.D and Eric Dorf alongside other historians and Park Rangers/guides are keeping the history alive, and more importantly recording all of it for posterity, recording it so that future generations, who won’t have the physical memorials to refer to, will have a reference to see and watch about their countries history and perhaps their ancestors. Thanks for sharing another excellent episode, please continue your hard work, the quality of your work is exceptional. Thanks again J.D. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴🇺🇸🇺🇦
And I thought I knew a lot about the Civil War and its battlefields! .... bang, and then comes a new video from you. I can't thank you enough
.... None of us can ever even begin to imagine how much blood was shed in those 4 years .... its so awful
My heart breaks for the enormous amount of life lost at that single spot, on that single day.
Sharpsburg was the single most bloodiest battle of the War Between the States in one day.
The Bloody Wheatfield of Gettysburg, was the single most bloodiest battle of July 2, 1863.
Thank you for your service, both in the military and this battle.
If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out. Click here: ua-cam.com/users/thehistoryunderground
Thanks!
Would love to buy some merchandise if you have any, I adore this channel!
@@anglmus - Thanks! Got some merch coming soon. Just a little hang up with the screen printer right now.
This place was just horrific. I can't even imagine. My great great grandfather was there. Fortunately he lived through it.
Never cease to be amazed at the lesser known engagements at all the major battles. Thanks for showing us what most of us missed when we were there. Definitely going back in the fall. Great job, JD.
I did the tour on a bus full of army guys back in 92-93, we had a guide and he presented the battle in an amazing fashion and with emotion. Well worth the price.
Thank YOU for another exceptional video ... Really appreciate you doing this series on Gettysburg ... It's so helpful in understanding this terrible event ... So much of the story of Gettysburg has been muddled by Hollywood and your in-person account is very beneficial ... btw: There's a book "Gettysburg--The Second Day" by Harry W. Pfanz that is absolutely amazing in its detailed account of the actions on July 2, 1863 ... Thanks again !!!
I've got that book sitting next to me now. Reading his book on Cemetery Hill & Culp's Hill first.
Thank you J.D. for educating us about Gettysburg. The carnage, passion, sadness etc. that took place here one can see why some report this is the most haunted place in America. You can't help but feel empathy for the men on both sides. See you Sunday.
Thanks for a really well done series on Gettysburg. Every time I catch myself wondering what kind of people were these, facing each other, mistaking other people for an enemy and shooting them. It doesn't seem to matter that the civilian population suffers the most damage in the process. At the end: It does not matter which battlefield or which war we are talking about.
Great video JD, if you want good information on the battle or anyone else watching this is to get Harry Pfanz's books on the battle, excellent reads and glad you had Eric along with you.
Gave me chills watching this one. I can't even imagine the horrors
What a great job on the videos of the history of the battle of Gettysburg. Very educational it's more of an intake of what happened , then what we learned in school. Thank you for sharing with us.
Also I wanted to mention that I commend you on bringing in the Christianity part in your videos. With out our Lord in savior we would be nothing. God Bless you and your family. Thank you.
Thanks! I appreciate that.
Another amazing video!! I can’t imagine the pain and nightmare that those men faced fighting in the wheat field and seeing all of the bodies scattered all over.
Thank you for this video. I had an ancestor in the 11th GA and his unit fought in the wheat field. He was taken a a POW at Gettysburg. He did survive the war and ended up in Winston County AL where he is buried. (Interesting fact - Winston county decided from the confederacy. The people were more Appalachian / mountain people than “southern”.).
I am a relative of Colonel. Samual K. Zook who was unfortunately killed upon this field. I am as well a fairly young man who portrays the 61st New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Whom had fought upon this field.
As a man who is set to both share and explain the history of such a important time in American history, you have done it better then I could have ever hoped to achieve. Knowing fellow friends and men who are apart of the Gettysburg NPS, they would ask to shake your hand and offer you a round at the bar for your work.
As well to add on, I offer a speaking of it own, given to me by my Sergeant Major at that time. Saying how after the fighting on the Wheatfield. About 8pm, after the sun had set, that many of those who had, had the luxury to write, wrote such about the hogs, or pigs of the farmers of the land of Gettysburg. After their pens had been damaged by rifle fire and or artillery fire, and not been fed, sought out to feed. And as a result following the fight at the Wheatfield fed upon the bodies of the poor men laid dead and dying on the field.
I am glad and thankful that my greatX3 grandfather, BG. Zook, was not alive to see such a horrid sight of his men being ate by hogs.
