These lectures are amazing! Wish all historic National and State parks did this. Especially for those of us who may never be able to travel to the sites. They should incorporate access to millions of people through the internet as Gettysburg has. Highest praise!
Thank you for sharing all of that. I live only a mile from Pettigrew State Park in Creswell NC and have never heard the full account. Very interesting and very well done! Proud of my NC brethren and their bravery!
Minor correction on the weather. The temps on the first two days were 75 and 77. The 3 PM temp was 87. My great great grandfather, Michael Jacobs, prof of math and science at the college, had been part of a network of weather observers established by a pre-war program of the Smithsonian. Thus he was using the latest professional quality instruments. He continued after the war started, though the program was suspended. He took multiple readings every day, and 3 was his regular afternoon time. This happened to coincide with the end of the cannonade and the start of the charge As far as I know,, he did not take humidity readings, but there was a terrific thunderstorm that night (which my great grandfather, Henry Jacobs said was not noticed by many citizens of the town because their ears were still ringing from the cannons.) It was the warmest reading of the summer, which at least in the Gettysburg area, was unusually cool and rainy.
Very good presentation. I am also a UNC graduate (in history). I may only be here watching today because my great-great grandfather was in the 44th NC. He was wounded at The Wilderness though.
I was drafted during the Vietnam War. I deployed to W Germany. Honorable discharge. I will never understand anyone opting for the military way of life.
I live in eastern North Carolina.My family doctor is in neighboring Greene County in the tiny town of Hookerton,NC.There is a NC Civil War Trails marker there.It says that in March--April,1863 Pettigrew's Brigade was stationed there to guard bridges spanning Contentnea Creek before being ordered north to join Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia for the invasion of Pennsylvania.
Great and very informative. The only point I take issue with is that he mentions Pettigrew attending a Bingham Millitary Academy in Hillsborough NC. I lived in Hillsborough for 6 years and knew the history of that charming little town inside and out. Bingham did not exist in Hillsborough but in Mebane, NC which is two towns to the West of Hillsborough. Just an FYI, thanks.
The 20th ME was in reserve approximately between the Copse of Trees and Little Round Top, east of Weikert's Hill and about 500 yds south of the Frey farm, just off the Taneytown Rd.
Excellent presentation! But unfortunately, the experience would be enhanced if the camera concentrated on the field more than the speaker. So many can't visualize these places. Please pass this on. Thanks!
That and poor sound on a lot of the earlier presentations is a weakness of these walks, especially when the presenter points out a particular site, the people turn to look but the camera stays on the presenter. Still, gotta love 'em.
Ranger Brown’s narrative of how command broke down because of the attrition from Day 2 is interesting. Longstreet could have told Lee first hand if Lee had bothered to seek out his friend and trusted wingman after the Day 2 misadventure at the Union’s southern flank…Longstreet was officially p***ed off; there was nothing defensive about what Lee had done…and note that defensive tactics are what the two men envisioned when they were planning their campaign onto Union ground. Lee’s decisions at a Gettysburg, especially the order to launch that charge on Day 3 from Seminary Ridge screams degenerate gambler. PS - Ranger Brown is a wonderful narrator. He really gets into the weeds, in the best way. The tidbit about the 14th New Jersey sharpshooters and their breach loaders is gold.
The 69th Pennsylvania Regiment made up of fine Irish lads from Philadelphia, DID NOT abandon their posts at the angle. The 71st and 72nd Penn Regiments, made up of "blue blood' fellows form Philadelphia, DID abandon their posts at the angle leaving the 69th to do most of the fighting and dying that day. Only after Lt. Haskell, mounted on his horse, followed the 71st and 72nd to the rear and literally beating on their backs with his sword, did he coax them back to the battle. True story told first hand by Haskell.
I like the information but why do the camera operators utterly refuse to pan the camera? This happens with Matt, too. I want to see what the ranger is talking about, not the ranger himself. Mind boggling.
My Great Great Grand Father was in the 47th NC Company F. He was shot in the breast and captured on July 3rd. He was in two prison camp one at Point Look Out Maryland. He survived the prison camps and was paroled in Raleigh in 1865. He lived till 1883. He had 10 children many who died early in life but his oldest son was my Great Grand Father who inherited his estate which was valued at $5000.00.
