I am consistently grateful for your presentations you fill in so many of the important gaps and more. Meade is one of my great heroes. He is quoted as saying Lee is one of the best counter punchers ever. Many overlook the fact that Meade faced Lee with a parity of troops and almost no preparation. Grant faced Lee with about double the troops and Lee had continued to lose very many of his best commanders. I have searched in vain for how Meade was chosen. The only reference is Lincoln saying something to the effect, that a fly will defend his own dung hill better and also that Reynolds, also a Pennsylvanian, refused that command without being given complete autonomy Meade was not given a choice
This is a terrific video! Both presenters are talented and engaging historians! Thanks for visiting us, and for your very kind words! As a bonus, the video records the sounds of cicadas for posterity.
The retreat from Gettysburg is an amazing storyline in and of itself. How Lee was able to pull this off is simply incredible. I can imagine Lincoln sitting by the telegraph machine and getting periodic information hearing that Lee is slipping away. Must have drove him nuts.
Monterey Pass is one of my favorite battles to study. The retreat from Gettysburg is so fascinating and I'm glad it has revived more attention during the past decade.
I have to admit, regrettably, the huge civil war history buff that I am, that other than the name of the "battle of Monterey pass", I knew nothing if the actual battle. It truly is forgotten and ignored. Thank you gentlemen. Excellent piece of history!!
I’ve lived in Waynesboro my whole life and it was only in the past few years that I learned how close the war actually came to our little part of the world! Thanks to your video now I know a bit more about the war and have a new found reason to go tromping through the woods! Terrific stuff and please keep up the fantastic work.
They were beat and the officers of the US ARMY knew that by what they saw in the aftermath. They let them retreat, remember many of these guys knew each other. It was an officers courtesy.
I have to agree Dr. Smith. I had no idea until I stumbled on the Documentary 'Retreat From Gettysburg' here on YT a couple years ago. I think its on Prime as well. I've watched it several times now. It needs to be a mini-series in its own right.
Thanks for this awesome presentation and your historical expertise! It seemed there was a conspiracy to blame Meade for not pursuing Lee after Gettysburg; it's nice to know the truth over the spin. One thing seems apparent...Lees' retreat strategy was brilliantly executed, but his command of the battle of Gettysburg... maybe not so brilliant.
I didn’t know squat about Lee’s Retreat from Gettysburg. You are are Educating and Inspiring me to learn more. ABT have done such an excellent job with these and many more videos.
Been there several times. Local historians have done a wonderful job showing how General Robert E. Lee did NOT loose the Battle of Gettysburg, if you can get them to admit it.
I love this Chief Historian's positive vibe and overall genuine enthusiasm. It is contagious and that is a good thing (unlike the contagiousness of coronavirus).
Yeppers, the logistics of moving when you should is a story in itself. This departure was as interesting as any battle. Gettysburg was just another big battle, beating up both sides until they stopped hitting each other. The efforts of both sides in this aftermath is the thing to learn from.
I have a thought, what might have happened had Meade used the 6th Corp on the 4th to move several miles down the Emmittsburg Road then turn up Bullfrog Road and try to block Lee’s retreat where Bullfrog Road meets Main Street in Fairfield. He might have been able to capture much of Lee’s army right there.
Great video and interesting information. I luv these. I just became a contributer to the American Battlefield Trust. Chris, I have to ask what kind of watch ⌚you have?
I had thought Lee didn’t want to fight again owing to low ammunition supplies. I had heard this wasn’t made good till he got to Falling Waters and used a limited number of boats to rearm while ferrying wounded in the other direction.
Thank you ABT and guests, for an incredible series, this 158th commemoration of The Battle of Gettysburg.... Each year I get more details, to this historic event!!
During a retreat when wounded die are they buried immediately at the roadside ? Are they left with town locals ? Or are they carried to a later internment ?