Bless you my fellow historian, and thank you for sharing such a sight and time in history that many of today are not aware of.
As a sort of add on to this. My unit, the 61st NYI, specifically Company I. Were apart of this engagement. As you may remember, we had went in with maybe a thousand if I recall, more likely incorrect. But when we had exited the field, we had a few hundred.
At around 6pm, when this fighting had finally come to a close. Zook was likely already dead or dying on the field, with his men of the 57th falling back in with the men of the 61st. Whom would fall back upon receiving too many casualties and the fighting too severe at around 5:30 PM if my memory serves me correct.
Almost to horrible to try to imagine what happened there.
As always, so thankfull you're creating these videos JD!
As a European, it's unlikely I'll ever visit these sites so experiencing them through your material is the next best thing imo.
Visiting Gettysburg in a couple weeks for the first time since the mid-2000’s. These videos are making me look that much more forward to it!
Awesome! You might consider reaching out to Eric Lindblade for a tour. He’s outstanding!
@@TheHistoryUnderground thanks for the suggestion!
Man I don’t know what else to say other than very well done. I’ve loved this series . Been there twice myself! Looking forward to the Pickett’s charge portion. Looking across that open field is mind blowing.
We are planning to go to Gettysburg and this series has been a great preparation for what we are to see there. Thanks to you History Traveler for sharing your knowledge and expertise on the Civil War.
I like Eric! Great historian! He keeps you interested!
I agree.
Horrific sight... they music really added very well on this place! Learning alot about the American Civil war since your videos. It got me really interested in it! 👍
Good deal! I've been going deep into the Civil War rabbit hole myself lately.
Very sobering. Can never wrap my mind around all the carnage. Watching these videos reminds me of when I was there, the chills up my back, feeling the hairs at the nape of my neck standing straight out. Not quite seeing or grasping what happened, the imagined voices and screams, the cacophony of battle. All real but so elusive and evasive, even today watching your videos are bringing back the feelings I had 21 years ago on that battlefield. Kudos
Have visited the Gettysburg battlefield twice, wonderful place to see. Walked on the field of Pickett's charge by myself at dusk, it was an experience...you must visit the battlefield to have a better appreciation of what happened there.. We hired a tour guide who drove our car around the battlefield, his knowledge was incredible, my head was spinning by the end of the tour...Well done, thank you...
You've done such an amazing job covering Gettysburg! Been watching your other videos, too, and enjoying them. Subscribed!
My favorite place to visit as I learn something new each time. The bravery of the men who fought on this sacred ground was incredible.
Heading back to Gettysburg in a few days and have now added “Walk the Wheatfield” to my list of things to do, thanks to this video. Wonderful video and series as a whole! Thank you for what you do!
Thank you. That was great information about the Wheatfield!!!
I can remember reading science fiction years ago with a similar battle. I'd be willing to bet the author used this as inspiration. The story of the hogs at night was part of it, although they weren't hogs and it wasn't on this planet, just as chilling though. The author and name of the story escapes me right now.
Thanks for another excellent video.
Thanks! Can't even imagine the horrors.
I live in rural Florida and the hogs are fierce.
I have 3 ancestors that were at Gettysburg, 1 on each day in different places of the unfolding battle. Blows my mind what happened here.
I would love to be a fly on the wall watching you in your class room, I believe the majority of your pupils actually learn. You have a way with telling a story, you put your heart, and soul into it. In the old days, there were actual story tellers who traveled farm to farm, telling stories. They would earn a meal or two, possible lodging, people would come from other farms, and listen to his story telling. This would be a big deal, you can imagine, no tv, radio, just hard work all the time. Thanks JD., your our story teller.
Mate, can you please start including the music you use in each video in the descriptions? Every video you post has at least 1 gem. Particularly love all the acoustic guitar tracks in past vids from Andersonville, Normandy, etc.
You really have to give yourself more credit. You are the first person who really brought to life these brave soldiers' stories. Dan Sickles was nothing but a murderous coward who sacrificed the lives of innocent men just to gain prominence. Thank you for your service to our country. You and your band of brothers are the true heroes. God bless you guys!!!😎
Twice I have been to Gettysburg and the battlefield. Once as a kid, once in my 20's. I never knew about the small markers delineating the position of the troops. Thank you. This series is an eye opener for me.
I was passing through Gettysburg on a work trip a few years ago and only had a couple of hours before dark to tour the park. We were on a CD audio tour..when we reached the Wheatfield and it was described, I got chill bumps man. I had to get out of the car and go stand on that hallowed ground. I'm not saying I believe in ghosts, but it was a feeling like I've never had come over me before. Very powerful experience.