First the recorded temperature at the time of Pickett/Pettigrew/Trimble Charge was 87 degrees with high humidity and a feel like temperature of 99. Second from what I have read and what Ranger Bill Hewitt says in his presentation when Colonel James Keith is killed the command of Pettigrew’s brigade was assumed by Major John Jones who was commanding the 26NC during the charge.
On PICKETT'S CHARGE at Gettysburg. Major Egbert Moss had a cannonball pass through his entire body. Only moments earlier he was made The Commander of his Brigade. Poor Egbert. -Bill Howes, Historian.
Lets see now... at beginning, Meade hears the biggest rebel artillery salvo ever heard in north america concentrated on the Union center. What does that tell him? First, its hard confirmation of recent intel from captured reb prisoner of Lees' plan to attack the center. Second, reb cannon ammo has to be at a low since battlefield action has been going on for two days already. So easy, he rushes infantry reinforcements to the center because this is Lee rolling the dice on his final play. Game, set, and match - union. Maybe Lee should have instead split his salvo - advanced a few dozen guns behind infantry to unlimber fast and blow a hole through the very center of the union line to cause an opening breach and use his cavalry as fast reinforcements. It might have scared the hell out of union infantry at the targeted center area first taking concentrated cannon fire followed by seeing a column of reb cavalry dashing at them - covering the mile of ground in just minutes. Could the results be any worse? At the worse - it would hearten the reb infantry and give them some hope. Lee failed big time here.
what's going on with the drop in quality? boring no movement shot of ranger, don't show much of the field at all and when you do the tripod jerks all over ... and the graphics you had are gone? i really love this channel just wondering what's different and why it's taking you so long this summer
The sad awful truth is that the vast majority of Pettigrew's division never got any closer than 200 yards from Cemetery Ridge before retreating to the rear in fear- leaving Pickett's Brigade to do most of the fighting and dying- hence- Pickett's Charge. Sadly, thousands of Confederate soldiers deserted the ranks instead of charging Cemetery Ridge. To set things straight- it isn't the Trimble/Pettigrew/Pickett charge- it's Pickett's Charge because his Virginian men were the only men brave enough that day to actually fully charge Cemetery Ridge. 4800 marched under Pickett. 3,000 died. 1,000 were wounded or captured. 800 made it back alive to Seminary ridge.
The sad awful truth is that so many men on both sides of this bloody conflict died in a war fought over such a corrupt cause as preserving chattel slavery. Even today, there are Southerners who believe they were fighting for some noble, righteous cause that was worth killing and dying for. I wish it had been possible to defeat the ideology that underlay the Confederacy at the same time they were defeated militarily, but the sad, awful truth is that it lives on to this very day.
Most of my family wore the German uniform during WWII... Now that the truth is coming out about the people that caused WWI and WWII, it looks as though the Germans were actually the good guys....
You see, If ~I~ were in charge of the "Cannon Fire" before PICKETT'S CHARGE. I would Have had the cannons SIGHT IN before the onslaught. Each cannon taking turns would have been separated so there was no interference from the smoke. THEN with all 175 cannons "Zeroed In" I would have given those DAMN YANKEES -HELL- -Bill "Stonewall Jackson" Howes.
As I understand it, or have read it, many of the cannons were aimed in on the wall and near area when they began, but as the cannons rocked back in forth they shot higher and longer until most of the shells were landing in the rear areas. It'd take white powder and more modern weaponry to accomplish what Lee wanted.
After extensive research, I have changed my opinion of the battle on day 3. It wasn't Lee's plan, it was the cowardice of his men- in the thousands- that doomed the assault. Pickett's brigade is the only Confederate brigade to actually reach the Federal lines in any great numbers. Pettigrew's Division, on Pickett's left, only got within 500 yards of the Federal lines on Cemetery Ridge before they turned tail and ran in cowardly fear. Many other Confederate regiments turned and fled to the rear in cowardly fear. When Pickett's men breached the Union lines they looked to their right- no Confederate support- they looked to their left- no Confederate support- they looked to their rear- no Confederate support and they were left to be either killed or captured. Thousands of Confederate troops shrank in fear and retreated. No one outside of Pickett's men came to support the doomed charge. If the Confederate soldiers, in the thousands- hadn't fled the field in fear- history might tell a different story. To be sure- this battle is aptly named- Pickett's Charge- GREAT description of what actually happened.
