152 years ago right now

[ntsb]

If you are Johnny Reb, what are your thoughts? If you are Billy Yank what are yours? Do you appreciate the magnitude of what just occurred?

 

[JaneQuantrill]

I, most definitely, understand the magnitude. As Reb, I think this-

 

[M.Warren]

I honestly don't know what I might have thought. My best guess would be, Im glad this has come to an end and hope my children never experience anything like it.

 

[MRB1863]

Good question! Most soldiers who could think about it were probably still amazed that they survived the mayhem of three days of horrific battle.

 

[dixieland1861]

I would of been devestated being a southerner. but we still lasted 2 more years but grant made them horrific along with sherman

 

[JerseyBart]

I'd be exhausted and lucky to be alive.

 

[bankerpapaw]

Well, it is now 8 P.M. Being from Arkansas, I would have been with the 3rd Arkansas in Hood's division. I would be thanking God that I had survived these last 3 terrible days.

 

[Mary763]

Well as a female soldier impersonating a male soldier (which would have been the only way I could have participated), I would be exhausted and thankful I wasn't killed or even injured so I could keep my secret safe. I'm sure I would also have been devastated at the sight of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
As to understanding the magnitude, I think that starts to sink in over the next few days or as I sit to write my family a letter.

 

[dlavin]

As a Confederate I would be wondering where was the backup and reinforcements?

 

[dlavin]

I finished reading the chapters on the Pickett/Pettigrew/Trimble charge from Trudeau's Gettysburg last night. What a sad, heart wrenching read. Reading through the first person accounts is just terrifying. I had to put the book down. Its just one of those things that no matter how many times you read/watch/hear about it, it just pulls at you. Full scale slaughter.

 

[bdtex]

If you are Johnny Reb, what are your thoughts? If you are Billy Yank what are yours? Do you appreciate the magnitude of what just occurred?

If I had been a Reb soldier at Gettysburg, I'd have either been in the 4th or 5th Texas Infantry Regiment and on the left flank of the assault on Little Round Top. Reading a book right now by a soldier with the 5th Texas Infantry Regiment. He said the second time they were ordered to attack,they went to the spot they reached in the first attack and stopped because they knew what awaited them if they went any further. He knew they had been whipped at Gettysburg. They lived in the moment. I'm sure I'd have been tired as hell,happy to be alive,have the thousand yard stare and questioning the leadership for ordering such a suicidal attack.