Civil War History - Gettysburg ForumGettysburg! It's not just a National Park. It's a Civil War Battlefield. For some it's historic and storied past are almost an obsession! All related discussions are welcome here!
I guess there's so much about Gettysburg because for you guys it's a seminal battle. For us in England ours is The Somme in 1916.
Something as momentus as Gettysburg will captivate people always. Antietam was also huge but wasn't such a defining moment. Was it Shelby Foot who said 'before Gettysburg the South could win, afterwards they couldn't'?
As an Englishman I cannot read enough about it!
Is there a list somewhere of the Regiments that took part in Pickett's charge? Were there many from Alabama?
Great website by the way!
Last edited by SpiritofPickett; 07-27-2006 at 02:57 AM.
__________________ "In this great struggle, this form of Government and every form of human right is endangered if our enemies succeed. There is more involved in this contest than is realized by every one." Abraham Lincoln - August 18, 1864 Speech to the 164th Ohio Regiment
Spirit: I think most of the men under Pickett were Virginians. The same can't be said for the other "P" and Trimble. Any good book covering the "Third Day" will have the OBs for the charge. As will Battles & Leaders. Terry's link will most likely offer the most accurate, as gdg.org is entirely devoted to that battle.
And, yes, welcome. Look forward to your posts.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
It's interesting how one battle is seen to represent an entire war, like Gettysburgs for the Civil War, the Somme for the British in WWI, Waterloo for the Napoleonic Wars, and D-Day for the Americans in WWII.
There is a school of thought that Gettysburg is overrated as the "decisive" battle, and actually Antietam, which led to the Emancipation Proclaimation, and foiled Lee's first invasion of the North was more "decisive." I put decisive in quotes because I think there wasn't one event.
There is a school of thought that suggests the fall of Vicksburg was the "decisive" battle from a greater strategic sense in that it began the process of the CSA in the west buckling in and leading to the loss of TN, MS, GA, etc. Once that process began in earnest, as they say "the rest was history".
Respectfully,
Spartan
Is anyone else suffering from Gettysburg burn-out?
As a kid and even into my 20s, and as a former frequent visitor to Gettysburg in my youth (military service limiting my visits nowadays), I found Gettysburg to hold a special place as "the" pivotal point in the entire history of the Civil War.
I still visit when I can, and absolutely love to be there...but I am in Gettysburg overload. Almost every magazine you find out there on the war has something Gettysburg in it, either cover story, major story, or book reviews...in nearly every issue. If I see another Gettysburg special issue anytime soon........
All due deference to Gettysburg aside, the war lasted went on for another 21 months and preceded it by 27, but for some reason, it seems like Gettysburg is THE battle or nearly so. Men fought and died at hundreds of other locations throughout the south.
Why the need to have Gettysburg all the time, every time?
I share a similar fascination with Gettysburg, and I am similarly trying to NOT overload. I think there are several reasons why Gettysburg is studied so much, besides the "turning point" concept. First, there is the fact that so many regiments faught in so many engagements throughout the battle. Second, there are so many nuances and controversies, not only Lee's leadership during the battle, but also the decisions made by generals like Ewell, Law, and Sickles. Third, there are so many persistant legends, which entice historians to find out what really happened. These include the 20th Maine at Little Round Top, the 1st Minnesota, Devil's Den, and several legends from Pickett's Charge, including the 26th North Carolina and Cushing's battery. Finally, Pickett's Charge and the Cannonade that preceded it were quite unlike anything else in the war.
I guess there's so much about Gettysburg because for you guys it's a seminal battle. For us in England ours is The Somme in 1916.
Something as momentus as Gettysburg will captivate people always. Antietam was also huge but wasn't such a defining moment. Was it Shelby Foot who said 'before Gettysburg the South could win, afterwards they couldn't'?
As an Englishman I cannot read enough about it!
Is there a list somewhere of the Regiments that took part in Pickett's charge? Were there many from Alabama?
Great website by the way!
I understand that sentiment. I recently bought a complex boardgame which simulates the battle, mainly because I wanted to experiment with different "what if" secnarios, and there are plenty from that battle. You can call me a romanticist, but I truly believe that the United States was saved at Gettysburg. Like you, I can't get enough of it. My family is planning on visiting the field this coming spring, and since I have never been there except when I was very little, I am very much looking forward to it. It must be powerful to stand on Cemetery Ridge and imagine yourself as a Union soldier watching the Confederates marching towards you.
Anyway, enough daydreaming. To answer your question, there is a book called "Gettysburg, July 3rd Order of Battle: the Army of Northern Virginia". That book should have what your looking for. And yes, Wilcox's Alabama brigade made a small charge against the ridge after Pickett and the others were repulsed.
Location: nope, this ain't it toto. Get back in the truck.
Posts: 93
I'll have to agree, I'm getting burnt out on gettysburg e last too. The movie Gettysburg was probably the last straw. I have had people talk to me and ask, have you been to Gettysburg? I told them no and said I was at Perryville, the replied "Where?" Is this all our schools are teaching kids these days?
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To answer your question, there is a book called "Gettysburg, July 3rd Order of Battle: the Army of Northern Virginia". That book should have what your looking for. And yes, Wilcox's Alabama brigade made a small charge against the ridge after Pickett and the others were repulsed.
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