“Cowardly fear”? You sound so sanctimoniously judgmental. I’m curious if you have ever faced a line of thousands of muskets, rifles, and dozens of artillery pieces exploding above your head, ripping your friends and comrades to shreds, such that you feel confident you would not flee in cowardly fear yourself. Of course I don’t know, but in the spirit of your Comment, gonna guess you’d be the very first one to turn tail and run in “cowardly fear”, however I would never actually call it “cowardly fear”, lest I sound like a smug jackass. I’d just say they were behaving like normal human beings, and that any commander who would devise such a barbaric, stupid plan would have to be as vile and devoid of basic humanity as that treasonous, slave-owning cur Robt. E. Lee.
These lectures are amazing! Wish all historic National and State parks did this. Especially for those of us who may never be able to travel to the sites. They should incorporate access to millions of people through the internet as Gettysburg has. Highest praise!
A great lecture, many thanks.
Thank you for sharing all of that. I live only a mile from Pettigrew State Park in Creswell NC and have never heard the full account. Very interesting and very well done! Proud of my NC brethren and their bravery!
Minor correction on the weather. The temps on the first two days were 75 and 77. The 3 PM temp was 87. My great great grandfather, Michael Jacobs, prof of math and science at the college, had been part of a network of weather observers established by a pre-war program of the Smithsonian. Thus he was using the latest professional quality instruments. He continued after the war started, though the program was suspended. He took multiple readings every day, and 3 was his regular afternoon time. This happened to coincide with the end of the cannonade and the start of the charge As far as I know,, he did not take humidity readings, but there was a terrific thunderstorm that night (which my great grandfather, Henry Jacobs said was not noticed by many citizens of the town because their ears were still ringing from the cannons.) It was the warmest reading of the summer, which at least in the Gettysburg area, was unusually cool and rainy.
James Horn uu8
Thanks for that info, interesting.
Very good presentation. I am also a UNC graduate (in history). I may only be here watching today because my great-great grandfather was in the 44th NC. He was wounded at The Wilderness though.
GREAT overview of the battle of Gettysburg.
Fantastic, we can hardly wait to visit again and take advantage of more of your programs. Beyond impressed, we want to do this one first.
Great presentation! I really enjoyed the entire video! Well done Ranger Philip Brown!
Thanks for this! The best one yet! My 3rd G Grandfather Jeremiah Snider was with the 11th NC and was killed near the rock wall on July 3rd.
I love his approach to this topic.
So happy you've decided to continue with these videos, HAPPY HAPPY
I was drafted during the Vietnam War. I deployed to W Germany. Honorable discharge.
I will never understand anyone opting for the military way of life.
The shelling actually wrapped up about 2:30PM. Started around 1PM and stopped around 2:30PM. Basically 1 & 1/2 hours.
I live in eastern North Carolina.My family doctor is in neighboring Greene County in the tiny town of Hookerton,NC.There is a NC Civil War Trails marker there.It says that in March--April,1863 Pettigrew's Brigade was stationed there to guard bridges spanning Contentnea Creek before being ordered north to join Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia for the invasion of Pennsylvania.
Great and very informative. The only point I take issue with is that he mentions Pettigrew attending a Bingham Millitary Academy in Hillsborough NC. I lived in Hillsborough for 6 years and knew the history of that charming little town inside and out. Bingham did not exist in Hillsborough but in Mebane, NC which is two towns to the West of Hillsborough. Just an FYI, thanks.
The 20th ME was in reserve approximately between the Copse of Trees and Little Round Top, east of Weikert's Hill and about 500 yds south of the Frey farm, just off the Taneytown Rd.
Please post talks or rangers Hoptak, Flook and Atkinson.
The Rangers are top notch!