For what it is worth, about 75 dead Confederates were buried in a makeshift cemetery behind Blackhorse Tavern on the Fairfield Road. I don't know whether they were buried by locals or by the Confederates. I suspect that the Confederates were more concerned about getting back to Virginia than dealing with burials. Seven badly wounded Confederates were left in a house I used to live in, along Carroll's Tract Road. Back in 1959, when I moved in, there were still Confederate bloodstains on the pine boards of my parents bedroom floor. I learned about the Confederate wounded from my neighbor, Paul Musselman, whose grandfather was an eyewitness to the events of July 1863 in the Cashtown-Fairfield area. I always wondered if there were dead soldiers buried on our farm. We never unearthed any human remains in the freshly-plowed earth near the house. Just lots of pig bones were found, while gardening.
@@brianmitson8032 . Thanks for your story. In 1959 our family was moving into a new home next to Lake Michigan . My friends and I wondered if Indians had settled nearby.
@@chriskelleher349 I have no doubt that Native Americans formerl lived in the area near your home. Based upon all the arrowheads and scrapers that I found in freshly plowed fields along Carroll's Tract Road, I am convinced that the Indians had a much greater pre-European presence in America than has generally been acknowledged. I think there was a tendency to minimize their numbers in order to trivialize the displacement and genocide of them.
Many of the Confederate dead were left by the sides of the roads and were eaten by feral hogs. Lee was chased out of Pennsylvania after being soundly defeated at Gettysburg.
Key question: could the Federals have crossed a cavalry force at Harper’s Ferry and brought it up to block Lee while he was still bottled up north of the Potomac? It would seem there was plenty of time for this.
Probably not. The Union had withdrawn from Harper’s Ferry on June 30, so it was in Confederate hands. Second, the river was up just like it was at Williamsport, so pontoons were impossible without engineers. Lastly, the cavalry weren’t great at blocking main infantry movements except in delaying actions (a la Buford), and could not have delayed Lee’s main force even if they could have beaten them to a crossing.
I dont understand,why do most historians make it sound like Mead jus sat and did nothing after Gettysburg.All you hear is Lee got away while mead sat licking his wounds.
I am going to go there. I have seen Gary on TV and I can say one thing for him he sure gets excited lol. I believe if we cut his arms off he could not talk. Just kidding. But you both do a good job
I understand the locals say "Gettis-burg" but yeah, after a lifetime of "Gettys-burg", "Gettis" is just not working for me. Hearing Kris say it over and over makes me cringe!
I am consistently grateful for your presentations you fill in so many of the important gaps and more. Meade is one of my great heroes. He is quoted as saying Lee is one of the best counter punchers ever. Many overlook the fact that Meade faced Lee with a parity of troops and almost no preparation. Grant faced Lee with about double the troops and Lee had continued to lose very many of his best commanders. I have searched in vain for how Meade was chosen. The only reference is Lincoln saying something to the effect, that a fly will defend his own dung hill better and also that Reynolds, also a Pennsylvanian, refused that command without being given complete autonomy Meade was not given a choice
Awesome! Thanks!
This is a terrific video! Both presenters are talented and engaging historians! Thanks for visiting us, and for your very kind words!
As a bonus, the video records the sounds of cicadas for posterity.
Thank you. I've never heard mention of this battle,.
The retreat from Gettysburg is an amazing storyline in and of itself. How Lee was able to pull this off is simply incredible. I can imagine Lincoln sitting by the telegraph machine and getting periodic information hearing that Lee is slipping away. Must have drove him nuts.
Thank you for a great video. Great doesn't even describe it. Most people have never even heard of Monterey Pass.
husband and I were at same location last year, what a view and yea bring water, its straight up a high side...
Thank you all so much! Another amazing video lesson to enjoy with my 9 year old grandson. So important..
Monterey Pass is one of my favorite battles to study. The retreat from Gettysburg is so fascinating and I'm glad it has revived more attention during the past decade.