History lives forever as long as someone steps in to retell the story
Thank you for doing this series. I appreciate your adding others in also who as you say live these battles every day . Well done Sir!
What a amazing episode! The stories you’ve told in this series are fantastic. Thank you for bringing this battle to life.
My pleasure! Thanks for watching!
These stories are so well done.....should be on The History Channel.
🙂
Ty for your discussion of the terrain at the Wheat Field & the Peach Orchard. Your guide's comments and yours regarding the punch bowl clarify much of the tactical situation that day, and 19th century attitudes about honor and Lee's expressed views that taking and holding ground were the bones on which victory at that time was considered to be structured reveal a lot. As usual, ty.
After the ABT's series about the Petersburg battlefield, I am beginning to think I would regard this Gettysburg series of yours as 2d among YT vids I have seen in forming & sometimes reshaping my views of history. As ever, ty JD🤓
Wow you really give a great perspective here! I learned a lot! Gettysburg is one of my dream trips. I love your videos! What a great insight on American history.
Thanks so much! Glad that you enjoyed it. Feel free to share it out so that others can get into the history as well :)
Your music fits so eloquently with the topic,excellent as always
photography, narration and soundtrack on this series has been simply superb!
You are not just a monkey with a camera. Coming from someone who has studied these mens brave actions and innovation under fire for years, you brought honor and education to this event. I can't find any person aside from the actual American battlefield trust, that has given this place its due respect by telling the story of what happened there. Bravo. Superb.
I love what you're doing.so much of our history is being lost to time. Thank you for keeping it alive and passing it on . Great job !
Great job on the video. One thing I have always wondered. (I've been to Gettysburg) Can you tell me how a place like a battlefield can go back to being just a home? How can you ever farm that wheat field again? How do you ever sit in the living room that yesterday was a triage for the wounded? I think I would have been a basket case.
Another thing to keep in mind is the photography. I know that many of the photos used and referenced were taken by Matthew Brady. I have studied old photos and in particular Brady. He was famous then and is still famous today. He frequently took pictures of the locals out picnicking, watching the battle (I'm not even gonna go there). The other thing he was later known for was his manipulation of photos. He was way ahead of his time. He repositioned bodies for a better shot and mix negatives to increase effect. What is common place today was mind-blowing then. It would be an interesting video as a follow-up to this journey.
Thank you for your dedication to our history.
Thanks. The stories of the civilians fascinates me as much as that of the soldiers.
Why would anyone put a thumbs down 👎 on this video. I grew up just outside of Gettysburg and my parents had a cabin there for 22 years. This man videos and edits some of the best I’ve seen ESPECIALLY in Gettysburg! TY buddy!
🤷🏻♂️ Some people....
Thanks for the kind words!
Another fine installment! While all war is terrible, it’s even worse when the death toll is catastrophic over ground that wasn’t a huge factor in the battle as a whole. I’ll certainly agree with hiring a battlefield guid or taking one of the ranger walks. These knowledgeable folks certainly interpret the ground and troop movements well.
100%. They really do know their stuff.
My Great Great Grandfather in the 8th New Jersey Vol. Infantry fought in the wheatfield. One of the many battles fought by the 8th NJ. He survived the war and lived into the 1920's.
Like you, the individual stories intrigue me. I have been to Gettysburg several times. Each time I come away with something I had never read or heard before. Your video was amazing. The music score was spot on. Hallowed ground. Thank you so very much!
So self deprecating my man! 116k subs your doing a good job keep it up. Your way better than the “History” channel these days.
Ha! Thanks. Appreciate that. Just wait until you see my alien series that I'm working on (lol).
I've been interested in the battle for some years now and have devoted alot of time on 'armchair' research. I have avidly watched the videos uploaded by the American Battlefield Trust, but discovering this 'channel' has given me an additional insight into the topography and a real, tangible, personal feel for the battle. This is a well presented and edited series. The camera angles, music and presenters all add something to the atmospheric and emotive 'feel' of these presentations. I hope to visit the battlefield someday - but as I live in the UK things are obviously problematic at the moment - this is the next best thing!! Please keep up the excellent work chaps! Thank you.
I recently visited Gettysburg and noticed the dead hogs underneath the Celtic Cross statue dedicated to the Irish brigades -i was puzzled by the dead hogs-thanks for the explanation. The old adage "war is hell" is an understatement.