Excellent presentation! But unfortunately, the experience would be enhanced if the camera concentrated on the field more than the speaker. So many can't visualize these places. Please pass this on. Thanks!
That and poor sound on a lot of the earlier presentations is a weakness of these walks, especially when the presenter points out a particular site, the people turn to look but the camera stays on the presenter. Still, gotta love 'em.
Ranger Brown’s narrative of how command broke down because of the attrition from Day 2 is interesting. Longstreet could have told Lee first hand if Lee had bothered to seek out his friend and trusted wingman after the Day 2 misadventure at the Union’s southern flank…Longstreet was officially p***ed off; there was nothing defensive about what Lee had done…and note that defensive tactics are what the two men envisioned when they were planning their campaign onto Union ground.
Lee’s decisions at a Gettysburg, especially the order to launch that charge on Day 3 from Seminary Ridge screams degenerate gambler.
PS - Ranger Brown is a wonderful narrator. He really gets into the weeds, in the best way. The tidbit about the 14th New Jersey sharpshooters and their breach loaders is gold.
Wonderful, and I heard cannon fire...Very Hallowed ground indeed...
The 69th Pennsylvania Regiment made up of fine Irish lads from Philadelphia, DID NOT abandon their posts at the angle. The 71st and 72nd Penn Regiments, made up of "blue blood' fellows form Philadelphia, DID abandon their posts at the angle leaving the 69th to do most of the fighting and dying that day. Only after Lt. Haskell, mounted on his horse, followed the 71st and 72nd to the rear and literally beating on their backs with his sword, did he coax them back to the battle. True story told first hand by Haskell.
I like the information but why do the camera operators utterly refuse to pan the camera? This happens with Matt, too. I want to see what the ranger is talking about, not the ranger himself. Mind boggling.
My 4th Great Granduncle Seth A. Jones was in the 47th North Carolina Co. B.
Perfect!
Very good job Ranger Philip.
Absolutely, tremendous.
Welcome back!!
My Great Great Grand Father was in the 47th NC Company F. He was shot in the breast and captured on July 3rd. He was in two prison camp one at Point Look Out Maryland. He survived the prison camps and was paroled in Raleigh in 1865. He lived till 1883. He had 10 children many who died early in life but his oldest son was my Great Grand Father who inherited his estate which was valued at $5000.00.
Bobby Duke Jesse Duke was my 3rd great grandfather as well!
And mine as well!!
First the recorded temperature at the time of Pickett/Pettigrew/Trimble Charge was 87 degrees with high humidity and a feel like temperature of 99. Second from what I have read and what Ranger Bill Hewitt says in his presentation when Colonel James Keith is killed the command of Pettigrew’s brigade was assumed by Major John Jones who was commanding the 26NC during the charge.
On PICKETT'S CHARGE at Gettysburg. Major Egbert Moss had a cannonball pass through his entire body. Only moments earlier he was made The Commander of his Brigade. Poor Egbert. -Bill Howes, Historian.
Confederate cavalry was available on Day 1 and one unit was in Gettysburg earlier.
58:13 The 14th NJ was not in Gettysburg in July 1863. Either he was talking about the 12th NJ or the 14th CT.
Lets see now... at beginning, Meade hears the biggest rebel artillery salvo ever heard in north america concentrated on the Union center. What does that tell him? First, its hard confirmation of recent intel from captured reb prisoner of Lees' plan to attack the center. Second, reb cannon ammo has to be at a low since battlefield action has been going on for two days already. So easy, he rushes infantry reinforcements to the center because this is Lee rolling the dice on his final play. Game, set, and match - union. Maybe Lee should have instead split his salvo - advanced a few dozen guns behind infantry to unlimber fast and blow a hole through the very center of the union line to cause an opening breach and use his cavalry as fast reinforcements. It might have scared the hell out of union infantry at the targeted center area first taking concentrated cannon fire followed by seeing a column of reb cavalry dashing at them - covering the mile of ground in just minutes. Could the results be any worse? At the worse - it would hearten the reb infantry and give them some hope. Lee failed big time here.
Give us The Matt Atkinson experience!