Do your thing sir. Never mind the negative criticism. You continue to spread the knowledge you possess.
I have to admit, regrettably, the huge civil war history buff that I am, that other than the name of the "battle of Monterey pass", I knew nothing if the actual battle. It truly is forgotten and ignored. Thank you gentlemen. Excellent piece of history!!
I’ve lived in Waynesboro my whole life and it was only in the past few years that I learned how close the war actually came to our little part of the world! Thanks to your video now I know a bit more about the war and have a new found reason to go tromping through the woods! Terrific stuff and please keep up the fantastic work.
Thanks for the incredible content. I love watching each video and learning more.
The retreat from PA is as incredible a study as the battles at Gettysburg. Thank you guys!
They were beat and the officers of the US ARMY knew that by what they saw in the aftermath. They let them retreat, remember many of these guys knew each other. It was an officers courtesy.
I have to agree Dr. Smith. I had no idea until I stumbled on the Documentary 'Retreat From Gettysburg' here on YT a couple years ago. I think its on Prime as well. I've watched it several times now. It needs to be a mini-series in its own right.
Thank you for this great coverage.
Thank you for this whole series. An adventure for sure. Can’t wait to get back to Gettysburg. Cheers.
Wow! I had thought there wasn’t a pursuit. Thanks very much.
Thanks for this awesome presentation and your historical expertise! It seemed there was a conspiracy to blame Meade for not pursuing Lee after Gettysburg; it's nice to know the truth over the spin. One thing seems apparent...Lees' retreat strategy was brilliantly executed, but his command of the battle of Gettysburg... maybe not so brilliant.
Another wonderful video! Thank you
I have to take that way home next time I go to Gettysburg.
I didn’t know squat about Lee’s Retreat from Gettysburg. You are are Educating and Inspiring me to learn more. ABT have done such an excellent job with these and many more videos.
Really glad you folks have covered this historical retreat with so much depth!
Been there several times. Local historians have done a wonderful job showing how General Robert E. Lee did NOT loose the Battle of Gettysburg, if you can get them to admit it.
Great videos. Great towns to visit during spring and summer vacation.
I love this Chief Historian's positive vibe and overall genuine enthusiasm. It is contagious and that is a good thing (unlike the contagiousness of coronavirus).
Yeppers, the logistics of moving when you should is a story in itself. This departure was as interesting as any battle. Gettysburg was just another big battle, beating up both sides until they stopped hitting each other. The efforts of both sides in this aftermath is the thing to learn from.
I have a thought, what might have happened had Meade used the 6th Corp on the 4th to move several miles down the Emmittsburg Road then turn up Bullfrog Road and try to block Lee’s retreat where Bullfrog Road meets Main Street in Fairfield. He might have been able to capture much of Lee’s army right there.
Nice!
INCREDIBLE AND VERY intriguing! The retreat of the Army of Northern Virginia!!!
Great video and interesting information. I luv these. I just became a contributer to the American Battlefield Trust. Chris, I have to ask what kind of watch ⌚you have?
Cicadas are loud! So much atmosphere! Bet it was loud for that battle too!!
Not if it was pouring rain.
Yes, they are amazing. The different swarms come out every 17 years. I am from Pa, and I last heard this exact sound in 2003 and 2004. It's loud.
Please cover the retreat all the way to the Potomac!
I had thought Lee didn’t want to fight again owing to low ammunition supplies. I had heard this wasn’t made good till he got to Falling Waters and used a limited number of boats to rearm while ferrying wounded in the other direction.
Thank you ABT and guests, for an incredible series, this 158th commemoration of The Battle of Gettysburg.... Each year I get more details, to this historic event!!
Can we call that cicada that photobombed, Grumble?
What is that background noise?? Driving me nuts!! lol
Brood X Cicadas! They invade the Mid-Atlantic every 17 years.
You guys are walking encyclopedias!
Brood X rules, but they hatched in 1868. Great coverage of 158th.
Where - exactly - is this observation tower???
During a retreat when wounded die are they buried immediately at the roadside ? Are they left with town locals ? Or are they carried to a later internment ?
Good question. I don't know myself but it's hard to imagine them going through the trouble of lugging bodies around.
For what it is worth, about 75 dead Confederates were buried in a makeshift cemetery behind Blackhorse Tavern on the Fairfield Road. I don't know whether they were buried by locals or by the Confederates. I suspect that the Confederates were more concerned about getting back to Virginia than dealing with burials. Seven badly wounded Confederates were left in a house I used to live in, along Carroll's Tract Road. Back in 1959, when I moved in, there were still Confederate bloodstains on the pine boards of my parents bedroom floor. I learned about the Confederate wounded from my neighbor, Paul Musselman, whose grandfather was an eyewitness to the events of July 1863 in the Cashtown-Fairfield area. I always wondered if there were dead soldiers buried on our farm. We never unearthed any human remains in the freshly-plowed earth near the house. Just lots of pig bones were found, while gardening.
@@brianmitson8032 . Thanks for your story. In 1959 our family was moving into a new home next to Lake Michigan . My friends and I wondered if Indians had settled nearby.
@@chriskelleher349 I have no doubt that Native Americans formerl lived in the area near your home. Based upon all the arrowheads and scrapers that I found in freshly plowed fields along Carroll's Tract Road, I am convinced that the Indians had a much greater pre-European presence in America than has generally been acknowledged. I think there was a tendency to minimize their numbers in order to trivialize the displacement and genocide of them.
Many of the Confederate dead were left by the sides of the roads and were eaten by feral hogs. Lee was chased out of Pennsylvania after being soundly defeated at Gettysburg.
WHO took over for Hancock and Sickles after their serious wounds at Gettysburg?
I believe it was Larry fine !
@@sweetassugar2076 sure it wasn't Moe and Curly?
Key question: could the Federals have crossed a cavalry force at Harper’s Ferry and brought it up to block Lee while he was still bottled up north of the Potomac? It would seem there was plenty of time for this.
Probably not. The Union had withdrawn from Harper’s Ferry on June 30, so it was in Confederate hands. Second, the river was up just like it was at Williamsport, so pontoons were impossible without engineers. Lastly, the cavalry weren’t great at blocking main infantry movements except in delaying actions (a la Buford), and could not have delayed Lee’s main force even if they could have beaten them to a crossing.
The locusts like it too.
When you going to talk about the battle at schrute farm?
Shouldn't Stuart be covering withdrawal? Not like any large blue belly force was waiting down south!🙄
Jman
I dont understand,why do most historians make it sound like Mead jus sat and did nothing after Gettysburg.All you hear is Lee got away while mead sat licking his wounds.
That's because Mead was defeated too. Don't believe everything the Yankees tell. Gettysburg was a draw. Lee did NOT loose the Battle of Gettysburg
I adore the individual personalities each of you bring to the "Story"...
Thank you Garry & Kris, and team, and all your great guests!!!
I am going to go there. I have seen Gary on TV and I can say one thing for him he sure gets excited lol. I believe if we cut his arms off he could not talk. Just kidding. But you both do a good job
Nice presentation! FYI for future reference, your map spells Waynesboro incorrectly as “Waynesborough.”
a 11/12 yr old girl helps the union catch parts of the Confederate wagon trains?
Happy hands
Keep going, Garry and Kris. Another great video.
Kris White remains calmer than Garry but that can't be hard to do.
I understand the locals say "Gettis-burg" but yeah, after a lifetime of "Gettys-burg", "Gettis" is just not working for me. Hearing Kris say it over and over makes me cringe!
The dead free behind Gary needs to go.
I will be going to a retreat tour given by eric wittenberg
At the risk of being a broken record what I can say is ‘well done’ gentlemen.
a comment