28:35 a company w 90 men at beginning of battle...has 1 guy left after
what's going on with the drop in quality? boring no movement shot of ranger, don't show much of the field at all and when you do the tripod jerks all over ... and the graphics you had are gone? i really love this channel just wondering what's different and why it's taking you so long this summer
22:00 why send a brigade of 5000 for recon? why not send a company or regiment?
The sad awful truth is that the vast majority of Pettigrew's division never got any closer than 200 yards from Cemetery Ridge before retreating to the rear in fear- leaving Pickett's Brigade to do most of the fighting and dying- hence- Pickett's Charge. Sadly, thousands of Confederate soldiers deserted the ranks instead of charging Cemetery Ridge. To set things straight- it isn't the Trimble/Pettigrew/Pickett charge- it's Pickett's Charge because his Virginian men were the only men brave enough that day to actually fully charge Cemetery Ridge. 4800 marched under Pickett. 3,000 died. 1,000 were wounded or captured. 800 made it back alive to Seminary ridge.
The sad awful truth is that so many men on both sides of this bloody conflict died in a war fought over such a corrupt cause as preserving chattel slavery. Even today, there are Southerners who believe they were fighting for some noble, righteous cause that was worth killing and dying for.
I wish it had been possible to defeat the ideology that underlay the Confederacy at the same time they were defeated militarily, but the sad, awful truth is that it lives on to this very day.
Most of my family wore the German uniform during WWII... Now that the truth is coming out about the people that caused WWI and WWII, it looks as though the Germans were actually the good guys....
Jesus is coming soon be ready time is running out ❤❤❤❤❤❤
You see, If ~I~ were in charge of the "Cannon Fire" before PICKETT'S CHARGE. I would Have had the cannons SIGHT IN before the onslaught. Each cannon taking turns would have been separated so there was no interference from the smoke. THEN with all 175 cannons "Zeroed In" I would have given those DAMN YANKEES -HELL- -Bill "Stonewall Jackson" Howes.
As I understand it, or have read it, many of the cannons were aimed in on the wall and near area when they began, but as the cannons rocked back in forth they shot higher and longer until most of the shells were landing in the rear areas. It'd take white powder and more modern weaponry to accomplish what Lee wanted.
Not bad. You only had 150 years to think about what ( you ) would of done.
Jesus is coming soon be ready
After extensive research, I have changed my opinion of the battle on day 3. It wasn't Lee's plan, it was the cowardice of his men- in the thousands- that doomed the assault. Pickett's brigade is the only Confederate brigade to actually reach the Federal lines in any great numbers. Pettigrew's Division, on Pickett's left, only got within 500 yards of the Federal lines on Cemetery Ridge before they turned tail and ran in cowardly fear. Many other Confederate regiments turned and fled to the rear in cowardly fear. When Pickett's men breached the Union lines they looked to their right- no Confederate support- they looked to their left- no Confederate support- they looked to their rear- no Confederate support and they were left to be either killed or captured. Thousands of Confederate troops shrank in fear and retreated. No one outside of Pickett's men came to support the doomed charge. If the Confederate soldiers, in the thousands- hadn't fled the field in fear- history might tell a different story. To be sure- this battle is aptly named- Pickett's Charge- GREAT description of what actually happened.
“Cowardly fear”? You sound so sanctimoniously judgmental. I’m curious if you have ever faced a line of thousands of muskets, rifles, and dozens of artillery pieces exploding above your head, ripping your friends and comrades to shreds, such that you feel confident you would not flee in cowardly fear yourself. Of course I don’t know, but in the spirit of your Comment, gonna guess you’d be the very first one to turn tail and run in “cowardly fear”, however I would never actually call it “cowardly fear”, lest I sound like a smug jackass. I’d just say they were behaving like normal human beings, and that any commander who would devise such a barbaric, stupid plan would have to be as vile and devoid of basic humanity as that treasonous, slave-owning cur Robt. E. Lee.
@@MendTheWorld It was an awful day but some men rose in bravery to the occasion and some men shrunk in fear- that's life.
As Picket said after the war, I think the Union soldiers had something to do with the defeat.